753.

MODESTY and ASSURANCE, a FABLE.

little notice of my ingenious brother authors, who are obliging the publick with their daily and periodical labours. With all thefe gentlemen I defire to live in peace, friendship and good neighbourhood; or if any one of them should think proper to declare war against me unprovoked, I hope he will not infift A upon my taking farther notice of him, than only to fay, as the old ferjeant did to his enfign who was beating him, I beseech your bonour not to hurt yourself.

The WORLD, Jan. 11.

N this paper the writer humourously fets forth the ufefulness and neceffity of vanity and affurance in an author, and informs the criticks that he has the pleasure of ftanding extremely high in his own opinion; but then he chufes to temper vanity with humility; having fometimes found, that a man may be too arrogant, as well as too humble: Tho' it must always be acknowledged, that in affairs of enterprize, which require trength, genius or activity, affurance will fucceed where modefty will fail.

To fet forth the utility of blending thefe two virtues, and to exemplify in a particular inftance the füperiority of the former, he gives us the following fable.

B

C

Ꭰ

27

low travellers, they entertained hopes
of affifting each other, and of fhort-
ning the way by dividing the cares of it.

Modefty, the daughter of knowledge, and Affurance, the offspring of ignorance, met accidentally upon the road; and as both had a long way to go, and had experienced from former hardships, that they were alike unqualified to purfue that journey alone, they agreed, notwithstanding the oppofition in their natures, to lay afide all animofities, and E for their mutual advantage, to travel together. It was in a country where there were no inns for entertainment; To that to their own addrefs, and to the hofpitality of the inhabitants, they were continually to be obliged for provision and lodging.

Affurance, who was dreffed lightly in a fummer filk and fort petticoats, and who had fomething commanding in her voice and prefence, found the fame easy accefs as before to the caftles and palaces upon the way; while Modefty, who followed her in a ruffet gown, fpeaking low, and cafting her eyes upon the ground, was, as ufual, pufhed back by the porter at the gate, till introduced by her companion; whose fashionable appearance and familiar addrefs got admission for both.

F

Affurance had never failed getting admittance to the houfes of the great; but It had frequently been her misfortune to be turned out of doors, at a time when The was promifing herfelf an elegant entertainment, or a bed of down to reft upon. Mcdefty had been excluded from all fuch houfes, and compelled to take Thelter in the cottages of the poor; where, tho' fhe had leave to continue G as long as the pleafed, a trufs of straw had been her ufual bed, and roots, or the coarfest provision her constant repaft. But as both, by this accidental meeting, were become friends and fel

And now, by the endeavours of each to fupport the other, their difficulties vanished, and they faw themselves the favourites of all companies, and the parties of their pleafures, feftivals and amufements. The fallies of Affurance were continually checked by the delicacy of Modefty; and the blushes of Modefty were frequently relieved by the vivacity of Affurance; who, tho' fhe was fometimes detected at her old pranks, which always put her companion out of countenance, was yet fo awed by her prefence, as to stop short of offence.

Thus in the company of Modefty, Affurance gained that reception and esteem, which he had vainly hoped for in her abfence; while Modefty, by means of her new acquaintance, kept the best company, feafted upon delicacies, and flept in the chambers of ftate. Affurance, indeed, had in one particular the afcendency over her companion: For if any one asked Modefty whofe daughter fhe was, the blufhed and made no anfwer, while Affurance took the advantage of her filence, and impofed herself upon the world as the offspring of knowledge.

In this manner did the travellers purfue their journey; Affurance taking the lead thro' the great towns and cities, and apologizing for the rufticity of her companion; while Modefty went foremoft thro' the villages and hamlets, and excufed the odd behaviour of Affurance by prefenting her as a courtier,

It happened one day, after having measured a tedious length of road, that they came to a narrow river, which by a hafty fwell had washed away the bridge that was built over it. As they stood upon the bank, cafting their eyes upon the oppofite fhore, they faw at a little diftance a magnificent castle, and a crowd of people inviting them to come over. Assurance, who stopped at nothing, throwing afide the covering from her limbs, plunged D 2 almost

