but only, when a good Offer comes, to whet and spur him up to the Point.  Nay, ’tis the Opinion of that grave Lady, Madam Matchwell, that it’s absolutely convenient for every prudent Family to have several of these Implements about the House, to clap on as Occasion serves, and that every Spark ought to produce a Certificate of his being a Shoeing-Horn, before he be admitted as a Shoe.  A certain Lady, whom I could name, if it was necessary, has at present more Shoeing-Horns of all Sizes, Countries, and Colours, in her Service, than ever she had new Shoes in her Life.  I have known a Woman make use of a Shoeing-Horn for several Years, and finding him unsuccessful in that Function, convert him at length into a Shoe.  I am mistaken if your Friend Mr.  WILLIAM HONEYCOMB, was not a cast Shoeing-Horn before his late Marriage.  As for my self, I must frankly declare to you, that I have been an errant Shoeing-Horn for above these twenty Years.  I served my first Mistress in that Capacity above five of the Number, before she was shod.  I confess, though she had many who made their Applications to her, I always thought my self the best Shoe in her Shop, and it was not till a Month before her Marriage that I discovered what I was.  This had like to have broke my Heart, and raised such Suspicions in me, that I told the next I made Love to, upon receiving some unkind Usage from her, that I began to look upon my self as no more than her Shoeing-Horn.  Upon which, my Dear, who was a Coquet in her Nature, told me I was Hypocondriacal, and that I might as well look upon my self to be an Egg or a Pipkin.  But in a very short time after she gave me to know that I was not mistaken in my self.  It would be tedious to recount to you the Life of an unfortunate Shoeing-Horn, or I might entertain you with a very long and melancholy Relation of my Sufferings.  Upon the whole, I think, Sir, it would very well become a Man in your Post, to determine in what Cases a Woman may be allowed, with Honour, to make use of a Shoeing-Horn, as also to declare whether a Maid on this side Five and Twenty, or a Widow who has not been three Years in that State, may be granted such a Privilege, with other Difficulties which will naturally occur to you upon that Subject.

  I am, SIR,

  With the most profound Veneration,

  Yours, &c._

O.

* * * * *

No. 537.  Saturday, November 15, 1712.  J. Hughes.

  [Greek:  Tou men gar genos esmen—­]

  To the SPECTATOR.

  SIR,