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name, first used by the cunning part of the fair vals; love is a method of protracting our greatest sex, and admitted by the silly part of ours, there-pleasure; and surely that gamester, who plays the fore no way more natural than taking snuff, or greatest stake to the best advantage, will, at the end of life, rise victorious. This was the opinion of chewing opium. "How is it possible," cried I, "that such a pas- Vanini, who affirmed, that every hour was lost sion can be natural, when our opinions even of which was not spent in love. His accusers were beauty, which inspires it, are entirely the result of unable to comprehend his meaning; and the poor fashion and caprice? The ancients, who pretended advocate for love was burned in flames, alas! no to be connoisseurs in the art, have praised narrow way metaphorical. But whatever advantages the foreheads, red hair, and eyebrows that joined each individual may reap from this passion, society will Such was the charms that certainly be refined and improved by its introducother above the nose. captivated Catullus, Ovid, and Anacreon. Ladies tion; all laws calculated to discourage it, tend to would at present be out of humour, if their lovers imbrute the species, and weaken the state. Though praised them for such graces; and should an an- it can not plant morals in the human breast, it cultique beauty now revive, her face would certainly tivates them when there; pity, generosity, and be put under the discipline of the tweezer, fore-honour, receive a brighter polish from its assisthead-cloth, and lead comb, before it could be seen ance; and a single amour is sufficient entirely to brush off the clown. in public company.

love, which gives up this natural advantage, must certainly be the effect of art,-an art calculated to lengthen out our happier moments, and add new graces to society."

"But it is an exotic of the most delicate consti"But the difference between the ancient and moderns is not so great as between the different tution; it requires the greatest art to introduce it countries of the present world. A lover of Gon-into a state, and the smallest discouragement is sufgora, for instance, sighs for thick lips; a Chinese ficient to repress it again. Let us only consider lover is poetical in praise of thin. In Circassia, a with what ease it was formerly extinguished in straight nose is thought most consistent with beau- Rome, and with what difficulty it was lately rety: cross but a mountain which separates it from vived in Europe: it seemed to sleep for ages, and the Tartars, and there flat noses, tawny skins, and at last fought its way among us through tilts, eyes three inches asunder, are all the fashion. In tournaments, dragons, and all the dreams of chiPersia, and some other countries, a man, when he valry. The rest of the world, China only excepted, marries, chooses to have his bride a maid; in the are, and have ever been utter strangers to its dePhilippine Islands, if a bridegroom happens to per- lights and advantages. In other countries, as men ceive, on the first night, that he is put off with a find themselves stronger than women, they lay a virgin, the marriage is declared void to all intents claim to a rigorous superiority: this is natural, and and purposes, and the bride sent back with disgrace. In some parts of the East, a woman of beauty, properly fed up for sale, often amounts to one hundred crowns: in the kingdom of Loango, "I entirely acquiesce in your sentiments," says ladies of the very best fashion are sold for a pig; queens, however, sell better, and sometimes amount the lady, "with regard to the advantages of this In short, turn even to England, don't passion, but can not avoid giving it a nobler origin I there see the beautiful part of the sex neglected; than you have been pleased to assign. I must and none now marrying or making love, but old think, that those countries, where it is rejected, are men and old women that have saved money? Don't obliged to have recourse to art to stifle so natural a I see beauty from fifteen to twenty-one, rendered production, and those nations, where it is cultivatnull and void to all intents and purposes, and those ed, only make nearer advances to nature. The same six precious years of womanhood put under a stat- efforts that are used in some places to suppress ute of virginity? What! shall I call that rancid pas-pity, and other natural passions, may have been sion love, which passes between an old bachelor of employed to extinguish love. No nation, however fifty-six and a widow lady of forty-nine? Never! unpolished, is remarkable for innocence that is not never! what advantage is society to reap from an famous for passion; it has flourished in the coldest, intercourse where the big belly is oftenest on the man's side? Would any persuade me that such a passion was natural, unless the human race were more fit for love as they approached the decline, and, like silk worms, became breeders just before they expired."

to a cow.

"Whether love be natural or no,” replied my friend, gravely, "it contributes to the happiness of every society into which it is introduced. All our pleasures are short, and can only charm at inter

as well as in the warmest regions. Even in the
sultry wilds of Southern America, the lover is not
satisfied with possessing his mistress's person with-
out having her mind:

"In all my Enna's beauties bless'd,
Amidst profusion still I pine;
For though she gives me up her breast,
Its panting tenant is not mine."*

•Translation of a South-American Ode.

