his Reputation, Person, Fortune, and good Humour; and if they find him qualified for a Sister of the Club, they lay their Heads together how to make him sure.  By this Means they are acquainted with all the Widow-hunters about Town, who often afford them great Diversion.  There is an honest Irish Gentleman, it seems, who knows nothing of this Society, but at different times has made Love to the whole Club.

Their Conversation often turns upon their former Husbands, and it is very diverting to hear them relate their several Arts and Stratagems, with which they amused the Jealous, pacified the Chokrick, or wheedled the Good-natured Man, till at last, to use the Club Phrase, They sent him out of the House with his Heels foremost.

The Politicks, which are most cultivated by this Society of She-Machiavils, relate chiefly to these two Points:  How to treat a Lover, and How to manage a Husband.  As for the first Set of Artifices, they are too numerous to come within the Compass of your Paper, and shall therefore be reserved for a Second Letter.

The Management of a Husband is built upon the following Doctrines, which are Universally assented to by the whole Club.  Not to give him his Head at first.  Not to allow him too great Freedoms and Familiarities.  Not to be treated by him like a raw Girl, but as a Woman that knows the World.  Not to Lessen anything of her former Figure.  To celebrate the Generosity, or any other Vertue, of a deceased Husband, which she would recommend to his Successor.  To turn away all his old Friends and Servants, that she may have the Dear Man to her self.  To make him disinherit the undutiful Children of any former Wife.  Never to be thoroughly convinced of his Affection, till he has made over to her all his Goods and Chattels.

  ’After so long a Letter, I am, without more Ceremony,
  Your Humble Servant, &c.

* * * * *

No. 562.  Friday, July 2, 1714.  Addison.

  ‘—­Praesens, absens ut sies.’

  Ter.

It is a hard and nice Subject for a Man to speak of himself, says Cowley; [1] it grates his own Heart to say anything of Disparagement, and the Reader’s Ears to hear any thing of Praise from him. Let the Tenour of his Discourse be what it will upon this Subject, it generally proceeds from Vanity.  An ostentatious Man will rather relate a Blunder or an Absurdity he has committed, than be debarred from talking of his own dear Person.

Some very great Writers have been guilty of this Fault.  It is observed of Tully in particular, that his Works run very much in the First Person, and that he takes all Occasions of doing himself Justice.