I have here only pointed at the whole Species of False
Humourists; but as one of my principal Designs in
this Paper is to beat down that malignant Spirit,
which discovers it self in the Writings of the present
Age, I shall not scruple, for the future, to single
out any of the small Wits, that infest the World with
such Compositions as are ill-natured, immoral and
absurd. This is the only Exception which I shall
make to the general Rule I have prescribed my self,
of attacking Multitudes: Since every honest
Man ought to look upon himself as in a Natural State
of War with the Libeller and Lampooner, and to annoy
them where-ever they fall in his way. This is
but retaliating upon them, and treating them as they
treat others.
[Footnote 1: that]
[Footnote 2: Wit, in the town sense, is talked
of to satiety in Shadwell’s plays; and window-breaking
by the street rioters called ‘Scowrers,’
who are the heroes of an entire play of his, named
after them, is represented to the life by a street
scene in the third act of his ‘Woman Captain.’]
[Footnote 3: are several Impostors]
[Footnote 4: take upon them]
[Footnote 5: Counterfeits]
[Footnote 6: any of these Pretenders]
[Footnote 7: that is about him]
* * * *
*
No. 36. Wednesday, April 11, 1711.
Steele.
’...
Immania monstra
Perferimus ...’
Virg.
I shall not put my self to any further Pains for this
Day’s Entertainment, than barely to publish
the Letters and Titles of Petitions from the Play-house,
with the Minutes I have made upon the Latter for my
Conduct in relation to them.
Drury-Lane, April [1] the 9th.
’Upon reading the Project which
is set forth in one of your late Papers, [2] of
making an Alliance between all the Bulls, Bears, Elephants,
and Lions, which are separately exposed to publick
View in the Cities of London and Westminster;
together with the other Wonders, Shows, and Monsters,
whereof you made respective Mention in the said
Speculation; We, the chief Actors of this Playhouse,
met and sat upon the said Design. It is with
great Delight that We expect the Execution of this
Work; and in order to contribute to it, We have given
Warning to all our Ghosts to get their Livelihoods
where they can, and not to appear among us after
Day-break of the 16th Instant. We are resolved
to take this Opportunity to part with every thing
which does not contribute to the Representation of
humane Life; and shall make a free Gift of all animated
Utensils to your Projector. The Hangings you
formerly mentioned are run away; as are likewise a
Set of Chairs, each of which was met upon two Legs
going through the Rose Tavern at Two this
Morning. We hope, Sir, you will give proper Notice
