some sermons a preface overflowing with Whiggish opinions, that it
might be read by the Queen, it was reprinted in the Spectator.

To teach the minuter decencies and inferior duties, to regulate the
practice of daily conversation, to correct those depravities which
are rather ridiculous than criminal, and remove those grievances
which, if they produce no lasting calamities, impress hourly
vexation, was first attempted by Casa in his book of "Manners," and
Castiglione in his "Courtier:" two books yet celebrated in Italy
for purity and elegance, and which, if they are now less read, are
neglected only because they have effected that reformation which
their authors intended, and their precepts now are no longer wanted.
Their usefulness to the age in which they were written is
sufficiently attested by the translations which almost all the
nations of Europe were in haste to obtain.

This species of instruction was continued, and perhaps advanced, by
the French; among whom La Bruyere's "Manners of the Age" (though, as
Boileau remarked, it is written without connection) certainly
deserves praise for liveliness of description and justness of
observation. Before the Tatler and Spectator, if the writers for
the theatre are excepted, England had no masters of common life. No
writers had yet undertaken to reform either the savageness of
neglect, or the impertinence of civility; to show when to speak, or
to be silent; how to refuse, or how to comply. We had many books to
teach us our more important duties, and to settle opinions in
philosophy or politics; but an arbiter elegantiarum, (a judge of
propriety) was yet wanting who should survey the track of daily
conversation, and free it from thorns and prickles, which tease the
passer, though they do not wound him. For this purpose nothing is