.[139] There is a cheerfulness at such repasts, which is
very delightful to tempers which are so happy as to be clear of spleen
and vapour; for to the jovial to see others pleased, is the greatest of
all pleasures.

But since age and infirmities forbid my appearance at such public
places, the next happiness is to make the best use of privacy, and
acquit myself of the demands of my correspondents. The following letter
is what has given me no small inquietude, it being an accusation of
partiality, and disregard to merit, in the person of a virtuoso, who is
the most eloquent of all men upon small occasions, and is the more to be
admired for his prodigious fertility of invention, which never appears
but upon subjects which others would have thought barren. But in
consideration of his uncommon talents, I am contented to let him be the
hero of my next two days, by inserting his friends' recommendation of
him at large:

"DEAR COUSIN, "Nando's,[140] _Feb. 28, 1709_.

"I am just come out of the country, and upon perusing your late
Lucubrations, I find Charles Lillie to be the darling of your
affections, that you have given him a place, and taken no small
pains to establish him in the world; and at the same time have
passed by his namesake[141] at this end of the town, as if he was a
citizen defunct, and one of no use in a commonwealth. I must own,
his circumstances are so good, and so well known, that he does not
stand in need of having his fame published to the world; but being
of an ambitious spirit, and an aspiring soul, he would be rather
proud of the honour, than desirous of the profit, which might
result from your recommendation. He is a person of a particular
genius, the first that brought toys in fashion, and baubles to
perfection. He is admirably well versed in screws, springs, and
hinges, and deeply read in knives, combs or scissors, buttons or
buckles. He is a perfect master of words, which, uttered with a
smooth voluble tongue, flow into a most persuasive eloquence;
insomuch that I have known a gentleman of distinction find several
ingenious faults with a toy of his, and show his utmost dislike to
it, as being either useless, or ill-contrived; but when the orator
behind the counter had harangued upon it for an hour and a half,
displayed its hidden beauties, and revealed its secret
p