Mr. SPECTATOR,

’The Aversion I for some Years have had to Clubs in general, gave me a perfect Relish for your Speculation on that Subject; but I have since been extremely mortified, by the malicious World’s ranking me amongst the Supporters of such impertinent Assemblies.  I beg Leave to state my Case fairly; and that done, I shall expect Redress from your judicious Pen.

I am, Sir, a Batchelour of some standing, and a Traveller; my Business, to consult my own Humour, which I gratify without controuling other People’s; I have a Room and a whole Bed to myself; and I have a Dog, a Fiddle, and a Gun; they please me, and injure no Creature alive.  My chief Meal is a Supper, which I always make at a Tavern.  I am constant to an Hour, and not ill-humour’d; for which Reasons, tho’ I invite no Body, I have no sooner supp’d, than I have a Crowd about me of that sort of good Company that know not whither else to go.  It is true every Man pays his Share, yet as they are Intruders, I have an undoubted Right to be the only Speaker, or at least the loudest; which I maintain, and that to the great Emolument of my Audience.  I sometimes tell them their own in pretty free Language; and sometimes divert them with merry Tales, according as I am in Humour.  I am one of those who live in Taverns to a great Age, by a sort of regular Intemperance; I never go to Bed drunk, but always flustered; I wear away very gently; am apt to be peevish, but never angry.  Mr. SPECTATOR, if you have kept various Company, you know there is in every Tavern in Town some old Humourist or other, who is Master of the House as much as he that keeps it.  The Drawers are all in Awe of him; and all the Customers who frequent his Company, yield him a sort of comical Obedience.  I do not know but I may be such a Fellow as this my self.  But I appeal to you, whether this is to be called a Club, because so many Impertinents will break in upon me, and come without Appointment?  ‘Clinch of Barnet’ [2] has a nightly Meeting, and shows to every one that will come in and pay; but then he is the only Actor.  Why should People miscall things?

  If his is allowed to be a Consort, why mayn’t mine be a Lecture? 
  However, Sir, I submit it to you, and am,

  Sir,

  Your most obedient, Etc.

  Tho.  Kimbow.’

* * *

  Good Sir,

’You and I were press’d against each other last Winter in a Crowd, in which uneasy Posture we suffer’d together for almost Half an Hour.  I thank you for all your Civilities ever since, in being of my Acquaintance wherever you meet me.  But the other Day you pulled off your Hat to me in the Park, when I was walking with my Mistress:  She did not like your Air, and said she wonder’d what strange Fellows I was acquainted with.  Dear Sir, consider it is as much as my Life is Worth, if she should think we were intimate; therefore I earnestly intreat you for the Future to take no Manner of Notice of,

  Sir,