ThemanufacturersofLyonsgivehighsalariestodesignersoftalent；
inthatliesthesecretoftheirsuccess。LowpricescomefromCompetition——afruitfulsourceofwealth，andadaughterofLiberty。
Therefore，agovernmentwishingtoestablishonafirmbasistheprosperityoftrademustgivecommercefullliberty；onlybeingcarefultopreventthefraudswhichprivateinterests，oftenwronglyunderstood，mightinventattheexpenseofpublicandgeneralinterests。Infact，thegovernmentmustholdthescales，andallowthecitizenstoloadthemastheyplease。
InLyonsImetthemostfamouscourtezanofVenice。Itwasgenerallyadmittedthatherequalhadneverbeenseen。HernamewasAncilla。
Everymanwhosawhercovetedher，andshewassokindlydisposedthatshecouldnotrefuseherfavourstoanyone；forifallmenlovedheroneaftertheother，shereturnedthecomplimentbylovingthemallatonce，andwithherpecuniaryadvantageswereonlyaverysecondaryconsideration。
Venicehasalwaysbeenblessedwithcourtezansmorecelebratedbytheirbeautythantheirwit。ThosewhoweremostfamousinmyyoungerdayswereAncillaandanothercalledSpina，boththedaughtersofgondoliers，andbothkilledveryyoungbytheexcessesofaprofessionwhich，intheireyes，wasanobleone。Attheageoftwenty—two，AncillaturnedadancerandSpinabecameasinger。
Campioni，acelebratedVenetiandancer，impartedtothelovelyAncillaallthegracesandthetalentsofwhichherphysicalperfectionsweresusceptible，andmarriedher。Spinahadforhermasteracastratowhosucceededinmakingofheronlyaveryordinarysinger，andintheabsenceoftalentshewascompelled，inordertogetaliving，tomakethemostofthebeautyshehadreceivedfromnature。
IshallhaveoccasiontospeakagainofAncillabeforeherdeath。
ShewastheninLyonswithherhusband；theyhadjustreturnedfromEngland，wheretheyhadbeengreatlyapplaudedattheHaymarketTheatre。ShehadstoppedinLyonsonlyforherpleasure，and，themomentsheshewedherself，shehadatherfeetthemostbrilliantyoungmenofthetown，whoweretheslavesofherslightestcaprice。
Everydaypartiesofpleasure，everyeveningmagnificentsuppers，andeverynightagreatfarobank。ThebankeratthegamingtablewasacertainDonJosephMarratti，thesamemanwhomIhadknownintheSpanisharmyunderthenameofDonPepeilCadetto，andafewyearsafterwardsassumedthenameofAfflisio，andcametosuchabadend。
Thatfarobankwoninafewdaysthreehundredthousandfrancs。Inacapitalthatwouldnothavebeenconsideredalargesum，butinacommercialandindustrialcitylikeLyonsitraisedthealarmamongstthemerchants，andtheUltramontanesthoughtoftakingtheirleave。
ItwasinLyonsthatarespectableindividual，whoseacquaintanceI
madeatthehouseofM。deRochebaron，obtainedformethefavourofbeinginitiatedinthesublimetriflesofFreemasonry。IarrivedinParisasimpleapprentice；afewmonthsaftermyarrivalIbecamecompanionandmaster；thelastiscertainlythehighestdegreeinFreemasonry，foralltheotherdegreeswhichItookafterwardsareonlypleasinginventions，which，althoughsymbolical，addnothingtothedignityofmaster。
Nooneinthisworldcanobtainaknowledgeofeverything，buteverymanwhofeelshimselfendowedwithfaculties，andcanrealizetheextentofhismoralstrength，shouldendeavourtoobtainthegreatestpossibleamountofknowledge。Awell—bornyoungmanwhowishestotravelandknownotonlytheworld，butalsowhatiscalledgoodsociety，whodoesnotwanttofindhimself，undercertaincircumstances，inferiortohisequals，andexcludedfromparticipatinginalltheirpleasures，mustgethimselfinitiatedinwhatiscalledFreemasonry，evenifitisonlytoknowsuperficiallywhatFreemasonryis。Itisacharitableinstitution，which，atcertaintimesandincertainplaces，mayhavebeenapretextforcriminalunderplotsgotupfortheoverthrowofpublicorder，butisthereanythingunderheaventhathasnotbeenabused？HavewenotseentheJesuits，underthecloakofourholyreligion，thrustintotheparricidalhandofblindenthusiaststhedaggerwithwhichkingsweretobeassassinated！Allmenofimportance，Imeanthosewhosesocialexistenceismarkedbyintelligenceandmerit，bylearningorbywealth，canbe（andmanyofthemare）Freemasons:isitpossibletosupposethatsuchmeetings，inwhichtheinitiated，makingitalawnevertospeak，’intramuros’，eitherofpolitics，orofreligions，orofgovernments，converseonlyconcerningemblemswhichareeithermoralortrifling；isitpossibletosuppose，Irepeat，thatthosemeetings，inwhichthegovernmentsmayhavetheirowncreatures，canofferdangerssufficientlyserioustowarranttheproscriptionsofkingsortheexcommunicationsofPopes？
Inrealitysuchproceedingsmisstheendforwhichtheyareundertaken，andthePope，inspiteofhisinfallibility，willnotpreventhispersecutionsfromgivingFreemasonryanimportancewhichitwouldperhapshaveneverobtainedifithadbeenleftalone。
Mysteryistheessenceofman’snature，andwhateverpresentsitselftomankindunderamysteriousappearancewillalwaysexcitecuriosityandbesought，evenwhenmenaresatisfiedthattheveilcoversnothingbutacypher。
Uponthewhole，Iwouldadviseallwell—bornyoungmen，whointendtotravel，tobecomeFreemasons；butIwouldlikewiseadvisethemtobecarefulinselectingalodge，because，althoughbadcompanycannothaveanyinfluencewhileinsideofthelodge，thecandidatemustguardagainstbadacquaintances。
ThosewhobecomeFreemasonsonlyforthesakeoffindingoutthesecretoftheorder，runaverygreatriskofgrowingoldunderthetrowelwithouteverrealizingtheirpurpose。Yetthereisasecret，butitissoinviolablethatithasneverbeenconfidedorwhisperedtoanyone。Thosewhostopattheoutwardcrustofthingsimaginethatthesecretconsistsinwords，insigns，orthatthemainpointofitistobefoundonlyinreachingthehighestdegree。Thisisamistakenview:themanwhoguessesthesecretofFreemasonry，andtoknowityoumustguessit，reachesthatpointonlythroughlongattendanceinthelodges，throughdeepthinking，comparison，anddeduction。HewouldnottrustthatsecrettohisbestfriendinFreemasonry，becauseheisawarethatifhisfriendhasnotfounditout，hecouldnotmakeanyuseofitafterithadbeenwhisperedinhisear。No，hekeepshispeace，andthesecretremainsasecret。
Everythingdoneinalodgemustbesecret；butthosewhohaveunscrupulouslyrevealedwhatisdoneinthelodge，havebeenunabletorevealthatwhichisessential；theyhadnoknowledgeofit，andhadtheyknownit，theycertainlywouldnothaveunveiledthemysteryoftheceremonies。
Theimpressionfeltinourdaysbythenon—initiatedisofthesamenatureasthatfeltinformertimesbythosewhowerenotinitiatedinthemysteriesenactedatEleusisinhonourofCeres。ButthemysteriesofEleusisinterestedthewholeofGreece，andwhoeverhadattainedsomeeminenceinthesocietyofthosedayshadanardentwishtotakeapartinthosemysteriousceremonies，whileFreemasonry，inthemidstofmanymenofthehighestmerit，reckonsacrowdofscoundrelswhomnosocietyoughttoacknowledge，becausetheyaretherefuseofmankindasfarasmoralityisconcerned。
