pedant digest his common-place book into a folio? | praise; and straight, whether statesman or author, he quickly becomes great. Does a poet string up he is set down in the list of fame, continuing to trite sentiments in rhyme? he also becomes the be praised while it is fashionable to praise, or great man of the hour. How diminutive soever while he prudently keeps his minuteness concealthe object of admiration, each is followed by a ed from the public. crowd of still more diminutive admirers. The I have visited many countries, and have been in shout begins in his train, onward he marches to- cities without number, yet never did I enter a town wards immortality, looks back at the pursuing crowd which could not produce ten or twelve of those with self satisfaction; catching all the oddities, the little great men; all fancying themselves known whimsies, the absurdities, and the littleness of con- to the rest of the world, and complimenting each scious greatness, by the way. other upon their extensive reputation. It is amusI was yesterday invited by a gentleman to din- ing enough when two of those domestic prodigies ner, who promised that our entertainment should of learning mount the stage of ceremony, and give consist of a haunch of venison, a turtle, and a and take praise from each other. I have been pregreat man. I came according to appointment. sent when a German doctor, for having pronounced The venison was fine, the turtle good, but the great a panegyric upon a certain monk, was thought the man insupportable. The moment I ventured to most ingenious man in the world: till the monk speak, I was at once contradicted with a snap. I soon after divided this reputation by returning the attempted, by a second and a third assault, to re- compliment; by which means they both marched trieve my lost reputation, but was still beat back off with universal applause. with confusion. I was resolved to attack him once more from intrenchment, and turned the conver-attends our great man while living often also folsation upon the government of China: but even lows him to the tomb. It frequently happens that here he asserted, snapped, and contradicted as be- one of his little admirers sits down big with the imfore. "Heavens," thought I, "this man pretends portant subject, and is delivered of the history of to know China even better than myself!" I look- his life and writings. This may properly be called ed round to see who was on my side; but every the revolutions of a life between the fire-side and eye was fixed in admiration on the great man: I the easy-chair. therefore at last thought proper to sit silent, and act the pretty gentleman during the ensuing conversation.

The same degree of undeserved adulation that

In this we learn, the year in which he was born, at what an early age he gave symptoms of uncommon genius and application, together with When a man has once secured a circle of ad- some of his smart sayings, collected by his aunt and mirers, he may be as ridiculous here as he thinks mother, while yet but a boy. The next book inproper; and it all passes for elevation of sentiment, troduces him to the university, where we are inor learned absence. If he transgresses the com- formed of his amazing progress in learning, his mon forms of breeding, mistakes even a tea-pot for excellent skill in darning stockings, and his new a tobacco-box, it is said that his thoughts are fixed invention for papering books to save the covers. on more important objects; to speak and to act like He next makes his appearance in the republic of the rest of mankind, is to be no greater than they. letters, and publishes his folio. Now the colossus There is something of oddity in the very idea of is reared, his works are eagerly bought up by all greatness; for we are seldom astonished at a thing the purchasers of scarce books. The learned sovery much resembling ourselves. cieties invite him to become a member; he disWhen the Tartars make a Lama, their first putes against some foreigner with a long Latin care is to place him in a dark corner of the tem-name, conquers in the controversy, is complimentple: here he is to sit half concealed from view, to ed by several authors of gravity and importance, is regulate the motion of his hands, lips, and eyes; excessively fond of egg-sauce with his pig, becomes but, above all, he is enjoined gravity and silence. president of a literary club, and dies in the meriThis, however, is but the prelude to his apotheo-dian of his glory. Happy they who thus have sis: a set of emissaries are despatched among the some little faithful attendant, who never forsakes people, to cry up his piety, gravity, and love of them but prepares to wrangle and to praise against raw flesh; the people take them at their word, ap- every opposer; at once ready to increase their pride proach the Lama, now become an idol, with the while living, and their character when dead. For most humble prostration; he receives their address- you and 1, my friend, who have no humble ad es without motion, commences a god, and is ever mirer thus to attend us, we, who neither are, nor after fed by his priests with the spoon of immor-ever will be, great men, and who do not much tality. The same receipt in this country serves to care whether we are great men or no, at least let make a great man. The idol only keeps close, us strive to be honest men, and to have common sends out his little emissaries to be hearty in his sense. Adieu.

LETTER LXXV.

