16. A picture of Manners in 1705-want of œcono- my an ancient defect-history of PEREGRINE 17. Of Megalanthropogenesia-advantage of ses- quipedalian Greek-conjectures on, and ob- jections to the plan of propagating children of 18. On Retirement-The adventures of Socius in his journey to his country-house-how to be quiet and comfortable on a Sunday-London the a dangerous speculation............ 19. An exhortation to Sleep-harmless, an unfor- tunate word-of the Sleep of Life—many of the fair sex in a dormant state 20. On Retirement-definition of-qualifications Mr. CONSOLS-traders only desirous of retire- ment-a society proposed for retirers ............. 249 21. Preparations for war-a plan to embody the reading novels-The PROJECTOR becomes se- 22. On Civility-something different from polite- 27. Cause of the neglect of Projectors-their num- ber too much increased-introduction of the 28. Advantages and disadvantages of Speech-his- tory of-origin of Hearers-and of Whispers -modern parts of Speech-Musical varieties 347 29. Of News-dearth of News a great calamity— 30. Importance of Anger-not equally divided among mankind-how connected with riches -the waste of Anger on trifles................... 31. Unfortunate situation of Novel-writers-rise THE PROJECTOR. THE PROJECTOR. No 1. "Quod magis ad nos Pertinet, et nescire malum est, agitamus: Utrumne Quidve ad amicitias, usus rectumne, trahat nos? January 1802. COMPARISONS have been so often instituted, in order to illustrate the difficulties with which he is surrounded who makes his first appearance as a periodical writer, that I shall omit any attempt to conciliate the favour, or surprize the fancy of my readers by a lucky hit of the kind. It may be sufficient, I hope, in preserve the accustomed shew of modesty, that I have ranked myself by name among a race of men the most despised of all human order to VOL. I. B human beings, and generally the most unfortunate; that I claim no other than that attention, almost exhausted, which is usually bestowed on PROJECTORS, and that I acknowledge myself possessed of no better chance for success in my schemes, than my predecessors have had in theirs. In such an act of voluntary humility, which the censorious are welcome to consider as disguised vanity, I trust it will be owned I am not behind those whom I dare not approach in any other quality. He that called himself a Tatler, a Rambler, or an Idler, might naturally expect support from that party whose disposition and pursuits were implied in his title, and which was neither few in numbers or in consequence, although he confessedly excluded himself from the favour of every other class of mankind. But in owning myself a PROJECTOR, without inviting the aid of any, I have alarmed the suspicions and the contempt of all; and my downfall, when it comes, will be so much in the natural course of things, as to occasion neither wonder nor pity, for "it might have easily been foreseen," and "who could expect any thing else from a PROJECTOR ?” In truth, whether successful or unsuccessful, PROJECTORS have in all ages been held in low estimation. estimation. company : Pope ranks them in very sorry 1 "Astrologers that future fates foreshew, PROJECTORS, quacks, and lawyers not a few.” Steele himself, who may be supposed much better acquainted with the subject, as he is the ARCH-PROJECTOR of this nation, and once conceived the stupendous plan of reforming its morals, which we have all been since nibbling at, says, "There cannot be a more ridiculous animal than one who seems to regard the good of others. He in civil life, whose thoughts turn upon schemes which may be of general benefit, without farther reflection, is called a PROJECTOR." By the important words "farther reflection" this author undoubtedly means, without any advantage to themselves, which is said to be too frequently the case with the tribe of Projectors. And yet I have known many of them whose schemes were, to say the least, as beneficial to themselves as to any one else; and this would, perhaps, be oftener the case, if there were a good understanding between the party offering the scheme and the party accepting it. Mr. Addison, who likewise ought to have mentioned men of my unfortunate name with more respect and commiseration, asserts that, |