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
This chapter is part of a book that is no longer available to purchase from Cambridge Core
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
from BOOK IV
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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
Summary
How vainly do we boast the light of Reason, when we refuse to submit either our wills or actions to the guidance of its direction, when through every stage of life we suffer some darling passion to gain dominion over us, and utterly extinguish that glorious lamp we seem so proud of, and would be thought so eminently to possess above the rest of the creation?
Prodigality is generally the vice of Youth, and Avarice of Age; but tho' both these propensities proceed from a wrong turn of mind, and are diametrically opposite to sound judgment, yet I think somewhat more may be said in excuse of the one than of the other.
The Prodigal lavishes his stores in such things as do a pleasure to himself; and if he squanders away his patrimony in riotous living, and becomes miserable in the end, there are some who profit by his misfortunes; – his money circulates, and the Public suffer nothing by his private ruin.
The Miser, on the contrary, not only denies himself all enjoyment of the goods of fortune, but also withholds them, as much as in his power, from every one else; – he parts with nothing he can get into his clutches, – amasses heaps of treasure, and smiles with a wicked satisfaction to see it lie rusting in his coffers, while numbers of his more worthy fellow-creatures are perishing for the want of it.
Avarice, above all other passions, so takes up the soul that it leaves not the least room for any of the nobler sensations; – love, friendship, pity, and even natural affection, are excluded thence; – the covetous man regards only the gratification of that one sordid view, – all his fears, his hopes, his cares, are center'd there, and he seldom sticks at any thing to obtain it.
Besides, what can be more absurd in itself, than for people to labour with all their might in the heaping riches, which they neither make use of, nor can assure themselves but that the next moment may dispossess them of? and it is remarkable, that the nearer they approach to the time when they can expect no other than to be snatch'd for ever from the idol they have worship'd, they grow the more eager to preserve it.
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- The Invisible Spyby Eliza Haywood, pp. 209 - 214Publisher: Pickering & ChattoFirst published in: 2014
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