of the Soul.  And it may be observed, that in all which relates to the Gesture, there is a wonderful Force implanted by Nature, since the Vulgar, the Unskilful, and even the most Barbarous are chiefly affected by this.  None are moved by the Sound of Words, but those who understand the Language; and the Sense of many things is lost upon Men of a dull Apprehension:  but Action is a kind of Universal Tongue; all Men are subject to the same Passions, and consequently know the same Marks of them in others, by which they themselves express them.

Perhaps some of my Readers may be of Opinion, that the Hints I have here made use of, out of Cicero, are somewhat too refined for the Players on our Theatre:  In answer to which, I venture to lay it down as a Maxim, that without Good Sense no one can be a good Player, and that he is very unfit to personate the Dignity of a Roman Hero, who cannot enter into the Rules for Pronunciation and Gesture delivered by a Roman Orator.

There is another thing which my Author does not think too minute to insist on, though it is purely mechanical:  and that is the right pitching of the Voice.  On this occasion he tells the Story of Gracchus, who employed a Servant with a little Ivory Pipe to stand behind him, and give him the right Pitch, as often as he wandered too far from the proper Modulation.  Every Voice, says Tully, [5] has its particular Medium and Compass, and the Sweetness of Speech consists in leading it through all the Variety of Tones naturally, and without touching any Extreme.  Therefore, says he,

  ‘Leave the Pipe at home, but carry the Sense of this Custom with you.’

[Footnote 1:  Action_ and Pronunciation.]

[Footnote 2:  Dramatical, and in first reprint.]

[Footnote 3:  Dryden’s.]

[Footnote 4:  Otway’s.]

[Footnote 5:  Near the end of the De Oratore.]

* * * * *

No. 542.  Friday, November 21, 1712.  Addison.

  ‘Et sibi praeferri se gaudet.’

  Ovid.

When I have been present in Assemblies where my Paper has been talked of, I have been very well pleased to hear those who would detract from the Author of it observe, that the Letters which are sent to the Spectator are as good, if not better than any of his Works.  Upon this Occasion many Letters of Mirth are usually mentioned, which some think the Spectator writ to himself, and which others commend because they fancy he received them from his Correspondents:  Such are those from the Valetudinarian; the Inspector of the Sign-Posts; the Master of the Fan-Exercise:  with that of the Hoop’d Petticoat; that of Nicholas Hart the annual Sleeper; that from Sir John Envill; that upon the London Cries; with multitudes of the same nature.  As I love nothing more than to mortify the Ill-natured,