[Footnote 13:  which]

[Footnote 14:  that we]

[Footnote 15:  Dr Henry More.]

* * * * *

No. 87.  Saturday, June 9, 1711.  Steel.

      ‘...  Nimium ne crede colori.’

      Virg.

It has been the Purpose of several of my Speculations to bring People to an unconcerned Behaviour, with relation to their Persons, whether beautiful or defective.  As the Secrets of the Ugly Club were exposed to the Publick, that Men might see there were some noble Spirits in the Age, who are not at all displeased with themselves upon Considerations which they had no Choice in:  so the Discourse concerning Idols tended to lessen the Value People put upon themselves from personal Advantages, and Gifts of Nature.  As to the latter Species of Mankind, the Beauties, whether Male or Female, they are generally the most untractable People of all others.  You are so excessively perplexed with the Particularities in their Behaviour, that, to be at Ease, one would be apt to wish there were no such Creatures.  They expect so great Allowances, and give so little to others, that they who have to do with them find in the main, a Man with a better Person than ordinary, and a beautiful Woman, might be very happily changed for such to whom Nature has been less liberal.  The Handsome Fellow is usually so much a Gentleman, and the Fine Woman has something so becoming, that there is no enduring either of them.  It has therefore been generally my Choice to mix with chearful Ugly Creatures, rather than Gentlemen who are Graceful enough to omit or do what they please; or Beauties who have Charms enough to do and say what would be disobliging in any but themselves.

Diffidence and Presumption, upon account of our Persons, are equally Faults; and both arise from the Want of knowing, or rather endeavouring to know, our selves, and for what we ought to be valued or neglected.  But indeed, I did not imagine these little Considerations and Coquetries could have the ill Consequences as I find they have by the following Letters of my Correspondents, where it seems Beauty is thrown into the Account, in Matters of Sale, to those who receive no Favour from the Charmers.

  June 4.

  Mr. SPECTATOR_,

After I have assured you I am in every respect one of the Handsomest young Girls about Town—­I need be particular in nothing but the make of my Face, which has the Misfortune to be exactly Oval.  This I take to proceed from a Temper that naturally inclines me both to speak and hear.

With this Account you may wonder how I can have the Vanity to offer my self as a Candidate, which I now do, to a Society, where the SPECTATOR and Hecatissa have been admitted with so much Applause.  I don’t want to be put in mind how very Defective I am in every thing that is Ugly:  I am too sensible of my own Unworthiness in this Particular, and therefore I only propose my self as a Foil to the Club.

  You see how honest I have been to confess all my Imperfections, which
  is a great deal to come from a Woman, and what I hope you will
  encourage with the Favour of your Interest.