“DAPPERWIT.  Let me prune and flounce my perruque a little for her; there’s ne’er a young fellow in the town but will do as much for a mere stranger in the play-house.

“RANGER.  A wit’s wig has the privilege of being uncombed in the very play-house, or in the presence—­

“DAPPERWIT.  But not in the presence of his mistress; ’tis a greater neglect of her than himself; pray lend me your comb....  She comes, she comes; pray, your comb. (Snatches RANGER’S comb.)”]

[Footnote 382:  “Mrs. Distaff hath received the Dialogue dated Monday evening, which she has sent forward to Mr. Bickerstaff at Maidenhead:  and in the meantime gives her service to the parties” (folio).]

No. 39. [STEELE.

By ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, Esq.

From Thursday, July 7, to Saturday, July 9, 1709.

* * * * *

Grecian Coffee-house, July 7.

As I am called forth by the immense love I bear to my fellow creatures, and the warm inclination I feel within me, to stem, as far as I can, the prevailing torrent of vice and ignorance; so I cannot more properly pursue that noble impulse, than by setting forth the excellence of virtue and knowledge in their native and beautiful colours.  For this reason I made my late excursion to Oxford, where those qualities appear in their highest lustre, and are the only pretences to honour and distinction:  superiority is there given in proportion to men’s advancement in wisdom and learning; and that just rule of life is so universally received among those happy people, that you shall see an earl walk bareheaded to the son of the meanest artificer, in respect to seven years more worth and knowledge than the nobleman is possessed of.  In other places they bow to men’s fortunes, but here to their understandings.  It is not to be expressed, how pleasing the order, the discipline, the regularity of their lives, is to a philosopher, who has, by many years’ experience in the world, learned to contemn everything but what is revered in this mansion of select and well-taught spirits.  The magnificence of their palaces, the greatness of their revenues, the sweetness of their groves and retirements, seem equally adapted for the residence of princes and philosophers; and a familiarity with objects of splendour, as well as places of recess, prepares the inhabitants with an equanimity for their future fortunes, whether humble or illustrious.  How was I pleased when I looked round at St. Mary’s, and could, in the faces of the ingenious youth, see ministers of state, chancellors, bishops, and judges.  Here only is human life!  Here only the life of man is a rational being!  Here men understand and are employed in works worthy their noble nature.  This transitory being passes away in an employment not unworthy a future state, the contemplation of the great decrees of Providence.  Each man lives as if he were to answer the questions made to Job, “Where