InthemysteriesofCeres，aninscrutablesilencewaslongkept，owingtothevenerationinwhichtheywereheld。Besides，whatwasthereinthemthatcouldberevealed？Thethreewordswhichthehierophantsaidtotheinitiated？Butwhatwouldthatrevelationhavecometo？Onlytodishonourtheindiscreetinitiate，fortheywerebarbarouswordsunknowntothevulgar。IhavereadsomewherethatthethreesacredwordsofthemysteriesofEleusismeant:Watch，anddonoevil。Thesacredwordsandthesecretsofthevariousmasonicdegreesareaboutascriminal。
TheinitiationinthemysteriesofEleusislastedninedays。Theceremonieswereveryimposing，andthecompanyofthehighest。
PlutarchinformsusthatAlcibiadeswassentencedtodeathandhispropertyconfiscated，becausehehaddaredtoturnthemysteriesintoridiculeinhishouse。Hewasevensentencedtobecursedbythepriestsandpriestesses，butthecursewasnotpronouncedbecauseoneofthepriestessesopposedit，saying:
\"Iamapriestesstoblessandnottocurse！\"
Sublimewords！LessonsofwisdomandofmoralitywhichthePopedespises，butwhichtheGospelteachesandwhichtheSaviourprescribes。
Inourdaysnothingisimportant，andnothingissacred，forourcosmopolitanphilosophers。
BotarellipublishesinapamphletalltheceremoniesoftheFreemasons，andtheonlysentencepassedonhimis:
\"Heisascoundrel。Weknewthatbefore！\"
AprinceinNaples，andM。Hamiltoninhisownhouse，performthemiracleofSt。Januarius；theyare，mostlikely，verymerryovertheirperformance，andmanymorewiththem。YetthekingwearsonhisroyalbreastastarwiththefollowingdevicearoundtheimageofSt。Januarius:’Insanguinefoedus’。Inourdayseverythingisinconsistent，andnothinghasanymeaning。Yetitisrighttogoahead，fortostopontheroadwouldbetogofrombadtoworse。
WeleftLyonsinthepublicdiligence，andwerefivedaysonourroadtoParis。Balettihadgivennoticeofhisdeparturetohisfamily；
theythereforeknewwhentoexpecthim。Wewereeightinthecoachandourseatswereveryuncomfortable，foritwasalargeovalinshape，sothatnoonehadacorner。Ifthatvehiclehadbeenbuiltinacountrywhereequalitywasaprinciplehallowedbythelaws，itwouldnothavebeenabadillustration。Ithoughtitwasabsurd，butIwasinaforeigncountry，andIsaidnothing。Besides，beinganItalian，wouldithavebeenrightformenottoadmireeverythingwhichwasFrench，andparticularlyinFrance？——Example，anovaldiligence:Irespectedthefashion，butIfounditdetestable，andthesingularmotionofthatvehiclehadthesameeffectuponmeastherollingofashipinaheavysea。Yetitwaswellhung，buttheworstjoltingwouldhavedisturbedmeless。
Asthediligenceundulatesintherapidityofitspace，ithasbeencalledagondola，butIwasajudgeofgondolas，andIthoughtthattherewasnofamilylikenessbetweenthecoachandtheVenetianboatswhich，withtwoheartyrowers，glidealongsoswiftlyandsmoothly。
TheeffectofthemovementwasthatIhadtothrowupwhateverwasonmystomach。Mytravellingcompanionsthoughtmebadcompany，buttheydidnotsayso。IwasinFranceandamongFrenchmen，whoknowwhatpolitenessis。TheyonlyremarkedthatverylikelyIhadeatentoomuchatmysupper，andaParisianabbe，inordertoexcuseme，observedthatmystomachwasweak。Adiscussionarose。
\"Gentlemen，\"Isaid，inmyvexation，andratherangrily，\"youareallwrong，formystomachisexcellent，andIhavenothadanysupper。\"
Thereuponanelderlymantoldme，withavoicefullofsweetness，thatIoughtnottosaythatthegentlemenwerewrong，thoughImightsaythattheywerenotright，thusimitatingCicero，who，insteadofdeclaringtotheRomansthatCatilinaandtheotherconspiratorsweredead，onlysaidthattheyhadlived。
\"Isitnotthesamething？\"
\"Ibegyourpardon，sir，onewayofspeakingispolite，theotherisnot。\"Andaftertreatingmetoalongdissectiononpoliteness，heconcludedbysaying，withasmile，\"IsupposeyouareanItalian？\"
\"Yes，Iam，butwouldyouobligemebytellingmehowyouhavefounditout？\"
\"Oh！Iguesseditfromtheattentionwithwhichyouhavelistenedtomylongprattle。\"
Everybodylaughed，and，I，muchpleasedwithhiseccentricity，begantocoaxhim。Hewasthetutorofayoungboyoftwelveorthirteenyearswhowasseatednearhim。ImadehimgivemeduringthejourneylessonsinFrenchpoliteness，andwhenwepartedhetookmeapartinafriendlymanner，sayingthathewishedtomakemeasmallpresent。
\"Whatisit？\"
\"Youmustabandon，and，ifImaysayso，forget，theparticle’non’，whichyouusefrequentlyatrandom。’Non’isnotaFrenchword；
insteadofthatunpleasantmonosyllable，say，’Pardon’。’Non’isequaltogivingthelie:neversayit，orprepareyourselftogiveandtoreceivesword—stabseverymoment。\"
\"Ithankyou，monsieur，yourpresentisveryprecious，andIpromiseyounevertosaynonagain。\"
DuringthefirstfortnightofmystayinParis，itseemedtomethatIhadbecomethemostfaultymanalive，forIneverceasedbeggingpardon。Ieventhought，oneeveningatthetheatre，thatIshouldhaveaquarrelforhavingbeggedsomebody’spardoninthewrongplace。Ayoungfop，comingtothepit，trodonmyfoot，andI
hastenedtosay，\"Yourpardon，sir。\"
\"Sir，pardonmeyourself。\"
\"No，yourself。\"
\"Yourself！\"
\"Well，sir，letuspardonandembraceoneanother！\"Theembraceputastoptothediscussion。
Onedayduringthejourney，havingfallenasleepfromfatigueintheinconvenientgondola，someonepushedmyarm。
\"Ah，sir！lookatthatmansion！\"
\"Iseeit；whatofit？\"
\"Ah！Iprayyou，doyounotfindit……\"
\"Ifindnothingparticular；andyou？\"
\"Nothingwonderful，ifitwerenotsituatedatadistanceoffortyleaguesfromParis。Buthere！Ah！wouldmy’badauds’ofParisiansbelievethatsuchabeautifulmansioncanbefoundfortyleaguesdistantfromthemetropolis？Howignorantamaniswhenhehasnevertravelled！\"
\"Youarequiteright。\"
ThatmanwasaParisiananda’badaud’tothebackbone，likeaGaulinthedaysofCaesar。
ButiftheParisiansareloungingaboutfrommorningtillnight，enjoyingeverythingaroundthem，aforeignerlikemyselfoughttohavebeenagreater’badaud’thanthey！Thedifferencebetweenuswasthat，beingaccustomedtoseethingssuchastheyare，Iwasastonishedatseeingthemoftencoveredwithamaskwhichchangedtheirnature，whiletheirsurpriseoftenarosefromtheirsuspectingwhatthemaskconcealed。
Whatdelightedme，onmyarrivalinParis，wasthemagnificentroadmadebyLouisXV。，thecleanlinessofthehotels，theexcellentfaretheygive，thequicknessoftheservice，theexcellentbeds，themodestappearanceoftheattendant，whogenerallyisthemostaccomplishedgirlofthehouse，andwhosedecency，modestmanners，andneatness，inspirethemostshamelesslibertinewithrespect。
WhereistheItalianwhoispleasedwiththeeffronteryandtheinsolenceofthehotel—waitersinItaly？Inmydays，peopledidnotknowinFrancewhatitwastoovercharge；itwastrulythehomeofforeigners。True，theyhadtheunpleasantnessofoftenwitnessingactsofodiousdespotism，’lettresdecachet’，etc。；itwasthedespotismofaking。SincethattimetheFrenchhavethedespotismofthepeople。Isitlessobnoxious？
WedinedatFontainebleau，anamederivedfromFontaine—belle—eau；
andwhenwewereonlytwoleaguesfromPariswesawaberlinadvancingtowardsus。Asitcamenearthediligence，myfriendBaletticalledouttothepostillionstostop。Intheberlinwashismother，whoofferedmethewelcomegiventoanexpectedfriend。HismotherwasthecelebratedactressSilvia，andwhenIhadbeenintroducedtohershesaidtome；