28 KING'S SPEECH. LORDS ADDRESS. Jan

almost naked into the ftream, and swam
fafely to the other fide. Modesty, of-
fended at the indecency of her companion,
and diffident of her own ftrength, would
have declined the danger; but being
urged by Affurance, and derided for her
cowardice by the people on the other
fide, the unfortunately ventured beyond A
her depth, and oppreffed by her fears,
as well as entangled by her cloaths, which
were bound tightly about her, imme-
diately difappeared, and was driven by
the current none knows whither. It is
faid, indeed, that he was afterwards
taken up alive by a fisherman upon the
English coaft, and that shortly the will
be brought to this metropolis, and B

fhewn to the curious of both fexes with

the furprizing Oronuto Savage, and the wonderful Panther Mare.

Affurance, not in the leaft daunted, purfued her journey alone; and tho' not altogether as fuccefsfully as with her companion, yet having learnt, in particular companies, and upon particular C occafions, to affume the air and manner of Modefty, she was received kindly at every house, and at laft arriving at the end of her travels, he became a very great lady, and rose to be first maid of honour to the queen of the country.

N Thurfday, Jan. 11, the parliament

national debt, the improvement of the
publick revenue, and augmenting the
finking fund.

Then having taken notice. of the laws
made laft feffion, for fuppreffing those
crimes and diforders which had been fo
justly complained of, he tells both houses,
that whatever was further neceffary to
perfect so laudable a work, deserved their
ferious confideration; that whilst we en-
joy peace abroad, we may maintain good
order and regularity at home: And con-
cludes with affuring them, that his hearty
concurrence and endeavours should never
be wanting in any thing that may pro-
mote their welfare and profperity.

The LORDS ADDRESS, prefented on Jan. 12.
Moft Gracious Sovereign,

W loyal fubjects, the lords fpiritual

E your majefty's most dutiful and

and temporal in parliament affembled, beg
leave to return your majefty our humble
thanks for your moft gracious speech from

the throne.

Your majefty's paternal care of your people, in establishing the peace, can receive no addition, but from your constant and vigilant endeavours to preferve to them the happy fruits of it. Whilft we gratefully remember the one, and feel the good effects of the other, we do, with the

O met, when his majesty made a mort Djufteft confidence, rely on your majesty's

gracious fpeech from the throne, in which he tells both houses, that he had received fo many proofs of the good affections and zeal of his people for his perfon and government, that every opportunity of meeting them in parliament gave him a new fatisfaction: That the maintenance of the general peace, was fo defirable for all Eu- E rope, that all his views and negotiations had been entirely calculated and directed to preferve it, and fecure its duration : That he was ftill proceeding, and should continue to act, upon the fame principle; nothing being capable of giving him fo much comfort, as that his good fubjects may long enjoy the happy fruits of the. prefent tranquillity: And that he had the F fatisfaction to be affured of a good difpofition in all the powers in alliance with him, to adhere to the fame falutary object.

Then his majefty acquaints the house of commons, that he had no fupplies to afk of them, but what should be neceffary for the ordinary fervices, and fuch as had G been already communicated to them, and for the security of the nation, and the fupport of its trade and commerce; and earneftly recommends the continuance of their attention to the reduction of the

experienced wisdom and goodness, in di-
recting all your views and negotiations to
that defirable end.

It gives us great fatisfaction to be in-
formed from the throne, of the good dif-
pofition of all the powers in alliance with
your majefty to maintain the present tran-
quillity. Convinced that this is the real
intereft of the other nations of Europe,
as well as our own, we rejoice in every
event that may give ftrength and folidity
to the provifions made by the general de-
finitive treaty. We are deeply fenfible,
that nothing can fo much contribute to.
thefe purposes, as the influence of your
majefty, and the crown of Great-Britain :
And we beg leave to affure you of our
refolution and earneftness to strengthen
your majesty's hands; and, fo far as de-
pends upon us, to add weight to your
measures to render the peace durable, for
the common good of Europe; the lasting
benefit of your own kingdoms; and the
fecurity of our commerce and navigation:
The fupport and advancement whereof,
we confider as the great fource and folid
bafis of our riches and strength.

