No. 591. Wednesday, September 8, 1714. Budgell.

'--Tenerorum lusor amorum--'

Ovid.

I have just receiv'd a Letter from a Gentleman, who tells me he has
observed, with no small Concern, that my Papers have of late been very
barren in relation to Love [1]; a Subject which when agreeably handled,
can scarce fail of being well receiv'd 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 Casuist_; for which
Place he conceives himself to be throughly qualified, having made this
Passion his Principal Study, and observed it in all its different Shapes
and Appearances, from the Fifteenth to the Forty Fifth Year of his Age.

He assures me with an Air of Confidence, which I hope proceeds from his
real Abilities, that he does not doubt of giving Judgment to the
Satisfaction of the Parties concerned, on the most nice and intricate
Cases 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 an absolute Denial from a Maid, and what
from a Widow.

What Advances a Lover may presume to make, after having received a
Patt upon his Shoulder from his Mistress'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 caress the Maid in order to succeed
with the Mistress.

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

On what Occasions a sheepish Look may do Service, _&c_.

As a farther Proof of his Skill, he has also sent me several Maxims in
Love, which he assures me are the Result of a long and profound
Reflection, some of which I think my self obliged to communicate to the
Publick, not remembering to have seen them before in any Author.

'There are more Calamities in the World arising from Love than from
Hatred.

'Love is the Daughter of _Idleness_, but the Mother of _Disquietude_.

'Men of grave Natures (says Sir _Francis Bacon_) are the most
constant; for the same Reason Men should be more constant than Women.

'The Gay Part of Mankind is most amorous, the Serious most loving.

'A Coquet often loses her Reputation, whilst she preserves her Virtue.

'A Prude often preserves her Reputation when she has lost her Virtue.

'Love refines