\"Ihope，sir，thatmyson’sfriendwillacceptashareofourfamilysupperthisevening。\"
Iacceptedgratefully，satdownagaininthegondola，Balettigotintotheberlinwithhismother，andwecontinuedourjourney。
OnreachingParis，IfoundaservantofSilvia’swaitingformewithacoach；heaccompaniedmetomylodgingtoleavemyluggage，andwerepairedtoBaletti’shouse，whichwasonlyfiftyyardsdistantfrommydwelling。
Balettipresentedmetohisfather，whowasknownunderthenameofMario。SilviaandMariowerethestagenamesassumedbyM。andMadameBaletti，andatthattimeitwasthecustominFrancetocalltheItalianactorsbythenamestheyhadonthestage。’Bonjour’，MonsieurArlequin；’bonjour’，MonsieurPantalon:suchwasthemannerinwhichtheFrenchusedtoaddresstheactorswhopersonifiedthosecharactersonthestage。
CHAPTERVI
MyApprenticeshipinParis——Portraits——Oddities——AllSortsofThingsTocelebratethearrivalofherson，Silviagaveasplendidsuppertowhichshehadinvitedallherrelatives，anditwasagoodopportunityformetomaketheiracquaintance。Baletti’sfather，whohadjustrecoveredfromalongillness，wasnotwithus，butwehadhisfather’ssister，whowasolderthanMario。Shewasknown，underhertheatricalnameofFlaminia，intheliteraryworldbyseveraltranslations，butIhadagreatwishtomakeheracquaintancelessonthataccountthaninconsequenceofthestory，knownthroughoutItaly，ofthestaythatthreeliterarymenofgreatfamehadmadeinParis。ThosethreeliteratiweretheMarquisMaffei，theAbbeConti，andPierreJacquesMartelli，whobecameenemies，accordingtopublicrumour，owingtothebeliefentertainedbyeachofthemthathepossessedthefavoursoftheactress，and，beingmenoflearning，theyfoughtwiththepen。MartellicomposedasatireagainstMaffei，inwhichhedesignatedhimbytheanagramofFemia。
IhadbeenannouncedtoFlaminiaasacandidateforliteraryfame，andshethoughtshehonouredmebyaddressingmeatall，butshewaswrong，forshedispleasedmegreatlybyherface，hermanners，herstyle，evenbythesoundofhervoice。Withoutsayingitpositively，shemademeunderstandthat，beingherselfanillustriousmemberoftherepublicofletters，shewaswellawarethatshewasspeakingtoaninsect。Sheseemedasifshewantedtodictatetoeverybodyaroundher，andsheverylikelythoughtthatshehadtherighttodosoattheageofsixty，particularlytowardsayoungnoviceonlytwenty—fiveyearsold，whohadnotyetcontributedanythingtotheliterarytreasury。Inordertopleaseher，IspoketoheroftheAbbeConti，andIhadoccasiontoquotetwolinesofthatprofoundwriter。Madamcorrectedmewithapatronizingairformypronounciationoftheword’scevra’，whichmeansdivided，sayingthatitoughttobepronounced’sceura’，andsheaddedthatIoughttobeverygladtohavelearnedsomuchonthefirstdayofmyarrivalinParis，tellingmethatitwouldbeanimportantdayinmylife。
\"Madam，Icameheretolearnandnottounlearn。Youwillkindlyallowmetotellyouthatthepronunciationofthatword’scevra’
withav，andnot’sceura’withau，becauseitisacontractionof’sceverra’。\"
\"Itremainstobeseenwhichofusiswrong。\"
\"You，madam，accordingtoAriosto，whomakes’scevra’rhymewith’persevra’，andtherhymewouldbefalsewith’sceura’，whichisnotanItalianword。\"
Shewouldhavekeptupthediscussion，butherhusband，amaneightyyearsofage，toldherthatshewaswrong。Sheheldhertongue，butfromthattimeshetoldeverybodythatIwasanimpostor。
Herhusband，LouisRiccoboni，betterknownasLelio，wasthesamewhohadbroughttheItaliancompanytoParisin1716，andplaceditattheserviceoftheregent:hewasamanofgreatmerit。Hehadbeenveryhandsome，andjustlyenjoyedtheesteemofthepublic，inconsequencenotonlyofhistalentbutalsoofthepurityofhislife。
DuringsuppermyprincipaloccupationwastostudySilvia，whothenenjoyedthegreatestreputation，andIjudgedhertobeevenaboveit。Shewasthenaboutfiftyyearsold，herfigurewaselegant，herairnoble，hermannersgracefulandeasy；shewasaffable，witty，kindtoeverybody，simpleandunpretending。Herfacewasanenigma，foritinspiredeveryonewiththewarmestsympathy，andyetifyouexamineditattentivelytherewasnotonebeautifulfeature；shecouldnotbecalledhandsome，butnoonecouldhavethoughtherugly。
Yetshewasnotoneofthosewomenwhoareneitherhandsomenorugly，forshepossessedacertainsomethingwhichstruckoneatfirstsightandcaptivatedtheinterest。Thenwhatwasshe？
Beautiful，certainly，butowingtocharmsunknowntoallthosewho，notbeingattractedtowardsherbyanirresistiblefeelingwhichcompelledthemtoloveher，hadnotthecouragetostudyher，ortheconstancytoobtainathoroughknowledgeofher。
SilviawastheadorationofFrance，andhertalentwastherealsupportofallthecomedieswhichthegreatestauthorswroteforher，especiallyof，theplaysofMarivaux，forwithoutherhiscomedieswouldneverhavegonetoposterity。Neverwasanactressfoundwhocouldreplaceher，andtofindoneitwouldbenecessarythatsheshoulduniteinherselfalltheperfectionswhichSilviapossessedforthedifficultprofessionofthestage:action，voice，intelligence，wit，countenance，manners，andadeepknowledgeofthehumanheart。InSilviaeveryqualitywasfromnature，andtheartwhichgavethelasttouchofperfectiontoherqualitieswasneverseen。
TothequalitieswhichIhavejustmentioned，Silviaaddedanotherwhichsurroundedherwithabrillianthalo，andtheabsenceofwhichwouldnothavepreventedherfrombeingtheshiningstarofthestage:sheledavirtuouslife。Shehadbeenanxioustohavefriends，butshehaddismissedalllovers，refusingtoavailherselfofaprivilegewhichshecouldeasilyhaveenjoyed，butwhichwouldhaverenderedhercontemptibleinherownestimation。Theirreproachableconductobtainedforherareputationofrespectabilitywhich，atherage，wouldhavebeenheldasridiculousandeveninsultingbyanyotherwomanbelongingtothesameprofession，andmanyladiesofthehighestrankhonouredherwithherfriendshipmoreeventhanwiththeirpatronage。NeverdidthecapriciousaudienceofaParisianpitdaretohissSilvia，noteveninherperformanceofcharacterswhichthepublicdisliked，anditwasthegeneralopinionthatshewasineverywayaboveherprofession。
Silviadidnotthinkthathergoodconductwasamerit，forsheknewthatshewasvirtuousonlybecauseherself—lovecompelledhertobeso，andsheneverexhibitedanyprideorassumedanysuperioritytowardshertheatricalsisters，although，satisfiedtoshinebytheirtalentortheirbeauty，theycaredlittleaboutrenderingthemselvesconspicuousbytheirvirtue。Silvialovedthemall，andtheyalllovedher；shealwayswasthefirsttopraise，openlyandwithgoodfaith，thetalentofherrivals；butshelostnothingbyit，because，beingtheirsuperiorintalentandenjoyingaspotlessreputation，herrivalscouldnotriseaboveher。
