393

[Lett. xivii. Letters Historical & Galant. 393]

Breadth, to serve as a Theatre for this Magnificent scene. This Hall was enclosed within two Rows of Orange
Trees, most of which were loaded with fruit, and joined the Walls on the Instide. Seats were fixed all round it, &
the floor was Covered all over with uniform Tapestry. it had light from fourteen Branches, and above two hundred
Wax Candles, that were dispersed at equal distances all over it: In the middle of this hall was a great Oval
Table, where you might see about fifty Ministers, representing all the Sov'reigns of Europe. This Table was served
with all Imaginable Profusion, and a Delicacy worthy of the Occasion of the Entertainment, and the Magnificence of
the Person that gave it; and all was done with admirable order and Tranquility. At the End of the Hall was a
very rich and Sumptuous Bouffet, extremely illuminated by a great Number of Wax Candles, the Light of which
was multiplyed by several great Looking glasses that adorned the End of the Hall. And upon this Bouffet, which
was Covered with the most prescious Vessels, and abundance of Silver and gilt Plate, was the most delicious Wines,
and the most exquisite Liquors. During this Enchanting Feast, which might be compared to that of the Old Kings of
Persia; You heard an Admirable Symphony of Musick, placed in a gallery built on purpose at one End of the Hall,
Opposite the Bouffet. All the Guests were Charmed with the Manner in which they were entertained, and the En-
gaging civilities of the Count de Farouce, who compleated the Agreeableness of the feast. I shall not tell you how
many Courses there were, or the Number of Dishes that were laid upon the table; for besides that it would be a hard matter
to reckon them, the Detail in my opinion is not very necessary. You need only Imagine to your self, the greatest
thing that one could do on such an Occasion, Without fearing to form too advantageous an Idea of this proud Repast.
For my part I wish one could have it drawn or painted all together; it wou'd be a very fine thing to see that Illustrious
assembly ranged round a Table so magnificently served! And the Desert would highly deserve a place in the Picture;
For I may say, without Hyperbole, that Never was finer fruit seen. It was all served in China Dishes of Enchanting
Beauty. There were little Forests of Orange trees, loaded with preserved Oranges, so artificially fastened, that you
would say they actually grew upon the Branches. In other Basons, you saw a lofty Temple, built by the Skill of the Con-
fectioner and raised upon Transparent Porticoes and twisted Columns; On the frontispiece of Which you might read
in large Characters, the Name of the Prince of Brasil. In short I should never have done, if I was to give you an
exact description of every thing that was fine and Admirable there. This Entertainment that united at the same
Table so many different Persons of such opposite Interests seemed to me to be a Good Omen of the Peace. The following
Song to the tune of a Menuet was made on the Last Plan of the Peace I was telling you of.

[blank]

The Prince of Brasil is certainly born in a very happy hour, for at his birth the Spaniards raised the Siege before
Campo Major; the Suspension of Arms between Portugal and the Crowns of France and Spain was signed, and the Brasil
Flotilla happily arrived at Lisbon richly laden, which has been remark'd in the founr following Verses.

Hoc infante dato pax devolat edita Calo.
Urbs servata solo, Classsis adepta salo.
Cui nascendo favent, coelumque solumque salumque
Dicite quis tanto principe major erit!

The Quintessence has taken another turn; for it says that this Prince brought Victory, peace and Plenty into the
world with him, as you see from the following Verses.