brought to view, and a defign of relieving it profeffed, than every hand is open to contribute fomething, every tongue is bufied in folicitation, and every art of pleafure is employed for a time in the interest of virtue.

The most apparent and preffing miferies incident to man, have now their peculiar houfes of reception and relief, and there are few among us raifed however little above the danger of poverty, who may not justly claim, what is implored by the Mahometans iņ their most ardent benedictions, the prayers of the

poor.

Among thofe actions which the mind can moft fecurely review with unabated pleasure, is that of having contributed to an hofpital for the fick. Of fome kinds of charity the confequences are dubious; fome evils which beneficence has been bufy to remedy, are not certainly known to be very grievous to the sufferer, or detrimental to the community; but no man can queftion whether wounds and ficknefs are not really painful; whether it be not worthy of a good man's care to reftore thofe to eafe and ufefulness, from whofe labour infants and women expect their bread, and who, by a cafual hurt, or lingering difeafe, lie pining in want and anguish, burthenfome to others, and weary of themselves.

Yet as the hofpitals of the present time fubfift only by gifts bestowed at pleasure, without any folid fund of support, there is danger left the blaze of charity, which now burns with fo much heat and fplendor, fhould die away for want of lafting fuel; left far shion should suddenly withdraw her fmile, and inconftancy transfer the publick attention to fomething

which may appear more eligible, because it will be

new.

Whatever is left in the hands of chance must be fubject to viciffitude; and when any establishment is found to be useful, it ought to be the next care to make it permanent,

But man is a tranfitory being, and his designs muft partake of the imperfections of their author. To confer duration is not always in our power. We muft fnatch the prefent moment, and employ it well, without too much folicitude for the future, and content ourselves with reflecting that our part is performed. He that waits for an opportunity to do much at once, may breathe out his life in idle wishes, and regret, in the last hour, his ufelefs intentions, and barren zeal.

The most active promoters of the prefent fchemes of charity cannot be cleared from fome inftances of misconduct, which may awaken contempt or cenfure, and haften that neglect which is likely to come too foon of itself. The open competitions between different hofpitals, and the animofity with which their patrons oppofe one another, may prejudice weak. minds against them all. For it will not be easily believed, that any man can, for good reafons, wish to exclude another from doing good. The fpirit of charity can only be continued by a reconciliation of thefe ridiculous feuds; and therefore, instead of contentions who shall be the only benefactors to the needy, let there be no other ftruggle than who shall be the firft.

O

NUMB. 5. SATURDAY, May 13, 1758.

UR military operations are at laft begun; our troops are marching in all the pomp of war, and a camp is marked out on the Isle of Wight; the heart of every Englishman now fwells with confidence, though fomewhat foftened by generous compaffion for the confternation and diftreffes of our ene

mies.

This formidable armament and fplendid march. produce different effects upon different minds, according to the boundless diverfities of temper, occupation, and habits of thought.

Many a tender maiden confiders her lover as already loft, because he cannot reach the camp but by croffing the fea; men of a more political understanding, are perfuaded that we fhall now fee, in a few days, the ambassadors of France fupplicating for pity. Some are hoping for a bloody battle, because a bloody battle makes a vendible narrative; fome are compofing fongs of victory; fome planning arches of triumph; and fome are mixing fireworks for the celebration of a peace.

Of all extensive and complicated objects different parts are selected by different eyes; and minds are variously affected, as they vary their attention. The care of the publick is now fixed upon our foldiers, Vol. VIII.

C

who are leaving their native country to wander, none can tell how long, in the pathlefs defarts of the Ile of Wight. The tender figh for their fufferings, and the gay drink to their fuccefs. I, who look, or believe myself to look, with more philofophick eyes on human affairs, muft confefs, that I faw the troops. march with little emotion; my thoughts were fixed upon other fcenes, and the tear ftole into my eyes, not for those who were going away, but for those who were left behind.

We have no reafon to doubt but our troops will proceed with proper caution; there are men among them who can take care of themfelves. But how hall the ladies endure without them? By what arts.

they, who have long had no joy but from the citours of a folder, now amuse their hours, and fofr feparation?

Moufand men, now deftined to different

we allow each to have been occafionally Try y only to four women, a fhort computation orm us, that two hundred thoufand ladies are to languish in diftrefs; two hundred thoufand es, who mult run to fales and auctions without a attendant; fit at the play, without a critick to irect their opinion; buy their fans by their own. judgment; difpofe fhells by their own invention; walk in the mall without a gallant; go to the gar dens without a protector; and fhuffle cards with vain impatience, for want of a fourth to complete the party.

Of thefe ladies, fome, I hope, have lap-dogs, and fome monkies; but they are unfatisfactory compa

nions. Many useful offices are performed by men of scarlet, to which neither dog nor monkey has adequate abilities. A parrot, indeed, is as fine as a colonel, and if he has been much ufed to good company, is not wholly without converfation; but a parrot, after all, is a poor little creature, and has neither fword nor fhoulder-knot, can neither dance nor play at cards.

Since the foldiers must obey the call of their duty, and go to that fide of the kingdom which faces France, I know not why the ladies, who cannot live without them, fhould not follow them. The prejudices and pride of man have long prefumed the sword and spindle made for different hands, and denied the other fex to partake the grandeur of military glory. This notion may be consistently enough received in France, where the falick law excludes females from the throne; but we, who allow them to be fovereigns, may furely suppose them capable to be foldiers.

It were to be wifhed that fome man, whofe experience and authority might enforce regard, would propofe that our encampments for the prefent year should comprise an equal number of men and women, who should march and fight in mingled bodies. If proper colonels were once appointed, and the drums ordered to beat for female volunteers, our regiments would foon be filled without the reproach or cruelty of an imprefs.

Of thefe heroines, fome might ferve on foot, under the denomination of the Female Buffs, and fome on horseback, with the title of Lady Huffars.