"But the effects of love are too violent to be the and not on useful members of society. Their riches result of an artificial passion. Nor is it in the and opulence invited the invaders, who, though at power of fashion to force the constitution into those first repulsed, returned again, conquered by persechanges which we every day observe. Several verance, and at last swept the defendants into unhave died of it. Few lovers are unacquainted with distinguished destruction." the fate of the two Italian lovers, Da Corsin and

How few appear in those streets which but some Julia Bellamano, who, after a long separation, ex-few hours ago were crowded! and those who appired with pleasure in each other's arms. Such pear, now no longer wear their daily mask, nor atinstances are too strong confirmations of the reality tempt to hide their lewdness or their misery. of the passion, and serve to show, that suppressing it is but opposing the natural dictates of the heart." Adieu.

LETTER CXVII.

From the Same.

But who are those who make the streets their couch, and find a short repose from wretchedness at the doors of the opulent? These are strangers, wanderers, and orphans, whose circumstances are too humble to expect redress, and whose distresses are too great even for pity. Their wretchedness excites rather horror than pity. Some are without the covering even of rags, and others emaciated with disease: the world has disclaimed them; so

THE clock just struck two, the expiring taper ciety turns its back upon their distress, and has rises and sinks in the socket, the watchman forgets given them up to nakedness and hunger. These the hour in slumber, the laborious and the happy poor shivering females have once seen happier are at rest, and nothing wakes but meditation, days, and been flattered into beauty. They have guilt, revelry, and despair. The drunkard once been prostituted to the gay luxurious villain, and more fills the destroying bowl, the robber walks are now turned out to meet the severity of winter. his midnight round, and the suicide lifts his guilty Perhaps, now lying at the doors of their betrayers, arm against his own sacred person. they sue to wretches whose hearts are insensible, or debauchees who may curse but will not relieve them.

tunities.

Let me no longer waste the night over the page of antiquity, or the sallies of contemporary genius, but pursue the solitary walk, where Vanity, ever Why, why was I born a man, and yet see the changing, but a few hours past walked before me, sufferings of wretches I can not relieve! Poor where she kept up the pageant, and now, like a houseless creatures! the world will give you refroward child, seems hushed with her own impor-proaches, but will not give you relief. The slightest misfortunes of the great, the most imaginary uneasiness of the rich, are aggravated with all the power of eloquence, and held up to engage our attention and sympathetic sorrow. The peor weep unheeded, persecuted by every subordinate species of tyranny; and every law which gives others security becomes an enemy to them.

What a gloom hangs all around! The dying lamp feebly emits a yellow gleam; no sound is heard but of the chiming clock, or the distant watch-dog. All the bustle of human pride is for

gotten, an hour like this may well display the

emptiness of human vanity.

There will come a time, when this temporary solitude may be made continual, and the city itself, like its inhabitants, fade away, and leave a desert in its room.

What cities, as great as this, have once triumphed in existence, had their victories as great, joy as just, and as unbounded, and, with short-sighted presumption, promised themselves immortality! Posterity can hardly trace the situation of some: the sorrowful traveller wanders over the awful ruins of others; and, as he beholds, he learns wisdom, and feels the transience of every sublunary possession.

Why was this heart of mine formed with so much sensibility? or why was not my fortune adapted to its impulse? Tenderness, without a capacity of relieving, only makes the man who feels it more wretched than the object which sues for assistance. Adieu.

LETTER CXVIII.

From Fum Hoam to Lien Chi Altangi, the discontented Wanderer, by the way of Moscow.

I HAVE been just sent upon an embassy to Ja"Here," he cries, "stood their citadel, now grown over with weeds; there their senate-house, pan; my commission is to be dispatched in four but now the haunt of every noxious reptile; tem- days, and you can hardly conceive the pleasure I ples and theatres stood here, now only an undis-shall find upon revisiting my native country. I tinguished heap of ruin. They are fallen, for shall leave with joy this proud, barbarous, inhosluxury and avarice first made them feeble. The pitable region, where every object conspires to d rewards of the state were conferred on amusing minish my satisfaction and increase my patriotism.

