Yet were I to examine her beauty with the art of a statuary, I should find numbers here that far furpafs her; Nature has not granted her all the boafted Circaffian regularity of feature, and yet the greatly exceeds the faireft of the country in the art of feizing the affections. Whence,' have I often faid to myself, this refistless magic that at⚫tends even moderate charms? Though I regard the beauties of the country with admiration, every interview weakens the impreffion, but the form of Zelis grows upon my imagination, I never behold her without an encreafe of tenderness and refpect. Whence this injuftice of the mind in preferring imperfect beauty to that which Na⚫ture feems to have finished with care? Whence the infatuation, that he whom ⚫ a comet could not amaze, fhould be aftonished at a meteor!' When reafon was thus fatigued to find an answer, my imagination purfued the fubject;

and this was the refult.

I fancied myself placed between two landicapes, this called the Region of Beauty, and that the Valley of the Graces; the one adorned with all that Juxuriant Nature could bestow; the fruits of various climates adorned the trees, the grove refounded with music, the gale breathed perfume, every charm that could arife from fymmetry and exact diftribution were here co. fpicuous, the whole offering a profpect of pleature without end. The Valley of the Graces, on the other hand, feemed by no means fo inviting; the ftreams and the groves appeared just as they usually do in frequented countries; no magnificent parterres, no confort in the grove, the rivulet was edged with weeds, and the rook joined it's voice to that of the nightingale. All was fimplicity and

nature.

The most ftriking objects ever first allure the traveller. I entered the Region of Beauty with encreafed curiofity, and promifed myself endless fatisfaction in being introduced to the prefiding goddefs. I perceived feveral ftrangers, who entered with the fame defign; and what furprized me not a little, was to fee feveral others hattening to leave this abode of feeming felicity.

After fone fatigue, I had at laft the honour of being introduced to the god

of which food several strangers lately introduced like me, all regarding her form in extafy. Ah, what eyes! what lips! how clear her complexion! how perfect her shape!' At thefe exclamations, Beauty, with downcaft eyes, would endeavour to counterfeit modefty; but foon again looking round, as if to confirm every spectator in his favourable fentiments, fometimes fhe would attempt to allure us by fmiles; and at intervals would bridle back, in order to inspire us with refpect as well as tenderness.

This ceremony lafted for fome time, and had fo much employed our eyes, that we had forgot all this while that the goddess was filent. We foon, however, began to perceive the defect. What,' faid we, among each other, are we to have nothing but languishing airs, foft looks, and inclinations of the head? Will the goddess only deign to fatisfy our eyes? Upon this, one of the company stepped up to prefent her with fome fruits he had gathered by the way. She received the prefcnt, moft fweetly fmiling, and with one of the whiteft hands in the world; but till not a word efcaped her lips.

I now found that my companions grew weary of their homage; they went off, one by one; and refolving not to be left behind, I offered to go in my turn; when, juft at the door of the tem ple, I was called back by a female, whofe name was Pride, and who feemed difpleafed at the behaviour of the company. 'Where are you haftening?' faid the to me, with an angry air; the god'defs of Beauty is here. I have been to vifit her, Madam,' replied I, and find her more beautiful even than report had made her.'-' And why, then, will you leave her?' added the female. 'I have feen her long enough,' returned I; I have got all her features by heart, . Her eyes are till the fame. Her nofe is a very fine one, but it is still just 'fuch a note now as it was half an hour ago. Could he throw a little more mind into her face, perhaps I should be for withing to have more of her company. What fignifies,' replied my female, whether the has a mind or not? Has the any occafion for a mind, fo formed as the is by Nature? If he had a common face, indeed, there might be fome reafon for think

She was feated on a throne, at the foot

are already perfect, every alteration • would

would but impair them. A fire face is already at the point of perfection, and a fite lady thould endeavour to keep it fo; the impreffion it would receive from thought, would but diBurb it's whole economy.'

To this fpeech I gave no reply, but made the best of my way to the Valley of the Graces. Here I found all thofe who before had been my companions in the Region of Beauty, now upon the fame errand.

