Book contents
- Frontmatter
- CONTENTS
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Select Bibliography
- Note on the Text
- The Invisible Spy
- BOOK I
- BOOK II
- VOL. II
- BOOK III
- CHAP. I In which the author introduces himself to the public by some letters he has received from unrequested correspondents, and the answers he gives to them
- CHAP. II Contains the history of a very extraordinary funeral, and also of some other pretty particular occurrences which the author was witness of, in Invisible visit he made to the most favourite part of the family of a lady of distinction
- CHAP. III Is a kind of a warning-bell to the public, and gives a melancholy, tho' a common proof, that a person in endeavouring, by unjust or imprudent measures, to avoid falling into an imaginary misfortune is frequently liable to bring on effectually what otherwise might never have happen'd
- CHAP. IV In which the reader is requested to expect no more than a continuation of same narrative begun in the preceding chapter; and which has in it too great a multiplicity of incidents to be fully concluded in this
- CHAP. V In which the consequences of Cleora's elopement, in relation both to herself and husband, are fully shewn, and an end put to that suspense which it is probable the former pages may have excited in the mind of every interested and curious reader
- CHAP. VI Treats of divers and sundry matters, some of which the Invisible author flatters himself will be very agreeable to the greatest part of the readers, but if, contrary to his expectations, they should happen to he found otherwise he hopes at least they will be excused on account of others, both past and to come, more entertaining and suitable to his taste
- CHAP. VII Presents the reader with a full view of the beautiful and much Sabina, in an impartial description of her person and character, with particulars in relation to her two amours, and the consequences which attended this last assignation made with her favourite Youngly
- CHAP. VIII Contains the catastrophe of an adventure, which the author thinks fit declare is inserted in these lucubrations less to amuse his reader than the sake of setting in a true light those facts which some people have artfully endeavoured to misrepresent to the public
- BOOK IV
- VOL. III
- BOOK V
- BOOK VI
- BOOK VII
- BOOK VIII
- Editorial Notes
- Silent Corrections
CHAP. VI - Treats of divers and sundry matters, some of which the Invisible author flatters himself will be very agreeable to the greatest part of the readers, but if, contrary to his expectations, they should happen to he found otherwise he hopes at least they will be excused on account of others, both past and to come, more entertaining and suitable to his taste
from BOOK III
- Frontmatter
- CONTENTS
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Select Bibliography
- Note on the Text
- The Invisible Spy
- BOOK I
- BOOK II
- VOL. II
- BOOK III
- CHAP. I In which the author introduces himself to the public by some letters he has received from unrequested correspondents, and the answers he gives to them
- CHAP. II Contains the history of a very extraordinary funeral, and also of some other pretty particular occurrences which the author was witness of, in Invisible visit he made to the most favourite part of the family of a lady of distinction
- CHAP. III Is a kind of a warning-bell to the public, and gives a melancholy, tho' a common proof, that a person in endeavouring, by unjust or imprudent measures, to avoid falling into an imaginary misfortune is frequently liable to bring on effectually what otherwise might never have happen'd
- CHAP. IV In which the reader is requested to expect no more than a continuation of same narrative begun in the preceding chapter; and which has in it too great a multiplicity of incidents to be fully concluded in this
- CHAP. V In which the consequences of Cleora's elopement, in relation both to herself and husband, are fully shewn, and an end put to that suspense which it is probable the former pages may have excited in the mind of every interested and curious reader
- CHAP. VI Treats of divers and sundry matters, some of which the Invisible author flatters himself will be very agreeable to the greatest part of the readers, but if, contrary to his expectations, they should happen to he found otherwise he hopes at least they will be excused on account of others, both past and to come, more entertaining and suitable to his taste
- CHAP. VII Presents the reader with a full view of the beautiful and much Sabina, in an impartial description of her person and character, with particulars in relation to her two amours, and the consequences which attended this last assignation made with her favourite Youngly
- CHAP. VIII Contains the catastrophe of an adventure, which the author thinks fit declare is inserted in these lucubrations less to amuse his reader than the sake of setting in a true light those facts which some people have artfully endeavoured to misrepresent to the public
- BOOK IV
- VOL. III
- BOOK V
- BOOK VI
- BOOK VII
- BOOK VIII
- Editorial Notes
- Silent Corrections
Summary
When my curiosity was not attach'd to the pursuit of any particular adventure, I frequently stepp'd, for the sake of amusement, into one or other of our great coffee-houses; and, indeed, seldom return'd from any of them without bringing home something worthy of my very serious reflections afterwards.
These places, I think, may with propriety enough to be call'd the world in miniature, as they present you with some part of almost every thing that is in it; – the variety of company and of humours one meets there, fill the mind with an agreeable medley, which, when separated and digested by meditation, enlarges the understanding, and gives us ideas which otherwise might perhaps be for ever strangers to us.
The affairs of the army, the navy, the senate-house, the council-board, are here freely discuss'd, and censur'd or approv'd according to the different interests or inclination of the speakers; – our stock at home, our colonies abroad, our commerce with our neighbours, our trade among ourselves, with deaths, births, marriages, and intrigues, are promiscuously treated on; – the courtier, the patriot, the man of business, and the man of pleasure, talk every one on matters relating to his own sphere, and leave you uninformed of nothing.
But it affords a good deal of diversion to a curious observer, when there happens to be in company some country 'squire, who perhaps sees the town but once in half seven years, and knows nothing of what is done in it but what he reads in those few news papers which are permitted to be sent down to the village where he lives; – how he stares, and gapes with his mouth wide open as if he would swallow all he hears, and every now and then asks, – How can this be? – and – How can that be? – and express his honest wonder on being told things which, indeed, without knowing, would scarcely be believed by persons brought up in less simplicity.
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- The Invisible Spyby Eliza Haywood, pp. 157 - 163Publisher: Pickering & ChattoFirst published in: 2014