The Coverley Papers | Page 8

the theory of a
husband or a father, and can discern the errors in the oeconomy,
business, and diversion of others, better than those who are engaged in
them; as standers-by discover blots, which are apt to escape those who
are in the game. I never espoused any party with violence, and am
resolved to observe an exact neutrality between the Whigs and Tories,
unless I shall be forced to declare myself by the hostilities of either side.
In short, I have acted in all the parts of my life as a looker-on, which is
the character I intend to preserve in this paper.
I have given the Reader just so much of my history and character, as to
let him see I am not altogether unqualified for the business I have
undertaken. As for other particulars in my life and adventures, I shall
insert them in following papers, as I shall see occasion. In the mean
time, when I consider how much I have seen, read, and heard, I begin
to blame my own taciturnity; and, since I have neither time nor
inclination to communicate the fulness of my heart in speech, I am
resolved to do it in writing, and to print myself out, if possible, before I
die. I have been often told by my friends, that it is pity so many useful
discoveries which I have made should be in the possession of a silent
man. For this reason, therefore, I shall publish a sheet-full of thoughts
every morning, for the benefit of my contemporaries; and if I can any
way contribute to the diversion or improvement of the country in which
I live, I shall leave it, when I am summoned out of it, with the secret
satisfaction of thinking that I have not lived in vain.
There are three very material points which I have not spoken to in this
paper; and which, for several important reasons, I must keep to myself,
at least for some time: I mean, an account of my name, my age, and my
lodgings. I must confess, I would gratify my reader in any thing that is
reasonable; but as for these three particulars, though I am sensible they
might tend very much to the embellishment of my paper, I cannot yet
come to a resolution of communicating them to the public. They would
indeed draw me out of that obscurity which I have enjoyed for many

years, and expose me in public places to several salutes and civilities,
which have been always very disagreeable to me; for the greatest pain I
can suffer, is the being talked to, and being stared at. It is for this
reason likewise, that I keep my complexion and dress as very great
secrets; though it is not impossible, but I may make discoveries of both
in the progress of the work I have undertaken.
After having been thus particular upon myself, I shall, in to-morrow's
paper, give an account of those gentlemen who are concerned with me
in this work; for, as I have before intimated, a plan of it is laid and
concerted (as all other matters of importance are) in a Club. However,
as my friends have engaged me to stand in the front, those who have a
mind to correspond with me, may direct their letters to the
SPECTATOR, at Mr. _Buckley_'s in _Little-Britain_. For I must
further acquaint the Reader, that, though our club meets only on
Tuesdays and Thursdays, we have appointed a committee to sit every
night, for the inspection of all such papers as may contribute to the
advancement of the public weal. C.

No. 2. FRIDAY, MARCH 2.
_Ast alii sex Et plures uno conclamant ore._ Juv. Sat. vii. ver. 167.
Six more at least join their consenting voice.
The first of our society is a gentleman of Worcestershire, of ancient
descent, a Baronet, his name Sir ROGER DE COVERLEY. His great-
grandfather was inventor of that famous country-dance which is called
after him. All who know that shire are very well acquainted with the
parts and merits of Sir ROGER. He is a gentleman that is very singular
in his behaviour, but his singularities proceed from his good sense, and
are contradictions to the manners of the world, only as he thinks the
world is in the wrong. However this humour creates him no enemies,
for he does nothing with sourness or obstinacy; and his being
unconfined to modes and forms, makes him but the readier and more
capable to please and oblige all who know him. When he is in town, he
lives in _Soho- Square_. It is said, he keeps himself a bachelor by
reason he was crossed in love by a perverse beautiful widow of the next
county to him.