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neighbours, who are not any of the talking professions, I cannot help assuming a superiority over them, which, I find, has been a little resented. I have often resolved to confine my oratory to the verge of my shop, and to employ it only in setting off my silks and brocades, but long habits are not easily overcome, and the musical sound of my own voice has tempted me, as often, to break that resolution. Many of my acquaintance, I know, would take it kindly if I talked less, and if you would put me in a way to do it, I should be very glad to oblige them. You must know, that I am sometimes chairman of a club, where some of them complain that they have not their share of the discourse, and others (in raillery, I suppose) call me the fine speaker.' I have offered to pay double for my club, but that will not satisfy them. Besides, Mr. Guardian, I have heard that you moralists say, it is difficult for a man to talk much without offending against truth, innocence, or good man-ners; and how do I know, now I am serious, whether this unhappy talent may not, at some time or other, have misled me into falsehood, uncharitableness, or scandal? It is possible that the superfluity of my discourse may have fallen upon the reputation of some honest man, and have done him an irreparable injury. I may, in the torrent of my loquacity, have lessened real merit, or magnified little failings, beyond the allowance of charity, or humanity. I may have raised an unjust jealousy by a flower of speech, practised upon credulity by smooch sentence, and, in the heat of an argument I may have called a man knave by a shake of the head and shrug of the shoulders. To be plain, I have searched my heart, and find there is a great deal of vanity at the bottom of it. Therefore, Mr. Guardian, now I am in a proper disposition, if you will be pleased to give me a lecture on this subject, and be so kind as to

convince me that I am a coxcomb, you will do a very particular service to, Sir,

Your very humble Servant.

TO NESTOR IRONSIDE, ESQ.

Or, in his Absence, to the Keeper of the Lion, at Button's Coffee-house, Covent-garden.

OLD IRONSIDE,

Sept. 1713.

If your lion had not less breeding than a bear, he would not have opened his throat against so genteel a diversion as masquerading, which has ever been looked upon, in all polite countries, as tending to no other end than to promote a better understanding between the sexes. But I shall take another opportunity, Mr. Ironside, to talk with you upon this subject. My present business is with the Lion; and since this savage has behaved himself so rudely, I do by these presents challenge him to meet me at the next masquerade, and desire you will give orders to Mr. Button to bring him thither, in all his terrors, where, in defence of the innocence of these midnight amusements, I intend to appear against him, in the habit of Signior Nicolini, to try the merits of this cause by single combat. I am, your's,

INCOGNITO.

HONEST NESTOR,

Pr'ythee, stop your lion's mouth a little on the chapter of masquerading.

ed a dear creature several of

I have pursuthese gay nights

through three or four as odd changes as any in Ovid's Metamorphoses; and she has promised, at the next, in the habit of a gipsy, to tell me finally my fortune. Be dumb till then, and afterwards say what you please.