afterwards did Penance in a Bay Gelding for ten Years; as also how I was a Taylor, a Shrimp, and a Tom-tit.  In the last of these my Shapes I was shot in the Christmas Holidays by a young Jack-a-napes, who would needs try his new Gun upon me.

But I shall pass over these and other several Stages of Life, to remind you of the young Beau who made love to you about Six Years since.  You may remember, Madam, how he masked, and danced, and sung, and play’d a thousand Tricks to gain you; and how he was at last carry’d off by a Cold that he got under your Window one Night in a Serenade.  I was that unfortunate young Fellow, whom you were then so cruel to.  Not long after my shifting that unlucky Body, I found myself upon a Hill in AEthiopia, where I lived in my present Grotesque Shape, till I was caught by a Servant of the English Factory, and sent over into Great Britain:  I need not inform you how I came into your Hands.  You see, Madam, this is not the first time that you have had me in a Chain:  I am, however, very happy in this my Captivity, as you often bestow on me those Kisses and Caresses which I would have given the World for, when I was a Man.  I hope this Discovery of my Person will not tend to my Disadvantage, but that you will still continue your accustomed Favours to Your most Devoted Humble Servant, Pugg.

  P.S.  I would advise your little Shock-dog to keep out of my way; for
  as I look upon him to be the most formidable of my Rivals, I may
  chance one time or other to give him such a Snap as he wont like.

L.

[Footnote 1:  Sir Paul Rycaut, the son of a London merchant, after an education at Trinity College, Cambridge, went in 1661 to Constantinople as Secretary to the Embassy.  He published in 1668 his Present State of the Ottoman Empire, in three Books, and in 1670 the work here quoted, A Particular Description of the Mahometan Religion, the Seraglio, the Maritime and Land Forces of Turkey, abridged in 1701 in Savages History of the Turks, and translated into French by Bespier in 1707.  Consul afterwards at Smyrna, he wrote by command of Charles II. a book on The Present State of the Greek and American Churches, published 1679.  After his return from the East he was made Privy Councillor and Judge of the High Court of Admiralty.  He was knighted by James II., and one of the first Fellows of the Royal Society.  He published between 1687 and 1700, the year of his death, Knolless History of the Turks, with a continuation of his own, and also translated Platinas Lives of the Popes and Garcilaso de la Vegas History of Peru.]

[Footnote 2:  [upon]]

* * * * *

No. 344.  Friday, April 4, 1712.  Steele.

  In solo vivendi causa palato est.

  Juv.

  Mr. SPECTATOR,