From the Same.

antidote should be changed accordingly-should still be new.

Instead, therefore, of thinking the number of new publications here too great, I could wish it still THERE are numbers in this city who live by greater, as they are the most useful instruments of writing new books: and yet there are thousands of reformation. Every country must be instructed volumes in every large library unread and forgot- either by writers or preachers; but as the number ten. This, upon my arrival, was one of those of readers increases, the number of hearers is procontradictions which I was unable to account for. portionably diminished, the writer becomes more "Is it possible," said I, "that there should be any useful, and the preaching Bonze less necessary. demand for new books, before those already published are read? Can there be so many employed in producing a commodity with which the market is already over-stocked: and with goods also better than any of modern manufacture?"

Instead, therefore, of complaining that writers are overpaid, when their works procure them a bare subsistence, I should imagine it the duty of a state, not only to encourage their numbers, but their industry. A Bonze is rewarded with immense riches What at first view appeared an inconsistence, is for instructing only a few, even of the most ignoa proof at once of this people's wisdom and refine- rant of the people; and sure the poor scholar should ment. Even allowing the works of their ances- not beg his bread, who is capable of instructing a tors to be better written than theirs, yet those of million. the moderns acquire a real value by being marked with the impression of the times. Antiquity has been in the possession of others; the present is our own: let us first therefore learn to know what belongs to ourselves, and then, if we have leisure, cast our reflections back to the reign of Shonou, who governed twenty thousand years before the creation of the moon.

Of all rewards, I grant, the most pleasing to a man of real merit, is fame; but a polite age, of all times, is that in which scarcely any share of merit can acquire it. What numbers of fine writers in the latter empire of Rome, when refinement was carried to the highest pitch, have missed that fame and immortality which they had fondly arrogated to themselves! How many Greek authors who wrote The volumes of antiquity, like medais, may very at that period when Constantinople was the refined well serve to amuse the curious; but the works of mistress of the empire, now rest, either not printthe moderns, like the current coin of a kingdom, ed, or not read, in the libraries of Europe! Those are much better for immediate use: the former are who came first, while either state as yet was baroften prized above their intrinsic value, and kept barous, carried all the reputation away. Authors, with care; the latter seldom pass for more than as the age refined, became more numerous, and they are worth, and are often subject to the merci- their numbers destroyed their fame. It is but less hands of sweating critics and clipping compi-natural, therefore, for the writer, when conscious lers: the works of antiquity were ever praised, that his works will not procure him fame hereafter, those of the moderns read: the treasures of our to endeavour to make them turn out to his temancestors have our esteem, and we boast the pas-poral interest here.

sion: those of contemporary genius engage our Whatever be the motives which induce men to heart, although we blush to own it. The visits we write, whether avarice or fame, the country bepay the former resemble those we pay the great, comes most wise and happy, in which they most the ceremony is troublesome, and yet such as we serve for instructors. The countries where sacerwould not choose to forego; our acquaintance with dotal instruction alone is permitted, remain in igmodern books is like sitting with a friend, our norance, superstition, and hopeless slavery. In Enpride is not flattered in the interview, but it gives gland, where there are as many new books published more internal satisfaction. as in all the rest of Europe together, a spirit of freedom and reason reigns among the people; they have been often known to act like fools; they are generally found to think like men.

In proportion as society refines, new books must ever become more necessary. Savage rusticity is reclaimed by oral admonition alone: but the elegant excesses of refinement are best corrected by the The only danger that attends a multiplicity of still voice of studious inquiry. In a polite age, al- publications is, that some of them may be calculated most every person becomes a reader, and receives to injure rather than benefit society. But where more instruction from the press than the pulpit. writers are numerous, they also serve as a check The preaching Bonze may instruct the illiterate upon each other; and perhaps, a literary inquisipeasant; but nothing less than the insinuating ad- tion is the most terrible punishment that can be dress of a fine writer can win its way to a heart al- conceived to a literary transgressor. ready relaxed in all the effeminacy of refinement. Books are necessary to correct the vices of the polite; but those vices are ever changing, and the

