at Years of Discretion, I mean are got out of the Hands of their Parents and Governours, and are set up for themselves, who yet are liable to these Attempts; but if these are prevailed upon, you must excuse me if I lay the Fault upon them, that their Wisdom is not grown with their Years.  My Client, Mr. Strephon, whom you summoned to declare himself, gives you Thanks however for your Warning, and begs the Favour only to inlarge his Time for a Week, or to the last Day of the Term, and then hell appear gratis, and pray no Day over.  Yours, Philanthropes.

  Mr. SPECTATOR,

I was last Night to visit a Lady who I much esteem, and always took for my Friend; but met with so very different a Reception from what I expected, that I cannot help applying my self to you on this Occasion.  In the room of that Civility and Familiarity I used to be treated with by her, an affected Strangeness in her Looks, and Coldness in her Behaviour, plainly told me I was not the welcome Guest which the Regard and Tenderness she has often expressed for me gave me Reason to flatter my self to think I was.  Sir, this is certainly a great Fault, and I assure you a very common one; therefore I hope you will think it a fit Subject for some Part of a Spectator.  Be pleased to acquaint us how we must behave our selves towards this valetudinary Friendship, subject to so many Heats and Colds, and you will oblige, SIR, Your humble Servant, Miranda.

  SIR,

I cannot forbear acknowledging the Delight your late Spectators on Saturdays have given me; for it is writ in the honest Spirit of Criticism, and called to my Mind the following four Lines I had read long since in a Prologue to a Play called Julius Caesar [1] which has deserved a better Fate.  The Verses are addressed to the little Criticks.

    Shew your small Talent, and let that suffice ye;
    But grow not vain upon it, I advise ye. 
    For every Fop can find out Faults in Plays: 
    You’ll ne’er arrive at Knowing when to praise.

  Yours, D. G.

T.

[Footnote 1:  By William Alexander, Earl of Stirling (who died in 1640); one of his four Monarchicke Tragedies.  He received a grant of Nova Scotia to colonize, and was secretary of state for Scotland.]

* * * * *

No. 301.  Thursday, February 14, 1712.  Budgell.

  Possint ut Juvenes visere fervidi
  Multo non sine risu,
  Dilapsam in cineres facem.

  Hor.