to be, who are so far from ent’ring into the Sense and Spirit of the Ancients, that they don’t yet understand their Language with any [Exactness. [3]]

But I have wander’d from my Purpose, which was only to desire you to save, if possible, a fond English Mother, and Mother’s own Son, from being shewn a ridiculous Spectacle thro’ the most polite Part of Europe, Pray tell them, that though to be Sea-sick, or jumbled in an outlandish Stage-Coach, may perhaps be healthful for the Constitution of the Body, yet it is apt to cause such a Dizziness in young empty Heads, as too often lasts their Life-time.  I am, SIR, Your most Humble Servant, Philip Homebred.

  Birchan-Lane.

  SIR,

I was marry’d on Sunday last, and went peaceably to bed; but, to my Surprize, was awakend the next Morning by the Thunder of a Set of Drums.  These warlike Sounds (methinks) are very improper in a Marriage-Consort, and give great Offence; they seem to insinuate, that the Joys of this State are short, and that Jars and Discord soon ensue.  I fear they have been ominous to many Matches, and sometimes proved a Prelude to a Battel in the Honey-Moon.  A Nod from you may hush them; therefore pray, Sir, let them be silenced, that for the future none but soft Airs may usher in the Morning of a Bridal Night, which will be a Favour not only to those who come after, but to me, who can still subscribe my self,

  Your most humble
  and most obedient Servant,
  Robin Bridegroom.

  Mr. SPECTATOR,

I am one of that sort of Women whom the gayer Part of our Sex are apt to call a Prude.  But to shew them that I have very little Regard to their Raillery, I shall be glad to see them all at The Amorous Widow, or the Wanton Wife, which is to be acted, for the Benefit of Mrs. Porter, on Monday the 28th Instant.  I assure you I can laugh at an Amorous Widow, or Wanton Wife, with as little Temptation to imitate them, as I could at any other vicious Character.  Mrs. Porter obliged me so very much in the exquisite Sense she seemed to have of the honourable Sentiments and noble Passions in the Character of Hermione, that I shall appear in her behalf at a Comedy, tho I have not great Relish for any Entertainments where the Mirth is not seasond with a certain Severity, which ought to recommend it to People who pretend to keep Reason and Authority over all their Actions.

  I am, SIR,
  Your frequent Reader,
  Altamira.

T.

[Footnote 1:  [Strenua nos exercet inertia:  Navibus.]]

[Footnote 2:  Dr. Thomas Birch, in a letter dated June 15, 1764, says that this letter was by Mr. Philip Yorke, afterwards Earl of Hardwicke, who was author also of another piece in the Spectator, but his son could not remember what that was.]

[Footnote 3: 

[Exactness.