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No. 560.  Monday, June 28, 1714.  Addison.

  ‘—­Verba intermissa retentat.’

  Ov.  Met.

Every one has heard of the Famous Conjurer, who, according to the Opinion of the Vulgar, has studied himself dumb; for which Reason, as it is believed, he delivers out all his Oracles in Writing.  Be that as it will, the blind Tiresias was not more famous in Greece, than this dumb Artist has been, for some Years last past, in the Cities of London and Westminster.  Thus much for the profound Gentleman who honours me with the following Epistle.

  From my Cell, June 24, 1714.

  SIR,

’Being informed that you have lately got the Use of your Tongue, I have some Thoughts of following your Example, that I may be a Fortune-teller properly speaking.  I am grown weary of my Taciturnity, and having served my Country many Years under the Title of the dumb Doctor, I shall now prophesie by Word of Mouth, and (as Mr. Lee says of the Magpie, who you know was a great Fortune-teller among the Ancients) chatter Futurity.  I have hitherto chosen to receive Questions and return Answers in Writing, that I might avoid the Tediousness and Trouble of Debates, my Querists being generally of a Humour to think, that they have never Predictions enough for their Mony.  In short, Sir, my Case has been something like that of those discreet Animals the Monkeys, who, as the Indians tell us, can speak if they would, but purposely avoid it that they may not be made to work.  I have hitherto gained a Livelyhood by holding my Tongue, but shall now open my Mouth in order to fill it.  If I appear a little Word-bound in my first Solutions and Responses, I hope it will not be imputed to any Want of Foresight, but to the long Disuse of Speech.  I doubt not by this Invention to have all my former Customers over again, for if I have promised any of them Lovers or Husbands, Riches or good Luck, it is my Design to confirm to them viva voce, what I have already given them under my Hand.  If you will honour me with a Visit, I will compliment you with the first opening of my Mouth, and if you please you may make an entertaining Dialogue out of the Conversation of two dumb Men.  Excuse this Trouble, worthy Sir, from one who has been a long time

  Your Silent Admirer,
  Cornelius Agrippa.’

I have received the following Letter, or rather Billet-doux, from a pert young Baggage, who congratulates with me upon the same Occasion.

  June 23, 1714.

  Dear Mr. Prate-apace,

’I am a Member of a Female Society who call ourselves the Chit-Chat Club, and am ordered by the whole Sisterhood, to congratulate you upon the Use of your Tongue.  We have all of us a mighty Mind to hear you talk, and if you will take your Place among us for an Evening, we have unanimously agreed to allow you one Minute in ten, without Interruption.

  I am, SIR,
  Your Humble Servant,
  S. T.