were too many Books; and another would talk with me when the Races were over.

BEING amazed to find a Man of Learning fo indecently flighted, I resolved to indulge the philofophical pride of retirement and independence. I then fent to fome of the principal Bookfellers the plan of my Book, and bespoke a large room in the next tavern, that I might more commodiously see them together, and enjoy the conteft, while they were outbidding one another. I drank my coffee, and yet nobody was come; at last I received a note from one, to tell me, that he was going out of town; and from another, that Natural Hiftory was out of his way; at last there came a grave man, who defired to fee the Work, and, without opening it, told me, that a Book of that fize would never do.

I THEN Condefcended to step into fhops, and mention my Work to the Mafters. Some never dealt with Authors; others had their hands full; fome never had known fuch a dead time; others had loft by all that they had publifhed for the laft twelvemonth. One offered to print my Work, if I could procure

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Subscriptions for five hundred, and would allow me two hundred copies for my property. I lost my patience, and gave him a kick, for which he has indicted me.

I CAN easily perceive, that there is a combination among them to defeat my expectations, and I find it fo general, that I am fure it must have been long concerted. I fuppofe fome of my friends, to whom I read the first part, gave notice of my defign, and, perhaps, fold the treacherous intelligence at a higher price than the fraudulence of Trade will now allow me for my Book.

INFORM me, Mr. Idler, what I must do; where must Knowledge and Industry find their - recompence, thus neglected by the High and cheated by the Low. I fometimes refolve to print my Book at my own expence, and, like the Sibyl, double the price; and fometimes am tempted, in emulation of Raleigh, to throw it into the fire, and leave this fordid generation to the curfes of pofterity. Tell me, dear Idler, what I fhall do.

I am, Sir, &c.

N° 56. Saturday, May 12.

HERE is fuch difference between the

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pursuits of men, that one part of the inhabitants of a great city lives to little other purpose than to wonder at the reft. Some have hopes and fears, wishes and averfions, which never enter into the thoughts of others, and enquiry is laboriously exerted to gain that which those who poffefs it are ready to throw away.

To thofe who are accuftomed to value every thing by its use, and have no fuch fuperfluity of time or money as may prompt them to unnatural wants or capricious emula tions, nothing appears more improbable or extravagant than the love of Curiofities, or that defire of accumulating trifles, which diftinguishes many by whom no other distinction could have ever been obtained.

HE

He that has lived without knowing to what height defire may be raised by vanity, with what rapture baubles are fnatched out of the hands of rival collectors, how the eagerness of one raifes eagernefs in another, and one worthless purchase makes a fecond neceffary, `may, by paffing a few hours at an auction, learn more than can be fhewn by many volumes of Maxims or Effays.

THE Advertisement of a Sale is a fignal which at once puts a thousand hearts in motion, and brings contenders from every part to the scene of diftribution. He that had refolved to buy no more, feels his constancy subdued; there is now fomething in the Catalogue which completes his Cabinet, and which he was never before able to find. He whofe fober reflections inform him, that of adding collection to collection there is no end, and that it is wife to leave early that which must be left imperfect at laft, yet cannot with-hold himself from coming to see what it is that brings fo many together, and when he comes is foon overpowered by his habitual paffion; he is attracted by rarity, feduced by example, and inflamed by competition.

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WHILE

WHILE the ftores of Pride and Happiness are furveyed, one looks with longing eyes and gloomy countenance on that which he despairs to gain from a richer bidder; another keeps his eye with care from settling too long on that which he most earnestly defires; and another, with more art than virtue, depreciates that which he values moft, in hope to have it at an easy price.

THE novice is often furprized to see what minute and unimportant difcriminations increase or diminish value. An irregular contortion of a turbinated shell, which common eyes pass unregarded, will ten times treble its price in the imagination of philofophers. Beauty is far from operating upon collectors as upon low and vulgar minds, even where beauty might be thought the only quality that could deserve notice. Among the shells that please by their variety of colours, if one can be found accidentally deformed by a cloudy spot, it is boasted as the pride of the Collection. China is fometimes purchased for little less than its weight in gold, only because it is old, tho' neither less brittle, nor better painted than the modern; and brown China is caught up with extafy, tho' no reason

can