. Thackerayana;. lities have preserved him from the con-tempt which he has so diligently solicited, he has at least raisedone impediment to his reputation, since all can judge of his dress,but few of his understanding, and many who discern that he is afop are unwilling to believe that he can be wise. 1 There is one instance in which the ladies are particularly un-willing to observe the rule of Chilo. They are desirous to hidefrom themselves theadvance of age, andendeavour too fre-quently to supplythe sprightliness andbloom of youth byartificial beautv andforced vivacity. ? They hope toinflame
. Thackerayana;. lities have preserved him from the con-tempt which he has so diligently solicited, he has at least raisedone impediment to his reputation, since all can judge of his dress,but few of his understanding, and many who discern that he is afop are unwilling to believe that he can be wise. 1 There is one instance in which the ladies are particularly un-willing to observe the rule of Chilo. They are desirous to hidefrom themselves theadvance of age, andendeavour too fre-quently to supplythe sprightliness andbloom of youth byartificial beautv andforced vivacity. ? They hope toinflame the heart by glances which have lost their fire, or meltit by laughter which is no longer delicate; they play over airswhich pleased at a time when they were expected only to please,and forget that airs in time ought to give place to virtues. They * Dr. Johnson seems here to point his homily from the instance of his friendGoldsmith. This circumstance gives an individual interest to a slightly pon-derous 382 THA CKERA YANA. continue to trifle, because they could once trifle agreeably, tillthose who shared their early pleasures are withdrawn to moreserious engagements, and are scarcely awakened from their dreamof perpetual youth by the scorn of those whom they endeavour torival. The Rambler.—Vol. I. No. 34. Non sine vanoAurarum et silvae metu.—Hor. Alarmd with every rising gale, In every wood, in every vale.—Elphinston. The Rambler inserts a letter describing how the end of thoseladies whose chief ambition is to please is often missed by ab-surd and injudicious endeavours to obtain distinction, and whomistake cowardice for elegance, and imagine all delicacy consistsin refusing to be pleased. A country gentleman relates the cir-cumstances of his visit to Anthea, a heiress, whose birth andbeauty render her a desirable match:— Dinner was now over, and the company proposed that weshould pursue our original design of visiting the gardens. Antheadeclared that she could
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