But to do the English justice, there are but few offenders of this kind; their publications in general aim at mending either the heart, or improving the

commonweal. The dullest writer talks of virtue, | ley of the Graces: the one adorned with all that and liberty, and benevolence, with esteem; tells his luxuriant nature could bestow; the fruits of vatrue story, filled with good and wholesome advice; rious climates adorned the trees, the grove resoundwarns against slavery, bribery, or the bite of a mad ed with music, the gale breathed perfume, every dog; and dresses up his little useful magazine of charm that could arise from symmetry and exact knowledge and entertainment, at least with a good distribution were here conspicuous, the whole of intention. The dunces of France, on the other fering a prospect of pleasure without end. The hand, who have less encouragement, are more vi- Valley of the Graces, on the other hand, seemed by cious. Tender hearts, languishing eyes, Leonora no means so inviting; the streams and the groves in love at thirteen, ecstatic transports, stolen blisses, appeared just as they usually do in frequented are the frivolous subjects of their frivolous memoirs. countries: no magnificent parterres, no concert in In England, if an obscene blockhead thus breaks the grove, the rivulet was edged with weeds, and in on the community, he sets his whole fraternity the rook joined its voice to that of the nightingale. in a roar; nor can he escape, even though he should All was simplicity and nature. fly to nobility for shelter.

The most striking objects ever first allure the Thus even dunces, my friend, may make them- traveller. 1 entered the Region of Beauty with selves useful. But there are others, whom nature increased curiosity, and promised myself endless has blessed with talents above the rest of mankind; satisfaction in being introduced to the presiding men capable of thinking with precision, and im- goddess. I perceived several strangers, who entered pressing their thought with rapidity; beings who with the same design; and what surprised me not diffuse those regards upon mankind, which others a little, was to see several others hastening to leave contract and settle upon themselves. These deserve this abode of seeming felicity. every honour from that community of which they are more peculiarly the children; to such I would give my heart, since to them I am indebted for its humanity! Adieu.

LETTER LXXVI.

After some fatigue, I had at last the honour of being introduced to the goddess who represented Beauty in person. She was seated on a throne, at the foot of which stood several strangers, lately introduced like me, all regarding her form in ecstasy. "Ah, what eyes! what lips! how clear her complexion! how perfect her shape!" At these exclamations, Beauty, with downcast eyes, would endeavour to counterfeit modesty, but soon again looking round as if to confirm every spectator in his favourable sentiments; sometimes she would attempt to allure us by smiles; and at intervals would bridle back, in order to inspire us with respect as well as tenderness.

This ceremony lasted for some time, and had so much employed our eyes, that we had forgot all this while that the goddess was silent. We soon, however, began to perceive the defect. "What!" said we, among each other, "are we to have nothing but languishing airs, soft looks, and inclinations of the head; will the goddess only deign to satisfy our eyes?" Upon this one of the company stepped up to present her with some fruits he had gathered by the way. She received the present most sweetly smiling, and with one of the whitest hands in the world, but still not a word escaped her lips.

From Hingpo to Lien Chi Altangi, by the way of Moscow. I STILL remain at Terki, where I have received that money which was remitted here in order to release me from captivity. My fair companion still improves in my esteem; the more I know her mind, her beauty becomes more poignant; she appears charming, even among the daughters of Circassia. Yet were I to examine her beauty with the art of a statuary, I should find numbers here that far surpass her; nature has not granted her all the boasted Circassian regularity of feature, and yet she greatly exceeds the fairest of the country in the art of seizing the affections. "Whence," have I often said to myself, "this resistless magic that attends even moderate charms? though I regard the beauties of the country with admiration, every interview weakens the impression, but the form of Zelis grows upon my imagination; I never behold I now found that my companions grew weary her without an increase of tenderness and respect. of their homage; they went off one by one, and reWhence this injustice of the mind, in preferring solving not to be left behind, I offered to go in my imperfect beauty to that which nature seems to have turn, when, just at the door of the temple, I was finished with care. Whence the infatuation, that called back by a female, whose name was Pride, he whom a comet could not amaze, should be as- and who seemed displeased at the behaviour of the tonished at a meteor?" When reason was thus company. "Where are you hastening ?" said she fatigued to find an answer, my imagination pursu- to me with an angry air; "the Goddess of Beauty ed the subject, and this was the result. is here."-"I have been to visit her, madam," re

I fancied myself placed between two landscapes, plied I, "and find her more beautiful even than this called the Region of Beauty, and that the Val-report had made her."—" And why then will you

leave her?" added the female. "I have seen her called beautiful under any one of these forms, but long enough," returned I, "I have got all her fea- by combining them all she becomes irresistibly tures by heart. Her eyes are still the same. Her pleasing." Adieu.

