the open Heath that lies by my House, I find several other Thoughts growing up in me.  I am now of opinion that a Man [of my Age] may find Business enough on himself, by setting his Mind in order, preparing it for another World, and reconciling it to the Thoughts of Death.  I must therefore acquaint you, that besides those usual Methods of Charity, of which I have before spoken, I am at this very Instant finding out a convenient Place where I may build an Alms-house, which I intend to endow very handsomely, for a Dozen superannuated Husbandmen.  It will be a great pleasure to me to say my Prayers twice a-day with Men of my own [Years [1]], who all of them, as well as my self, may have their Thoughts taken up how they shall die, rather than how they shall live.  I remember an excellent Saying that I learned at School, Finis coronat opus.  You know best whether it be in Virgil or in Horace, it is my business to apply it.  If your Affairs will permit you to take the Country Air with me sometimes, you shall find an Apartment fitted up for you, and shall be every day entertained with Beef or Mutton of my own feeding; Fish out of my own Ponds; and Fruit out of my own Garden[s].  You shall have free Egress and Regress about my House, without having any Questions asked you, and in a Word such an hearty Welcome as you may expect from

  Your most sincere Friend
  and humble Servant,

  ANDREW FREEPORT.

The Club, of which I am Member, being entirely dispersed, I shall consult my Reader next Week, upon a Project relating to the Institution of a new one.

O.

[Footnote 1:  Age.]

* * * * *

No. 550.  Monday, December 1, 1712.  Addison.

  ‘Quid dignum tanto feret hic promissor HIATU?’

  Hor.

Since the late Dissolution of the Club whereof I have often declared my self a Member, there are very many Persons who by Letters, Petitions, and Recommendations, put up for the next Election.  At the same time I must complain, that several indirect and underhand Practices have been made use of upon this Occasion.  A certain Country Gentleman begun to tapp upon the first Information he received of Sir ROGER’S Death; when he sent me up word, that if I would get him chosen in the Place of the Deceased, he would present me with a Barrel of the best October I had ever drank in my Life.  The Ladies are in great Pain to know whom I intend to elect in the Room of WILL.  HONEYCOMBE.  Some of them indeed are of Opinion that Mr. HONEYCOMBE did not take sufficient care of their Interests in the Club, and are therefore desirous of having in it hereafter a Representative of their own Sex.  A Citizen who subscribes himself Y.  Z. tells me that he has one and twenty Shares in the African Company, and offers to bribe me with the odd one in case he may succeed Sir ANDREW FREEPORT, which he thinks would raise the Credit of that Fund.  I have several Letters, dated from Fenny Man’s, by Gentlemen who are Candidates for Capt.  SENTRY’S Place, and as many from a Coffee-House in Paul’s Church-yard of such who would fill up the Vacancy occasioned by the Death of my worthy Friend the Clergyman, whom I can never mention but with a particular Respect.