Next to the affairs of _France_ and _Spain_, are we concerned about the fate of the occasional bill; a few old fashion’d virtuosos among us hope it will pass, but the generality of our politicians, and particularly those belonging to _Pluto_’s cabinet, who are stiled the congregation _de inferno ampliando_, are resolv’d at any rate to hinder its taking effect. As hypocrisy sends greater numbers to hell, than any other sins whatever, you are not to wonder if the ministry here do all they can to oppose the passing of a bill, which will prove so destructive to the infernal interest by destroying hypocrisy. For which reason _Pluto_ has lately dispatch’d several trusty emissaries to your parts, who are to bribe your observators and other mercenary pamphleteers, to raise a hedious outcry about persecution, and represent this design in such odious colours to the people, that, if posible, it may miscarry. A little time will show us the success of this refin’d conduct. One short story, gentlemen, and then I have done. A _Spaniard_ last week was commending the authors of his own country, and particularly enlarg’d upon the merits of the voluminous long-winded _Tostatus_, who, he said, had writ above a cart-load of books in his time. But why should I talk of a cart-load, continues he, when he has writ more than ’tis possible for any one single man to read over in his life? judge then of the worth of this indefatigable _Tostatus_; judge how many tedious nights and days he must have spent in study. Under favour, cries an _English_ gentleman lately arrived here, we have a writer that much exceeds your famous _Tostatus_, even in that respect. His name is _Bentivoglio_, and tho’ at present he falls somewhat short of your author, as to the number of books of his own composing, yet he has writ one octavo, which I’ll defy any man in the universe to read over, tho’ he has the patience of _Job_, the constitution of _Sampson_, and the long age of _Methuselah_. But hold--I forget who I am writing to all this while; gentlemen that have either more business or pleasure upon their hands, than to go thro’ the tedious persecution of so unmerciful a letter. However, I hope you’ll pardon me this fault, if you consider the great difficulty of transmitting the _nouvelles_ of our subterranean world to your parts; for which reason I was resolv’d rather to trespass upon your patience, than lose this opportunity of giving you an account of all our memorable transactions. If in requital of this small trouble I have given myself, you will be so kind as to order any one of your society, to inform me how affairs go at present in _Covent-Garden_, at St. _James_’s &c. what news the dramatick world affords in _Drury-lane_, _Lincolns-Inn-Fields_, and _Smithfield_, as ’twill be the most sensible obligation you can lay upon me, so it shall be remember’d with the utmost gratitude by, _Gentlemen, Your most obedient Servant_, GIUSIPPE HANESIO. [Illustration] CERTAMEN EPISTOLARE,