Book contents
- Frontmatter
- CONTENTS
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Select Bibliography
- Note on the Text
- The Invisible Spy
- BOOK I
- BOOK II
- VOL. II
- BOOK III
- BOOK IV
- CHAP. I In which the Author confesses having been guilty of petty larceny; but hopes that the fact is of such a nature as will not come under the cognizance of the law; and also that it merits forgiveness fr om those into whose hands this work may fall, as the chief motive for committing it was to oblige the public
- CHAP. II If there be any reader, in this very pious and religious age, that may happen to have too tender and scrupulous a conscience to benefit himself by the receipt of stolen goods, the author thinks it highly necessary to give him notice, that it will be best for his peace of mind to avoid looking either into this or some of the succeeding chapters.
- CHAP. III Presents the Reader with the continuance of Selima's Story, as related by herself, in several epistles to her friend, in a very natural and affecting manner
- CHAP. IV Contains the Conclusion of Selima's letters
- CHAP. V Consists chiefly of some reflections of the Author's own on false Taste,– the mistaken road in the pursuit of Fame, and the folly of an ill-directed emulation; to which are added, a few faint sketches taken from the Most amiable originals in modern life, and exhibited in the hope of seeing them finish'd by a more able pencil for the improvement of the public.
- CHAP. VI Gives a succinct relation of two pretty extraordinary adventures that presented themselves to the Author in a morning ramble; – which accounts, if they are not found altogether so improving as some few readers might have full as good a plea to the approbation of the town in general, – that of being very diverting
- CHAP. VII Is calculated rather for admonition than entertainment, and therefore is likely to be but little relish'd; – especially as it may happen to give a pretty severe slap on the faces of some who think themselves too great or too wise for amendment
- CHAP. VIII Is a continuance of what the former but began; – whoever therefore is not pleased with the porch, had best not venture farther, lest he should meet with something yet more disagreeable within
- CHAP. IX Concludes a narrative which has somewhat in it that will, in a manner, compel those who shall be most offended, to counterfeit an approbation, for the sake of their own interest and reputation
- Volume 3
- Contents to the Third Volume
- VOL. III
- BOOK V
- BOOK VI
- BOOK VII
- BOOK VIII
- Editorial Notes
- Silent Corrections
CHAP. V - Consists chiefly of some reflections of the Author's own on false Taste,– the mistaken road in the pursuit of Fame, and the folly of an ill-directed emulation; to which are added, a few faint sketches taken from the Most amiable originals in modern life, and exhibited in the hope of seeing them finish'd by a more able pencil for the improvement of the public.
from BOOK IV
- Frontmatter
- CONTENTS
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Select Bibliography
- Note on the Text
- The Invisible Spy
- BOOK I
- BOOK II
- VOL. II
- BOOK III
- BOOK IV
- CHAP. I In which the Author confesses having been guilty of petty larceny; but hopes that the fact is of such a nature as will not come under the cognizance of the law; and also that it merits forgiveness fr om those into whose hands this work may fall, as the chief motive for committing it was to oblige the public
- CHAP. II If there be any reader, in this very pious and religious age, that may happen to have too tender and scrupulous a conscience to benefit himself by the receipt of stolen goods, the author thinks it highly necessary to give him notice, that it will be best for his peace of mind to avoid looking either into this or some of the succeeding chapters.
- CHAP. III Presents the Reader with the continuance of Selima's Story, as related by herself, in several epistles to her friend, in a very natural and affecting manner
- CHAP. IV Contains the Conclusion of Selima's letters
- CHAP. V Consists chiefly of some reflections of the Author's own on false Taste,– the mistaken road in the pursuit of Fame, and the folly of an ill-directed emulation; to which are added, a few faint sketches taken from the Most amiable originals in modern life, and exhibited in the hope of seeing them finish'd by a more able pencil for the improvement of the public.
- CHAP. VI Gives a succinct relation of two pretty extraordinary adventures that presented themselves to the Author in a morning ramble; – which accounts, if they are not found altogether so improving as some few readers might have full as good a plea to the approbation of the town in general, – that of being very diverting
- CHAP. VII Is calculated rather for admonition than entertainment, and therefore is likely to be but little relish'd; – especially as it may happen to give a pretty severe slap on the faces of some who think themselves too great or too wise for amendment
- CHAP. VIII Is a continuance of what the former but began; – whoever therefore is not pleased with the porch, had best not venture farther, lest he should meet with something yet more disagreeable within
- CHAP. IX Concludes a narrative which has somewhat in it that will, in a manner, compel those who shall be most offended, to counterfeit an approbation, for the sake of their own interest and reputation
- Volume 3
- Contents to the Third Volume
- VOL. III
- BOOK V
- BOOK VI
- BOOK VII
- BOOK VIII
- Editorial Notes
- Silent Corrections
Summary
The celebrated Monsieur De Bussy tells us, that when we say a man has a fine or true Taste, no more is meant by those words, than that he has a sound judgment, – a clear head, and a nicely distinguishing capacity in judging of what is really worthy and becoming; and what is not so, whether it be in the choice of his amusements, his equipage, his apparel, the furniture of his house, the covering of his table, or whatever else depends on the direction of the will and fancy.
Now, as every thing is best shewn by its opposite, if the definition given us by the French author of the true Taste be just, as I believe most people will allow it is, to think and act contrary to what he describes, is what we call false Taste; but, in my opinion, to think and do always what is wrong, and at the same time imagine that all we think and do is right, is not of itself sufficient to take in the meaning of the phrase in its full extent; – there must also be added an affectation of being singular, – over curious, – over delicate, – over elegant, – somewhat above the common level of mankind: – in fine, the man of a false Taste must not be a fool of Heaven's making but his own.
The late witty Earl of Rochester has presented us with a very picturesque character of the man of false Taste, in the following most excellent and pathetic lines:
He was a fool thro’ choice, not want of wit;
His foppery, without the help of sense,
Could ne'er have risen to such an excellence:
Nature's as lame in making a true fop
As a philosopher: the very top
And dignity of folly, we attain
By studious search, and labour of the brain;
By observation, council, and deep thought;
God never made a coxcomb worth a groat:
We owe that name to industry and arts;
An eminent fool must be a Man of parts.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Invisible Spyby Eliza Haywood, pp. 194 - 200Publisher: Pickering & ChattoFirst published in: 2014