countable length. Females of a certain description have usually been distinguished by the wantonness and indecorum of their dress; and if ladies of a totally opposite character should imitate their example in this respect, gentlemen may feel it incumbent on them to use their eyes a little more freely, lest they should be deceived by appearances, and, from the want of proper care, fall into disagreeable predicaments. When that occasional, though it may be esteemed innocent, levity of manners, spoken of by Priscilla, is also taken into consideration, it may probably incline her to treat the staring tribe with less asperity, and a little larger portion of charity, than her letter

conveys.

In order to take away every shadow of justification from the Starers, I would therefore advise all my fair readers to be cautious lest they overstep the bounds of decency in dress, and of propriety in conduct. So careful was Cæsar over the honour of his wife, that he divorced her, because Clodius was known to entertain a passion for her, although no proofs of her criminality appeared; alleging as a reason for his conduct, that the wife of Cæsar ought not to be suspected. I would likewise guard-our British females against even the breath of suspicion. I would wish them continually to remember, that they possess such a

powerful influence over the other sex, as, when properly exerted, will generally secure them from the insults of even the most impudent and abandoned. While the ladies act with a proper regard to themselves and the interests of society, with which their conduct is so intimately connected, so long shall the INSPECTOR be proud to stand forward as their advocate and defender; and even if his natural modesty will permit, and the necessity of the case require it—to out-stare the Starers in their behalf.

In issuing my edict against this worshipful fraternity, I shall beg leave, however, lest any misconception should arise, to insert a saving clause for the preservation of my Inspectorial rights. This is the more necessary, since it is no easy task to ascertain the thoughts of ladies from a cursory glance at their features: and as the multiplicity of objects that call for my inspection, may probably, in the course of a century or two, render me less quick sighted than I am at present, I would wish to guard against the establishment of a general rule, which might be construed to my prejudice, and thus eventually injure the interests of the community. If, therefore, I should at any time be accused of too close and too attentive an inspection of my fair countrywomen, let them consider me as only eager to

qualify myself for the office I have assumed; let them rest assured, that the privileges I claim, shall never be exerted for the gratification of idle curiosity, but always be rendered, as far as possible, subservient to the general welfare.

TO THE INSPECTOR.

SIR,-If it is consistent with your plan to notice local grievances, I shall be much obliged by your inserting the following letter:

Every person acquainted with Hull must have observed, that during the prevalence of wet weather, and indeed at other times, the military are frequently not only paraded upon the flagged part of the streets, whereby passengers have been seriously incommoded, but that, when marching along the streets, particularly on a Sunday, every person, of whatever description, has been driven off the flags, and forced upon the pavement. Being a married man, Mr. INSPECTOR, my wife and children have often, in this manner, been obliged to traverse through the dirt, or otherwise perhaps to wait a considerable time, until the procession had passed. The same disagreeable circumstances have occurred, various times, to

several other ladies in my sight, and I have often heard the evil complained of, although it has never been held up to public notice.

In thus addressing you, I would beg leave to observe, that no man is more sensible than myself of the merits of that class of our fellow citizens to whom this letter alludes; nor is there any person who would submit to any privations or inconveniences for their accommodation, with greater pleasure. The ladies, I dare answer for them, are in general actuated by similar sentiments. A polite attention to the female sex, however, has always been deemed one of the characteristics of a truly martial spirit, from the age of chivalry, down to the present day. Trusting that this hint, through the medium of the INSPECTOR, will produce the desired effect,

I remain, Sir,

Yours, &c.

CIVIS.

NUMBER 5.

Parent of hope! immortal truth! make known
Thy deathless wreaths, and triumphs all thine own!
The silent progress of thy power is such,

Thy means so feeble and despis'd so much,

That few believe the wonders thou hast wrought,
And none can teach them, but whom thou hast taught.

Cowper.

THE following communication has reference to a subject, which, at the commencement of my periodical career, I had determined to exclude from the number of those topies the INSPECTOR was intended to embrace. As this epistle, however, may be acceptable to several of my readers, I shall make no apology for publishing it. For my own part, I am afraid it will be less attended to than those compositions to which the first paragraph of it alludes; since a little observation will suffice to shew, that mankind are far more eager to procure relief from bodily than from mental evils. My publishers will probably be of the same opinion as to its reception, though for a different reason, because the insertion of it has not been paid for.

as every reader must be convinced,

However, that any

want of efficacy on that account, cannot be con

E.