LETTER LXXVII.

Ceremonial Academy at Pekin, in China.

nose is a very fine one, but it is still just such a nose now as it was half an hour ago: could she throw a little more mind into her face, perhaps I should be for wishing to have more of her company."What signifies," replied my female, "whether From Lien Chi Altangi to Fum Hoam, First President of the she has a mind or not; has she any occasion for a mind, so formed as she is by nature? If she had a common face, indeed, there might be some reason for thinking to improve it; but when features are already perfect, every alteration would but impair them. A fine face is already at the point of perfection, and a fine lady should endeavour to keep it so: the impression it would receive from thought would but disturb its whole economy."

To this speech I gave no reply, but made the best of my way to the Valley of the Graces. Here I found all those who before had been my companions in the Region of Beauty, now upon the

same errand.

THE shops of London are as well furnished as those of Pekin. Those of London have a picture hung at their door, informing the passengers what they have to sell, as those at Pekin have a board, to assure the buyer that they have no intention to cheat him.

I went this morning to buy silk for a nightcap: immediately upon entering the mercer's shop, the master and his two men, with wigs plastered with powder, appeared to ask my commands. They were certainly the civilest people alive: if I but looked, they flew to the place where I cast my eye; As we entered the valley, the prospect insensibly every motion of mine sent them running round the Seemed to improve; we found every thing so nawhole shop for my satisfaction. I informed them tural, so domestic, and pleasing, that our minds, that I wanted what was good, and they showed me which before were congealed in admiration, now not less than forty pieces, and each was better than relaxed into gaiety and good-humour. We had the former, the prettiest pattern in nature, and the fittest in the world for nightcaps. "My very good designed to pay our respects to the presiding goddess, but she was no where to be found. One of friend," said I to the mercer, "you must not preour companions asserted, that her temple lay to the tend to instruct me in silks; I know these in parright; another, to the left; a third insisted that it ticular to be no better than your mere flimsy Bun was straight before us; and a fourth, that we had gees."-"That may be," cried the mercer, who left it behind. In short, we found every thing fa-I afterwards found had never contradicted a man miliar and charming, but could not determine where to seek for the Grace in person.

in his life; "I can not pretend to say but they may;
but, I can assure you, my Lady Trail has had a
sack from this piece this very morning."—" But,
friend," said I, "though my lady has chosen a sack
from it, I see no necessity that I should wear it for
a nightcap."-" That may be," returned he again,
"yet what becomes a pretty lady, will at any time
look well on a handsome gentleman." This short
compliment was thrown in so very seasonably upon
my ugly face, that, even though I disliked the silk,
I desired him to cut off the pattern of a nightcap.

In this agreeable incertitude we passed several hours, and though very desirous of finding the god dess, by no means impatient of the delay. Every part of the valley presented some minute beauty, which, without offering itself, at once stole upon the soul, and captivated us with the charms of our retreat. Still, however, we continued to search, and might still have continued, had we not been interrupted by a voice, which, though we could not see from whence it came, addressed us in this manWhile this business was consigned to his journer: "If you would find the Goddess of Grace, neyman, the master himself took down some pieces seek her not under one form, for she assumes a of silk still finer than any I had yet seen, and thousand. Ever changing under the eye of inspec-spreading them before me, “ There," cries he, tion, her variety, rather than her figure, is pleasing."there's beauty; my Lord Snakeskin has bespoke In contemplating her beauty, the eye glides over the fellow to this for the birthnight this very mornevery perfection with giddy delight, and, capable ing; it would look charmingly in waistcoats."— of fixing no where, is charmed with the whole. But I don't want a waistcoat," replied I. "Not She is now Contemplation with solemn look, again want a waistcoat!" returned the mercer, "then I Compassion with humid eye; she now sparkles would advise you to buy one; when waistcoats are with joy, soon every feature speaks distress; her wanted you may depend upon it they will come dear. looks at times invite our approach, at others repress Always buy before you want, and you are sure our presumption: the goddess can not be properly to be well used, as they say in Cheapside." There

⚫Vultus nimium lubricus aspici.-Hor.

was so much justice in his advice, that I could not refuse taking it; besides, the silk, which was really

a good one, increased the temptation; so I gave orders for that too.

vacity in every eye, not excepting even the children; the people, it seems, have got it into their heads, that they have more wit than others, and so stare in order to look smart.

