above another paffion, which is the only one that can be fuppofed a proper counterpoife for it. We are told that all the women in Scythia once confpired against the men, and kept the fecret fo well, that they executed their defign before they were fufpect ed. They furpr.zed the men in drink, or afleep, bound them all in chains; and having called a folemn council of the whole fex, it was debated what expedient fhould be used to improve the prefent advantage, and prevent their falling again into flavery. To kill all the men did not feem to be the relifh of any part of the affembly, notwithstanding the injuries formerly received; and they were afterwards pleafed to make a great merit of this lenity of theirs. It was therefore agreed to put out the eyes of the whole male fex, and thereby refign forever, after all, the vanity they could draw from their beauty, in or der to fecure their authority. We muft no longer pretend to drefs and fhow, fay they ; but then we shall be free from flavery. We shall hear no more tender fighs; but in return, we shall hear no more imperious com mands. Love muft forever leave us; but he will carry subjection along `with him. It is regarded by fome as an unlucky circumftance, fince the women were refolved to maim the men, and deprive them of fome of their fenses, in order to render them humble and dependent, that the fenfe of hearing could not ferve their purpose, fince it is probable the females would ra ther have attacked that than the fight and I think it is agreed among the learned, that, in a married ftate, it is not near fo great an inconvenience to lofe the former fense as the latter. However this may be, we are told by modern anecdotes, that fome of the Scythian women did fecretly fpare their husband's eyes; prefum ing, I fuppofe, that they could govern them as well by means of that fenfe as without it. But fo incorrigible and and intractable were thefe men, that their wives were all obliged, in a few years, as their youth and beauty decayed, to imitate the example of their fifters; which it was no difficult mat ter to do, in a flate where the female fex had once got the fuperiority. I know not if the ladies derive any thing of this humour from the Scythian females; but, I muft confefs, that I have often been furprized to fee a woman very well pleased to take a fool for her mate, that the might govern with the lefs controul; and could not but think her fentiments, in this refpe&, ftill more barbarous than thofe of the Scythian women abovementioned, as much as the eyes of the understanding are more valuable than thofe of the body. But to be juft, and to lay the blame more equally, I am afraid it is the fault of our fex, if the women be fo fond of rule, and that if we did not abufe our authority, they would never think it worth while to dispute it. Tyrants, we know, produce rebels; and all history informs us, that rebels, when they prevail are apt to become tyrants in their turn. For this reason, I could with there were no pretenfions to authority on either fide; but that every thing was carried on with perfect equality, as betwixt two members of the fame body. And to induce both parties to embrace thofe amicable fentiments, I fhall deliver to them Plato's account of the origin of Love and Marriage. Mankind, according to that fanciful philofopher, were not, in their original, divided into male and female as at prefent; but each individual perfon was a compound of both fexes, and was in hin felf both hufband and wife, melted down into one living creature. This union, no doubt, was very entire, and the parts very well adjufted together,fince there refulted a perfect harmony hetwixt the male and female, although they were obliged to be infeparable companions. And fo great was the barmony and happinets flowing from it, that the Androgynes (for fo Plato calls them) or Men-women, became infolent upon their profperity, and rebelled againft the gods. To punith them for this temerity, Jupiter could contrive no better expedient, than to divorce the ma'e part from the female, and make two imperfect beings of the compound, which was before fo perfe&. perfect. Hence the origin of men aad women, as diftin&t creatures. But not withstanding this divifion, fo lively is our remembrance of the happinefs we enjoyed in our primæval flate, that we are never at reft in this fituation; but each of these halves is continually fearching through the whole fpecies to find the other half which was broken from it; and when they meet, they join again with the greateft fondness and fympathy. But it often happens, that they are miftaken in this particular; that they take for their half what no way correlponds to them; and that the parts do not meet nor join in with each other, as is ufual in fractures. In this cafe the union is foon diffolved,' and each part is fet loofe. again to hunt for its loft half, joining itfelf to every one it meets by way of trial, and enjoying no reft, till its perfect fympathy with its partner fhews that it has at laft been fuccessful in its