itself was attended even with a sigh and that the greatest they knew of, terminated, in a general way, in little better than a convulsion.

I remember the grave and learned Bevoriskins, in his commentary upon the generations from Adam, very naturally breaks off in the middle of a note, to give an account to the world of a couple of spar= rows upon the ont-edge of his window, which had. incommoded him all the time he wrote, and at last had entirely taken him off from his genealogy,

=

It is strange! writes Bevoriskius; but the facts are certain, for I have had the curiosity to mark them down one by one with my pen but the cock-spar row, during the little time that I could have finished the other half of this note, has actually interrupted me with the reiteration of his caresses three and twenty times and a half.

How merciful, adds Bevoriskius, is heaven to his creatures! Ill-fated Yorick! that the gravest of thy brethren/should be able to write that to the world, which stains thy face with crimson, to copy in even thy study.

But this is nothing to my travels So I twice= twice beg pardon for it.

CHARACTER.

VERSAILLES.

AND how do you find the French? said the count de B-, after he had given me the passport.

The reader may suppose, that after so obliging a proof of courtesy, I could not be at a loss to say something handsome to the inquiry.

Mais passe pour 'cela Speak frankly, said he; do you find all the urbanity in the French,

which the world give us the honour of? I had found every thing, I said, which confirmed it Vraiment, said the count. Les Français sont polis. To an excess, replied I.

The count took notice of the word excess; and would have it I meant more than I said. I defended' myself a long time, as well as I could, against it he insisted I had a reserve, and that I would speak my opinion frankly.

I believe, monsieur le comte, said I, that man has a certain compass, as well as an instrument; and that the social and other calls have occasion by turns for every key in him; so that if you begin a note too high or too low, there must be a want ei= ther in the upper or under part, to fill up the system of harmony. The connt de B-did not under= stand musick, so desired me to explain it some other way. A polished nation, my dear count, said I, makes every one its debtor; and besides, urbanity itself, like the fair 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 empowered 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 resentments, to arrive at the. same polish which distinguishes the French, if we did not lose the politesse de cœur, 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 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 comte, said I, rising upand laying them before him upon the table by jingling and rubbing one against another for seventy years toge= ther in one body's pocket or another's, they are be come 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 comte, added I, wishing to soften what I had said, have so many excellencies, they can the better spare this they are a loyal, a gallant, a generous, an ingenious, and good-tempered 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 mo ment 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 opinión or, in what manner you support it. you do

if

But

support it, monsieur l'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 band-box had been that moment enquiring for me. I do not know, said the porter, whether she is gone away or no. I took the key of my chamber of him, and went up stairs, and when I had got within ten steps of the top of the landing before my door, I met her coming easily down.

It was the fair fille de chambre I had walke along the quai de Conti with madame de R had sent her upon some commissions to a marchande de modes, within a step or two of the hố tel de Modene; and as I had failed in waiting upon her, had bid her enquire if I had left Paris; and if so, whether I had not left a letter addressed to her.

As the fair fille de chambre was so near my door, she turned back, and went into the room with me for a moment or two, whilst I wrote a card. It was a fine still evening, in the latter end of the month of may = the crimson window curtains (which were of the same colour of those of the bed) were drawn close the sun was setting, and reflect= ed through them so warm a tint into the fair fille de chambre's face I thought she blushed the idea of it made me blush myself we were quite alone: and that superinduced a second blush, before the first could get off.

=

There is a sort of a pleasing half-guilty blush

where the blood is more in fault tha the manit is sent impetuous from the heart, and virtue flies after it not to call it back, but to make the sensas tion of it more delicious to the nerves it is asso

But I will not describe it I felt something at first within me, which was not in strict unison with the lesson of virtue I had given her the night before ≈ I sought five minutes for a card I knew I had not one. I took up a pen I laid it down again my hand trembled the devil was in ine.

=

I know as well as any one, he is an adversary whom if we resist, he will fly from us but I seldom resist him at all; from a terror, that though I may conquer, Imay still get a hurt in the combat so I give up the triumph for security; and instead of think. ing to make him fly, I generally fly myself.

The fair fille de cha ibre came close up to the bureau where I was looking for a card took up first the pen I cast down, then offered to hold me the ink she offered it so sweetly, I was going to accept it but I durst not I have nothing, my dear, said I, to write upon. Write it, said she, simply, upon anything.

I was just going to cry out, Then I will write it, fair girl! upon thy lips.

If I do, said I, I shall perish so I took her by the hand, and led her to the door, and begged she would not forget the lesson I had given her=She said, indeed she would not and as she uttered it with some earnestness, she turned about, and gave me both her hands, closed together, into mine it was impossible not to compress them in that situation I wish. ed to let them go; and all the time I held, them, I kept arguing within myself against it and still