Naturedeprivedthatcharmingwomanoftenyearoflife；shebecameconsumptiveattheageofsixty，tenyearsafterIhadmadeheracquaintance。TheclimateofParisoftenprovesfataltoourItalianactresses。TwoyearsbeforeherdeathIsawherperformthecharacterofMarianneinthecomedyofMarivaux，andinspiteofherageanddeclininghealththeillusionwascomplete。Shediedinmypresence，holdingherdaughterinherarms，andshewasgivinghertheadviceofatendermotherfiveminutesbeforeshebreathedherlast。ShewashonourablyburiedinthechurchofSt。Sauveur，withouttheslightestoppositionfromthevenerablepriest，who，farfromsharingtheanti—christainintolerancyoftheclergyingeneral，saidthatherprofessionasanactresshadnothinderedherfrombeingagoodChristian，andthattheearthwasthecommonmotherofallhumanbeings，asJesusChristhadbeentheSaviourofallmankind。
Youwillforgiveme，dearreader，ifIhavemadeyouattendthefuneralofSilviatenyearsbeforeherdeath；believemeIhavenointentionofperformingamiracle；youmayconsoleyourselfwiththeideathatIshallspareyouthatunpleasanttaskwhenpoorSilviadies。
Heronlydaughter，theobjectofheradoration，wasseatednexttoheratthesupper—table。Shewasthenonlynineyearsold，andbeingentirelytakenupbyhermotherIpaidnoattentiontoher；myinterestinherwastocome。
Afterthesupper，whichwasprotractedtoalatehour，IrepairedtothehouseofMadameQuinson，mylandlady，whereIfoundmyselfverycomfortable。WhenIwokeinthemorning，thesaidMadameQuinsoncametomyroomtotellmethataservantwasoutsideandwishedtooffermehisservices。Iaskedhertosendhimin，andIsawamanofverysmallstature；thatdidnotpleaseme，andItoldhimso。
\"Mysmallstature，yourhonour，willbeaguaranteethatIshallneverborrowyourclothestogotosomeamorousrendezvous。\"
\"Yourname？\"
\"Anynameyouplease。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？Iwantthenamebywhichyouareknown。\"
\"Ihavenone。EverymasterIservecallsmeaccordingtohisfancy，andIhaveservedmorethanfiftyinmylife。Youmaycallmewhatyoulike。\"
\"Butyoumusthaveafamilyname。\"
\"Ineverhadanyfamily。Ihadaname，Ibelieve，inmyyoungdays，butIhaveforgottenitsinceIhavebeeninservice。Mynamehaschangedwitheverynewmaster。\"
\"Well！IshallcallyouEsprit。\"
\"Youdomeagreathonour。\"
\"Here，goandgetmechangeforaLouis。\"
\"Ihaveit，sir。\"
\"Iseeyouarerich。\"
\"Atyourservice，sir。\"
\"WherecanIenquireaboutyou？\"
\"Attheagencyforservants。MadameQuinson，besides，canansweryourenquiries。EverybodyinParisknowsme。\"
\"Thatisenough。Ishallgiveyouthirtysousaday；youmustfindyourownclothes:youwillsleepwhereyoulike，andyoumustbehereatseveno’clockeverymorning。\"
Baletticalledonmeandentreatedmetotakemymealseverydayathishouse。AfterhisvisitItoldEsprittotakemetothePalais—
Royal，andIlefthimatthegates。Ifeltthegreatestcuriosityaboutthatrenownedgarden，andatfirstIexaminedeverything。I
seearatherfinegarden，walkslinedwithbigtrees，fountains，highhousesallroundthegarden，agreatmanymenandwomenwalkingabout，bencheshereandthereformingshopsforthesaleofnewspapers，perfumes，tooth—picks，andothertrifles。Iseeaquantityofchairsforhireattherateofonesou，menreadingthenewspaperundertheshadeofthetrees，girlsandmenbreakfastingeitheraloneorincompany，waiterswhowererapidlygoingupanddownanarrowstaircasehiddenunderthefoliage。
Isitdownatasmalltable:awaitercomesimmediatelytoenquiremywishes。Iaskforsomechocolatemadewithwater；hebringsmesome，butverybad，althoughservedinasplendidsilver—giltcup。Itellhimtogivemesomecoffee，ifitisgood。
\"Excellent，Imadeitmyselfyesterday。\"
\"Yesterday！Idonotwantit。\"
\"Themilkisverygood。\"
\"Milk！Ineverdrinkany。Makemeacupoffreshcoffeewithoutmilk。\"
\"Withoutmilk！Well，sir，wenevermakecoffeebutintheafternoon。
Wouldyoulikeagoodbavaroise，oradecanteroforgeat？\"
\"Yes，givemetheorgeat。\"
Ifindthatbeveragedelicious，andmakeupmymindtohaveitdailyformybreakfast。Ienquirefromthewaiterwhetherthereisanynews；heanswersthatthedauphinehasbeendeliveredofaprince。
Anabbe，seatedatatablecloseby，saystohim，——
\"Youaremad，shehasgivenbirthtoaprincess。\"
Athirdmancomesforwardandexclaims，——
\"IhavejustreturnedfromVersailles，andthedauphinehasnotbeendeliveredeitherofaprinceorofaprincess。\"
Then，turningtowardsme，hesaysthatIlooklikeaforeigner，andwhenIsaythatIamanItalianhebeginstospeaktomeofthecourt，ofthecity，ofthetheatres，andatlastheofferstoaccompanymeeverywhere。Ithankhimandtakemyleave。Theabberisesatthesametime，walkswithme，andtellsmethenamesofallthewomenwemeetinthegarden。
Ayoungmancomesuptohim，theyembraceoneanother，andtheabbepresentshimtomeasalearnedItalianscholar。IaddresshiminItalian，andheanswersverywittily，buthiswayofspeakingmakesmesmile，andItellhimwhy。HeexpressedhimselfexactlyinthestyleofBoccacio。Myremarkpleaseshim，butIsoonprovetohimthatitisnottherightwaytospeak，howeverperfectmayhavebeenthelanguageofthatancientwriter。Inlessthanaquarterofanhourweareexcellentfriends，forwefindthatourtastesarethesame。
MynewfriendwasapoetasIwas；hewasanadmirerofItalianliterature，whileIadmiredtheFrench。
Weexchangedaddresses，andpromisetoseeoneanotherveryoften。
Iseeacrowdinonecornerofthegarden，everybodystandingstillandlookingup。Ienquirefrommyfriendwhetherthereisanythingwonderfulgoingon。
\"Thesepersonsarewatchingthemeridian；everyoneholdshiswatchinhishandinordertoregulateitexactlyatnoon。\"
\"Istherenotameridianeverywhere？\"
\"Yes，butthemeridianofthePalais—Royalisthemostexact。\"
Ilaughheartily。
\"Whydoyoulaugh？\"
\"Becauseitisimpossibleforallmeridiansnottobethesame。Thatistrue’badauderie’。\"
Myfriendlooksatmeforamoment，thenhelaughslikewise，andsuppliesmewithamplefoodtoridiculetheworthyParisians。WeleavethePalais—Royalthroughthemaingate，andIobserveanothercrowdofpeoplebeforeashop，onthesign—boardofwhichIread\"AttheSignoftheCivetCat。\"
\"Whatisthematterhere？\"
\"Now，indeed，youaregoingtolaugh。Allthesehonestpersonsarewaitingtheirturntogettheirsnuff—boxesfilled。\"
\"Istherenootherdealerinsnuff？\"
\"Itissoldeverywhere，butforthelastthreeweeksnobodywilluseanysnuffbutthatsoldatthe’CivetCat。’\"
\"Isitbetterthananywhereelse？\"
\"Perhapsitisnotasgood，butsinceithasbeenbroughtintofashionbytheDuchessedeChartres，nobodywillhaveanyother。\"
\"Buthowdidshemanagetorenderitsofashionable？\"
\"Simplybystoppinghercarriagetwoorthreetimesbeforetheshoptohavehersnuff—boxfilled，andbysayingaloudtotheyounggirlwhohandedbacktheboxthathersnuffwastheverybestinParis。
The’badauds’，whoneverfailtocongregatenearthecarriageofprinces，nomatteriftheyhaveseenthemahundredtimes，oriftheyknowthemtobeasuglyasmonkeys，repeatedthewordsoftheduchesseverywhere，andthatwasenoughtosendhereallthesnuff—takersofthecapitalinahurry。Thiswomanwillmakeafortune，forshesellsatleastonehundredcrowns’worthofsnuffeveryday。\"
\"Verylikelytheduchesshasnoideaofthegoodshehasdone。\"
