[391]: It was said of Socrates that he brought philosophy down from Heaven, to inhabit among men; and I shall be ambitious to have it said of me that I have brought philosophy out of closets and libraries, schools and colleges, to dwell in clubs and assemblies, at tea-tables and in coffee-houses. I would therefore in a very particular manner recommend those my speculations to all well regulated families that set apart an hour in every morning for tea, and bread and butter; and would earnestly advise them for their good to order this paper to be punctually served up, and to be looked upon as a part of the tea equipage.
(Spectator, no 10.)
[392]: Bohea-rolls.
[393]: He is not obliged to attend her in the slow advances which she makes from one season to another, or to observe her conduct in the successive production of plants or flowers. He may draw into his description all the beauties of the spring and autumn, and make the whole year contribute something to render it more agreeable. His rose-trees, woodbines, and jessamines may flower together and his beds be covered at the same time with lilies, violets, and amaranths. His soil is not restrained to any particular set of plants, but is proper either for oaks or myrtles, and adapts itself to the produces of every climate. Oranges may grow wild in it; myrtles may be met with in every hedge; and if he thinks it proper to have a grove of spices, he can quickly command sun enough to raise it. If all this will not furnish out any agreeable scene, he can make several new species of flowers, with richer scents and higher colours, than any that grow in the gardens of nature. His concerts of birds may be as full and harmonious, and his woods as thick and gloomy as he pleases. He is at no more expense in a long vista than a short one, and can as easily throw his cascades from a precipice of half a mile high as from one of twenty yards. He has his choice of the winds and can turn the course of his rivers in all the variety of meanders that are most delightful to the reader's imagination.
(Spectator, no 148.)
[394]: Spectator, 423, 265.
[395]: Voyez la jolie et minutieuse analyse de Hurd, la décomposition de la période, la proportion des longues et des brèves, l'étude des finales.—Un musicien ne ferait pas mieux.
(Spectator, no 411.)
[396]: Constantia who knew that nothing but the report of her marriage could have driven him to such extremities, was not to be comforted; she now accused herself for having so tamely given an ear to the proposal of a husband, and looked upon the new lover as the murderer of Theodosius. In short she resolved to suffer the utmost effects of her father's displeasure rather than to comply with a marriage which appeared to her so full of guilt and horror.
(Spectator, no 164.)