’A little Gallantry to hear him Talk one would indulge one’s self in, let him reckon the Sticks of one’s Fan, say something of the Cupids in it, and then call one so many soft Names which a Man of his Learning has at his Fingers Ends.  There sure is some Excuse for Frailty, when attacked by such a Force against a weak Woman.’

Such is the Soliloquy of many a Lady one might name, at the sight of one of these who makes it no Iniquity to go on from Day to Day in the Sin of Woman-Slaughter.

It is certain that People are got into a Way of Affectation, with a manner of overlooking the most solid Virtues, and admiring the most trivial Excellencies.  The Woman is so far from expecting to be contemned for being a very injudicious silly Animal, that while she can preserve her Features and her Mein, she knows she is still the Object of Desire; and there is a sort of secret Ambition, from reading frivolous Books, and keeping as frivolous Company, each side to be amiable in Imperfection, and arrive at the Characters of the Dear Deceiver and the Perjured Fair. [1]

T.

[Footnote 1:  To this number is appended the following

ADVERTISEMENT.

Mr. SPECTATOR gives his most humble Service
to Mr. R. M. of Chippenham in Wilts,
and hath received the Patridges.]

* * * * *

No. 157.  Thursday, August 30, 1711.  Steele.

      ’...  Genius natale comes qui temperat astrum
      Naturae Deus humanae Mortalis in unum
      Quodque Caput ...’

      Hor.

I am very much at a loss to express by any Word that occurs to me in our Language that which is understood by Indoles in Latin.  The natural Disposition to any Particular Art, Science, Profession, or Trade, is very much to be consulted in the Care of Youth, and studied by Men for their own Conduct when they form to themselves any Scheme of Life.  It is wonderfully hard indeed for a Man to judge of his own Capacity impartially; that may look great to me which may appear little to another, and I may be carried by Fondness towards my self so far, as to attempt Things too high for my Talents and Accomplishments:  But it is not methinks so very difficult a Matter to make a Judgment of the Abilities of others, especially of those who are in their Infancy.  My Commonplace Book directs me on this Occasion to mention the Dawning of Greatness in Alexander, who being asked in his Youth to contend for a Prize in the Olympick Games, answered he would, if he had Kings to run against him. Cassius, who was one of the Conspirators against Caesar, gave as great a Proof of his Temper, when in his Childhood he struck a Play-fellow, the Son of Sylla, for saying his Father was Master of the Roman People. Scipio is reported to have answered, (when some Flatterers at