[Footnote 217:  Like Nichols, I have not been able to see a copy of this pamphlet, or the defence of it, mentioned in No. 21; but a letter from Peter Wentworth to Lord Raby, dated 20 May, 1709, throws some light on the matter:  “Dear Brother, ...  Brigadeer Crowder of late has made some talk in the Coffee Houses upon a peice he has lately been pleased to print, he did me the favour to show it me some time agoe in manuscript, and I complymented him with desiring a coppy of it, that I might have the pleasure of reading it more than once, and that I might communicate the like sattisfaction to you by sending it to Berlin.  He told me it had the approbation of very ingenious men and good scholars, and his very good friends who had persuaded him to print it, and then you, as he always esteem’d to be such, shou’d be sure to have one.  The day before yesterday he perform’d his promise but desir’d I wou’d not tell you directly who was the author, but recommend it to you with his most humble service, as from a friend of his.  Yesterday came out this Tatler, and tho’ I reckon myself a little base after all the fine complyments he made me upon my great judgment, I can’t forbear sending it you as a fine peice of rallery upon his elaborate work, which I can assure you he has not been a little proud of.  I han’t seen him since to know if this Tatler has given him any mortification.  I know before he was prepar’d for the censorious, for he said lett people say what they wou’d, he was sure the intention was good, and his meaning for the service of the public.  I am sorry he has printed, for he’s very civill to me, and always profess a great respect for you, and I wou’d have none that does so exposed” ("Wentworth Papers,” pp. 86-7).  See No. 46.  A writer in “Notes and Queries” (7 S. iii. 526), in reply to a question of mine, stated that there is a copy of “Naked Truth,” 4to, 1709, in the Bamburgh Castle Library.  The pamphlet is anonymous, but is ascribed in the catalogue to Colonel Crowder.  In May 1710, Thomas Crowther was made a Major-General (Pointer’s “Chron.  History,” ii. 679).]

No. 18. [STEELE AND ADDISON.[218]

From Thursday, May 19, to Saturday, May 21, 1709.

* * * * *

From my own Apartment, May 20.

It is observed too often, that men of wit do so much employ their thoughts upon fine speculations, that things useful to mankind are wholly neglected; and they are busy in making emendations upon some enclitics in a Greek author, while obvious things, that every man may have use for, are wholly overlooked.  It would be a happy thing, if such as have real capacities for public service, were employed in works of general use; but because a thing is everybody’s business, it is nobody’s business:  this is for want of public spirit.  As for my part, who am only a student, and a man of no great interest, I can only remark things, and recommend the correction of them