ness and settled in our town, in order, as he thinks, to retire from the world; but he has brought with him such an inclination to tale-bearing, that he disturbs both himself and all our neighbourhood. Notwithstanding this frailty the honest gentleman is so happy as to have no enemy: at the same time he has not one friend who will venture to acquaint him with his weakness. It is not to be doubted, but if this failing were set in a proper light, he would quickly perceive the indecency and evil consequences of it. Now, Sir, this being an infirmity which I hope may be corrected, and knowing that he pays much deference to you, I beg that, when you are at leisure to give us a speculation on gossiping, you would think of my neighbour: you will hereby oblige several who will be glad to find a reformation in their gray-haired friend: and how becoming will it be for him, instead of pouring forth words at all adventures, to set a watch before the door of his mouth, to refrain his tongue, to check its impetuosity, and guard against the sallies of that little pert, forward, busy, person; which, under a sober conduct, might prove a useful member of society! In compliance with whose intimations, I have taken the liberty to make this address to you. "I am, SIK, "Your most obscure servant, 66 MR. SPECTATOR, "THIS is to petition you in behalf of myself and many more of your gentle readers, that at any time when you may have private reasons against letting us know what you think yourself, you would be pleased to pardon us such letters of your correspondents as seem to be of no use but to the printer. "It is further our humble request, that you would substitute advertisements in the place of such epistles; and that in order hereunto Mr. Buckley may be authorised to take up of your zealous friend Mr. Charles Lillie, any quantity of words he shall from time to time have occasion for. "The many useful parts of knowledge which may be communicated to the public this way, will, we hope, be a consideration in favour of your petitioners. "Feb. 16, 1712." "And your petitioners," &c. Note. That particular regard be had to this petition and the papers marked letter R may be carefully examined for the future. T END OF VOL. VIII. G. Woodfall, Printer, |