[181] Swift. This paper is mentioned twice in the "Journal to Stella," Nov. 30 and Dec. 14, 1710: "You are mistaken in all your conjectures about the Tatlers. I have given him one or two hints, and you have heard me talk about 'The Shilling.'" "No, the Tatler of 'The Shilling' was not mine, more than the hint, and two or three general heads for it. I have much more important business on my hands; and, besides, the ministry hate to think that I should help him, and have made reproaches on it; and I frankly told them I would do it no more. This is a secret, though, Madam Stella."
[182] Threw with a jerk. Cf. Spectator, No. 77, "I saw him squir away his watch a considerable way into the Thames."
[183] The two shields on Cromwell's shilling; see No. 245.
[184] By John Philips (1676-1709), the author of "Cyder." The "Splendid Shilling" was published in 1705, after two unauthorised versions had appeared. Written in imitation of Milton, it describes, in mock-heroic strains, the miseries of a debtor in want of a shilling to buy food, clothes, wine, or tobacco.
[No. 250. [Addison.]
From Saturday, Nov. 11, to Tuesday, Nov. 14, 1710.
Scis etenim justum gemina suspendere lance
Ancipitis libræ.——
Pers., Sat. iv. 10.
From my own Apartment, Nov. 13.
I last winter erected a Court of Justice for the correcting of several enormities in dress and behaviour, which are not cognisable in any other courts of this realm. The vintner's case[185] which I there tried is still fresh in every man's memory. That of the petticoat[186] gave also a general satisfaction, not to mention the more important points of the cane and perspective;[187] in which, if I did not give judgments and decrees according to the strictest rules of equity and justice, I can safely say, I acted according to the best of my understanding. But as for the proceedings of that court, I shall refer my reader to an account of them, written by my secretary, which is now in the press, and will shortly be published under the title of "Lillie's[188] Reports."