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。"