On the other hand, Writers of a more merry Complexion have been no less severe on the opposite Party; and have had one Advantage above them, that they have attacked them with more Turns of Wit and Humour.

After all, if a Man’s Temper were at his own Disposal, I think he would not chuse to be of either of these Parties; since the most perfect Character is that which is formed out of both of them.  A Man would neither chuse to be a Hermit nor a Buffoon:  Humane Nature is not so miserable, as that we should be always melancholy; nor so happy, as that we should be always merry.  In a Word, a Man should not live as if there was no God in the World; nor, at the same Time, as if there were no Men in it.

* * * * *

No. 599.  Monday, September 27, 1714.

  ’—­Ubique
  Luctus, ubique pavor—­’

  Virg.

It has been my Custom, as I grow old, to allow my self in some little Indulgencies which I never took in my Youth.  Among others is that of an Afternoon’s Napp, which I fell into in the Fifty fifth Year of my Age, and have continued for the three Years last past.  By this means I enjoy a double Morning, and rise twice a-day fresh to my Speculations.  It happens very luckily for me, that some of my Dreams have proved instructive to my Countrymen, so that I may be said to sleep, as well as to wake, for the Good of the Publick.  I was Yesterday meditating on the Account with which I have already entertained my Readers concerning the Cave of Trophonius.  I was no sooner fallen into my usual Slumber, but I dreamt that this Cave was put into my Possession, and that I gave publick Notice of its Virtue, inviting every one to it, who had a mind to be a serious Man for the remaining Part of his Life.  Great Multitudes immediately resorted to me.  The first who made the Experiment was a Merry-Andrew, who was put into my Hands by a neighbouring Justice of Peace, in order to reclaim him from that profligate kind of Life.  Poor Pickle-herring had not taken above one Turn in it, when he came out of the Cave, like a Hermit from his Cell, with a penitential Look, and a most rueful Countenance.  I then put in a young laughing Fop, and, watching for his Return, asked him, with a Smile, how he liked the Place?  He replied, Pr’ythee Friend be not impertinent; and stalked by me as grave as a Judge.  A Citizen then desired me to give free Ingress and Egress to his Wife, who was dressed in the gayest coloured Ribbons I had ever seen.  She went in with a Flirt of her Fan and a smirking Countenance, but came out with a Severity of a Vestal, and throwing from her several Female Gugaws, told me with a Sigh, that she resolved to go into deep Mourning, and to wear Black all the rest of her Life.  As I had many Coquets recommended to me by their Parents, their Husbands, and their Lovers, I let them in all at once, desiring them to divert themselves together as well as they could.