to stand out interchangeably from the Sides till they meet at the Top, and form a Semicircle over the rest of the Figures:  Beneath all, the Writing is to run in this pretty sounding Manner: 

    ’Adeste, O quotquot sunt, Veneres, Gratiae, Cupidines, [1]
    En vobis adsunt in promptu
    Faces, Vincula, Spicula,
    Hinc eligite, sumite, regite.’

  I am, Sir,
  Your most humble Servant,
  A.  B.

The Proposal of my Correspondent I cannot but look upon as an ingenious Method of placing Persons (whose Parts make them ambitious to exert themselves in frivolous things) in a Rank by themselves.  In order to this, I would propose, That there be a Board of Directors of the fashionable Society; and because it is a Matter of too much Weight for a private Man to determine alone, I should be highly obliged to my Correspondents if they would give in Lists of Persons qualify’d for this Trust.  If the chief Coffee-houses, the Conversations of which Places are carry’d on by Persons, each of whom has his little number of Followers and Admirers, would name from among themselves two or three to be inserted, they should be put up with great Faithfulness.  Old Beaus are to be presented in the first place; but as that Sect, with relation to Dress, is almost extinct, it will, I fear, be absolutely necessary to take in all Time-Servers, properly so deem’d; that is, such as, without any Conviction of Conscience or View of Interest, change with the World, and that merely from a Terror of being out of Fashion.  Such also, who from Facility of Temper, and too much Obsequiousness, are vicious against their Will, and follow Leaders whom they do not approve, for Want of Courage to go their own Way, are capable Persons for this Superintendency.  Those who are both to grow old, or would do any thing contrary to the Course and Order of things, out of Fondness to be in Fashion, are proper Candidates.  To conclude, those who are in Fashion without apparent Merit, must be supposed to have latent Qualities, which would appear in a Post of Direction; and therefore are to be regarded in forming these Lists.  Any who shall be pleased, according to these, or what further Qualifications may occur to himself, to send a List, is desired to do it within fourteen days after this Date.

N. B. The Place of the Physician to this Society, according to the last mentioned Qualification, is already engag’d.

T.

[Footnote 1: 

  ’All ye Venuses, Graces, and Cupids, attend: 
  See prepared to your hands
  Darts, torches, and bands: 
  Your weapons here choose, and your empire extend.’]

* * * * *

No. 479.  Tuesday, September 9, 1712.  Steele.

  ‘—­Dare Jure maritis.’

  Hor.