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 N° 46.

THE GUARDIAN.

263

thing that is ſerious, flowing from ſome degree of this petulancy, is obſervable in the generality of the youth of both ſexes in this age. It is the one common face of moſt public meetings, and

breaks in upon the fobriety, I will not ſay ſeve rity, that we ought to exerciſe in churches. The pert boys and flippant girls are but faint followers of thoſe in the ſame inclinations at more ad vanced years. I know not who can oblige them

to mend their manners ; all that I pretend to, is to enter my proteſt that they are neither fine

gentlemen nor fine ladies for this behaviour. As for the portraitures which I would propoſe, as

the images of agreeable men and women, if they are not imitated or regarded, I can only anſwer, as I remember Mr. Dryden did on the like occa

fion, when a young fellow, juſt come from the play of Cleomenes, told him in raillery againſt the continency of his principal character, if Ihad been alone with a lady I ſhould not have paſſed my time like your Spartan ; “ That may be,' an

ſwered the bard with a very grave face, ' but give me leave to tell you, ſir, you are no hero.

N° 46. Monday, May 4, 1713. BY STEEL E.

Sola eft cæleſti digna reperta toro. OVID, 3 Ep. de Ponto, i. 118. Alone found worthy a celeſtial bed. 1

YESTERDAY, at my lady Lizard's tea -table, the diſcourſe happened to turn upon women of $ 4