"I. B."[331]

[Footnote 327: Swift may have been among those who protested at the
introduction of politics into the _Tatler_ (see No. 187), and Nichols
thought that he was the writer of the letter signed "Aminadab" in this
number. In June 1710, the fall of the Whigs was rapidly approaching.]

[Footnote 328: Pasquin. See Nos. 129, 130, 187.]

[Footnote 329: 2 Sam. xvi. 13.]

[Footnote 330: 1 Kings ii. 36.]

[Footnote 331: "The Tories happen now to have other work upon their
hands, and are not at leisure to return the civilities that are paid
them; however, having had the honour of a letter from the King of France
... they have sent in their answer to me, and desire me to forward it;
but I am at a loss how to do this, unless my brother the _Tatler_ will
convey it under his cover, for I protest I know no man in England but
him that holds a correspondence with his Christian Majesty" (_Examiner_,
No. 2, August 10, 1710).]

No. 191. [STEELE.

From _Tuesday, June 27_, to _Thursday, June 29, 1710_.

----Propter vitam vivendi perdere causas.--JUV., Sat. viii. 84.

* * * * *

_From my own Apartment, June 28._

Of all the evils under the sun, that of making vice commendable is the
greatest: for it seems to be the basis of society, that applause and
contempt should be always given to proper objects. But in this age we
behold things for which we ought to have an abhorrence, not only
received without disdain, but even valued as motives of emulation. This
is naturally the destruction of simplicity of manners, openness of
heart, and generosity of temper. When one gives oneself the liberty to
range, and run over in one's thoughts the different geniuses of men
which one meets in the world, one cannot but observe, that most of the
indirection and artifice which is used among men, does not proceed so
much from a degeneracy in Nature, as an affectation of appearing men of
consequence by such practices. By this means it is, that a cunning man
is so far from being ashamed of being esteemed such, that he secretly
rejoices in it. It has been a sort of maxim, that the greatest art is to
conceal art; but I know not how, among some people we meet with, their
greatest cunning is to appear cunning. There is Polypragmon[332] makes
it the whole business of his life to be thought a cunning fellow, and
thinks it a mu