33.  ’It is, methinks, a low and degrading idea of that sex, which was created to refine the joys, and soften the cares of humanity, by the most agreeable participation, to consider them merely as objects of sight.—­This is abridging them of their natural extent of power to put them upon a level with their pictures at the pantheon.  How much nobler is the contemplation of beauty heightened by virtue, and commanding our esteem and love, while it draws our observation?

34.  ’How faint and spiritless are the charms of a coquette, when compared with the real loveliness of Sophronia’s innocence, piety, good-humour, and truth; virtues which add a new softness to her sex, and even beautify her beauty!  That agreeableness, which must otherwise have appeared no longer in the modest virgin, is now preserved in the tender mother, the prudent friend and faithful wife’.

35.  ’Colours artfully spread upon canvas may entertain the eye, but not affect the heart; and she, who takes no care to add to the natural graces of her person, any excelling qualities, may be allowed still to amuse as a picture, but not to triumph as a beauty.

’When Adam is introduced by Milton describing Eve in Paradise, and relating to the angel the impressions he felt upon seeing her at her first creation, he does not represent her like a Grecian Venus, by her shape of features, but by the lustre of her mind which shone in them, and gave them their power of charming.

36.

    Grace was in all her steps, Heav’n in her eye,
    In all her gestures dignity and love: 

’Without this irradiating power, the proudest fair-one ought to know, whatever her glass may tell her to the contrary, that her most perfect features are uninformed and dead.

’I cannot better close this moral, than by a short epitaph, written by Ben Johnson with a spirit which nothing could inspire, but such an object as I have been describing.

    ’Underneath this stone doth lie,
    As much virtue as could die;
    Which when alive did vigour give
    To as much beauty as could live.’

I am, Sir

Your most humble Servant,

R.B.

SPECTATOR, Vol.  I. No.33.

Honour.

1.  Every principle that is a motive to good actions, ought to be encouraged, since men are of so different a make, that the same principle does not work equally upon all minds.  What some men are prompted to by conscience, duty, or religion, which are only different names for the same thing, others are prompted to by honour.

2.  The sense of honour is of so fine and delicate a nature, that it is only to be met with in minds which are naturally noble, or in such as have been cultivated by great examples, or a refined education.  This paper, therefore, is chiefly designed for those who by means of any of these advantages, are, or ought to be, actuated by this glorious principle.