simpleton, if I am at first so simple as to be a
little taken with myself, I know it a fault, and take pains to
correct it.

_L. Ha._--Pshaw! Pshaw! Talk this musty tale to old Mrs. Fardingale,
'tis tiresome for me to think at that rate.

_L. Ch._--They that think it too soon to understand themselves will
very soon find it too late.--But tell me honestly, don't you like
Campley?

_L. Ha._--The fellow is not to be abhorred, if the forward thing did
not think of getting me so easily.--Oh, I hate a heart I can't break
when I please.--What makes the value of dear china, but that 'tis so
brittle?--were it not for that, you might as well have stone mugs in
your closet.'--_The Funeral_, Oct. 2nd.

"We knew the obligations the stage had to his writings [Steele's];
there being scarcely a comedian of merit in our whole company whom
his _Tatlers_ had not made better by his recommendation of
them."--CIBBER.

99 "There is not now in his sight that excellent man, whom Heaven made
his friend and superior, to be at a certain place in pain for what
he should say or do. I will go on in his further encouragement. The
best woman that ever man had cannot now lament and pine at his
neglect of himself."--STEELE [of himself]. _The Theatre_, No. 12,
Feb., 1719-20.

_ 100 The Funeral_ supplies an admirable stroke of humour,--one which
Sydney Smith has used as an illustration of the faculty in his
Lectures.

The undertaker is talking to his employes about their duty.

_Sable._--Ha, you!--A little more upon the dismal [_forming their
countenances_]; this fellow has a good mortal look,--place him near
the corpse: that wainscot-face must be o' top of the stairs; that
fellow's almost in a fright (that looks as if he were full of some
strange misery) at the end of the hall. So--But I'll fix you all
myself. Let's have no laughing now on any provocation. Look
yonder,--that hale, well-looking puppy! You ungrateful scoundrel, did
not I pity you, take you out of a great man's service, and show you
the pleasure of receiving wages? _Did not I give you ten, then
fifteen, and twenty shillings a week to be sorrowful?--and the more I
give you I think the gladder you are!_

101 "From my own Apartment, Nov. 16.

"There are several per