as a man in a passion should do.  The wit, who is as far gone in letters as himself, seems to be at a loss to answer such an apology; and concludes only, that though his anger is justly vented, it wants fire in the utterance.  If wit is to be measured by the circumstances of time and place, there is no man has generally so little of that talent, as he who is a wit by profession.  What he says, instead of arising from the occasion, has an occasion invented to bring it in.  Thus he is new for no other reason, but that he talks like nobody else; but has taken up a method of his own, without commerce of dialogue with other people.  The lively Jasper Dactyle[301] is one of this character.  He seems to have made a vow to be witty to his life’s end.  When you meet him, “What do you think,” says he, “I have been entertaining myself with?” Then out comes a premeditated turn, to which it is to no purpose to answer; for he goes on in the same strain of thought he designed without your speaking.  Therefore I have a general answer to all he can say; as, “Sure there never was any creature had so much fire!” Spondee, who is a critic, is seldom out of this fine man’s company.  They have no manner of affection for each other, but keep together, like Novel and Oldfox in “The Plain Dealer,"[302] because they show each other.  I know several of sense who can be diverted with this couple; but I see no curiosity in the thing, except it be, that Spondee is dull, and seems dull; but Dactyle is heavy with a brisk face.  It must be owned also, that Dactyle has almost vigour enough to be a coxcomb; but Spondee, by the lowness of his constitution, is only a blockhead.

St. James’s Coffee-house, June 15.

We have no particulars of moment since our last, except it be, that the copy of the following original letter came by the way of Ostend.  It is said to have been found in the closet of Monsieur Chamillard, the late Secretary of State of France, since his disgrace.  It was signed by two brothers of the famous Cavallier,[303] who led the Cevennois, and had a personal interview with the king, as well as a capitulation to lay down his arms, and leave the dominions of France.  There are many other names to it; among whom, is the chief of the family of the Marquis Guiscard.[304] It is not yet known, whether Monsieur Chamillard had any real design to favour the Protestant interest, or only thought to place himself at the head of that people, to make himself considerable enough to oppose his enemies at Court, and reinstate himself in power there.

“SIR,

“We have read your Majesty’s[305] letter to the governors of your provinces, with instructions what sentiments to insinuate into the minds of your people:  but as you have always acted upon the maxim, that we were made for you, and not you for us, we must take leave to assure your Majesty, that we are exactly of the contrary opinion, and must desire you to send for your grandson home, and acquaint him,