370

[370]

[Letters Historical and Galant. Vol. 6]

I may say too, that if the Invention is none of the best, the Turn is. And I believe you'll be of
the same Opinion. Tis pleasant enough that one can read such Galant Tales and tender Poetry without Blush-
ing. All that I can reproach Mr. Julian with, is his burying his Talent. for he not only, takes very little pains
with, but is such a niggard of his works, that there is no way of tearing them out of his hands. He differs in this from
Most Authors, who, greedy of Incense, are continually fatieguing you with reading their Compositions.
This Author is of another Species, and a Philosopher, who far from seeking applause, carefully avoids it:
however I shall try to squeeze Another Tale out of him, and If I succeed, shall communicate it to you.

I laugh'd heartily at our poor Abbot's Adventure; Indeed it was a very merry one. I wish it may
make him wiser, and more attentive at Mass for the future. Nothing was more Comical than the Cutpurses
Dial. A lady that I shewed that part of your Letter, to, acquainted me with the manner that those honest
Gentry serve their Apprenticeship to a Trade, the Mastery of which generally leads to the Gallows at last.
They have a Baby fixed on a Pivot, that keeps it always in Motion. This little figure is covered over from
head to foot with little bells. Its Cloaths are all Embroidered, so that the least touch you give it, makes
a terrible noise. However, notwithstanding all this, they must pick it's pockets, steal its handkercheif,
watch, Snuffbox, and the like, without any body's observing them; And not till they are arrived at this high
degree of Subtlety are they admitted into the famous fraternity of Cutpurses. In order to this, they have
examiners and Professors in that fine Art, who give Licences to those they think the most deserving. Nay
they say, that they observe some rules of Government among themselves, that there are imployments & Dignities
to which they arrive by their Address, Had they take particular care to preserve a Subordination, and in
short, that this sort of a Republick has it's laws and Customs, which it carefully observes. But I
have said enough of this, and of other things too; Tis time for me to seal this Letter at last and to
wish you a Good Night. Adieu then, I am with all My Soul. Your &c.

[Letter xciv. From Paris.]

You both began well, and ended well, Madam; My Lord Albemarle's Justification gave me great plea
sure, as did the Tale of the Damned Ghosts of Ravenna. In shorrt yr. whole letter is as diverting as instructive.
I heard before in gross of Mr. Menager's Quarrel with Count de Rechteren, but I did not know the Particulars.
There are come Circumstances, that one cannot be well informed of but on the Spot. I agree with you, that that af-
fair should have been stifled in it's Infancy, and it might have been easily done, had some peaceable person inter
posed in the beginning. 'Twou'ld vex one that such trifles should come to the King's Ears, but much more, that
they should be obstacles, or at least give delay to the Important affair now transacting at Utrecht. Nothing more effectual could
be found out to prevent those Accidents, than the Regulations that were made for that purpose; and it were to be wished
they had been duly observed. I have your plans of the Town-house and Mall; the one I think is a fine
building, and the other a very agreeable place------Give me leave to wish you Joy, of your Happiness in
Meeting Mr. Julian in the latter. I heard of him before; and what I see of his works, and the Character
you give me of him, confirms all the fine things I heard of him. Tis a sad thing that such fine Genii should
shine amongst Strangers. Tis true, they do honour to the French name, but it would be much better to see
them shine in their own Country, and that Mr. Julian should reestablish a nicety of Taste & Justice of Wit
amongst us here. The Clashing of Arms has made us a little too negligent of the Belles Lettres in this
Country. But Pallas is going to lay aside her helmet, and appear to us in the form of Minerva; and if
she finds worthy Objects of her Care, we may perhaps see arts and Sciences flourish once more amongst
us.

- But tis but just, to make you amends for your trouble in giving me an Account of what passes at
Utrecht, that I shou'd impart to you an Adventure that lately happened here. A Norman who had spent
his days in the Law, and in that respect might have been brother to the Countess of Peinbeche, had found