those whom I have denominated the permanent or confirmed Grumblers. With respect to others who are only of the temporary kind, and flatter themselves that they are so, because they never complain without a cause, it is possible that they may derive some benefit by reflecting, that practices often repeated become habits, and that those who have a complaint at hand upon every trifling occurrence, will soon learn to be displeased when they have no such pretence. It may be also worth the while of both parties to consider, as men of calculation, what is got by complaining. When we cannot appeal to any better motive, we may, I hope, be allowed to appeal to that of interest. In this light, it has, I think, been generally allowed, that complaining is one of the most unprofitable employments either of the tongue or pen. The Grumbler, indeed, flatters himself that he deserves attention, but it is very rare that he has either hearers or readers; and such is the unfortunate constitution of all professed Complainers, that, however numerous they are, it is almost impossible to meet two who are harmonious in their murmurs, or who are capable of grumbling in concert.

Upon the whole, therefore, since there appears as little profit as pleasure in this employ

ment, those who are but just beginning to complain, and who do it rather from imitation than feeling, would more effectually consult their own happiness, as well as that of those with whom they are concerned, if they adopted different system, learned the substantial distinctions between right and wrong, and between theory and practice; and if, while they discovered many imperfections in human things, they were to direct their affections and hopes to a state of being in which all shall be perfect and all permanent.

X. Y's Letter on "Old Women" will form the subject of the next Projector.

THE PROJECTOR. N° 57.

"Inexorable AGE! whose wretched state

All mortals dread."

CONGREVE

May 1806.

A CORRESPONDENT, under the signature of

X. Y. whose letter came to hand in time sufficient to be announced at the close of my last

lucubration, begins his address in the following words:

"Sir, There are certain Beings in this country who are seldom mentioned but in terms of contempt, if not reproach, which they by not means deserve: I mean Old Women. I wish, Mr. Projector, you would exert your abilities in endeavouring to procure justice for them. A woman, Sir, can no more help growing old, than a man."—

Before I proceed further in this letter, I may observe how very flattering it is to us PROJECTORS, that we are not only frequently called upon for schemes of public utility, but even sometimes considered as being able to dispense justice to the injured, in cases where the law (perhaps feeling its own incapacity,) has chosen to be silent. Yet there are so many circumstances to be attentively weighed before I can proceed in the present instance, that I must examine my Correspondent's letter very minutely, that I may have the whole evidence exhibited at one view, ere I venture to decide in a matter of so much importance.

With respect to that part of his letter which I have transcribed, my readers will observe that it contains an assertion, and a fact; the assertion is, "that there are certain Beings in

a woman

this country never mentioned but in terms of contempt, and that these Beings are "Old Women." This, I shall soon have occasion to remark, may admit of some doubts; but the fact which follows, namely, that “ can no more help growing old than a man,” I admit for the present, in its full and literal meaning; reserving to myself, however, the privilege of hereafter suggesting, that both men and women not only may help growing old, but, in point of fact, do so in a very remarkable degree.

My Correspondent next says, that "Some of them," meaning the aforesaid old women, "use every means in their power to prevent the appearance of being so;" but those he is willing to leave to "the contempt they deserve.” Here I must, however, observe, that, if his first position be true, namely, that "old women are never mentioned without contempt," it seems to follow that they who take pains to prevent the appearance of being old, ought to be considered as acting purely in self-defence, against which there is no law.

He proceeds now to another observation, that " Many Men in their old age, to say nothing of the earlier part of their lives, are as perfectly insignificant as any Old Women can

goes,

but a

be; but it is hard on the latter, that the former should lose the title of Old Men, and become, in common phrase, Old Women." Of the first part of this remark I am disposed to admit the truth, not only as far as it great deal farther; many men in their old age, being not only as insignificant as any old women can be, but often much more so. But the question now to be agitated, I humbly apprehend, is not respecting the comparative insignificance of the sexes in old age; nor do I perceive any great advantage that would follow from bringing them exactly upon a level. The object of my Correspondent's letter is, to defend Old Women from the reproach and contempt cast upon them; and, if I do not misunderstand him, this is the very point he wishes to establish. Now if all that we can prove is, that an Old Woman is not more insignificant than an Old Man, the parties will be very little indebted to us, and certainly will acquire no additional portion of respect.

With regard to the other part of his observation, "the change of Old Men into Old Women," much may be said. He quotes, in proof, the instances of warlike expeditions having been in former days sometimes intrusted to persons who were considered by the publick,