\"Quitethereverse，foritwasacunningartificeonherpart。Theduchess，feelinginterestedinthenewly—marriedyoungwoman，andwishingtoserveherinadelicatemanner，thoughtofthatexpedientwhichhasmetwithcompletesuccess。YoucannotimaginehowkindParisiansare。Youarenowintheonlycountryintheworldwherewitcanmakeafortunebysellingeitheragenuineorafalsearticle:inthefirstcase，itreceivesthewelcomeofintelligentandtalentedpeople，andinthesecond，foolsarealwaysreadytorewardit，forsillinessistrulyacharacteristicofthepeoplehere，and，howeverwonderfulitmayappear，sillinessisthedaughterofwit。ThereforeitisnotaparadoxtosaythattheFrenchwouldbewiseriftheywerelesswitty。
\"Thegodsworshippedherealthoughnoaltarsareraisedforthem——areNoveltyandFashion。Letamanrun，andeverybodywillrunafterhim。Thecrowdwillnotstop，unlessthemanisprovedtobemad；
buttoproveitisindeedadifficulttask，becausewehaveacrowdofmenwho，madfromtheirbirth，arestillconsideredwise。
\"Thesnuffofthe’CivetCat’isbutoneexampleofthefacilitywithwhichthecrowdcanbeattractedtooneparticularspot。Thekingwasonedayhunting，andfoundhimselfattheNeuillyBridge；beingthirsty，hewantedaglassofratafia。Hestoppedatthedoorofadrinking—booth，andbythemostluckychancethepoorkeeperoftheplacehappenedtohaveabottleofthatliquor。Theking，afterhehaddrunkasmallglass，fanciedasecondone，andsaidthathehadnevertastedsuchdeliciousratafiainhislife。ThatwasenoughtogivetheratafiaofthegoodmanofNeuillythereputationofbeingthebestinEurope:thekinghadsaidso。Theconsequencewasthatthemostbrilliantsocietyfrequentedthetavernofthedelightedpublican，whoisnowaverywealthyman，andhasbuiltontheveryspotasplendidhouseonwhichcanbereadthefollowingrathercomicmotto:’Exliquidissolidum，’whichcertainlycameoutoftheheadofoneofthefortyimmortals。Whichgodsmusttheworthytavern—keeperworship？Silliness，frivolity，andmirth。\"
\"Itseemstome，\"Ireplied，\"thatsuchapproval，suchratificationoftheopinionexpressedbytheking，theprincesoftheblood，etc。，isratheraproofoftheaffectionfeltforthembythenation，fortheFrenchcarrythataffectiontosuchanextentthattheybelievetheminfallible。\"
\"ItiscertainthateverythingherecausesforeignerstobelievethattheFrenchpeopleadoretheking，butallthinkingmenhereknowwellenoughthatthereismoreshowthanrealityinthatadoration，andthecourthasnoconfidenceinit。WhenthekingcomestoParis，everybodycallsout，’ViveleRoi！’becausesomeidlefellowbegins，orbecausesomepolicemanhasgiventhesignalfromthemidstofthecrowd，butitisreallyacrywhichhasnoimportance，acrygivenoutofcheerfulness，sometimesoutoffear，andwhichthekinghimselfdoesnotacceptasgospel。HedoesnotfeelcomfortableinParis，andheprefersbeinginVersailles，surroundedbytwenty—fivethousandmenwhoprotecthimagainstthefuryofthatsamepeopleofParis，who，ifevertheybecamewiser，mightverywellonedaycallout，’DeathtotheKing！’insteadof，’LonglifetotheKing！’LouisXIV。waswellawareofit，andseveralcouncillorsoftheupperchamberlosttheirlivesforhavingadvisedtheassemblingofthestates—generalinordertofindsomeremedyforthemisfortunesofthecountry。Franceneverhadanyloveforanykings，withtheexceptionofSt。Louis，ofLouisXII，andofthegreatandgoodHenryIV。；andeveninthelastcasetheloveofthenationwasnotsufficienttodefendthekingagainstthedaggeroftheJesuits，anaccursedrace，theenemyofnationsaswellasofkings。Thepresentking，whoisweakandentirelyledbyhisministers，saidcandidlyatthetimehewasjustrecoveringfromillness，’Iamsurprisedattherejoicingsofthepeopleinconsequenceofmyhealthbeingrestored，forIcannotimaginewhytheyshouldlovemesodearly。’Manykingsmightrepeatthesamewords，atleastifloveistobemeasuredaccordingtotheamountofgoodactuallydone。ThatcandidremarkofLouisXV。hasbeenhighlypraised，butsomephilosopherofthecourtoughttohaveinformedhimthathewassomuchlovedbecausehehadbeensurnamed’lebienaime’。\"
\"Surnameornickname；butarethereanyphilosophersatthecourtofFrance？\"
\"No，forphilosophersandcourtiersareaswidelydifferentaslightanddarkness；buttherearesomemenofintelligencewhochampthebitfrommotivesofambitionandinterest。\"
Aswewerethusconversing，M。Patu（suchwasthenameofmynewacquaintance）escortedmeasfarasthedoorofSilvia’shouse；hecongratulatedmeuponbeingoneofherfriends，andwepartedcompany。
Ifoundtheamiableactressingoodcompany。Sheintroducedmetoallherguests，andgavemesomeparticularsrespectingeveryoneofthem。ThenameofCrebillonstruckmyear。
\"What，sir！\"Isaidtohim，\"amIfortunateenoughtoseeyou？Foreightyearsyouhavecharmedme，foreightyearsIhavelongedtoknowyou。Listen，Ibeg’ofyou。\"
Ithenrecitedthefinestpassageofhis’ZenobieetRhadamiste’，whichIhadtranslatedintoblankverse。SilviawasdelightedtoseethepleasureenjoyedbyCrebilloninhearing，attheageofeighty，hisownlinesinalanguagewhichheknewthoroughlyandlovedasmuchashisown。HehimselfrecitedthesamepassageinFrench，andpolitelypointedoutthepartsinwhichhethoughtthatIhadimprovedontheoriginal。Ithankedhim，butIwasnotdeceivedbyhiscompliment。
Wesatdowntosupper，and，beingaskedwhatIhadalreadyseeninParis，IrelatedeverythingIhaddone，omittingonlymyconversationwithPatu。AfterIhadspokenforalongtime，Crebillon，whohadevidentlyobservedbetterthananyoneelsetheroadIhadchoseninordertolearnthegoodaswellasthebadqualitiesbyhiscountrymen，saidtome，\"Forthefirstday，sir，Ithinkthatwhatyouhavedonegivesgreathopesofyou，andwithoutanydoubtyouwillmakerapidprogress。
Youtellyourstorywell，andyouspeakFrenchinsuchawayastobeperfectlyunderstood；yetallyousayisonlyItaliandressedinFrench。Thatisanoveltywhichcausesyoutobelistenedtowithinterest，andwhichcaptivatestheattentionofyouraudience；ImustevenaddthatyourFranco—Italianlanguageisjustthethingtoenlistinyourfavourthesympathyofthosewholistentoyou，becauseitissingular，new，andbecauseyouareinacountrywhereeverybodyworshipsthosetwodivinities——noveltyandsingularity。
Nevertheless，youmustbeginto—morrowandapplyyourselfingoodearnest，inordertoacquireathoroughknowledgeofourlanguage，forthesamepersonswhowarmlyapplaudyounow，will，intwoorthreemonths，laughatyou。\"
\"Ibelieveit，sir，andthatiswhatIfear；thereforetheprincipalobjectofmyvisithereistodevotemyselfentirelytothestudyoftheFrenchlanguage。But，sir，howshallIfindateacher？Iamaveryunpleasantpupil，alwaysaskingquestions，curious，troublesome，insatiable，andevensupposingthatIcouldmeetwiththeteacherI
require，IamafraidIamnotrichenoughtopayhim。\"
\"Forfiftyyears，sir，Ihavebeenlookingoutforapupilsuchasyouhavejustdescribedyourself，andIwouldwillinglypayyoumyselfifyouwouldcometomyhouseandreceivemylessons。I
resideintheMarais，RuedeDouzePortes。IhavethebestItalianpoets。IwillmakeyoutranslatethemintoFrench，andyouneednotbeafraidofmyfindingyouinsatiable。\"
Iacceptedwithjoy。Ididnotknowhowtoexpressmygratitude，butbothhisofferandthefewwordsofmyanswerborethestampoftruthandfrankness。