endeavours. Were I difpofed to carry on this fiation of Plato, which accounts for the mutual love betwixt the fexes in fo agreeable a manner, I would do it by the following allegory. When Jupiter had feparated the male from the female, and had quelled their pride and ambition by fo fevere an operation, he could not but repent him of the cruelty of his vengeance, and take compaffion on poor mortals, who were now become incapable of any repofe or tranquillity. Sach cravings, fuch anxieties, fuch neceffities arofe, as made them curfe their creation, and think existence itfelf a punishment. In vain had they recourfe to every other occupa tion and amusement. In vain did they feek after every pleasure of fenfe, and every refinement of reafon. Nothing could fill that void which they felt in their hearts, or supply the lofs of their partner, who was fo fatally feparated from them. To remedy, this diforder, and to bestow fome comfort, at leaft, on human race in their forlorn fituation, Jupiter feat down Love and Hymen to collect the broken halves of human kind, and piece them together in the beft manner poffible. Thefe two deities found fuch a prompt difpofition in mankind to unite again in their pri mitive ftate, that they proceeded on their work with wonderful fuccefs for fome time; till at laft, from many unlucky accidents, diffention arofe betwixt them. The chief counsellor and favourite of Hymen was Care, who was continually filling his patron's head with profpects of futuritys a fettlement, family, children, fervants; fo that little elfe was regarded in all the matches they made. On the other hand, Love had chofen Pleasure for his favourite, who was as pernicious a counfellor as the other, and would never allow Love to look beyond the present momentary gratification, or the fatisfing of the prevailing inclination. Thefe two favourites became, in a little time, irreconcilable enemies, and made it their chief business to undermine each other in all their undertakings. No fooner had Love fixed upon two halves, which he was cementing together, and forming a clofe union, but Care infinuates himself, and bringing Hymen along with him, diffolves the union produced by Love, and joins each half to fome other half, which he had provided for it. To be revenged of this, Pleasure creeps in upon a pair already joined by Hymen; and calling Love to his affiftance, they underhand contrive to join each half, by fecret links, to halves which Hymen was wholly unacquainted with. It was not long before this quarrel was felt in its pernicious confequences; and fuch complaints arofe before the throne of Jupiter, that he was obliged to fummon the offending parties to appear before him, in order to give an account of their proceedings. After hearing the pleadings on both fides, he ordered an immediate reconcilement betwixt Love and Hymen, as the only expedient for giving happiness to mankind; and that he might be fure this reconcilement should be durable, he laid his ftri& injunction on them never to join any halves without confulting their favourites, Care and Pleasure, and obtaining the confent of both to the conjunction. Where this order is ftrictiv obferved, the Androgyne is perfectly restored," and human race enjoy the fame happinefs as in their primæval flate. The feam is fcarce C pcrceived perceived that joins the two beings together; but both of them combine to form one perfect and happy crea ture. Cupid turned Fisherman. W H Ohas not heard of the exploits of Cupid, and of the many conques, which he has made over the human race? He has long waged a fierce and cruel war against them, and their attempts to refift have generally been feeble and ineffectual. Far however from attacking them in an open way, and upon equal terms, he has treated them, as if they were creatures infinitely inferior to his haughty Godship. The children of Deucalion have been divided into the four claffes of birds, beafts, infects, and fishes: Cupid firft degraded them in this manner; and, if they be not demi-gods, they muft impute it to him. The birds, who are the favourites of nature, dwell chiefly amidft fylvan ícenes, or in the vicinity of fome pleafant farm. When be affaults thefe, he takes his aim fecretly behind a bush or tree; and the wretched victim is pierced with his arrows, before he knows his danger. The BEASTS who are of a more refpectable, though not more happy elafs, are flarted in the midst of fome wood, and purfued with his hounds until they are overtaken. He keeps a large pack of these; but the names of the principal are Beauty, Vivacity, Modefty, Delicacy, Senfibility, Genius, and Good Senfe. Thefe fome times purfue alone; but they have moft fuccefs, when they follow together. Yellow-legs, however, an ugly dog, that Cupid bought of old Plutus, poffeffes a moft excellent fcent, and procures his mafter great plenty of game. But of his company the other dogs are afhamed; and never, when they can prevent it, fuffer him to join in the chafe. kind Cupid places bowls of honey, collected from the LIPS of fome