scheme fell through.  In 1709, Miss Astell published a book called “Bart’lemy Fair; or, An Enquiry after Wit....  By Mr. Wotton, in answer to Lord Shaftesbury’s Letter concerning Enthusiasm, and other profane writers.”  In the advertisement to the Second Edition ("An Enquiry after Wit,” &c., 1722), Mary Astell says that, although her book was at first published under a borrowed name, it was ascribed to her, and drew upon her the resentment of that sort of men of wit who were exposed, and was the true cause of the fable published in the Tatler a little after the “Enquiry” appeared.  But she notes that, although the Tatler showed its teeth against the “Proposal to the Ladies,” the compilator made amends to the author (if not to the bookseller), by transcribing above a hundred pages into his Ladies’ Library verbatim, except in a few places, which would not be found to be improved.  The “Enquiry after Wit” is dedicated “To the most Illustrious Society of the Kit-Cats,” with many sarcastic allusions to their luxury, oaths, &c.  True, their names had not been heard of from Hochsted or Ramillies, but then their heroism found in every place an ample theatre for their merits.  “The Bath, the Wells, and every Fair, each Chocolate, Gaming House and Tavern resounds with your noble exploits.”]

[Footnote 331:  This is borrowed from Sir Thomas Browne’s “Religio Medici,” part ii. sect. 9.]

[Footnote 332:  “Second,” in original editions.]

[Footnote 333:  There is an apology for punning in No. 36 of the Guardian.]

[Footnote 334:  Swift.]

No. 33. [STEELE.

By Mrs. JENNY DISTAFF, half-sister to Mr. BICKERSTAFF.

From Thursday, June 23, to Saturday, June 25, 1709.

* * * * *

From my own Apartment, June 23.

My brother has made an excursion into the country, and the work against Saturday lies upon me.  I am very glad I have got pen and ink in my hand; for I have for some time longed for his absence, to give a right idea of things, which I thought he put in a very odd light, and some of them to the disadvantage of my own sex.  It is much to be lamented, that it is necessary to make discourses, and publish treatises, to keep the horrid creatures, the men, within the rules of common decency.  Turning over the papers of memorials or hints for the ensuing discourses, I find a letter subscribed by Mr. Truman.

“SIR,

“I am lately come to town, and have read your works with much pleasure.  You make wit subservient to good principles and good manners.  Yet, because I design to buy the Tatlers for my daughters to read, I take the freedom to desire you, for the future, to say nothing about any combat between Alexander and Thalestris."[335]