1. Difficulty of the first address. Practice of the epick poets. Convenience of periodical performances. 1 2. The necessity and danger of looking into futurity. Writers naturally sanguine. Their hopes liable to disappointment. 6 3. An allegory on criticism. 11 4. The modern form of romances preferable to the ancient. The necessity of characters morally good. 15 5. A meditation on the Spring. 20 6. Happiness not local. 25 7. Retirement natural to a great mind. Its religious use. 30 8. The thoughts to be brought under regulation; as they respect the past, present, and future. 35 9. The fondness of every man for his profession. The gradual improvement of manufactures. 40 10. Four billets, with their answers. Remarks on masquerades. 44 11. The folly of anger. The misery of a peevish old age. 50 12. The history of a young woman that came to London for a service. 55 13. The duty of secrecy. The invalidity of all excuses for betraying secrets. 61 14. The difference between an author's writings and his conversation. 66 15. The folly of cards. A letter from a lady that has lost her money. 72 16. The dangers and miseries of a literary eminence. 78 17. The frequent contemplation of death necessary to moderate the passions. 83 18. The unhappiness of marriage caused by irregular motives of choice. 87 19. The danger of ranging from one study to another. The importance of the early choice of a profession. 93 20. The folly and inconvenience of affectation. 99 21. The anxieties of literature not less than those of publick stations. The inequality of authors' writings. 104 22. An allegory on wit and learning. 109 23. The contrariety of criticism. The vanity of objection. An author obliged to depend upon his own judgment. 113 24. The necessity of attending to the duties of common life. The natural character not to be forsaken. 117 25. Rashness preferable to cowardice. Enterprize not to be repressed. 122 26. The mischief of extravagance, and misery of dependence. 127 27. An author's treatment from six patrons. 132 28. The various arts of self-delusion.