There has arrived no mail since our last; so that we have no manner of foreign news, except we were to give you, for such, the many speculations which are on foot concerning what was imported by the last advices.  There are, it seems, sixty battalions and seventeen squadrons appointed to serve in the siege of Tournay; the garrison of which place consists but of eleven battalions and four squadrons.  Letters of the 29th of the last month from Berlin have brought advice, that the Kings of Denmark, Prussia, and his Majesty Augustus, were within few days to come to an interview at Potsdam.  These letters mention, that two Polish princes of the family of the Sapicha and Lubermirsky, lately arrived from Paris, confirm the reports of the misery in France for want of provisions, and give a particular instance of it, which is, that on the day Monsieur Rouille returned to Court, the common people gathered in crowds about the Dauphin’s coach, crying, “Peace and bread, bread and peace.”

Mrs. Distaff has taken upon her, while she writes this paper, to turn her thoughts wholly to the service of her own sex, and to propose remedies against the greatest vexations attending female life.  She has for this end written a small treatise concerning the second word, with an appendix on the use of a reply, very useful to all such as are married to persons either ill-bred or ill-natured.  There is in this tract a digression for the use of virgins concerning the words, “I will.”

A gentlewoman who has a very delicate ear, wants a maid who can whisper, and help her in the government of her family.  If the said servant can clear-starch, lisp, and tread softly, she shall have suitable encouragement in her wages.

[Footnote 371:  See note to No. 36.]

[Footnote 372:  Jenny Distaff.]

[Footnote 373:  The Jacobite Archbishop of York, Dr. John Sharpe, who died in 1713.  See Examiner, vol. iv.  No. 22.]

[Footnote 374:  Dr. Blackall (1654-1716), who was made Bishop of Exeter in 1708.]

[Footnote 375:  The French Prophets, from the Cevennes.  Dr. Blackall’s sermon against them was printed by order of the Queen.]

[Footnote 376:  The following article appeared only in the folio issue:—­

Will’s Coffee-house, July 3.

A very ingenious gentleman was complaining this evening, that the players are grown so severe critics, that they would not take in his play, though it has as many fine things in it as any play that has been writ since the days of Dryden.  He began his discourse about his play with a preface.