Crebillonwasagiant；hewassixfeethigh，andthreeinchestallerthanI。Hehadagoodappetite，couldtellagoodstorywithoutlaughing，wascelebratedforhiswittyreparteesandhissociablemanners，buthespenthislifeathome，seldomgoingout，andseeinghardlyanyonebecausehealwayshadapipeinhismouthandwassurroundedbyatleasttwentycats，withwhichhewouldamusehimselfallday。Hehadanoldhousekeeper，acook，andaman—servant。Hishousekeeperhadthemanagementofeverything；sheneverallowedhimtobeinneedofanything，andshegavenoaccountofhismoney，whichshekeptaltogether，becauseheneveraskedhertorenderanyaccounts。TheexpressionofCrebillon’sfacewasthatofthelion’sorofthecat’s，whichisthesamething。Hewasoneoftheroyalcensors，andhetoldmethatitwasanamusementforhim。Hishousekeeperwasinthehabitofreadinghimtheworksbroughtforhisexamination，andshewouldstopreadingwhenshecametoapassagewhich，inheropinion，deservedhiscensure，butsometimestheywereofadifferentopinion，andthentheirdiscussionsweretrulyamusing。Ionceheardthehousekeepersendawayanauthorwiththesewords:
\"Comeagainnextweek；wehavehadnotimetoexamineyourmanuscript。\"
DuringawholeyearIpaidM。Crebillonthreevisitseveryweek，andfromhimIlearnedallIknowoftheFrenchlanguage，butIfounditimpossibletogetridofmyItalianidioms。IremarkthatturneasilyenoughwhenImeetwithitinotherpeople，butitflowsnaturallyfrommypenwithoutmybeingawareofit。Iamsatisfiedthat，whateverImaydo，IshallneverbeabletorecognizeitanymorethanIcanfindoutinwhatconsiststhebadLatinstylesoconstantlyallegedagainstLivy。
IcomposedastanzaofeightversesonsomesubjectwhichIdonotrecollect，andIgaveittoCrebillon，askinghimtocorrectit。Hereaditattentively，andsaidtome，\"Theseeightversesaregoodandregular，thethoughtisfineandtrulypoetical，thestyleisperfect，andyetthestanzaisbad。\"
\"Howso？\"
\"Idonotknow。Icannottellyouwhatiswanting。Imaginethatyouseeamanhandsome，wellmade，amiable，witty—infact，perfect，accordingtoyourmostseverejudgment。Awomancomesin，seeshim，looksathim，andgoesawaytellingyouthatthemandoesnotpleaseher。’Butwhatfaultdoyoufindinhim，madam？’’None，onlyhedoesnotpleaseme。’Youlookagainattheman，youexaminehimasecondtime，andyoufindthat，inordertogivehimaheavenlyvoice，hehasbeendeprivedofthatwhichconstitutesaman，andyouarecompelledtoacknowledgethataspontaneousfeelinghasstoodthewomaningoodstead。\"
ItwasbythatcomparisonthatCrebillonexplainedtomeathingalmostinexplicable，fortasteandfeelingalonecanaccountforathingwhichissubjecttonorulewhatever。
WespokeagreatdealofLouisXIV。，whomCrebillonhadknownwellforfifteenyears，andherelatedseveralverycuriousanecdoteswhichweregenerallyunknown。AmongstotherthingsheassuredmethattheSiameseambassadorswerecheatspaidbyMadamedeMaintenon。
HetolduslikewisethathehadneverfinishedhistragedyofCromwell，becausethekinghadtoldhimonedaynottowearouthispenonascoundrel。
CrebillonmentionedlikewisehistragedyofCatilina，andhetoldmethat，inhisopinion，itwasthemostdeficientofhisworks，butthatheneverwouldhaveconsented，eventomakeagoodtragedy，torepresentCaesarasayoungman，becausehewouldinthatcasehavemadethepubliclaugh，astheywoulddoifMadeaweretoappearprevioustoheracquaintanceswithJason。
HepraisedthetalentofVoltaireveryhighly，butheaccusedhimofhavingstolenfromhim，Crebillon，thesceneofthesenate。He，however，renderedhimfulljustice，sayingthathewasatruehistorian，andabletowritehistoryaswellastragedies，butthatheunfortunatelyadulteratedhistorybymixingwithitsuchanumberoflightanecdotesandtalesforthesakeofrenderingitmoreattractive。AccordingtoCrebillon，theManwiththeIronMaskwasnothingbutanidletale，andhehadbeenassuredofitbyLouisXIV。
himself。
OnthedayofmyfirstmeetingwithCrebillonatSilvia’s，’Cenie’，aplaybyMadamedeGraffigny，wasperformedattheItalianTheatre，andIwentawayearlyinordertogetagoodseatinthepit。
Theladiesallcoveredwithdiamonds，whoweretakingpossessionoftheprivateboxes，engrossedallmyinterestandallmyattention。I
woreaveryfinesuit，butmyopenrufflesandthebuttonsallalongmycoatshewedatoncethatIwasaforeigner，forthefashionwasnotthesameinParis。Iwasgapingintheairandlistlesslylookinground，whenagentleman，splendidlydressed，andthreetimesstouterthanI，cameupandenquiredwhetherIwasaforeigner。I
answeredaffirmatively，andhepolitelyaskedmehowIlikedParis。
IpraisedParisverywarmly。Butatthatmomentaverystoutlady，brilliantwithdiamonds，enteredtheboxnearus。Herenormoussizeastonishedme，and，likeafool，Isaidtothegentleman:
\"Whoisthatfatsow？\"
\"Sheisthewifeofthisfatpig。\"
\"Ah！Ibegyourpardonathousandtimes！\"
Butmystoutgentlemancarednothingformyapologies，andveryfarfrombeingangryhealmostchokedwithlaughter。ThiswasthehappyresultofthepracticalandnaturalphilosophywhichFrenchmencultivatesowell，andwhichinsuresthehappinessoftheirexistenceunderanappearanceoffrivolity！
Iwasconfused，Iwasindespair，butthestoutgentlemancontinuedtolaughheartily。Atlastheleftthepit，andaminuteafterwardsIsawhimentertheboxandspeaktohiswife。Iwaskeepinganeyeonthemwithoutdaringtolookatthemopenly，andsuddenlythelady，followingtheexampleofherhusband，burstintoaloudlaugh。Theirmirthmakingmemoreuncomfortable，Iwasleavingthepit，whenthehusbandcalledouttome，\"Sir！Sir！\"
\"Icouldnotgoawaywithoutbeingguiltyofimpoliteness，andIwentuptotheirbox。Then，withaseriouscountenanceandwithgreataffability，hebeggedmypardonforhavinglaughedsomuch，andverygraciouslyinvitedmetocometohishouseandsupwiththemthatsameevening。Ithankedhimpolitely，sayingthatIhadapreviousengagement。Butherenewedhisentreaties，andhiswifepressingmeinthemostengagingmannerItoldthem，inordertoprovethatIwasnottryingtoeludetheirinvitation，thatIwasexpectedtosupatSilvia’shouse。
\"InthatcaseIamcertain，\"saidthegentleman，\"ofobtainingyourreleaseifyoudonotobject。AllowmetogomyselftoSilvia。\"
Itwouldhavebeenuncourteousonmyparttoresistanylonger。HelefttheboxandreturnedalmostimmediatelywithmyfriendBaletti，whotoldmethathismotherwasdelightedtoseememakingsuchexcellentacquaintances，andthatshewouldexpecttoseemeatdinnerthenextday。HewhisperedtomethatmynewacquaintancewasM。deBeauchamp，Receiver—GeneralofTaxes。
Assoonastheperformancewasover，Iofferedmyhandtomadame，andwedrovetotheirmansioninamagnificentcarriage。ThereIfoundtheabundanceorrathertheprofusionwhichinParisisexhibitedbythemenoffinance；numeroussociety，highplay，goodcheer，andopencheerfulness。Thesupperwasnotovertilloneo’clockinthemorning。Madame’sprivatecarriagedrovemetomylodgings。ThathouseofferedmeakindwelcomeduringthewholeofmystayinParis，andImustaddthatmynewfriendsprovedveryusefultome。SomepersonsassertthatforeignersfindthefirstfortnightinParisverydull，becausealittletimeisnecessarytogetintroduced，butIwasfortunateenoughtofindmyselfestablishedonasgoodafootingasI
