Parts of the Town till eight at Night; at which time he came to a Club of his Friends, and diverted them with an Account what Censure it had at Will’s in Covent-Garden, how dangerous it was believed to be at Child’s, and what Inference they drew from it with Relation to Stocks at Jonathan’s.  I have had the Honour to travel with this Gentleman I speak of in Search of one of his Falshoods; and have been present when they have described the very Man they have spoken to, as him who first reported it, tall or short, black or fair, a Gentleman or a Raggamuffin, according as they liked the Intelligence.  I have heard one of our ingenious Writers of News say, that when he has had a Customer come with an Advertisement of an Apprentice or a Wife run away, he has desired the Advertiser to compose himself a little, before he dictated the Description of the Offender:  For when a Person is put into a publick Paper by a Man who is angry with him, the real Description of such Person is hid in the Deformity with which the angry Man described him; therefore this Fellow always made his Customers describe him as he would the Day before he offended, or else he was sure he would never find him out.  These and many other Hints I could suggest to you for the Elucidation of all Fictions; but I leave it to your own Sagacity to improve or neglect this Speculation.

  I am, SIR,

  Your most obedient,

  Humble Servant._

Postscript to the Spectator, Number 502.

N. B. There are in the Play of the Self-Tormentor of Terence’s, which is allowed a most excellent Comedy, several Incidents which would draw Tears from any Man of Sense, and not one which would move his Laughter.

T.

[Footnote 1:  By 7 Anne, cap. 17, all wagers laid upon a contingency relating to the war with France were declared void.]

* * * * *

No. 522.  Wednesday, October 29, 1712.  Steele.

’—­Adjuro nunquam eam me deserturum, Non, si capiundos mihi sciam esse inimicos omneis homines.  Hanc mihi expetivi, contigit:  conveniunt mores:  valeant Qui inter nos dissidium volunt:  hanc, nisi mors, Mi adimet nemo.’

  Ter.

I should esteem my self a very happy Man, if my Speculations could in the least contribute to the rectifying the Conduct of my Readers in one of the most important Affairs of Life, to wit their Choice in Marriage.  This State is the Foundation of Community, and the chief Band of Society; and I do not think I can be too frequent on Subjects which may give Light to my unmarried Readers, in a particular which is so essential to their following Happiness or Misery.  A virtuous Disposition, a good Understanding, an agreeable Person, and an easy Fortune, are the things which should be chiefly regarded on this Occasion.  Because my present View is to direct a young Lady, who, I think,