I might add, that a moderate Knowledge in the little
Rules of Good-breeding gives a Man some Assurance,
and makes him easie in all Companies. For want
of this, I have seen a Professor of a Liberal Science
at a Loss to salute a Lady; and a most excellent Mathematician
not able to determine whether he should stand or sit
while my Lord drank to him.
It is the proper Business of a Dancing-Master to regulate
these Matters; tho’ I take it to be a just Observation,
that unless you add something of your own to what
these fine Gentlemen teach you, and which they are
wholly ignorant of themselves, you will much sooner
get the Character of an Affected Fop, than of a Well-bred
Man.
As for Country Dancing, it must indeed be confessed,
that the great Familiarities between the two Sexes
on this Occasion may sometimes produce very dangerous
Consequences; and I have often thought that few Ladies
Hearts are so obdurate as not to be melted by the Charms
of Musick, the Force of Motion, and an handsome young
Fellow who is continually playing before their Eyes,
and convincing them that he has the perfect Use of
all his Limbs.
But as this kind of Dance is the particular Invention
of our own Country, and as every one is more or less
a Proficient in it, I would not Discountenance it;
but rather suppose it may be practised innocently
by others, as well as myself, who am often Partner
to my Landlady’s Eldest Daughter.
Having heard a good Character of the Collection of
Pictures which is to be Exposed to Sale on Friday
next; and concluding from the following Letter, that
the Person who Collected them is a Man of no unelegant
Taste, I will be so much his Friend as to Publish it,
provided the Reader will only look upon it as filling
up the Place of an Advertisement.
From the three Chairs in the Piazza,
Covent-Garden.
SIR, May 16, 1711.
’As you are SPECTATOR, I think we,
who make it our Business to exhibit any thing to
publick View, ought to apply our selves to you for
your Approbation. I have travelled Europe to
furnish out a Show for you, and have brought with
me what has been admired in every Country through
which I passed. You have declared in many Papers,
that your greatest Delights are those of the Eye,
which I do not doubt but I shall gratifie with as
Beautiful Objects as yours ever beheld. If Castles,
Forests, Ruins, Fine Women, and Graceful Men, can please
you, I dare promise you much Satisfaction, if you
will Appear at my Auction on Friday next.
A Sight is, I suppose, as grateful to a SPECTATOR,
as a Treat to another Person, and therefore I hope
you will pardon this Invitation from,
SIR,
Your most Obedient
Humble Servant,
J. GRAHAM.
