ΤΟ THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR, HENRY BOYLE, ESQ. As the professed design of this work is to entertain its readers in general, without giving offence to any particular person, it would be difficult to find out so proper a patron for it as yourself, there being none whose merit is more universally acknowledged by all parties, and who has made himself more friends and fewer enemies. Your great abilities, and unquestioned integrity, in those high employments which you have passed through, would not have been able to have raised you this general approbation, had they not been accompanied with that moderation in a high fortune, and that affability of manners, which are so conspicuous through all parts of your life. Your aversion to any ostentatious arts of setting to show those great services which you have done the public, has not likewise a little contributed to that universal acknowledgment which is paid you by your country. The consideration of this part of your character, is that which hinders me from enlarging on those extraordinary talents, which have given you so great a figure in the British Senate,* as well as in that elegance and politeness which appear in your more retired conversation. I should be unpardonable, if, after what I have said, I should longer detain you with an address of this nature: I can not, however, conclude it without owning those great obligations which you have laid upon, sir, Your most obedient THE SPECTATOR. Mr. Boyle was appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer to King William in 1708, he was made one of the principal Secretaries of State, and afterwards created Lord Charleton. THE SPECTATOR. No. 108. WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1711. Gratis anhelans, multa agendo nihil agens. Out of breath to no purpose, and very busy about nothing, As I was yesterday morning walking with Sir Roger before his house, a country fellow brought him a huge fish, which he told him Mr. William Wimble had caught that very morning; and that he presented it, with his service to him, and intended to come and dine with him. At the same time he delivered a letter, which my friend read to me as soon as the messenger left him. 'SIR ROGER, 'I desire you to accept of a jack, which is the best I have caught this season. I intend to come and stay with you a week, and see how the perch bite in the Black River. I observed, with some concern, the last time I saw you upon the bowling-green, that your whip wanted a lash to it; I will bring half a dozen with me that I twisted • An account of this Yorkshire gentleman is given No. 269; his name was Thomas More craft. See also Nos. 109, 126, 131. |