Previous - Next

sex, has so many charms, it goes against the heart to say it can do
ill; and yet, I believe, there is but a certain line of perfection,
that man, take him altogether, is empower'd to arrive at: --if he
gets beyond, he rather exchanges qualities than gets them. I must
not presume to say how far this has affected the French in the
subject we are speaking of;--but, should it ever be the case of the
English, in the progress of their refinements, to arrive at the
same polish which distinguishes the French, if we did not lose the
politesse du coeur, which inclines men more to humane actions than
courteous ones,--we should at least lose that distinct variety and
originality of character, which distinguishes them, not only from
each other, but from all the world besides.

I had a few of King William's shillings, as smooth as glass, in my
pocket; and foreseeing they would be of use in the illustration of
my hypothesis, I had got them into my hand when I had proceeded so
far: -

See, Monsieur le Count, said I, rising up, and laying them before
him upon the table,--by jingling and rubbing one against another
for seventy years together in one body's pocket or another's, they
are become so much alike, you can scarce distinguish one shilling
from another.

The English, like ancient medals, kept more apart, and passing but
few people's hands, preserve the first sharpnesses which the fine
hand of Nature has given them;--they are not so pleasant to feel,--
but in return the legend is so visible, that at the first look you
see whose image and superscription they bear.--But the French,
Monsieur le Count, added I (wishing to soften what I had said),
have so many excellences, they can the better spare this;--they are
a loyal, a gallant, a generous, an ingenious, and good temper'd
people as is under heaven;--if they have a fault--they are too
SERIOUS.

Mon Dieu! cried the Count, rising out of his chair.

Mais vous plaisantez, said he, correcting his exclamation.--I laid
my hand upon my breast, and with earnest gravity assured him it was
my most settled opinion.

The Count said he was mortified he could not stay to hear my
reasons, being engaged to go that moment to dine with the Duc de C-
.

But if it is not too far to come to Versailles to eat your soup
with me, I beg, before you leave France, I may have the pleasure of
knowing you retract your opinion,--or, in what manner you support
it.--But, if you do support it, Monsieur Anglois, said he, you must
do it with all your powers, because you have the whole world
against you.--I promised the Count I would do myself the honour of
dining with him before I set out for Italy;--so took my leave.


THE TEMPTATION. PARIS.


When I alighted at the hotel, the porter told me a young woman with
a bandbox had been that moment enquiring for me.--I do not know,
said the porter, whether she is gone away or not.

Previous - Next