dull, in the hands of authors of little genius; but profligacy and libertinism will as often be filly as wicked, though, in the impudence with which they unfold themselves, there is frequently an air of fmartness which paffes for wit, and of affurance which looks like vivacity. The counterfeits, however, are not always detected at that time of life which is lefs afraid of being thought diffipated than dull, and by that rank which holds regularity and fobriety among the plebeian virtues. The people, indeed, are always true to virtue, and open to the impreffions of virtuous fentiment. With the people, the Comedies in which thefe are developed ftill remain favourites; and Corruption must have ftretched its empire far indeed, when the applaufes fhall ceafe with which they are received.

No 51. SATURDAY, Jan. 21. 1786.

To the AUTHOR of the LOUNGER.

I

SIR,

WAS much pleafed with one of your late papers, published on the laft day of laft year, in which you fuggefted feveral uses that might be made of a recollection of past events, and of a proper confideration of the power of Time.

The neglect of the improvement of time is an evil of which every moralift has complained, on which therefore it were prefumption in me to attempt to enlarge. But, without repeating what has been fo often and fo well faid on its wafte or its abuse, permit me to take notice of that forgetfulness of its progrefs, which affects the conduct and deportment of so many in the different relations of life. In matters of serious concern, we cannot violate the rights of time without rendering ourselves unhappy; in objects of fmaller importance, we cannot withdraw from its jurifdiction without making ourselves ridiculous. Its progrefs,

progrefs, however, is unfortunately very apt to be unnoticed by ourfelves, to whom its daily motion is gradual and imperceptible; but by others it will hardly fail to be marked, and they will expect a behaviour fuitable to the character it should stamp upon us.

How often do the old forget the period at which they are arrived, and keep up a behaviour fuitable, or perhaps only excufable to that which they have long ago paffed? We fee every day fexagenary beaux, and gray-haired rakes, who mix with the gay and the diffipated of the prefent time, and pride themselves on the want of that thought and ferioufnefs which years alone, if not wisdom, should have taught them. This is the pitiful ambition of the weak and the profligate; who, unable to attain the respect due to virtue, or the credit of ufefulness, wifh to fhow the vigour of their minds, and the foundness of their conftitutions, at a late period of life, by fupporting a character of folly or licentioufnefs. But they should be told, that they generally fail in their object, contemptible as it is; the world only allows them credit for an attempt at follies, for an affectation of vice." What a fine wicked old dog your father is !"-faid a young fellow, in my hearing, at the door of a tavern a few nights N 2

ago,

ago. "Why, yes," replied his companion, with a tone of fang froid, "he would if he could."

In the other fex, I confefs I feel myfelf more inclined to make allowance for those rebels against time, who wish to extend the period of youth beyond its natural duration. The empire of beauty is a distinction so flattering, and its refignation makes fo mortifying a change in the state of its poffeffor, that I am not much furprised if fhe who has once enjoyed it, tries every art to prolong her reign. This indulgence, however, is only due to those who have no other part to perform, no other character to fupport. She who is a wife or a mother, has other objects to which her attention may be turned, from which her refpectability may be drawn. I cannot therefore eafily pardon those whom we fee at public places, the rivals of their daughters, with the airy gait, the flaunting dress, and the playful giggle of fifteen. As to those elderly ladies who continue to haunt the fcenes of their early amufements, who fometimes exhibit themselves there in all the gay colours of youth and fashion, like thofe unnatural fruit-trees that bloffom in December, L am difpofed rather to pity than to blame them. In thus attending the triumphs of beauty, they be of the fame ufe with the monitor who followed the Roman heroes in their triumphal proceffions,

may

proceffions, to put them in mind, amidst the fhouts of the people, and the parade of conqueft, that, for all their glory, they were still but men. But the progrefs of time is as often anticipated as it is forgotten, and youth ufurps the privileges of age as frequently as age would retain the privileges of youth. At no period, perhaps, was this prematurity of behaviour more conspicuous than at prefent. We have boys difcourfing politics, arguing metaphyfics, and supporting infidelity, at an age little beyond that when they used to be playing at taw and leap-frog. Nor are these the moft hurtful of their pretenfions. In vice, as in. felf-importance, they contrive to get beyond "the ignorant present time;" and, at the years · of boyifhnefs, to be perfect men in licentioufnefs and debauchery. It is much the fame with the young people of the female world. Girls, who formerly used to be found in the nursery, are now brought forward to all the prerogatives of womanhood. To figure at public places, to be gallanted at public walks, to laugh and talk loud at both, to have all the airs, and all the ease of a fine lady, are now the acquirements of miffes, who, in my younger days, Mr Lounger, were working their famplers, learning white feam, or were allowed to spoil a mince-pie, by way of an exercife in paftry: And it is no uncommon N 3

thing,