fweet virgin: The filly creatures, attempting to fip, plunge in, and are unable to efcape. A fourth kind, who are enamoured of flame, are captivated in the night. Cupid enters an affembly room, aud lights his torch at the EYES of the most celebrated toaft: The infatuated infects y into it, fcorch their wings, and drop at his feet. When Cupid has collected his pri foners, he disposes of them in various ways. Some he kills upon the spot But these are very few in number: for the arrows of Love are feldom mortal. Others he murders by degrees: He fucks their blood, and feeds upon their marrow, and pra&ifes other barbarities too fhocking to be defcribed. I have feen, at one time, three emaciated carcafes lying in a ditch, which had juft been thrown there by Cupid. But the greatest number of his captives he fells to one Hymen, a fellow poffeffed of many oddities, but who, upon the whole, is not deftitute of merit. The little tyrant gives all his prifoners the choice of becoming the flaves of this old Square Toes; and I would ferr ously advise them to accept of the of fer: For be affured, ye poor, ardent mad animals, that it is prudent to deliver yourselves from Cupid's pow er, as foon as poffible. Hymen ma appear; a dull, leade n-headed phleg matic mafter; but nothing, after y have been once pierced with the at rows of Love, will fave you from th dreadful fate above mentioned,exce; his protection and government. C pid will fmile; but he will fmile an ruin. Th Hymen purchases the captives th are offered, and immediately orde them to be coupled together. is generally his practice; but fom times when the number of the femal exceeds that of the males, he cor mands feveral of the former to be The INSECTS, who inhabit popu-ed to one of the latter. As this,ho lous cities, the feats of impertinence, foppery, and vanity, are ensnared by very fimple methods. Some are taken by the HAND, as boys catch flies. Others are made prifoners in little traps of HAIR. For a third ever, is often done without judgmen the poor brute is frequently most n ferably hampered. This was par cularly the cafe with a LION, caug in the foreft of Canaan,who was chas ed to eleven hundred animals of va 이 After the animals are coupled,their deftination is affigned by Hymen. The birds are confined together in cages; where they futter, and fing, and bill, and are so happy, that they regret not the lofs of that liberty, which they once enjoyed in the woods. Many of the beafts are united with filken bands, and lead into verdant meads and flowery lawns, where they feed and gambol upon the luxuriant grafs. But Hymen is not fo merciful to all; For fome pairs are yoked together, and compelled to draw the old fellow's ploughs and carts through the mud and mire: Others drag after them a long chain, with a monftrous weight of care faftened to its end. This deftiny however, is light, compared with that of the poor animals, whom Hymen keeps for his diversion: For the old yeoman is a great humorift, and fond of making fport. Hence it is, that he yokes together the horse and the mole, the monkey and the afs, the elephant and the flea. These spectacles are pleasant enough to Hymen; but they are grievous, alafs ! to the poor brutes themselves, I have digreffed: The title of my piece fays, that CU PID HAS TURNED FISHERMAN, I willgive an account of his motives. They were fuggefted about a twelvemonth fince by Venus. Clio, the tell-tale mufe, who liftened at the door, when the converfation was conducted, related to me the particulars. The urchin began thus: "Mam ́ma, I fhall ftarve; for I do not get enough by hunting to buy my bread. Thefe human brutes have become fo thy, fince the war, that there is not one of them, who does not, as foon as be escapes me, run away, as if one of the furies were purfuing. I proteft, I have not met any game thefe fix months, worth fhooting at. Affift, Mamma, or we shall be forced foon to abandon our empire of the world to Mars; for all kinds of animals feem to relish nothing but fighting at prefent." Venus laughed heartily to hear her fon complain. "Your cafe is not fo defperate (the replied). You are too well known in your hunting garb, my dear. Put it off: Turn fisher man." "FISHERMAN! (retorted Cupid) FISHERMAN ! What, Mamma, do you mean to affront me? No, thanks to Jupiter! my pride will not fuffer me to floop fo low. Besides, do you think it would be prudent to go roving about Neptune's dominions? The revengeful God would make me feel the effects of his displeasure: For you know, Mamma, that he has harboured great malice in his heart, ever fince I converted him into a ram, by caufing him to fall in love with Theophane, the beautiful ewe." "Hear me, impatient boy, (fays Venus) I do not mean that you should throw yourself intoNeptune's power: For, I am fenfible, that he would chaflife you feverely, if you were to enter his kingdom. You must fish upon the land." "Upon the LAND?" fays Cupid in furprife. Yes, upon the LAND. You have wings, you rogue. You have nothing to do but to fly to the world, and let