with his work of affliction. I heard his chains upon his legs, as he turn'd his body to lay his little stick upon the bundle - He gave a deep figh I faw the iron enter into his foul - I burst into tears I could not fustain the picture of confinement which my fancy had drawn I started up from my chair, and calling La Fleur, I bid him bespeak me a remise, and have it ready at the door of the hotel by nine in the morning. I'll go directly, said I, myself to Monfieur le Duc de Choiseul. La Fleur would have put me to bed; but not willing he should fee any thing upon my cheek which would cost the honest fellow a I told him I would go to bed by myfelf - and bid him got to the same. heart ache THE STARLING. ROAD TO VERSAILLES. I got into my remise the hour I proposed: La Fleur got up behind, and I bid the coachman make the best of his way to Versailles. As As there was nothing in this road, or rather nothing which I look for in travelling, I cannot fill up the blank better than with a thort history of this selfsame bird, which became the fubject of the last chapter. Whilft the honourable Mr. **** was waiting for a wind at Dover, it had been caught upon the cliffs before it could well fly by an English lad who was his groom; who not caring to destroy it, had taken it in his breast into the packet - and by course of feeding it, and taking in once under his protection, in a day or two grew fond of it, and got it safe along with him to Paris. At Paris the lad had laid out a livre in a little cage for the starling, and as he had little to do better the five months his master staid there, he taught it in his mother's tongue the four fimple words (and no more) to which I own'd myself so much its debtor. Upon his masters going on for Italy the lad had given it to the master of the hotel But his little fong for liberty, being in an unknown language at Paris, the bird had little or no store set by him so La Fleur boughe both both him and his cage for me for a bottle of Burgundy.avoạt, mἱ πόλ In my return froin Italy I brought him with me to the country in whose language he had learn'd his notes - and telling the story of him to Lord A Lord A begg'd the bird of ine in a week Lord A gave him to Lord B B made a present of him to Lord C Lord and Lord C's gentleman fold him to Lord D's for a shilling fo on Lord D gave him to Lord E half round the alphabet rank he pass'd into the lower house, the hands of as many commoners these wanted to get in and from that and pass'd But as all and my bird wanted he had almost as little store set It is impoffible but many of my readers must have heard of him; and if any by mere chance have ever seen him - I beg leave to inform them, that that bird was my bird or fome vile copy set up to represent him. νία και κατ I have nothing further to add upon him, but that from that time to this, I have borne I should not like to have my enemy take a view, of my mind when I am going to afk protection of any man; for which reason I generally endeavour to protect myself: but this going to Monfieur Le Duc de C - was an act of compulfion had it been an act of choice, I should have done it, I suppose, like other people. How many mean plans of dirty address, as I went along, did my fervile heart form! I deferved the Baftile for every one of them. Then nothing would ferve me, when I got within fight of Versailles, but putting words and fentences together, and conceiving attitudes and tones to wreath myself into Monfieur le Duc de C--'s good graces -- This will do, faid I Just as well, retorted I again, as a coat carried up to him by an adventurous taylor, without taking his measure Fool! continued I - see Monfieur Le Duc's face first observe what character is written in it -- take notice in what posture he stands to hear you -- mark 3HT the |