resent when
they have described the very Man they have spoken to, as him who first
reported it, tall or short, black or fair, a Gentleman or a
Raggamuffin, according as they liked the Intelligence. I have heard
one of our ingenious Writers of News say, that when he has had a
Customer come with an Advertisement of an Apprentice or a Wife run
away, he has desired the Advertiser to compose himself a little,
before he dictated the Description of the Offender: For when a Person
is put into a publick Paper by a Man who is angry with him, the real
Description of such Person is hid in the Deformity with which the
angry Man described him; therefore this Fellow always made his
Customers describe him as he would the Day before he offended, or else
he was sure he would never find him out. These and many other Hints I
could suggest to you for the Elucidation of all Fictions; but I leave
it to your own Sagacity to improve or neglect this Speculation.

_I am, SIR,

Your most obedient,

Humble Servant._

Postscript _to the_ Spectator, _Number 502_.

N. B. _There are in the Play of the_ Self-Tormentor _of_ Terence's,
_which is allowed a most excellent Comedy, several Incidents which would
draw Tears from any Man of Sense, and not one which would move his
Laughter._

T.

[Footnote 1: By 7 Anne, cap. 17, all wagers laid upon a contingency
relating to the war with France were declared void.]

* * * * *

No. 522. Wednesday, October 29, 1712. Steele.

'--Adjuro nunquam eam me deserturum,
Non, si capiundos mihi sciam esse inimicos omneis homines.
Hanc mihi expetivi, contigit: conveniunt mores: valeant
Qui inter nos dissidium volunt: hanc, nisi mors,
Mi adimet nemo.'

Ter.

I should esteem my self a very happy Man, if my Speculations could in
the least contribute to the rectifying the Conduct of my Readers in one
of the most important Affairs of Life, to wit their Choice in Marriage.
This State is the Foundation of Community, and the chief Band of
Society; and I do not think I can be too frequent on Subjects which may
give Light to my unmarried Readers, in a particular which is so
essential to their following Happiness or Misery. A virtuous
Disposition, a good Understanding, an agreeable Person, and an easy
Fortune, are the things which should be chiefly regarded on this
Occasion. Because my