down, through the liquid air, your bait, to be bitten at by the filly fishes called MEN." Not to repeat all the particulars, which Clio reported, fuffice it to fay, that Cupid was at length prevailed upon to confent to what his mother propofed. Accordingly the plucked his quiver from his back, threw away his bow and torch, and, by clothing him with a fisherman's habit, fo metamorphofed him, that even Ovid himfelf would have been puzzled to have known him. She furnished him with hooks and lines of all fizes, and with a basket, which he flung over his shoulder. As foon as Cupid was properly equipped, «My dear Mamma (fays ho I wait your orders. Where must Igo?' "To Columbia, child: You know the fpot where the most delicious bait can be procured." This faid, Cupid darted from his mother, fwifter than a ray of light, to a town, which will be fufficiently defcribed by faying, that it has long been famed as the refidence of Beauty. His firft care was to procure BAIT, which which he was able to do in great abundance. It was of various kinds; but the principal articles were FAIR FACES, SPARKLING EYES, CORAL LIPS, POLISHED NECKS, ALABASTER BOSOMS, ELEGANT SMAPÉS, LILY WHITE HANDS, SLENDER FEET, &C. and feveral WHOLE WOMEN. He was very induftrious in fearching for IvoRY TEETH; but collected very few ; for the females of the place have unfortunately taken up an opinion that BLACK teeth are most becoming; for which reafon, the handmaid Cleanlinefs, who is very bufy about every other part of their perfons, is never fuffered to approach their mouths. A few WHITE teeth,however, were picked up, which Cupid knew would be alluring, on account of their rarity. He alfo put into the basket feveral bits of FEMININE WIT, GRACE, DELICACY, MODESTY, and GOOD NATURE. For Venus had informed her that there were very attractive, and that there were fome fishes of fo nice a tafte, that they would bite at no other lure. Befides thefe, he collected several other kinds of bait, which will be mentioned presently. fon This bufinefs being accomplished, he afcended to the furface of the atmosphere, and applied himself to fishing with great diligence. A concave cloud ferved him for a boat. Below, on the earth, Hymen ftood ready to purchase whatever might be caught. The firft bait, which was lowered down through the liquid air, was a tempting EYE. The thoughtlefs fifhes played round it. At length, one of them, more eager than the reft, groediJy (wallowed the lovely poison. As foon as he perceived himfelf taken, he fhook his tail and floundered, as if he had been bewitched, made moft piteous moans, and called himself the unliappiest of fishes. Cupid, for the frit time, was touched with companion, and offered to difengage him; but the filly fish made anfwer, "Though I fuffer exquinte torment with this hook in my mouth, I should become fill more wretched without it." The next thing which appeared was a TONGUE, that vibrated with melody. A dolphin of glowing colours fuatched at the hook, and was caught. Cupid defcended to the earth, and fold him immediately to old Hymen. A bag of Gold and an Old Wo man fuck upon the fame hook, fol'lowed. A shark, attempting to bite at the gold, fwallowed both baits together. Hymen was highly pleafed, and paid a large price immediately for the voracious monfter; and it now affords him exquifite diverfion to view the fish endeavouring to difgorge the old woman, without bringing up the gold with her. Cupid was fo infatuated with his fuccefs, that he ventured to drop fome lets powerful baits. He firft tried, whether he could catch fish with a PRUDE. The fishes came, fmelled of the bait, and, while it continued new and fresh, thofe of them, who were very hungry, attempted to nibble. They however were not able to obtain a fingle tafte; for the prude kicked at them with fuch violence, that not one of them could come near enough to touch her. The poor creature hung upon the hook, until the grew infipid. She then attempted to jump down the throats of the fishes; but they flew from her like lightning. A very tempting bait, which had juft defcended from the cloud, quickened their motion, it was a COQUETTE. She was fufpended by fifty hooks, all of them without barbs, and fmaller than pins. The files eagerly (napped at the lure. But finding the morfel lefs delicious than they expeed, they ftruggled to get free. They ftruggled and efcaped. Some of them flipped off the hooks; and others tore them from the flesh, and brought them away in their gills. The coquette was foon as folitary as the prude. She fuffered feverely by every fifh who tafted her, and he was left a prey to disappointment and vexation. Cupid continued for feveral months, to offer bait of fo miferable a quality, that I began to fufpect, that his God fhip had imitated the example of fome of his brother fishermen, and that he had got drunk in the fkes. Some of his baits were painted: Few fihes would touch them; for though they were pleafing to the eye, they were difagreable to the taste. Others were not tempting even in appearance. Of |