As we entered the valley, the profpect infenfibly feemed to improve; we found every thing fo natural, fo domestic, and pleafing, that our minds, which before were congealed in admiration, now relaxed into gaiety and good-humour. We had defigned to pay our refpects to the prefiding goddefs, but she was no where to be found. One of our companions afferted, that her temple lay to the right; another, to the left; a third infifted that it was traight before us; and a fourth, that we had left it behind. In fhort, we found every thing familiar and charming, but could not determine where to feek for the Grace in perfon.

In this agreeable incertitude we passed feveral hours; and, though very defirous

of finding the goddess, by no means impatient of the delay. Every part of the valley prefented fome minute beauty, which, without offering itself at once, ftole within the foul, and captivated us with the charms of our retreat. Still, however, we continued to fearch; and might still have continued, had we not been interrupted by a voice which, though we could not fee from whence it came, addreffed us in this manner:

6

If you would find the Goddess of Grace, feek her not under one form, for the affumes a thousand. Ever changing under the eye of infpection, her variety, rather than her figure, is pleasing. In contemplating her beauty, the eye glides over every perfection with gidly delight, and, capable of fixing no where, is charmed with the whole *. She is now Contemplation with folemn look, again Compaflion with humid eye; fhe now fparkles with joy, foon every feature fpeaks diitrefs: her looks, at times, invite our approach, at others, reprefs our prefumption; the goddefs cannot be properly called Beautiful under any one of thefe forms, but by combining them all, the becomes irrefiftibly pleaf'ing. Adieu.

6

6

HE fhops of London are as well Tfurnished as thofe of Pekin. Thofe of London have a picture hung at their door, informing the paffengers what they have to fell, as thote at Pekin have a board to affure the buyer that they have no intentions to cheat him.

I was this morning to buy filk for a night-cap. Immediately upon entering the mercer's fhop, the matter and his two men, with wigs plaiftered with powder, appeared to aik my commands. They were certainly the civilet people alive; if I but looked, they flew to the place where I caft my eye; every motion of mine fent them running round the whole fhop for my fatisfaction. I informed them that I wanted what was good, and they fhewed me not less than

6

forty pieces, and each was better than the former; the pretticft pattern in nature, and the fitteft in the world for night-caps. My very good friend,' faid I to the mercer, you must not pretend to inftruct me in filks, I know thefe in particular to be no better than your mere flimfy Bungees. That may be,' cried the mercer, who I afterwards found had never contradicted a man in his life; I can't pretend to fay but they may; but, I can affure you, my Lady Trail has had a facque from this piece this very morning." But, friend, faid I, though my lady has chofen a facque from it, I fee ro necefiity that I fhould wear it for a night-cap. That may be,' returned he again; yet, what becomes

• a pretty

a pretty lady, will at any time look well on a handfome gentleman.' This fhort compliment was thrown in fo very feasonably upon my ugly face, fiat even though I difliked the filk, I defired him to cut me off the pattern of a night-cap.

While this bufinets was configned to his journeyman, the mafter himff took down fome pieces of filk ftill finer than any I had yet feen, and fpreading them before me- There!' cries he, there's

beauty! my Lord Snakefkin has befpoke the fellow to this for the birthnight this very morning; it would look charmingly in waiftcoats.' But I don't want a waistcoat, replied I. Not want a waistcoat!' returned the mercer; then I would advife you to buy one; when waistcoats are wanted, you may depend upon it they will come dear. Always buy before you want, and you are fure to be well ufed, as they fay in Cheapfide.' There was fo much juftice in his advice, that I could not refufe taking it; befides, the filk, which was really a good one, encreased the temptation, fo I gave orders for that too.

As I was waiting to have my bargains measured and cut, which, I know not how, they executed but flowly; during the interval, the mercer entertained me with the modern manner of fome of the nobility receiving company in their morning-gowns: Perhaps, Sir,' adds he, you have a mind to fee what kind ⚫ of filk is univerfally worn? Without waiting for my reply, he spreads a piece before me, which might be reckoned beautiful even in China. • If the no

bility, continues he, were to know I fell this to any, under a Right Honourable, I thould certainly lofetheir cuitom; you'fce, my Lord, it is at once rich, tafty, and quite the thing." - I am no lord,' interrupted I. beg pardon,' cried he; but be pleafed to remember, when you intend buying a morning gown, that you had an offer from me of fomething worth money. Confcience, Sir, confcience, is my way of dealing; you may buy a morning-gown now, or you may stay till they become dealer and lefs fa• shionable; but it is not my business to 'advife.' In short, my reverend Fum, he perfuaded me to buy a morning-gown alio; and would probably have perfuaded me to have bought half the goods in his fhop, if I had ftayed long enough, or was furnished with fufficient money.

