"I know that you like something extraordinary, and must therefore inform you that during the whole twenty-four hours of yesterday I did not once scold or find fault with my husband, nor did even a murmur of discontent escape my lips during all that time at the awkwardness of the servants, which you know, Mr. Man in the Moon, (if you keep servants there) is very provoking sometimes, and which indeed used to be my constant and perpetual theme when not immediately engaged in a quarrel with my husband. I fear, however, that you will not be disposed to give me full credit for the forbearance, when I inform you it was occasioned by a sudden cold and hoarseness, which rendered my speaking very painful, and had well nigh taken away my voice into the bargain. My husband, indeed, was not in the secret, but called me his dear love, and treated me with such kindness and affection on the occasion, thinking it to be an attempt of mine towards amendment, that I am half inclined to try the experiment in earnest, and endeavour most valiantly to conquer this unruly member of mine. Yet I thought it right to ask your opinion on my case before I begin such an important work; and particularly whether I may safely attempt a reformation at once, or by degrees, and how I am to answer the charges that may be alledged against me for giving up this most valuable female privilege and strong hold. An immediate answer will oblige, Sir, your humble servant,

Paradise Row.

66 XANTIPPE PLACID."

The only answer I shall give to my correspondent, is the publication of the following letter, which I received by the same post; and which I hope will better please and instruct her than any thing I can say. For, in truth, the inhabitants of the Moon have some old maxims current amongst them respecting scolds, which I am very unwilling to disclose at this stage of my acquaintance with the ladies of this country, lest the Man in the Moon be accused of saying rude things to them, and so lose every hope of their countenance and favour.

SIR,

"The happy, especially those who have become so by a sudden and unexpected event, have always had the privilege of expressing their feelings of it to every body without regard to place or circumstances, provided it was done within a reasonable time after the event; nor has it indeed been expected (as in other cases) that the subject should be of general concern. Whilst, therefore, I may use this privilege, I hasten to tell you that yesterday made me the happiest of men, by a sudden alteration which has taken place in the conduct and temper of my wife. You must know, Sir, that from being a notorious scold, and the eternal alarum of our family, she has suddenly become as gentle and quiet as a lamb, and was not heard to utter a single syllable during yesterday. Conceive my joy, when, after years of incessant noise and contradiction, I contemplate this proof of her ability to be silent as the earnest of many a happy day, which we may yet

enjoy together. Even the servants wonder and are pleased with the change. I overheard two of them felicitate themselves on it, and remark, that there was no mistress in the world with whom they could more willingly live, if she could but forsake her way of finding fault upon all occasions. Pray tell her that scolding and ill-humour will disfigure beauty itself, and cast such a shade round the most accomplished woman as few will be at the pains to penetrate, in order to admire her real excellencies. Tell her, that if she can but forsake her bad habit, she will again become the darling, the joy and delight of her husband; and again display those abilities and perfections to advantage before others, which the world has almost forgotten belong to her. Tell her, moreover, that peace and good humour are blessings even to the possessors of them. She is a great admirer of your speculations, and will, no doubt, be benefitted in common with other females of the united kingdom, by the perusal of what your sage abilities and long observation will enable you to say on the subject. I am, (in hopes of your success)

"Your very humble servant,

THE

MAN IN THE MOON.

NUMBER XI.

"CUI BONO."

Saturday, 17th Dec. 1803.

THERE is scarcely an action in public or private life which might not be tried to advantage by the plain rule of reason contained in the above motto. The shrewd query Cui bono,' What good? would in all cases serve as a most excellent preventative against the various mistakes and blunders men are constantly making in the greater and lesser engagements, and pursuits of the world. Many there are who must now regret that they had not asked themselves this short question, before they had become involved in the adventures of ambition, or of pleasure, and many there are who would have been rich who are now poor, only for the want of so good a friend as cui bono is, when listened to with a moment's attention. Even nations as well as individuals might measure the great actions of their states by this standard, and numerous would appear the mighty blunders evinced in their declarations of war, &c. when peace would have been the truly desirable object of countries, had the poor little monitor, cui bono, been permitted fair play, and his honest question not drowned by the

M

thunder of ambition, and the squabbling of such as were anxiously waiting for the loaves and fishes; and which, if there were a fair representation in a country, would seldom happen, for cui bono would then speak to better advantage, keep the blockhead governments from falling out, and going to war be rarely known.

To contrast a public folly with a private one, the going to law is, perhaps, the next thing worthy notice, cui bono would certainly operate nine times out of ten to prevent men from trusting to its glorious uncertainties, and to their arriving, after a long time, to the great satisfaction frequently given to the two parties, that of each having their own costs to pay.

Speculation is another offence and enemy to society, which poor little cui bono might frequently prevent, by only introducing the word real into the sentence. What real good are we to expect from this new scheme to which we so foolishly attach unrealized riches? we are, perhaps, very well and comfortable as we are, and "LET WELL ALONE," is an old adage that seems a very near relation to cui bono, and of the same worthy family; who once by their plain honest and prudential maxims gave riches to the citizens of London, before accommodation bills were ever known or thought of, and when guineas were heaped on the counters of our banking houses.

Cui bono might also be attended to with advantage when we are going to build a house, going to the Stock