Existence, as we call it, is pieced up of past, present, and to come. Such a flitting and fucceffive Exiftence is rather a Shadow of Existence, and fomething which is like it, than Existence it self. He only properly exifts whose Existence is intirely prefent that is, in other Words, who exifts in the most perfect manner, and in such a manner as we have no Idea of.

I fhall conclude this Speculation with one useful Inference. How can we

fufficiently proftrate our felves and fall down before our Maker, when we confider that ineffable Goodness and Wifdom which contrived this Existence for finite Natures? What must be the Overflowings of that good Will, which prompted our Creator to adapt Exiftence to Beings, in whom it is not neceffary? Efpecially when we confider, that he himself was before in the compleat Poffeffion of Existence and of Happiness, and in the full Enjoyment of Eternity. What Man can think of himfelf as called out and feparated from nothing, of his being made a confcious, a reasonable and a happy Creature, in short, of being taken in

as.

as a Sharer of Existence and a kind of Partner in Eternity, without being fwallowed up in Wonder, in Praise, in Adoration! It is indeed a Thought too big for the Mind of Man, and rather to be entertained in the Secrecy of Devotion and in the Silence of the Soul, than to be expreffed by Words. The Supreme Being has not given us Powers or Faculties fufficient to extol and magnifie fuch unutterable Goodnefs...

IT is however fome Comfort to us, that we fhall be always doing what we fhall be never able to do, and that a Work which cannot be finithed, will however be the Work of an Eternity.

N° 591. Wednesday, September 8.

I

·Tenerorum lufor amorum.

Ovid.

Have just received a Letter from a Gentleman, who tells me he has obferved with no fmall Concern, that my Papers have of late been very barren in relation to Love; a Subject which when agreeably handled, can fcarce fail of being well received by both Sexes.

IF my Invention therefore should be almost exhausted on this Head, he offers to serve under me in the Quality of a Love Cafuift; for which Place he conceives himself to be throughly qualified, having made this Paffion his Principal Study, and obferved it in all its different Shapes and Appearances, from the fifteenth to the forty fifth Year of his Age.

HE affures me with an Air of Confidence, which I hope proceeds from his real Abilities, that he does not doubt

of

of giving Judgment to the Satisfaction of the Parties concerned, on the most nice and intricate Cafes which can happen in an Amour; as,

HOW great the Contraction of the Fingers must be before it amounts to a Squeeze by the Hand.

WHAT can be properly termed ar abfolute Denial from a Maid, and what from a Widow.

WHAT Advances a Lover may prefume to make, after having received a Patt upon his Shoulder from his Miftrefs's Fan.

WHETHER a Lady, at the first Interview, may allow an humble Servant to kiss her Hand.

HOW far it may be permitted to carefs the Maid in order to fucceed with the Mistress.

WHAT Constructions a Man may put upon a Smile, and in what Cafes a Frown goes for nothing.

ON what Occafion a fheepish Look may do Service, &c.

AS a farther Proof of his Skill, he also fent me several Maxims in Love, which he affures me are the Result of a long and profound Reflection, fome of which I think my felf obliged to

com

が

communicate to the Publick, not remembring to have seen them before in any Author.

THERE are more Calamities in the World arifing from Love than from Hatred.

'LOVE is the Daughter of Idlenefs, but the Mother of Difquietude.

MEN of grave Natures (fays Sir Francis Bacon) are the most conftant, for the fame reafon Men fhould be C. more conftant than Women..

THE Gay Part of Mankind is. moft amorous, the Serious most loving.. A Coquet often lofes her Reputation, whilst the preserves her Virtue.

A Prude often preferves her Repu tation when she has loft her Virtue.

LOVE refines a Man's Behaviour, but makes a Woman's ridicu-lous.

LOVE is generally accompanied with Good-will in the Young, Intereft in the Middle-aged, and a Paffion too grofs to name in the Old.

THE Endeavours to revive a decaying Paffion generally extinguish the Remains of it.

A Woman who from being a Slattern becomes over-neat, or from be