66 73 81 - 88 95 15. The folly of cards. A letter from a lady that has 116 21. The anxieties of literature not less than those of publick stations. The inequality of authors 22. An allegory on wit and learning 23. The contrariety of criticism. The vanity of ob- jection. An author obliged to depend upon his 24. The necessity of attending to the duties of com- 194 gory 31. The defence of a known mistake highly culpable 109 32. The vanity of stoicism. The necessity of patience 207 33. An allegorical history of rest and labour 34. The uneasiness and disgust of female cowardice 35. A marriage of prudence without affection - 219 - 226 232 238 38. The advantages of mediocrity. An eastern fable 39. The unhappiness of women whether single or 245 251 257 276 43. The inconveniencies of precipitation and confidence 276 44. Religion and superstition, a vision 45. The causes of disagreement in marriage 46. The mischiefs of rural faction 47. The proper means of regulating sorrow 48. The miseries of an infirm constitution 49. A disquisition upon the value of fame 50. A virtuous old age always reverenced 51. The employments of a housewife in the country 54. A death-bed the true school of wisdom. The ef- 55. The gay widow's impatience of the growth of her 57. Sententious rules of frugality - 61. A Londoner's 61. A Londoner's visit to the country 62. A young lady's impatience to see London 63. Inconstancy not always a weakness 64. The requisites to true friendship THE RAMBLER. NUMB. 1. TUESDAY, March 20, 1749-50. Cur tamen hoc libeat potius decurrere campo, THE Why to expatiate in this beaten field, Juv. ELPHINSTON. HE difficulty of the first address on any new occasion, is felt by every man in his transactions with the world, and confessed by the settled and regular forms of salutation which necessity has introduced into all languages. Judgment was wearied with the perplexity of being forced upon choice, where there was no motive to preference; and it was found convenient that some easy method of introduction should be established, which, if it wanted the allurement of novelty, might enjoy the security of prescription. B VOL. I. Perhaps Perhaps few authors have presented themselves before the publick, without wishing that such ceremonial modes of entrance had been anciently established, as might have freed them from those dangers which the desire of pleasing is certain to produce, and precluded the vain expedients of softening censure by apologies, or rousing attention by abruptness. The epick writers have found the proemial part of the poem such an addition to their undertaking, that they have almost unanimously adopted the first lines of Homer, and the reader needs only be informed of the subject, to know in what manner the poem will begin. But this solemn repetition is hitherto the peculiar distinction of heroick poetry; it has never been legally extended to the lower orders of literature, but seems to be considered as an hereditary privilege, to be enjoyed only by those who claim it from their alliance to the genius of Homer. The rules which the injudicious use of this prerogative suggested to Horace, may indeed be applied to the direction of candidates for inferior fame; it may be proper for all to remember, that they ought not to raise expectation which it is not in their power to satisfy, and that it is more pleasing to see smoke brightening into flame, than flame sinking info smoke. This precept has been long received, both from regard to the authority of Horace, and its conformity to the general opinion of the world; yet there have been always some, that thought it no deviation from modesty to recommend their own labours, and |