IN THE STREET.

CALAIS.

Having, on first sight of the lady, fettled the affair in my fancy, "that she was of the better order of beings" and then laid it down as a second axiom, as indisputable as the first, That she was a widow, and wore a character of distress I went no further; I got ground enough for the fituation which pleased me - and had she remained close beside my elbow till midnight, I should have held true to my system, and confidered her only under that general idea.

She had scarce got twenty paces distant from me, ere something within me called out for a more particular inquiry - it brought on the idea of a further feparation I might potlibly never fee her more the heart is for faving what it can; and I wanted the traces thro' which my wishes might find their way to her, in case I should never rejoin her myself; in a word, I wish'd to know her name - her family's - her condition: and as I knew the place to which she was going, I wanted to know from whence the came: but there was no coming at all this intelligence: a hundred little delicacies stood in the way. I form'd a score different plans - There was no such thing as a man's asking her directly the thing was impossible.

A little French debonaire captain, who came dancing down the street, shewed me, it was the easiest thing in the world; for popping in betwixt us, just as the lady was returning back to the door of the Remise, he introduced himself to my acquaintance, and before he had well got announced, begg'd I would do him the honour to present him to the lady so turning

I had not been presented myself

about to her, he did it just as well by asking her, if she had come from Paris? - No: she was going

that rout, she said, - Vous n'etez pas de Londres?

added he- She said, she was not of Lifle. Nor Arras? nor Cambray?-nor Ghent?- nor Bruffels? She answered, she was of Brussels.

He had had the honour, he said, to be at the bombardment of it last war that it was finely situated pour cela - and full of noblesse when the Imperialists were driven out by the French (the lady made a flight curtsy) - fo giving her an account of the affair,

C3

affair, and of the share he had had in it- he begg'd

the honour to know her name

fo made his bow..

Et Madame a fon Mari? — faid he, looking

back when he had made two steps

staying for an answer

and without

danced down the street.

Had I ferved seven years apprenticeship to good breeding, I could not have done as much.

THE REMISE.

CALAIS.

As the little French captain left us, Monf. Dessein came up with the key of the Remise in his hand, and forthwith let us into his magazine of chaises.

The first object which caught my eye, as Monf. Dessein open'd the door of the Remise, was another old tatter'd Defobligeant: and notwithstanding it was the exact picture of that which had hit my fancy fo much in the coach - yard but an hour before the very fight of it ftirr'd up a disagreeable sensation within me now; and I thought 'twas a churlish beaft into whose heart the idea could first enter, to construct struct such a machine; nor had I much more charity for the man who could think of using it.

:

I observed the lady was as little taken with it as myfelf: so Monf. Dessein led us on to a couple of chaises which stood abreast, telling us as he recommended them, that they had been purchased by my Lord A. and B. to go the grand tour, but had gone no further than Paris, fo were in all respects as good as new - They were too good so I pass'd on to a third, which stood behind, and forthwith began to chaffer for the price But 'twill scarce hold two, faid I, opening the door and getting in Have the goodness, Madam, faid Monsieur Dessein, offering

his arm, to step in

The lady hefitated half a fe

cond, and stepp'd in;

beckoning to speak to

and the waiter that moment Monf. Dessein, he shut the

door of the chaise upon us, and left us.

C'est bien comique, 'tis very droll, said the lady fimiling, from the reflectien that this was the second time we had been left together by a parcel of nonfenfical contingencies - c'est bien comique, faid she

There wants nothing, said 1, to make it fo, hut the comick use which the gallantry of a French, man would put it to to make love the first moment, and an offer of his person the second.

'Tis their fort: replied the lady.

It is supposed so at least and how it has come to pass, continued I, I know not; but they have certainly got the credit of understanding more of love, and making it better than any other nation upon earth: but for my own part I think them errant bunglers, and in truth the worst set of marksmen that ever tried Cupid's patience.

-To think of making love by Sentiments!