As I was waiting to have my bargains measured and cut, which, I know not how, they executed but slowly, during the interval the mercer entertained I know not how it happens, but there appears a me with the modern manner of some of the nobility sickly delicacy in the faces of their finest women. receiving company in their morning-gowns; "Per- This may have introduced the use of paint, and haps, sir," adds he, "you have a mind to see what paint produces wrinkles; so that a fine lady shall kind of silk is universally worn." Without wait-look like a hag at twenty-three. But as, in some ing for my reply, he spreads a piece before me, measure, they never appear young, so it may be which might be reckoned beautiful even in China. equally asserted, that they actually think them"If the nobility," continues he, "were to know I selves never old; a gentle miss shall prepare for sold this to any under a Right Honourable, I new conquests at sixty, shall hobble a rigadoon should certainly lose their custom; you see, my when she can scarcely walk out without a crutch; ord, it is at once rich, tasty, and quite the thing." she shall affect the girl, play her fan and her eyes, -"I am no lord," interrupted I.—"I beg pardon," and talk of sentiments, bleeding hearts, and excried he; "but be pleased to remember, when you piring for love, when actually dying with age. intend buying a morning-gown, that you had an Like a departing philosopher, she attempts to offer from me of something worth money. Con- make her last moments the most brilliant of her science, sir, conscience, is my way of dealing; you life.

may buy a morning-gown now, or you may stay Their civility to strangers is what they are chieftill they become dearer and less fashionable; but it ly proud of; and to confess sincerely, their beggars is not my business to advise." In short, most are the very politest beggars I ever knew: in other reverend Fum, he persuaded me to buy a morning-places, a traveller is addressed with a piteous whine, gown also, and would probably have persuaded me or a sturdy solemnity, but a French beggar shall to have bought half the goods in his shop, if I had ask your charity with a very genteel bow, and stayed long enough, or was furnished with suf- thank you for it with a smile and shrug. ficient money.

Another instance of this people's breeding I must Upon returning home, I could not help reflect- not forget. An Englishman would not speak his ing, with some astonishment, how this very man, native language in a company of foreigners, where with such a confined education and capacity, was he was sure that none understood him; a travelling yet capable of turning me as he thought proper, Hottentot himself would be silent if acquainted and moulding me to his inclinations! I knew he only with the language of his country: but a was only answering his own purposes, even while Frenchman shall talk to you whether you underhe attempted to appear solicitous about mine; yet, stand his language or not; never troubling his head by a voluntary infatuation, a sort of passion, com-whether you have learned French, still he keeps pounded of vanity and good-nature, I walked into up the conversation, fixes his eye full in your face, the snare with my eyes open, and put myself to and asks a thousand questions, which he answers future pain in order to give him immediate pleasure. himself, for want of a more satisfactory reply. The wisdom of the ignorant somewhat resembles the instinct of animals; it is diffused in but a very narrow sphere, but within that circle it acts with vigour, uniformity, and success. Adieu.

LETTER LXXVIII.

From the Same.

But their civility to foreigners is not half so great as their admiration of themselves. Every thing that belongs to them and their nation is great, magnificent beyond expression, quite romantic! every garden is a paradise, every hovel a palace, and every woman an angel. They shut their eyes close, throw their mouths wide open, and cry out in a rapture, "Sacré! what beauty!-O Ciel! what taste!-mort de ma vie! what grandeur! was ever any people like ourselves? we are the na

FROM my former accounts, you may be apt to tion of men, and all the rest no better than twofancy the English the most ridiculous people under legged barbarians." the sun. They are indeed ridiculous; yet every other nation in Europe is equally so; each laughs at each, and the Asiatic at all.

I fancy the French would make the best cooks in the world if they had but meat: as it is, they can dress you out five different dishes from a nettleI may, upon another occasion, point out what is pot, seven from a dock-leaf, and twice as many from most strikingly absurd in other countries; I shall a frog's haunches; these eat prettily enough when at present confine myself only to France. The one is a little used to them, are easy of digestion, first national peculiarity a traveller meets upon en- and seldom overload the stomach with crudities. tering that kingdom, is an odd sort of staring vi- They seldom dine under seven hot dishes: it is