The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 3,418 pages of information about The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3.

The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 3,418 pages of information about The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3.
Custom of the Place, and goes no further than a little ecclesiastical Good-Breeding.  If you will not pretend to tell us the Motives that bring such Triflers to solemn Assemblies, yet let me desire that you will give this Letter a Place in your Paper, and I shall remain,

  SIR,
  Your obliged humble Servant,
  J. S.

  May the 5th.

  Mr. SPECTATOR,

The Conversation at a Club, of which I am a Member, last Night falling upon Vanity and the Desire of being admired, put me in mind of relating how agreeably I was entertained at my own Door last Thursday by a clean fresh-colour’d Girl, under the most elegant and the best furnished Milk-Pail I had ever observed.  I was glad of such an Opportunity of seeing the Behaviour of a Coquet in low Life, and how she received the extraordinary Notice that was taken of her; which I found had affected every Muscle of her Face in the same manner as it does the Feature of a first-rate Toast at a Play, or in an Assembly.  This Hint of mine made the Discourse turn upon the Sense of Pleasure; which ended in a general Resolution, that the Milk-Maid enjoys her Vanity as exquisitely as the Woman of Quality.  I think it would not be an improper Subject for you to examine this Frailty, and trace it to all Conditions of Life; which is recommended to you as an Occasion of obliging many of your Readers, among the rest,

  Your most humble Servant,
  T. B.

  SIR,

Coming last Week into a Coffee-house not far from the Exchange with my Basket under my Arm, a Jew of considerable Note, as I am informed, takes half a Dozen Oranges of me, and at the same time slides a Guinea into my Hand; I made him a Curtsy, and went my Way:  He follow’d me, and finding I was going about my Business, he came up with me, and told me plainly, that he gave me the Guinea with no other Intent but to purchase my Person for an Hour.  Did you so, Sir? says I:  You gave it me then to make me be wicked, I’ll keep it to make me honest.  However, not to be in the least ungrateful, I promise you Ill lay it out in a couple of Rings, and wear them for your Sake.  I am so just, Sir, besides, as to give every Body that asks how I came by my Rings this Account of my Benefactor; but to save me the Trouble of telling my Tale over and over again, I humbly beg the favour of you so to tell it once for all, and you will extremely oblige,

  Your humble Servant,
  Betty Lemon.

  May 12, 1712.

  St. Bride’s, May 15, 1712.

  SIR,

’Tis a great deal of Pleasure to me, and I dare say will be no less Satisfaction to you, that I have an Opportunity of informing you, that the Gentlemen and others of the Parish of St. Bride’s, have raised a Charity-School of fifty Girls, as before of fifty Boys.  You were so kind to recommend the Boys to the charitable World, and the other Sex hope you will do them the same Favour
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The Spectator, Volumes 1, 2 and 3 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.