punctually their whole series of employments, during that space of time. This kind of self-examination would give them a true state of themselves, and incline them to consider seriously what they are about. One day would rectify the omissions of another, and make a man weigh all those indifferent actions, which, though they are easily forgotten, must certainly be accounted for L. 1 lines: No. 323. TUESDAY, MARCH 11. THE journal with which I presented my reader on Tuesday last, has brought me in several letters, with accounts of many private lives cast into that form. I have the Rake's Journal, the Sot's Journal, the Whore-master's Journal, and among several others a very curious piece, entitled, 'The Journal of a Mohock.' By these instances I find that the intention of my last Tuesday's paper has been mistaken by many of my readers. I did not design so much to expose vice as idleness, and aimed at those persons who pass away their time rather in trifles and impertinence, than in crimes and immoralities. Offences of this latter kind are not to be dallied with, or treated in so ludicrous a manner. In short, my journal only holds up folly to the light, and shews the disagreeableness of such actions as are indifferent in themselves, and blameable only as they proceed from creatures endowed with reason. Supposed to have been quoted from memory, instead of the folowing Et juvenis quondam, nunc fœmina. n. vi. 448. A man before, now to a woman chang'd.-C. My following correspondent, who calls herself Clarinda, is such a journalist as I require: she seems by her letter to be placed in a modish state of indifference between vice and virtue, and to be susceptible of either, were there proper pains taken with her. Had her journal been filled with gallantries, or such occurrences as had shewn her wholly divested of her natural innocence, notwithstanding it might have been more pleasing to the generality of readers, I should not have published it; but as it is only the picture of a life filled with a fashionable kind of gaiety and laziness, I shall set down five days of it, as I have received it from the hand of my correspondent. "DEAR MR. SPECTATOR, "You having set your readers an exercise in one of your last week's papers, I have performed mine according to your orders, and herewith send it you enclosed. You must know, Mr. Spectator, that I am a maiden lady of a good fortune, who have had several matches offered me for these ten years last past, and have at present warm applications made to me by A Very Pretty fellow.' As I am at my own disposal, I come up to town every winter, and pass my time in it after the manner you will find in the following journal, which I began to write upon the very day after your Spectator upon that subject. TUESDAY night. Could not go to sleep till one in the morning for thinking of my journal. WEDNESDAY. From eight to ten. Drank two dishes of chocolate in bed, and fell asleep after them. From ten to eleven. Eat a slice of bread and butter, drank a dish of bohea, read the Spectator. 1V. Tatler, Nos. 21-24.—C. From eleven to one. At my toilette, tried a new head. Gave Mem. I look best orders for Veny to be combed and washed. in blue. From one till half an hour after two. Drove to the 'Change Cheapened a couple of fans. Till four. At dinner. Mem. Mr. Froth passed by in his new liveries. From four to six. Dressed, paid a visit to old Lady Blithe and her sister, having before heard they were gone out of town that day. From six to eleven. At basset. Mem. Never set again upon the ace of diamonds. THURSDAY. From eleven at night to eight in the morning. Dreamed that I punted1 to Mr. Froth. Chocolate. Read two acts in Auren From eight to ten. zebe2 abed. From ten to eleven. dle's Cupid for Veny. from Mr. Froth. Mem. Tea-table. Sent to borrow Lady FadRead the play-bills. Received a letter Mem. Locked it up in my strong box. Rest of the morning. Fontange, the tire-woman, her account of my Lady Blithe's wash. Broke a tooth in my little tortoiseshell comb. Sent Frank to know how my Lady Hectick rested after her monkey's leaping out at window. Looked pale. Fon tange tells me my glass is not true. Dressed by three. From three to four. Dinner cold before I sat down. From four to eleven. Saw company. Mr. Froth's opinion. of Milton. His account of the Mohocks. His fancy for a pincushion. Picture in the lid of his snuff-box. promises me her woman to cut my hair. crimp. Old Lady Faddle Lost five guineas at 1 1 A term in the game of Basset.-C. 2 A tragedy by Dryden -C. Twelve o'clock at night. Went to bed. FRIDAY. Eight in the morning. Abed. Mr. Froth's letters. Cupid and Veny. Read over all Ten o'clock. Stayed within all day, not at home. Sorted a suit of ribbands. From ten to twelve. In conference with my mantua-maker. tised Lady Betty Modely's skuttle.' One in the afternoon. Called for my flowered handkerchief Worked half a violet leaf in it. Eyes ached and head out of order. Threw by my work, and read over the remaining part of Aurenze be. From three to four. Dined. From four to twelve. Changed my mind, dressed, went abroad, and played at crimp till midnight. Found Mrs. Spitely at home. Conversation: Mrs. Brilliant's necklace false stones Old Lady Loveday going to be married to a young fellow that is not worth a groat. Miss Prue gone into the country. Tom Townley has red hair. Mem. Mrs. Spitely whispered in my ear that she had something to tell me about Mr. Froth, I am sure it is not true. Dreamed that Mr. Froth lay at my Between twelve and one. feet, and called me Indamora. SATURDAY. Rose at eight o'clock in the morning. Sat down to my toilette. From eight to nine. Shifted a patch for half an hour before From nine to twelve. 1 A pace of affected precipitati vn. pany. Mem. The third air in the new opera. dressed frightfully. From three to four. go to the opera before I From dinner to six. being rude to Veny. I did not see Mr. Froth Mr. Froth talked to a gen Mr. Six o'clock. Went to the opera. till the beginning of the second act. tleman in a black wig. Bowed to a lady in the front box. Froth and his friend clapped Nicolini in the third act. Froth cried out Ancora. Mr. Froth led me to my chair. I think he squeezed my hand. Mr. Eleven at night. Went to bed. Melancholy dreams. Methought Nicolini said he was Mr. Froth. SUNDAY. Indisposed. MONDAY. Eight o'clock. Waked by Miss Kity. Aurenzebe lay upon the chair by me. Kitty repeated without book the eight best lines in the play. Went in our mobs1 to the dumb man, according to appointment. Told me that my lover's name began with a G. Mem. The conjuror was within a letter of Mr. Froth's name, &c. 2 Lady Blithe Dined. Drank tea. Mrs. Kitty called upon me tc Turned off a footman for Upon looking back into this my journal, I find that I am at a loss to know whether I pass my time well or ill; and indeed never thought of considering how I did it, before I perused your speculation upon that subject. I scarce find a single action in these five days that I can thoroughly approve of, except the working upon the violet leaf, which I am resolved to finish the first day I am at leisure. As for Mr. Froth and Veny, I did not 1 A huddled economy of dress so called.-V. Spec. No. 302.-C. 'Duncan Campbell.-V. New Tatler, No. 14, note.-C. |