and have therefore all along informed the public that we intend to give them our advices for our own sakes, and are labouring to make our lucubrations come to some price in money, for our more convenient support in the service of the public.  It is certain, that many other schemes have been proposed to me; as a friend offered to show me a treatise he had writ, which he called “The Whole Art of Life, or the Introduction to Great Men, illustrated in a Pack of Cards.”  But being a novice at all manner of play I declined the offer.  Another advised me, for want of money, to set up my coach and practise physic, but having been bred a scholar, I feared I should not succeed that way neither; therefore resolved to go on in my present project.  But you are to understand, that I shall not pretend to raise a credit to this work, upon the weight of my politic news only, but, as my Latin sentence in the title-page informs you, shall take anything that offers for the subject of my discourse.  Thus, new persons, as well as new things, are to come under my consideration; as, when a toast, or a wit, is first pronounced such, you shall have the freshest advice of their preferment from me, with a description of the beauty’s manner, and the wit’s style; as also, in whose places they are advanced.  For this town is never good-natured enough to raise one, without depressing another.  But it is my design, to avoid saying anything, of any person, which ought justly to displease; but shall endeavour, by the variety of the matter and style, to give entertainment for men of pleasure, without offence to those of business.

White’s Chocolate-house, April 18.

All hearts at present pant for two ladies only[96], who have for some time engrossed the dominion of the town.  They are indeed both exceeding charming, but differ very much in their excellences.  The beauty of Clarissa is soft, that of Chloe piercing.  When you look at Clarissa, you see the most exact harmony of feature, complexion, and shape; you find in Chloe nothing extraordinary in any one of those particulars, but the whole woman irresistible.  Clarissa looks languishing; Chloe, killing.  Clarissa never fails of gaining admiration; Chloe, of moving desire.  The gazers at Clarissa are at first unconcerned, as if they were observing a fine picture.  They who behold Chloe, at the first glance, discover transport, as if they met their dearest friend.  These different perfections are suitably represented by the last great painter Italy has sent us, Mr. Jervas.[97] Clarissa is, by that skilful hand, placed in a manner that looks artless, and innocent of the torments she gives; Chloe drawn with a liveliness that shows she is conscious, but not affected, of her perfections.  Clarissa is a shepherdess; Chloe, a country girl.  I must own, the design of Chloe’s picture shows, to me, great mastery in the painter; for nothing could be better imagined than the dress he has given her, of a straw hat and riband, to represent that sort of