#753. MODESTY and ASSURANCE, à FABLE. little notice of my ingenious brother au- The WORLD, Jan. 11. 27 low travellers, they entertained hopes of affifting each other, and of shortning the way by dividing the cares of it. N this paper the writer humourously fets forth the usefulness and necefB fity of vanity and affurance in an author, and informs the criticks that he has the pleafure of ftanding extremely high in his own opinion; but then he chufes to temper vanity with humility; having fometimes foun, that a man may be too arrogant, as well as too humble: Tho' it must always be acknowledged, that C in affairs of enterprize, which require ftrength, genius or activity, affurance will fucceed where modesty will fail. To fet forth the utility of blending these two virtues, and to exemplify in a particular inftance the fuperiority of the former, he gives us the following fable. D Affurance, who was dreffed lightly in a fummer filk and thort 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, speaking low, and cafting her eyes upon the ground, was, as ufual, pushed back by the porter at the gate, till introduced by her companion; whose fashionable appearance and familiar address got admiffion for both. 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; fo that to their own addrefs, and to the hofpitality of the inhabitants, they were I continually to be obliged for provifion and lodging. 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 fallics of Affurance were continually checked by the delicacy of Modefty; and the blufhes 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 fhort 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 afked Modefty whofe daughter fhe was, the blushed and made no anfwer, while Affurance took the advantage of her filence, and impofed herself upon the world as the offspring of knowledge. Afferance 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 herself an elegant entertainment, or a bed of down to rest upon. Modefty had been excluded from ail foch houfes, and compelled to take fheiter in the cottages of the poor; where, tho' fhe had leave to continue G as long as the pleased, a trufs of ftraw had been her ufual bed, and roots, or the coarfeft, provifion her constant repaft. But as both, by this accidental mecting, were become friends and ful 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 caftle, and a crowd of people inviting them to come over. Affurance, who stopped at nothing, throwing afide the covering from her limbs, plunged almoft D 2 almost naked into the ftream, and fwam 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 occafions, to affume the air and manner of Modefty, he was received kindly at every house, and at last arriving at the end of her travels, the became a very great lady, and rofe to be first maid of honour to the queen of the country. Ο B 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 thofe crimes and diforders which had been fo justly complained of, he tells both houses, that whatever was further neceffary to perfect fo laudable a work, deserved their ferious confideration; that whilst we enjoy peace abroad, we may maintain good order and regularity at home: And concludes with affuring them, that his hearty concurrence and endeavours fhould never be wanting in any thing that may promote their welfare and profperity. The LORDS ADDRESS, prefented on Jan. 12. 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 most 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 preserve 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 Djufteft confidence, rely on your majefty's experienced wisdom and goodness, in directing all your views and negotiations to that defirable end. N Thursday, Jan. 11, the parliament met, when his majefty made a moft gracious fpeech from the throne, in which he tells both houfes, 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 Jope, that all his views and negotiations had been entirely calculated and directed to preferve it, and fecure its duration: That he was still proceeding, and thould continue to act, upon the fame principle; nothing being capable of giving him fo much comfort, as that his good subjects may long enjoy the happy fruits of the prefent tranquillity: And that he had the F fatisfaction to be affured of a good difposition 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 ak of them, but what should be neceffary for the ordinary fervices, and such as had G been already communicated to them, and for the fecurity of the nation, and the fupport of its trade and commerce; and earnestly recommends the continuance of their attention to the reduction of the It gives us great fatisfaction to be informed from the throne, of the good difpofition of all the powers in alliance with your majefty to maintain the present tranquillity. 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 definitive 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 earneftnefs to ftrengthen your majesty's hands; and, fo far as depends upon us, to add weight to your measures to render the peace durable, for the common good of Europe; the lafting benefit of your own kingdoms; and the fecurity of our commerce and navigation: The support and advancement whereof, we confider as the great fource and folid bafis of our riches and strength. Your majesty's concern for our domeftick happiness appears in nothing more, than in fo graciously recommending to 1753 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 entitle us to your majesty's gracious approbation, but to draw down upon us the protection of the divine Providence. To repeat only our folemn affurances of unfeigned gratitude, for the ineftimable bleffings we enjoy under your aufpicious government, would not fufficiently exprefs the warmth of thofe fentiments which we feel in our hearts, Our loyalty, duty, and affection, to your facred perfon, are raised to the greateft height: And our zeal for the eafe, profperity, and true glory of your reign, and for perpetuating 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. I Return you my thanks for this very loyal and dutiful addrefs. Nothing can give me greater fatisfaction, than thefe folemn affurances of the continuance of your zeal and affection for my perfon, family, and government. I firmly rely on your fupport; and you may depend on my hearty concern for your true inte refts. The COMMONS ADDRESS, prefented Jan. 13. Met Gracious Sovereign, E your majefty's most dutiful and A B 29 your allies, of their good difpofition to adhere to the fame falutary object. Your faithful commons, with the trueft zeal and duty, promife your majefty to raife with chearfulness, unanimity, and, difpatch, 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 teftify our grateful fenfe of your majesty'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 best 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 eftablished. We further beg leave to affure your maCjefty, that, whilft 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 majefty's aufpicious reign, we are fure of your majefty's hearty concurrence Din every measure, which may tend to promote the true interefts and profperity of your people. W 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 congratulate your majefty upon your fafe and happy arrival in this kingdom. Permit us, Sir, to expreís our fincere joy, that the dutiful conduct of your majefty's faithful commons has been rewarded with your royal approbation, and to F affure your majefty of the continuance of that zeal and affection for your perfon and government, which your majefty's conftant attention to the happiness of your people fo justly demands." We must ever acknowledge your majefty's wildom, 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 fatisfiction at the affurances which your majesty has received from G His MAJESTY'S moft Gracious ANSWER. I THANK you moft heartily for this very affectionate addrefs: Your zeal for the good of the publick, and for my government, cannot but afford me the higheft fatisfaction. My chief concern will always be for the happiness of my people. The INSPECTOR, Jan. 18. Nunquam aliud natura aliud fapientia dixit. JUVENAL. CONSTANTIA 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 afiluent 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. Conftantia was the care and the delight of both; the inherited from her father, prudence; and from from her brother, that chafte reserve, 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 eafy to diftinguish in him a foul and a descent, ill fuited to his he expected the due regard on one hand, and the obedience on the other, should be paid to whatfoever were the decifions of his father. No paffion is fo eafily flattered as love. None hopes fo foon; nor does any bear a difappointment worle. What was fo Aeafily obtained from the brother, the father abfolutely refufed: And the fon, in whom a filial obedience was a first principle, exacted from his friend a promife, under that fan&ion, 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. 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 compaffionate, and glory to reverence what her brother pitied and admired; and love, C that follows fwift upon the heels of tendernefs, when joined with true esteem, foon took the place of every other passion. 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 quality, 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, whose 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 difguife, E did not affect to hide her willingness to hear him, and to be perfuaded. When there are greater difficulties, the leffer vanith: 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 task 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 disinterested paffion: He congratulated his friend; but he told them, that 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 Conftantia had renewed an early intimacy; and misfortune had thrown in an additional claim of tenderness to her afiction. In all things but her love Mira had been the confidante of her fair friend: She had foilicited 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 feer Lyfander-interrupt me not with his praifes-I am with child." If her religious friend farted at this, with what horror did the attend to the refolves that followed. "I know, continued the defpairing Constantia, 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 course to take. There is but one way, and I conjure your eternal and inviolable fecrecy when I have difcloted it. I fhall 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 our tenderness. 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 those of her astonished friend. "I have bound myself 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 witnefs between |