coulddesirewithintwenty—fourhours，andtheconsequencewasthatI
feltdelightedwithParis，andcertainthatmystaywouldproveanagreeableone。
ThenextmorningPatucalledandmademeapresentofhisprosepanegyricontheMarechaldeSaxe。WewentouttogetherandtookawalkintheTuileries，whereheintroducedmetoMadameduBoccage，whomadeagoodjestinspeakingoftheMarechaldeSaxe。
\"Itissingular，\"shesaid，\"thatwecannothavea’Deprofundis’foramanwhomakesussingthe’TeDeum’sooften。\"
AswelefttheTuileries，Patutookmetothehouseofacelebratedactressoftheopera，MademoiselleLeFel，thefavouriteofallParis，andmemberoftheRoyalAcademyofMusic。Shehadthreeveryyoungandcharmingchildren，whowereflutteringaroundherlikebutterflies。
\"Iadorethem，\"shesaidtome。
\"Theydeserveadorationfortheirbeauty，\"Ianswered，\"althoughtheyhavealladifferentcastofcountenance。\"
\"Nowonder！TheeldestisthesonoftheDuked’Anneci，thesecondofCountd’Egmont，andtheyoungestistheoffspringofMaison—Rouge，whohasjustmarriedtheRomainville。\"
\"Ah！prayexcuseme，Ithoughtyouwerethemotherofthethree。\"
\"Youwerenotmistaken，Iamtheirmother。\"
AsshesaidthesewordsshelookedatPatu，andbothburstintoheartylaughterwhichdidnotmakemeblush，butwhichshewedmemyblunder。
Iwasa，noviceinParis，andIhadnotbeenaccustomedtoseewomenencroachupontheprivilegewhichmenalonegenerallyenjoy。YetmademoiselleLeFelwasnotabold—facedwoman；shewasevenratherladylike，butshewaswhatiscalledaboveprejudices。IfIhadknownthemannersofthetimebetter，Ishouldhavebeenawarethatsuchthingswereevery—dayoccurrences，andthatthenoblemenwhothussprinkledtheirprogenyeverywherewereinthehabitofleavingtheirchildreninthehandsoftheirmothers，whowerewellpaid。
Themorefruitful，therefore，theseladieswere，thegreaterwastheirincome。
Mywantofexperienceoftenledmeintoseriousblunders，andMademoiselleLeFelwould，Ihavenodoubt，havelaughedatanyonetellingherthatIhadsomewit，afterthestupidmistakeofwhichI
hadbeenguilty。
Anotherday，beingatthehouseofLani，ballet—masteroftheopera，Isawfiveorsixyounggirlsofthirteenorfourteenyearsofageaccompaniedbytheirmothers，andallexhibitingthatairofmodestywhichisthecharacteristicofagoodeducation。Iaddressedafewgallantwordstothem，andtheyansweredmewithdown—casteyes。Oneofthemhavingcomplainedoftheheadache，Iofferedhermysmelling—
bottle，andoneofhercompanionssaidtoher，\"Verylikelyyoudidnotsleepwelllastnight。\"
\"Oh！itisnotthat，\"answeredthemodest—lookingAgnes，\"IthinkI
aminthefamily—way。\"
OnreceivingthisunexpectedreplyfromagirlIhadtakenforamaiden，Isaidtoher，\"Ishouldneverhavesupposedthatyouweremarried，madam。\"
Shelookedatmewithevidentsurpriseforamoment，thensheturnedtowardsherfriend，andbothbegantolaughimmoderately。Ashamed，butforthemmorethanmyself，Ileftthehousewithafirmresolutionneveragaintotakevirtueforgrantedinaclassofwomenamongstwhomitissoscarce。Tolookfor，eventosuppose，modesty，amongstthenymphsofthegreenroom，is，indeed，tobeveryfoolish；
theypridethemselvesuponhavingnone，andlaughatthosewhoaresimpleenoughtosupposethembetterthantheyare。
ThankstomyfriendPatu，ImadetheacquaintanceofallthewomenwhoenjoyedsomereputationinParis。Hewasfondofthefairsex，butunfortunatelyforhimhehadnotaconstitutionlikemine，andhisloveofpleasurekilledhimveryearly。Ifhehadlived，hewouldhavegonedowntoposterityinthewakeofVoltaire，buthepaidthedebtofnatureattheageofthirty。
IlearnedfromhimthesecretwhichseveralyoungFrenchliteratiemployinordertomakecertainoftheperfectionoftheirprose，whentheywanttowriteanythingrequiringasperfectastyleastheycanobtain，suchaspanegyrics，funeralorations，eulogies，dedications，etc。ItwasbysurprisethatIwrestedthatsecretfromPatu。
Beingathishouseonemorning，Iobservedonhistableseveralsheetsofpapercoveredwithdode—casyllabicblankverse。
Ireadadozenofthem，andItoldhimthat，althoughtheverseswereveryfine，thereadingcausedmemorepainthanpleasure。
\"TheyexpressthesameideasasthepanegyricoftheMarechaldeSaxe，butIconfessthatyourprosepleasesmeagreatdealmore。\"
\"Myprosewouldnothavepleasedyousomuch，ifithadnotbeenatfirstcomposedinblankverse。\"
\"Thenyoutakeverygreattroublefornothing。\"
\"Notroubleatall，forIhavenottheslightestdifficultyinwritingthatsortofpoetry。Iwriteitaseasilyasprose。\"
\"Doyouthinkthatyourproseisbetterwhenyoucomposeitfromyourownpoetry？\"
\"Nodoubtofit，itismuchbetter，andIalsosecuretheadvantagethatmyproseisnotfullofhalfverseswhichflowfromthepenofthewriterwithouthisbeingawareofit。\"
\"Isthatafault？\"
\"Agreatoneandnottobeforgiven。Proseintermixedwithoccasionalversesisworsethanprosaicpoetry。\"
\"Isittruethattheverseswhich，likeparasites，stealintoafuneraloration，mustbesadlyoutofplace？\"
\"Certainly。TaketheexampleofTacitus，whobeginshishistoryofRomebythesewords:’UrbemRomanaprincipioregeshabuere’。TheyformaverypoorLatinhexameter，whichthegreathistoriancertainlynevermadeonpurpose，andwhichheneverremarkedwhenherevisedhiswork，forthereisnodoubtthat，ifhehadobservedit，hewouldhavealteredthatsentence。ArenotsuchversesconsideredablemishinItalianprose？\"
\"Decidedly。ButImustsaythatagreatmanypoorwritershavepurposelyinsertedsuchversesintotheirprose，believingthattheywouldmakeitmoreeuphonious。HencethetawdrinesswhichisjustlyallegedagainstmuchItalianliterature。ButIsupposeyouaretheonlywriterwhotakessomuchpains。\"
\"Theonlyone？Certainlynot。Alltheauthorswhocancomposeblankversesveryeasily，asIcan，employthemwhentheyintendtomakeafaircopyoftheirprose。AskCrebillon，theAbbydeVoisenon，LaHarpe，anyoneyoulike，andtheywillalltellyouthesamething。
Voltairewasthefirsttohaverecoursetothatartinthesmallpiecesinwhichhisproseistrulycharming。Forinstance，theepistletoMadameduChatelet，whichismagnificent。Readit，andifyoufindasinglehemistichinitIwillconfessmyselfinthewrong。\"
Ifeltsomecuriosityaboutthematter，andIaskedCrebillonaboutit。HetoldmethatFatuwasright，butheaddedthathehadneverpractisedthatarthimself。
Patuwishedverymuchtotakemetotheoperainordertowitnesstheeffectproduceduponmebytheperformance，whichmusttrulyastonishanItalian。’LesFetesVenitiennes’wasthetitleoftheoperawhichwasinvoguejustthen——atitlefullofinterestforme。Wewentforourfortysoustothepit，inwhich，althoughtheaudiencewasstanding，thecompanywasexcellent，fortheoperawasthefavouriteamusementoftheParisians。
Afterasymphony，veryfineinitswayandexecutedbyanexcellentorchestra，thecurtainrises，andIseeabeautifulscenerepresentingthesmallSt。Mark’sSquareinVenice，takenfromtheIslandofSt。George，butIamshockedtoseetheducalpalaceonmyleft，andthetallsteepleonmyright，thatistosaytheveryreverseofreality。Ilaughatthisridiculousmistake，andPatu，towhomIsaywhyIamlaughing，cannothelpjoiningme。Themusic，veryfinealthoughintheancientstyle，atfirstamusedmeonaccountofitsnovelty，butitsoonweariedme。Themelopaeiafatiguedmebyitsconstantandtediousmonotony，andbytheshrieksgivenoutofseason。Thatmelopaeia，oftheFrenchreplaces——atleasttheythinkso——theGreekmelapaeiaandourrecitativewhichtheydislike，butwhichtheywouldadmireiftheyunderstoodItalian。