Upon returning home, I could not help reflecting, with fome aftonishment, how this very man, with fuch a confined education and capacity, was yet capable of turning me as he thought proper, and moulding me to his inclinations! I knew he was only anfwering his own purpofes, even while he attempted to appear folicitous about mine; yet, by a voluntary infatuation, a fort of paffion compounded of vanity and goodnature, I walked into the fhare with my eyes open, and put myself to future pain, in order to give him immediate pleasure. The wisdom of the ignorant somewhat refembles the instinct of animals; it is diffufed in but a very narrow sphere, but within that circle it acts with vigour, uniformity, and fuccefs. Adieu.

FRO

ROM my former accourts, you may be apt to fancy the English the moft ridiculous people under the fun. They are, indeed, ridiculous: yet, every other nation in Europe is equally fo; each laughs at each, and the Afiatic at all.

I may, upon another occafion, point out what is moft ftrikingly abfurd in other countries; I thall at prefent confine myfelf only to France. The firft national peculiarity a traveller meets upon entering that kingdom, is an odd

fort of staring vivacity in every eye, not excepting even the children; the people, it feems, have got it into their heads that they have more wit than others, and fo ftare in order to look fmart.

I know not how it happens, but there appears a fickly delicacy in the faces of their fincft women. This may have introduced the ufe of paint, and paint produces wrinkles; fo that a fine lady fhall look like a hag at twenty-three. But as in fome meafure they never appear young, so it may be equally afferted,

that

that they actually think themfelves never old; a gentle Mifs fhall prepare for new conquefts at fixty; fhall hobble a rigadoon when he can fcarce walk without a crutch; the fhall affect the girl, play her fan and her eyes, and talk of fentiments, bleeding hearts, and expiring for love, when actually dying with age. Like a departing philofopher, the attempts to make her laft moments the

ntoft brilliant of her life.

Their civility to ftrangers is what they are chiefly proud of; and to confefs fincerely, their beggars are the very politeft beggars I ever knew: in other places, a traveller is addreffed with apiteous whine, or a sturdy folemnity; but a French beggar fhall afk your charity with a very genteel bow, and thank you for it with a fmile and a fhrug.

Another instance of this people's breeding I must not forget. An EngJishman would not fpeak his native language in a company of foreigners, where he was fure that none understood him; a travelling Hottentot himself would be filent, if acquainted only with the language of his country: but a Frenchman fhall talk to you whether you understand his language or not; never troubling his head whether you have learned French, till he keeps up the conversation, fixes his eye full in your face, and afks a thoufand queftions, which he anfwers himself for want of a more fatisfactory reply.

But their civility to foreigners is not half fo great as their admiration of themselves. Every thing that belongs to them and their nation is great; magnificent beyond expreffion; quite romantic! every garden is a paradife, every hovel a palace, and every woman an angel. They fhut their eyes clofe, throw their mouths wide open, and cry out in rapture: Sacre!-What beauty! ⚫O Ciel!-what tafte! Mort de ma vie! -what grandeur! was ever any people like ourselves? We are the nation of men, and all the reft no better than two-legged barbarians.'

I fancy the French would make the

best cooks in the world, if they had but meat; as it is, they can drefs you out five different dishes from a nettle-top, feven from a dock-leaf, and twice as many from a frog's haunches; thefe eat prettily enough when one is a little ufed to them, are eafy of digeftion, and feldom overload the ftomach with crudities. They feldom dine under feven hot dishes; it is true, indeed, with all this magnifi cence, they feldom fpread a cloth before the guests; but in that I cannot be angry with them; fince those who have got no linen on their backs, may very well be excufed for wanting it upon their tables.

Even religion itfelf lofes it's folemnity among them. Upon their roads, at about every five miles diftance, you fee an image of the Virgin Mary, dreffed up in grim head-cloaths, painted cheeks, and an old red petticoat; before her a lamp is often kept burning, at which, with the Saint's permiffion, I have frequently lighted my pipe. Inftead of the Virgin, you are sometimes prefented with a Crucifix, at other times with a wooden Saviour, fitted out in compleat garniture, with sponge, fpear, nails, pincers, hammer, bees-wax and vinegar-bottle. Some of thefe images, I have been told, came down from beaven; if fo, in heaven they have but bungling workmen.

