This threw him into a Pause, and he looked, desirous of three Days to consider on it; but Mr. President improved the Thought, and followed him up with an old Story, "That Wits were privileged to wear what Masks they pleased in all Ages; and that a Vizard had been the constant Crown of their Labours, which was generally presented them by the Hand of some Satyr, and sometimes of _Apollo_ himself:" For the Truth of which he appealed to the Frontispiece of several Books, and particularly to the _English Juvenal_, [3] to which he referred him; and only added, "That such Authors were the _Larvati_ [4] or _Larvâ donati_ of the Ancients." This cleared up all, and in the Conclusion you were chose Probationer; and Mr. President put round your Health as such, protesting, "That tho' indeed he talked of a Vizard, he did not believe all the while you had any more Occasion for it than the Cat-a-mountain;" so that all you have to do now is to pay your Fees, which here are very reasonable if you are not imposed upon; and you may stile your self _Informis Societatis Socius_: Which I am desired to acquaint you with; and upon the same I beg you to accept of the Congratulation of, SIR, Your oblig'd humble Servant, R. A. C. Oxford March 21. [Footnote 1: this] [Footnote 2: At the coming of William III.] [Footnote 3: The third edition of Dryden's Satires of Juvenal and Persius, published in 1702, was the first 'adorn'd with Sculptures.' The Frontispiece represents at full length Juvenal receiving a mask of Satyr from Apollo's hand, and hovered over by a Cupid who will bind the Head to its Vizard with a Laurel Crown.] [Footnote 4: Larvati were bewitched persons; from Larva, of which the original meaning is a ghost or spectre; the derived meanings are, a Mask and a Skeleton.] * * * * * No. 33 Saturday, April 7, 1711. Steele. 'Fervidus tecum Puer, et solutis Gratiæ zonis, properentque Nymphæ, Et parum comis sine te Juventas, Mercuriusque.' Hor. 'ad Venerem.'