a dozen fifters apiece, and making that practice, a fundamental part of their system. For, human life is a continual navigation, and, if we expect our veffels to pass with safety, through the waves and tempefts of this fluctuating world, it is neceffary to make a good provision of the flesh, as feamen lay in store of beef for a long voyage.

Now, from this brief furvey of fome principal fects among the fanatics in all ages, (having omitted the mahometans and others, who might alfo help to confirm the argument I am about) to which I might add several among ourselves, fuch as the family of love, fweet fingers of Ifrael, and the like: and from reflecting upon that fundamental point in their doctrines about women, wherein they have fo unanimously agreed; I am apt to imagine, that the feed or principle, which has ever put men upon vifions in things invifible, is of a corporeal nature; for, the profounder chymifts inform us, that the strongest spirits may be extracted from human flesh. Befides, the spinal marrow, being nothing else but a continuation of the brain, muft needs create a very free communication, between the fuperior faculties, and those below: and thus, the thorn in the flesh, serves for a spur to the fpirit. I think, it is agreed among physicians, that nothing affects the head fo much, as a tentiginous humour, repelled and elated to the upper region, found by daily practice to run. frequently up into madness. A very eminent member of the faculty affured me, that when the quakers first appeared, he feldom was without fome female patients among them for the furor-perfons of a

vifionary

vifionary devotion, either men or women, are, in their complexion, of all others the most amorous: for, zeal is frequently kindled from the same spark with other fires, and, from inflaming brotherly love, will proceed to raise that of a gallant. If we inspect into the ufual procefs of modern courtship, we fhall find it to confist in a devout turn of the eyes, called ogling; an artificial form of canting and whining by rote, every interval, for want of other matter, made up with a fhrug, or a humm;

figh or a groan; the ftile compact of infignificant words, incoherences, and repetition. These I take to be the most accomplished rules of addrefs to a mistress; and where are these performed with more dexterity, than by the faints? Nay, to bring this argument yet clofer, I have been informed by certain fanguine brethren of the first class, that in the height and orgasmus of their fpiritual exercife, it has been frequent with them * *; immediately after which, they found the fpirit to relax and flag of a fudden with the nerves, and they were forced to haften to a conclufion. This may be farther strengthened, by obferving, with wonder, how unaccountably all females are attracted, by visionary or enthusiastic preachers, though never fo contemptible in their outward mien; which is usually supposed to be done upon confiderations purely spiritual, without any carnal regards at all. But, I have reafon to think, the sex has certain characteristics, by which they form a truer judgment of human abilities and performings, than we ourselves can pɔffibly do of each other. Let that be as it will, thus

much

much is certain, that, however fpiritual intrigues begin, they generally conclude like all others; they may branch upwards towards heaven, but the root is in the earth. Too intense a contemplation, is not the business of flesh and blood; it must, by the neceffary course of things, in a little time let go its hold, and fall into matter. Lovers for the fake of

celestial converse, are but another fort of platonics, who pretend to fee ftars and heaven in ladies eyes, and to look or think no lower; but the fame pit is provided for both: and they feem a perfect moral to the story of that philofopher, who, while his thoughts and eyes were fixed upon the conftellations, found himself feduced by his lower parts into a ditch.

I had fomewhat more to fay upon this part of the fubject; but the poft is just going, which forces mo in great hafte to conclude,

Pray burn this
Letter as foon

as it comes to
your Hands.

SIR,

Yours, &c.

THE

HISTORY

OF

MARTIN*.

How

OW Jack and Martin, being parted, fet up each for himself. How they travelled over hills and dales, met many difafters, fuffered much for the good cause, and struggled with difficulties and wants, not having where to lay their head; all which they afterwards proved themselves to be right father's fons, and Peter to be spurious. Finding no shelter near Peter's habitation, Martin travelled northwards, and finding the Thuringians and neighbouring people disposed to change, he fet up his stage first among them; where, making it his business to cry down Peter's powders, plafters, falves and drugs, which he had fold a long time at a dear rate, allowing Martin none of the profit, though he had been often employed in recommending and

This History was inferted in the former editions of the Tale of a Tub, under the title of What follows after Se&t. IX. in the Manufcript;' but in later editions has been omitted, by the Dean's direction, in order to remove the cenfure of those who put a conftruction on it foreign to his defign. As in these cooler times the whole allegory has been justly esteemed, the reader will doubtlefs be pleafed at our having preferved this part of it from oblivion.

putting

putting them off; the good people, willing to fave their pence, began to hearken to Martin's fpeeches, How feveral great lords took the hint, and on the fame account declared for Martin; particularly one, who, not having enough of one wife, wanted to marry a fecond; and knowing Peter ufed not to grant fuch licences but at a fwinging price, he ftruck up a bargain with Martin, whom he found more tractable, and who affured him he had the fame power to allow fuch things. How moft of the other northern lords, for their own private ends, withdrew themselves and their dependents from Peter's authority, and closed in with Martin. How Peter, enraged at the lofs of fuch large territories, and confequently of fo much revenue, thundered against Martin, and fent out the strongest and most terrible of his bulls to devour him; but, this having no effect, and Martin defending himself boldly and dextrously, Peter at laft put forth proclamations, declaring Martin, and all his adherents, rebels and traitors, ordaining and requiring all his loving fubjects to take up arms, and to kill, burn, and destroy all and every one of them, promising large rewards, &c. upon which enfued bloody wars and defolation,

How Harry Huff, lord of Albion, one of the greatest bullies of those days, fent a cartel to Martin, to fight him on a ftage, at cudgels, quarterstaff, back-fword, &c. Hence the origin of that genteel custom of prize-fighting, fo well known and practised to this day among thofe polite islanders, though unknown every where else. How Martin, VOL. II. being

T