The Virginia Gazette

A Keen Dog, - - - and an Idle Dog.

An Ugly Dog, - - - and a Handsome Dog.

A Clumsy Dog, - - - and a Light Dog.

A Sprightly Dog, - - and a Sluggish Dog.

An Ingenious Dog, - - and a Stupid Dog.

A Good-humour'd Dog, - and a Snarling Dog.

A Vicious Dog, - - and a Pleasant Dog.

A Merry Dog, - - - and a Sad Dog.

A Clean Dog, - - - and a Nasty Dog.

A Sensible Dog, - - - and a Foolish Dog.

A Faithful Dog, - - - and a Wand'ring Dog.

The MONITOR.
No. 16

Veluti magno in populo cum saepe coorta est
Seditio, saevitque animis ignobile vulgus,
Iamque faces & saxa volant: furor arma ministrat.
Tum, pietate grauem ac meritis si forte virum quem
Conspiciunt, silent, arrectisque auribus astant:
Ille regit dictis animos, et pectora mulcet.

VIRG. AENID.
Lib. I.

Riding upon the Road the other Day, by way of an Airing, I heard the Cry of Hounds, and my Horse (for want of Exercise) grew Headstrong, and carried me in the midst of them.

I formerly lik'd the Diversion as much as any Man, and cannot but say the Musick of a full Pack is pleasing to this Day. I must acknowledge I was highly delighted with the Sight, which was quite new to me: The Hounds were coupled in the following Manner, viz.

After I had taken a thorough View of them, I went away: I had not gone a Quarter of a Mile, but the Gentleman, that was Master of the Hounds, overtook me, and press'd me to go to his House and dine with him. I accepted of his Offer; and met with an elegant Entertainment, and a round Company.

In a few Hours, my Companions began to be mellow; each Man took off his Mask, and shew'd himself in his proper Colours; in a very little Time they were all Speakers, then Silent for a while; at last, one of the Gentlemen grew jocular, and a churlish Fellow not relishing it, let fall his Lip, knit his Brows, and look'd surly. Here, a merry Mortal gave him a Tap on the Shoulder, --- honest Jack, drink about, -- which brought him to. Soon after, the Company were exceeding wise, and a silly Fellow began a Story; and before he had got Half way through, forgot his Discourse, and desired to be inform'd what he was talking about. An ill natur'd Chap that lay upon the Catch, reply'd, Fools (like young Girls) should be seen, and not heard. Some swore: others laugh'd. As to my Part, I expected they would go together by the Ears; but it passed off.

Soon after, one of the Company entertain'd us with a Traveller's Story, that took up at least Half an Hour: His next Neighbour pulling him by the Sleeve, whisper'd him loud enough for the Company to hear, --- Tom! this must be a Gun! which brought on a Horse Laugh. High Words arose, and I thought of nothing less than a Duel; but a grave Gentleman immediately sooth'd them with an Ita videtur, and set all Things right again.

Night coming on, I took an Opportunity, and stole out of the Room, Call'd for my Horse and mounted. The Gentleman of the House upsetting my Intention, came to the Door, call'd after me, and entreated me (with a great deal of good Nature, Complaisance, and good Breeding,) to stay all Night; but I begg'd to be excus'd. Sir, says he, perhaps you apprehend the Company may be refractory; but I assure you there is nothing in it. You seem'd to take Notice, in Regard to the Coupling of my Hounds, and was pleas'd with them. This, Sir, is only a Representation of what you saw in the Field: For I look upon the World to be a Jack-wheel; and were it not for this Contrast of Turn-spits, 'twould either stand still, or move too fast. We complimented each other, and so parted.

If we consider with ourselves, there is no greater Argument of a Man's Wisdom, than an absolute Command of his Temper. A Man may be reserv'd and modest in Discourse, and yet accommodate himself to all Companies. A flexible and manageable Spirit will rise and fall with the Company; be pleasant or serious, keep Pace, and constantly make one: Whereas, on the contrary, Pedants and Sophisters, to shew their Parts, will maintain an Argument, right or wrong: Which, in my Opinion, are full as bad as arrogant Coxcombs, that observe neither Form or Order in their Discourses; but are for ever making impertinent Digressions and Excursions, which is the Bane of Conversation.