But though I find the inhabitants savage, yet were placed behind lattices, in such a manner as to the Dutch merchants who are permitted to trade see without being seen. Here all the Europeans hither seem still more detestable. They have were directed to pass in review, and grovel and ac. raised my dislike to Europe in general; by them I the serpent as before: with this spectacle the whole learn how low avarice can degrade human nature; court seemed highly delighted. The strangers how many indignities an European will suffer for were asked a thousand ridiculous questions, as gain. their names, and their ages; they were ordered to

I was present at an audience given by the em-write, to stand upright, to sit, to stoop, to compli peror to the Dutch envoy, who had sent several ment each other, to be drunk, to speak the Japanese presents to all the courtiers some days previous to language, to talk Dutch, to sing, to eat; in short, his admission; but he was obliged to attend those they were ordered to do all that could satisfy the designed for the emperor himself. From the ac- curiosity of women. counts I had heard of this ceremony, my curiosity prompted me to be a spectator of the whole.

Imagine, my dear Altangi, a set of grave men thus transformed into buffoons, and acting a part First went the presents, set out on beautiful every whit as honourable as that of those instructed enamelled tables, adorned with flowers, borne on animals which are shown in the streets of Pekin inen's shoulders, and followed by Japanese music to the mob on a holiday. Yet the ceremony did and dancers. From so great respect paid to the not end here, for every great lord of the court was gifts themselves, I had fancied the donors must have to be visited in the same manner; and their ladies, received almost divine honours. But about a quar- who took the whim from their husbands, were all ter of an hour after the presents had been carried equally fond of seeing the strangers perform, even in triumph, the envoy and his train were brought the children seeming highly diverted with the forward. They were covered from head to foot dancing Dutchmen. with long black veils, which prevented their seeing, "Alas," cried I to myself, upon returning from each led by a conductor, chosen from the meanest of such a spectacle, “is this the nation which assumes the people. In this dishonourable manner, having such dignity at the court of Pekin? Is this the traversed the city of Jédo, they at length arrived at people that appear so proud at home, and in every the palace gate; and, after waiting half an hour, country where they have the least authority? were admitted into the guard-room. Here their How does a love of gain transform the gravest of eyes were uncovered, and in about an hour the mankind into the most contemptible and ridicugentleman-usher introduced them into the hall of lous! I had rather continue poor all my life than audience. The emperor was at length shown, sit-[become rich at such a rate. Perish those riches ting in a kind of alcove at the upper end of the which are acquired at the expense of my honour room, and the Dutch envoy was conducted towards the throne.

or my humanity! Let me quit," said I, “a country where there are none but such as treat all others As soon as he had approached within a certain like slaves, and more detestable still, in suffering distance, the gentleman-usher cried out with a loud such treatment. I have seen enough of this nation voice, Holanda Capitan; upon these words, the to desire to see more of others. Let me leave a envoy fell flat upon the ground, and crept upon his people suspicious to excess, whose morals are corhands and feet towards the throne. Still approach-rupted, and equally debased by superstition and ing, he reared himself upon his knees, and then vice; where the sciences are left uncultivated, where bowed his forehead to the ground. These cerc- the great are slaves to the prince, and tyrants to monies being over, he was directed to withdraw, still grovelling on his belly, and going backward like a lobster.

the people; where the women are chaste only when debarred of the power of transgression; where the true disciples of Confucius are not less persecuted Men must be excessively fond of riches, when than those of Christianity: în a word, a country they are earned with such circumstances of abject where men are forbidden to think, and consequentsubmission. Do the Europeans worship Heavenly labour under the most miserable slavery, that itself with marks of more profound respect? Do of mental servitude." Adieu.

they confer those honours on the Supreme of Beings, which they pay to a barbarous king, who gives them a permission to purchase trinkets and porcelain? What a glorious exchange, to forfeit their national honour, and even their title to humanity, for a screen or a snuff-box!

LETTER CXIX.