Your majefly's concern for our domeftick happiness appears in nothing more, than in fo graciously recommending to

1

1753.

COMMONS
COMMONS ADDRESS, &c.

your parliament the falutary work of
maintaining good order and regularity
amongst the people. We look upon it as
effential to the national happiness; and
as the most likely means, not only to en-
title us to your majefty's gracious appro-
bation, but to draw down upon us the
protection of the divine Providence.

A

To repeat only our folemn affurances
of unfeigned gratitude, for the ineftima-
ble bleffings we enjoy under your aufpici-
ous government, would not fufficiently
exprefs the warmth of those sentiments
which we feel in our hearts. Our loyal-
ty, duty, and affection, to your facred
perfon, are raised to the greatest height:
And our zeal for the eafe, profperity, B
and true glory of your reign, and for per-
petuating the fucceffion to this crown,
which you wear with fo much luftre, in
a race of princes defcended from yourself,
is incapable of any addition.

His MAJESTY's most Gracious Answer.
My Lords,

The COMMONS ADDRESS, prefented Jan. 13.

Moft Gracious Sovereign,

29

your allies, of their good difpofition to adhere to the fame falutary object.

Your faithful commons, with the truest zeal and duty, promife your majesty to raife with chearfulness, unanimity, and dispatch, fuch fupplies as fhall be found neceffary for the fecurity of the nation, and the fupport of its trade and commerce, fo effential to the well-being of this country.

We cannot fufficiently testify our grateful fenfe of your majefty's provident concern for the welfare of this nation, in recommending again to our attention the leffening of the national debt; and do affure your majefty, that we will take into our ferious confideration the beft means to improve the publick revenue, whereby the heavy load of our debts may be put in a method of being gradually reduced, and the national credit, already in a flourishing condition, be firmly established.

We further beg leave to affure your maCjefty, that, whilst we reflect with_gratitude upon the bleffings of peace abroad, and enjoy the daily fruits of the continuance of it, we will not be wanting in our endeavours to preferve good order and regularity at home; happy in this conviction, that, from the whole tenor of your majesty's aufpicious reign, we are fure of your majesty's hearty concurrence Din every meafure, which may tend to promote the true interefts and profperity of your people.

W
E your majefty's most dutiful and
loyal fubjects, the commons of
Great-Britain in parliament affembled, E
humbly beg leave to return your majesty
our hearty thanks for your most gracious
fpeech from the throne; and to congra-
tulate your majesty upon your fafe and
happy arrival in this kingdom.

Permit us, Sir, to exprefs our fincere
joy, that the dutiful conduct of your ma-
jefty's faithful commons has been reward-
ed with your royal approbation, and to
affure your majefty of the continuance of
that zeal and affection for your perfon and
government, which your majesty's con-
tant attention to the happiness of your
people fo justly demands.

We muft ever acknowledge your majefty's wisdom, as well as goodness, in purfuing fuch measures as may best contribute to maintain, and render permanent, the general tranquillity in Europe. And fuffer us, Sir, at the fame time, to declare our fatisfaction at the affurances which your majesty has received from

F

G

His MAJESTY's maft Gracious ANSWER.
Gentlemen,

I'

THANK you most heartily for this very affectionate address: Your zeal for the good of the publick, and for my government, tannot but afford me the highest fatisfaction. My chief concern will always be for the happiness of my people.

The INSPECTOR, Jan. 18. Nunquam aliud natura aliud fapientia dixit. JUVENAL.

ONSTANTIA was poffeffed of

Cmany amiable qualities; and but

for love could not perhaps have been accufed of one human frailty. It was her fortune to be born in Holland, daughter to a man of affluent fortune amaffed by commerce, and fifter to an officer of rank the father could not be more devoted to his wealth, than the brother jealous of his honour. Constantia was the care and the delight of both; the inherited from her father, prudence; and

;

from

30

Affecting STORY of CONSTANTIA.

from her brother, that chafte referve, and elevated dignity, which, if they are noble in our own fex, always appear with a fuperior luftre in the other.