Theactionoftheoperawaslimitedtoadayinthecarnival，whentheVenetiansareinthehabitofpromenadingmaskedinSt。Mark’sSquare。Thestagewasanimatedbygallants，procuresses，andwomenamusingthemselveswithallsortsofintrigues。Thecostumeswerewhimsicalanderroneous，butthewholewasamusing。Ilaughedveryheartily，anditwastrulyacurioussightforaVenetian，whenIsawtheDogefollowedbytwelveCouncillorsappearonthestage，alldressedinthemostludicrousstyle，anddancinga’pasd’ensemble’。
Suddenlythewholeofthepitburstintoloudapplauseattheappearanceofatall，well—madedancer，wearingamaskandanenormousblackwig，thehairofwhichwenthalf—waydownhisback，anddressedinarobeopeninfrontandreachingtohisheels。Patusaid，almostreverently，\"ItistheinimitableDupres。\"Ihadheardofhimbefore，andbecameattentive。Isawthatfinefigurecomingforwardwithmeasuredsteps，andwhenthedancerhadarrivedinfrontofthestage，heraisedslowlyhisroundedarms，stretchedthemgracefullybackwardandforward，movedhisfeetwithprecisionandlightness，tookafewsmallsteps，madesomebattementsandpirouettes，anddisappearedlikeabutterfly。Thewholehadnotlastedhalfaminute。Theapplauseburstfromeverypartofthehouse。Iwasastonished，andaskedmyfriendthecauseofallthosebravos。
\"WeapplaudthegraceofDupresand，thedivineharmonyofhismovements。Heisnowsixtyyearsofage，andthosewhosawhimfortyyearsagosaythatheisalwaysthesame。\"
\"What！Hasheneverdancedinadifferentstyle？\"
\"Hecouldnothavedancedinabetterone，forhisstyleisperfect，andwhatcanyouwantaboveperfection？\"
\"Nothing，unlessitbearelativeperfection。\"
\"Buthereitisabsolute。Dupresalwaysdoesthesamething，andeverydaywefancyweseeitforthefirsttime。Suchisthepowerofthegoodandbeautiful，ofthetrueandsublime，whichspeaktothesoul。Hisdanceistrueharmony，therealdance，ofwhichyouhavenoideainItaly。\"
Attheendofthesecondact，Dupresappearedagain，stillwithamask，anddancedtoadifferenttune，butinmyopiniondoingexactlythesameasbefore。Headvancedtotheveryfootlights，andstoppedoneinstantinagracefulattitude。Patuwantedtoforcemyadmiration，andIgaveway。Suddenlyeveryoneroundmeexclaimed，——
\"Look！look！heisdevelopinghimself！\"
Andinrealityhewaslikeanelasticbodywhich，indevelopingitself，wouldgetlarger。ImadePatuveryhappybytellinghimthatDupreswastrulyverygracefulinallhismovements。Immediatelyafterhimwehadafemaledancer，whojumpedaboutlikeafury，cuttingtorightandleft，butheavily，yetshewasapplauded’confurore’。
\"Thisis，\"saidPatu，\"thefamousCamargo。Icongratulateyou，myfriend，uponhavingarrivedinParisintimetoseeher，forshehasaccomplishedhertwelfthlustre。\"
Iconfessedthatshewasawonderfuldancer。
\"Sheisthefirstartist，\"continuedmyfriend，\"whohasdaredtospringandjumponaFrenchstage。Noneventuredupondoingitbeforeher，and，whatismoreextraordinary，shedoesnotwearanydrawers。\"
\"Ibegyourpardon，butIsaw……\"
\"What？Nothingbutherskinwhich，tospeakthetruth，isnotmadeofliliesandroses。\"
\"TheCamargo，\"Isaid，withanairofrepentance，\"doesnotpleaseme。IlikeDupresmuchbetter。\"
AnelderlyadmirerofCamargo，seatedonmyleft，toldmethatinheryouthshecouldperformthe’sautdebasque’andeventhe’gargouillade’，andthatnobodyhadeverseenherthighs，althoughshealwaysdancedwithoutdrawers。
\"Butifyouneversawherthighs，howdoyouknowthatshedoesnotwearsilktights？\"
\"Oh！thatisoneofthosethingswhichcaneasilybeascertained。I
seeyouareaforeigner，sir。\"
\"Youareright。\"
ButIwasdelightedattheFrenchopera，withtherapidityofthescenicchangeswhicharedonelikelightning，atthesignalofawhistle——athingentirelyunknowninItaly。Ilikewiseadmiredthestartgiventotheorchestrabythebatonoftheleader，buthedisgustedmewiththemovementsofhissceptrerightandleft，asifhethoughtthathecouldgivelifetoalltheinstrumentsbythemeremotionofhisarm。Iadmiredalsothesilenceoftheaudience，athingtrulywonderfultoanItalian，foritiswithgreatreasonthatpeoplecomplainofthenoisemadeinItalywhiletheartistsaresinging，andridiculethesilencewhichprevailsthroughthehouseassoonasthedancersmaketheirappearanceonthestage。OnewouldimaginethatalltheintelligenceoftheItaliansisintheireyes。
AtthesametimeImustobservethatthereisnotonecountryintheworldinwhichextravaganceandwhimsicalnesscannotbefound，becausetheforeignercanmakecomparisonswithwhathehasseenelsewhere，whilstthenativesarenotconsciousoftheirerrors。
Altogethertheoperapleasedme，buttheFrenchcomedycaptivatedme。
TheretheFrencharetrulyintheirelement；theyperformsplendidly，inamasterlymanner，andothernationscannotrefusethemthepalmwhichgoodtasteandjusticemustawardtotheirsuperiority。Iwasinthehabitofgoingthereeveryday，andalthoughsometimestheaudiencewasnotcomposedoftwohundredpersons，theactorswereperfect。Ihaveseen’LeMisanthrope’，’L’Avare’，’Tartufe’，’LeJoueur’，’LeGlorieux’，andmanyothercomedies；and，nomatterhowoftenIsawthem。Ialwaysfancieditwasthefirsttime。IarrivedinParistoadmireSarrazin，LaDangeville，LaDumesnil，LaGaussin，LaClairon，Preville，andseveralactresseswho，havingretiredfromthestage，werelivingupontheirpension，anddelightingtheircircleoffriends。Imade，amongstothers，theacquaintanceofthecelebratedLeVasseur。Ivisitedthemallwithpleasure，andtheyrelatedtomeseveralverycuriousanecdotes。Theyweregenerallymostkindlydisposedineveryway。
Oneevening，beingintheboxofLeVasseur，theperformancewascomposedofatragedyinwhichaveryhandsomeactresshadthepartofadumbpriestess。
\"Howprettysheis！\"Isaid。
\"Yes，charming，\"answeredLeVasseur，\"Sheisthedaughteroftheactorwhoplaystheconfidant。Sheisverypleasantincompany，andisanactressofgoodpromise。\"
\"Ishouldbeveryhappytomakeheracquaintance。\"
\"Oh！well；thatisnotdifficult。Herfatherandmotherareveryworthypeople，andtheywillbedelightedifyouaskthemtoinviteyoutosupper。Theywillnotdisturbyou；theywillgotobedearly，andwillletyoutalkwiththeirdaughteraslongasyouplease。YouareinFrance，sir；hereweknowthevalueoflife，andtrytomakethebestofit。Welovepleasure，andesteemourselvesfortunatewhenwecanfindtheopportunityofenjoyinglife。\"
\"Thatistrulycharming，madam；buthowcouldIbesoboldastoinvitemyselftosupperwithworthypersonswhomIdonotknow，andwhohavenottheslightestknowledgeofme？\"
\"Oh，dearme！Whatareyousaying？Weknoweverybody。YouseehowItreatyoumyself。Aftertheperformance，Ishallbehappytointroduceyou，andtheacquaintancewillbemadeatonce。\"
\"Icertainlymustaskyoutodomethathonour，butanothertime。\"
\"Wheneveryoulike。\"