From Lien Chi Altangi, to Fum Hoam, First President of the Ceremonial Academy at Pekin, in China. If these ceremonies essayed in the first audience appeared mortifying, those which were practised in THE misfortunes of the great, my frier-l, are held the second were infinitely more so. In the second up to engage our attention, are enlarged upon in audience, the emperor and the ladies of the court tones of declamation, and the world is called upon

to gaze at the noble sufferers: they have at once the comfort of admiration and pity.

sent me to a third; till at last it was thought I belonged to no parish at all. At length, however, Yet, where is the magnanimity of bearing mis- they fixed me. I had some disposition to be a ⚫ fortunes when the whole world is looking on scholar, and had actually learned my letters; but Men, in such circumstances, can act bravely even the master of the work-house put me to business from motives of vanity. He only, who, in the vale as soon as I was able to handle a mallet. of obscurity, can brave adversity; who, without

"Here I lived an easy kind of a life for five years.

friends to encourage, acquaintances to pity, or even I only wrought ten hours in the day, and had my without hope to alleviate his distresses, can behave meat and drink provided for my labour. It is true, with tranquillity and indifference, is truly great: I was not suffered to stir far from the house, for whether peasant or courtier, he deserves admira- fear I should run away: but what of that? I had tion, and should be held up for our imitation and the liberty of the whole house, and the yard berespect. fore the door, and that was enough for me. "I was next bound out to a farmer, where I was

The miseries of the poor are, however, entirely disregarded; though some undergo more real hard-up both early and late, but I ate and drank well, ships in one day than the great in their whole and liked my business well enough, till he died. lives. It is indeed inconceivable what difficulties Being then obliged to provide for myself, I was rethe meanest English sailor or soldier endures with-solved to go and seek my fortune. Thus I lived, out murmuring or regret. Every day to him is a and went from town to town, working when I day of misery, and yet he bears his hard fate with- could get employment, and starving when I could out repining. get none, and might have lived so still; but hapWith what indignation do I hear the heroes of pening one day to go through a field belonging to tragedy complain of misfortunes and hardships, a magistrate, I spied a hare crossing the path just whose greatest calamity is founded in arrogance before me. I believe the devil put it in my head and pride! Their severest distresses are pleasures, to fling my stick at it: well, what will you have compared to what many of the adventuring poor on't? I killed the hare, and was bringing it away every day sustain, without murmuring. These in triumph, when the Justice himself met me: he may eat, drink, and sleep; have slaves to attend called me a villain, and collaring me, desired I them, and are sure of subsistence for life; while would give an account of myself. I began immemany of their fellow-creatures are obliged to wan-diately to give a full account of all that I knew of der, without a friend to comfort or to assist them, my breed, seed, and generation; but, though I find enmity in every law, and are too poor to obtain even justice.

gave a very long account, the Justice said I could give no account of myself; so I was indicted, and I have been led into these reflections from acci- found guilty of being poor, and sent to Newgate, dentally meeting, some days ago, a poor fellow in order to be transported to the plantations. begging at one of the outlets of this town, with a "People may say this and that of being in gaol; wooden leg. I was curious to learn what had re-but, for my part, I found Newgate as agreeable a duced him to his present situation; and, after giv-place as ever I was in, in all my life. I had my ing him what I thought proper, desired to know bellyfull to eat and drink, and did no work; but the history of his life and misfortunes, and the alas! this kind of life was too good to last forever: manner in which he was reduced to his present I was taken out of prison, after five months, put distress. The disabled soldier, for such he was, on board of a ship, and sent off with two hundred with an intrepidity truly British, leaning on his more. Our passage was but indifferent, for we crutch, put himself into an attitude to comply were all confined in the hold, and died very fast, with my request, and gave me his history as fol- for want of sweet air and provisions; but, for my lows: part, I did not want meat, because I had a fever all

"As for misfortunes, sir, I can not pretend to the way. Providence was kind; when provisions have gone through more than others. Except the grew short, it took away my desire of eating. loss of my limb, and my being obliged to beg, IWhen we came ashore, we were sold to the plantdon't know any reason, thank Heaven, that I have ers. I was bound for seven years, and as I was to complain: there are some who have lost both legs no scholar, for I had forgot my letters, I was obliged and an eye, but thank Heaven, it is not quite so to work among the negroes; and served out my bad with me. time, as in duty bound to do.