In palling through their towns, you frequently fee the men fitting at the doors knitting ftockings, while the care of cultivating the ground and pruning the vines fall to the women. This is perhaps the reafon why the fair-fex are granted fome peculiar privileges in this country; particularly, when they can get horfes, of riding without a fidefaddle.

But I begin to think you may find this defcription pert and dull enough; perhaps it is fo, yet in general, it is the manner in which the French ufually defcribe foreigners; and it is but just to force a part of that ridicule back upon them, which they attempt to lavifi on others. Adieu.

LETTER

THE

HE two theatres, which ferve to amufe the citizens here, are again opened for the winter. The mimetic troops, different from thofe of the ftate, begin their campaign when all the others quit the field; and at a time when the Europeans ceafe to destroy each other in reality, they are entertained with mock battles upon the stage.

The dancing-mafter once more shakes his quivering feet; the carpenter prepares his paradife of pafteboard; the hero refolves to cover his forehead with brass, and the heroine begins to fcour up her copper tail, preparative to future operations; in fhort, all are in motion, from the theatrical letter-carrier in yellow cloaths, to Alexander the Great that ftands on a ftool.

Both houfes have already commenced hoftilities. War, open war! and no quarter received or given! Two finging women, like heralds, have begun the conteft; the whole town is divided on this folemn occafion; one has the finest pipe, the other the finest manner; one curtefies to the ground, the other falutes the audience with a fmile; one comes on with modefty which afks, the other with boldness which extorts applaufe; one wears powder, the other has none'; one has the longest waist, but the other appears moft ealy: all, all is important and ferious. The town as yet perfeveres in it's neutrality; a caufe of fuch moment demands the most mature deliberation; they continue to exhibit; and it is very poffible this conteft may continue to please to the end of the fea

fon.

But the Generals of either army have, as I am told, feveral reinforcements to lend occafional affiftance. If they produce a pair of diamond buckles at one house, we have a pair of eyebrows that can match them at the other. If we out-do them in our attitude, they can overcome us by a thrug; if we can bring more children on the itage, they can bring more guards in red cloaths, who ftrut and fhoulder their fwords to the aftonilliment of every fpectator.

They tell me here, that people fre

quent the theatre in order to be inftruct ed as well as amufed; I fimile to hear the affertion. If I ever go to one of their play-houses, what with trumpets, hallooing behind the stage, and bawling upon it, I am quite dizzy_before the performance is over. If I enter the

houfe with any fentiments in my head, I am fure to have none going away, the whole mind being filled with a dead march, a funeral proceffion, a cat-call, a jig, or a tempeft.

There is, perhaps, nothing more easy than to write properly for the English theatre; I am amazed that none are apprenticed to the trade. The author, when well acquainted with the value of thunder and lightning; when verfed in all the mystery of fcene-fhifting, and trap-doors; when fkilled in the proper periods to introduce a wire-walker, or a water-fall; when inftructed in every actor's peculiar talent, and capable of adapting his fpeeches to the fuppofed excellence; when thus inftructed, knows all that can give a modern audience plea fure. One player thines in an exclamation, another in a groan, a third in a horror, a fourth in a start, a fifth in a fmile, a fixth faints, and a feventh figets round the ftage with peculiar vivacity; that piece, therefore, will fucceed beit, where each has a proper opportunity of fhining; the actor's bufinefs is not fo much to adapt himself to the poet, as the poet's to adapt himself to the actor.

The great fecret, therefore, of tragedy-writing, at prefent, is a perfect acquaintance with theatrical ab's and ch's; a certain number of thefe interfperfed with gods! tortures! racks! and damnation! thall diftort every actor almoft into convulfions, and draw tears from every fpectator; a proper ufe of thete will in fallibly fill the whole boufe with applaufe. But, above all, a whining scene must ftrike mot forcibly. I would advife, from my prefent knowledge of the audience, the two favourite players of the town to introduce a fcene of this fort in every play. Towards the middle of the faft act, I would have them enter with wild looks, and out-fpread