Born to fuch qualities, poffeffed of fo many virtues, what was there could fubdue Conftantia's heart? One thing alone, but that famous for levelling all ranks, and burying diftinction. A British officer, a man who had inherited from an illuftrious family all their spirit and greatness, but none of their poffeffions; whofe heart was rich in noblenefs, but whofe fword, like the poor Chamont's, was all his portion, ferved in the troops commanded by her brother. It was easy to distinguish in

him a foul and a defcent, ill fuited to his

Jani

he expected the due regard on one hand, and the obedience on the other, should be paid to whatsoever were the decifions of his father.

No paffion is so easily flattered as love. None hopes fo foon; nor does any bear a disappointment worfe. What was fo Aeafily obtained from the brother, the fa

B

fortune. His colonel did not want the
fpirit to difcern on fuch occafions: He
pitied, he honoured, and he loved him.
The refpe&t with which he was received
in the family, first drew Conftantia's eyes
upon him: She thought it merit to com-
paffionate, and glory to reverence what
her brother pitied and admired; and love, C
that follows fwift upon the heels of ten-
dernefs, when joined with true esteem,
foon took the place of every other paffion.

D

Lyfander, whofe modefty would not have afpired to love, whofe gratitude and friendship would not have fuffered him to be ambitious on fuch terms, could not be forry that he was beloved. He faw the. firft of her fex in merit, as well as qua-lity, regard him with a look of tendernefs, beyond the power of friendship or of compaffion: He fuffered that flame to glow unto the full height, whofe first fparks he had fmothered; he watched his opportunity, and he difclofed his gratitude and adoration: He pleaded with fuccefs; and the lady, above all disguise, E did not affect to hide her willingness to hear him, and to be perfuaded.

When there are greater difficulties, the leffer vanish: Had there been no conditions neceffary to Lyfander's happiness but the confent of Conftantia, that had perhaps been for a time with-held; and form prevailed against a real inclination : But before a neceffity of the confent of a

father, and the approbation of a brother, both neceffary, and both at least not eafily obtained, this was as nothing.

F

The talk was difficult; but it must be attempted. Succefs was eagerly defired; and form fubmitted to neceffity. What must have been denied to the lover, the lady follicited with her own voice: The G brother was the most likely to be gained, and he was firft addreffed. He honoured her for her judgment, and he applauded her difinterested paffion: He congratulated his friend; but he told them, that

ther abfolutely refused: And the fon, in whom a filial obedience was a first principle, exacted from his friend a promife, under that fanction, more facred to a foldier than an oath, his honour, never to follicit the object of his wishes afterward. Lyfander would at any time have facrificed his life to fuch an engagement; but here was more, his love; and that proved too powerful.

The fury of a Romish perfecution had juft at this time driven the worthy Mira, a pattern of firm friendship and true piety, with her little family, to Holland The friendly heart of our Constantia had renewed an early intimacy; and misfortune had thrown in an additional claim of tenderness to her affection. In all things but her love Mira had been the confidante of her fair friend: She had follicited to know the cause of a melancholy that was now grown almoft to defpair; but the had preffed in vain. At length what the had fo often requested ineffectually, the miferable friend communicated. "You

have feen Lyfander-interrupt me not with his praifes-I am with child."

If her religious friend started at this, with what horror did she attend to the refolves that followed. "I know, continued the despairing Conftantia, the fury of my brother will not be contented with a lefs facrifice than my life, that of the unregarded unborn infant, and its unhappy father. No lefs atonement will in his rigid eye wipe off the infamy from his family. Great ills must be fuffered to obviate greater: I have refolved what courfe to take. There is but one way, and I conjure your eternal and inviolable fecrecy when I have difclofed it. I shall retire to Harlem. I fhall live there un

known, if poffible unfeen and unattended: I must encounter the hour of pain alone; and if I furvive, thefe hands must kill the offspring of cur tendernefs.-If I return, be fecret; if not, I do require it of you to tell Lyfander how it was I perished."

The fream of tears than ran unwip'd along the cheeks, the neck of the devoted Conftantia, were hardly more than thofe of her astonished friend. "I have bound myfelf to fecrecy, replied the, and on one condition I will keep it. It is not a difficult one, and if you deny me, God, before whom I made the oath, be witness between