"My father was a labourer in the country, and "When my time was expired, I worked my died when I was five years old; so I was put upon passage home, and glad I was to see Old England the parish. As he had been a wandering sort of again, because I loved my country. O liberty! a man, the parishioners were not able to tell to liberty! liberty! that is the property of every what parish I belonged, or where I was born; so Englishman, and I will die in its defence! I was they sent me to another parish, and that parishlafraid, however, that I should be indicted for a

vagabond once more, so did not much care to go tries were posted, and rushing upon them, seized into the country, but kept about town, and did their arms in a moment, and knocked them down, little jobs when I could get them. I was very From thence, nine of us ran together to the quay happy in this manner for some time; till one even- and seizing the first boat we met, got out of the ing, coming home from work, two men knocked harbour, and put to sea. We had not been here me down, and then desired me to stand still. They three days, before we were taken up by an English belonged to a press-gang: I was carried before the privateer, who was glad of so many good hands, Justice, and as I could give no account of myself and we consented to run our chance. However, (that was the thing that always hobbled me), I we had not so much luck as we expected. In had my choice left, whether to go on board of a three days we fell in with a French man of war, man of war, or list for a soldier. I chose to be a of forty guns, while we had but twenty-three; so soldier; and in this post of a gentleman I served to it we went. The fight lasted for three hours, two campaigns in Flanders, was at the battles of and I verily believe we should have taken the Val and Fontenoy, and received but one wound Frenchman, but, unfortunately, we lost almost all through the breast, which is troublesome to this our men, just as we were going to get the victory. day. I was once more in the power of the French, and

"When the peace came on, I was discharged; I believe it would have gone hard with me, had I and as I could not work, because my wound was been brought back to my old gaol in Brest; but, sometimes painful, I listed for a landman in the by good fortune, we were re-taken, and carried to East India Company's service. I here fought the England once more. French in six pitched battles; and verily believe,

"I had almost forget to tell you, that in this last that if I could read and write, our captain would engagement I was wounded in two places; I lost have given me promotion, and made me a corpo- four fingers of the left hand, and my leg was shot ral. But that was not my good fortune; I soon off. Had I had the good fortune to have lost my fell sick, and when I became good for nothing, got leave to return home again with forty pounds in my pocket, which I saved in the service. This was at the beginning of the present war, so I hoped to be set on shore, and to have the pleasure of spending my money; but the government wanted men, and I was pressed again, before ever I could set foot on shore.

:

leg and use of my hand on board a king's ship, and not a privateer, I should have been entitled to clothing and maintenance during the rest of my life; but that was not my chance; one man is borr with a silver spoon in his mouth, and another with a wooden ladle. However, blessed be God, I enjoy good health, and have no enemy in this world that I know of, but the French and the Justice of Peace."

"The boatswain found me, as he said, an obstinate fellow he swore that I understood my busi- Thus saying, he limped off, leaving my friend ness perfectly well, but that I shammed Abraham and me in admiration of his intrepidity and conmerely to be idle. God knows, I knew nothing tent; nor could we avoid acknowledging, that an of sea business: he beat me without considering habitual acquaintance with misery is the truest what he was about. But still my forty pounds school of fortitude and philosophy. Adieu.

was some comfort to me under every beating: the money was my comfort, and the money I might have had to this day, but that our ship was taken by the French, and so I lost it all.

LETTER CXX.

From the Same.

"Our crew was carried into a French prison, and many of them died, because they were not used to live in a gaol; but for my part, it was nothing to THE titles of European princes are rather more me, for I was seasoned. One night, however, numerous than ours of Asia, but by no means so as I was sleeping on a bed of boards, with a warm sublime. The king of Visapour or Pegu, not blanket about me (for I always loved to lie well), satisfied with claiming the globe and all its appurI was awaked by the boatswain, who had a dark tenances to him and his heirs, asserts a property lantern in his hand. Jack,' says he to me, 'will even in the firmament, and extends his orders to French sentry's brains?' 'I the milky way. The monarchs of Europe, with don't care,' says I, striving to keep myself awake, more modesty, confine their titles to earth, but make 'if I lend a hand.' Then follow me,' says he, up by number what is wanting in their sublimity. 'and I hope we shall do business.' So up I got, Such is their passion for a long list of these splenand tied my blanket, which was all the clothes I did trifles, that I have known a German prince had, about my middle, and went with him to fight with more titles than subjects, and a Spanish nothe Frenchmen. We had no arms; but one Eng-bleman with more names than shirts.

you knock out the

lishman is able to beat five Frenchmen at any time; Contrary to this, "the English monarchs," says ac we went down to the door, where both the sen- a writer of the last century, "disdain to accept of