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die, being firmly persuaded, that if ever I do a mean action, it
must be in some interval betwixt one passion and another: whilst
this interregnum lasts, I always perceive my heart locked up,--I
can scarce find in it to give Misery a sixpence; and therefore I
always get out of it as fast as I can--and the moment I am
rekindled, I am all generosity and good-will again; and would do
anything in the world, either for or with any one, if they will but
satisfy me there is no sin in it.

- But in saying this,--sure I am commanding the passion,--not
myself.


A FRAGMENT.


- The town of Abdera, notwithstanding Democritus lived there,
trying all the powers of irony and laughter to reclaim it, was the
vilest and most profligate town in all Thrace. What for poisons,
conspiracies, and assassinations,--libels, pasquinades, and
tumults, there was no going there by day--'twas worse by night.

Now, when things were at the worst, it came to pass that the
Andromeda of Euripides being represented at Abdera, the whole
orchestra was delighted with it: but of all the passages which
delighted them, nothing operated more upon their imaginations than
the tender strokes of nature which the poet had wrought up in that
pathetic speech of Perseus, O Cupid, prince of gods and men! &c.
Every man almost spoke pure iambics the next day, and talked of
nothing but Perseus his pathetic address,--"O Cupid! prince of gods
and men!"--in every street of Abdera, in every house, "O Cupid!
Cupid!"--in every mouth, like the natural notes of some sweet
melody which drop from it, whether it will or no,--nothing but
"Cupid! Cupid! prince of gods and men!"--The fire caught--and the
whole city, like the heart of one man, open'd itself to Love.

No pharmacopolist could sell one grain of hellebore,--not a single
armourer had a heart to forge one instrument of death;--Friendship
and Virtue met together, and kiss'd each other in the street; the
golden age returned, and hung over the town of Abdera--every
Abderite took his eaten pipe, and every Abderitish woman left her
purple web, and chastely sat her down and listened to the song.

'Twas only in the power, says the Fragment, of the God whose empire
extendeth from heaven to earth, and even to the depths of the sea,
to have done this.


MONTREUIL.


When all is ready, and every article is disputed and paid for in
the inn, unless you are a little sour'd by the adventure, there is
always a matter to compound at the door, before you can get into
your chaise; and that is with the sons and daughters of poverty,
who surround you. Let no man say, "Let them go to the devil!"--
'tis a cruel journey to send a few miserables, and they have had
sufferings enow without it: I always think it better to take a few
sous out in my hand; and I would counsel every gentle traveller to
do so likewise: he need not be so exact in setting down his

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