Lord D***'s first and second excursion to Paris, being a fortnight's ramble;
-^^, ' ' » « s -> ^ 5^ "X. 'J><> i-y^^ ^v "'^. ^^ '^<> A-V X^ x\^' '^y^. -.. ,^\ j"* s'' .^-ss, . <" <-3 Sj0 ^0 ..V -i x^- -.^ V >^-^«®^j«jr.^- .^-<^v ^^> .^X'^' ^.«./"^ \^".-., r.'r%, ^ '^'^ .ID 'O "^ 0 , A t V C "^ " <^ ,.:' -'-. yOo^ ''</> ,<^ ^& f:_^J'% °Amw.^ '\^^ r * oi-' $^ -5^. * A^' >^- r .''.^^<^^^". ^r "ct. / / Designed by Anderson, engraver. You must leave me ; some one is coming." P. 181. FIRST AND SECOND EXCURSION TO FAIRIS^ BEING A FORTNIGHT'S RAMBLE; TOGETHER WITH HIS SUBSEQUENT VISIT. M^^ BY THE CH. R***. l/^ XRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH, BYFJR.9J^CIS LEVESQUE, Sr. I'ROFESSOR OF LANGUAGES, AND SWORN TRANSLATOR. NEW-YORK : PUBLISHED BY FRANCIS LEVESQUE, Si. NO. 146 CHAMBER-STREET. 1814. ^* 1890 * '"^ c='-t^,.^_^^ \.^. 7 ■^- ^'^^ J^/.^;^ E IT REMEMBERED, that on the twenty-fourth day of May, in the thirty -scTentti year of the Independence of the United States "of America, Francis Laresque, of the said District, hatli deposited in this ofBee the title of a Book, the right whereof he claims as Proprietor, in the words following, to wit: Lord D*»»V Tint and Seeotvi Excursion to Paris, being a Fortnight's Ramble, loxelher ivUh his subsequent Visit. By the Ch. R*'*. Translated from the French by Francis Levesgue. Sr. Professor of languages, and stvorn Translator. In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, "an act for the enconrauement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and jn-oprietors of such copies, during the time thei-ein mentioned :" and also to an act entitled " an act Supplementary to an act, entitled an act for the encouragement of learning', by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and piTs- prietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts ofdpsigning, engraving, and etching histori- cal and other prims." THERON RUDD, Clerk of the District of Ifew-Tork. ^ CONTENTS. FIRST DAY. paSe- Arrival at Paris, and first acquaintances in that City,. .....:. 9 SECOND DAY. Decisive issue, - 44 THIRD DAY. Morning's event. Dangerous and singular visit. Another kind of cheat, . . . ,70 FOURTH DAY. Grievous alarm 5 loss seemingly repaired, . 87 FIFTH DAY. Stock-jobbing; great concerns; grievous disco- very, ........ 99 SIXTH DAY. Sad reflections. Change of scene. An honoura- ble visit. Second fall, • . . .106 SEVENTH DAY. What follows the amorous attempts. Plain-talk of an exalted courtesan with an ingenious ser- vant Singular agreement, . . . .126 IV CONTENTS. EIGHTH DAY. Pictures; composition of an eminent Painter; keen mora! reflections; French play; reflec- tions on Shakspeare and Moliere, . 145 NINTH DAY. A new acquaintance ; horse race. Meeting of a strange character, . . . . ,161 TENTH DAY. It is necessary for one never to reckon •without his host, 1 70 ELEVENTH DAY. A new piece of folly. Hope deceived, . .178 TWELFTH DAY. The Doctor's prudence ; his retreat, . .186 THIRTEENTH DAY. Additional and unexpected misfortunes. Griev- ous disgrace. Consolation. Extraordinary meeting, 190 FOURTEENTH DAY. What kind of a man was my Provensal. My leaving prison, . . . ; . .207 FIFTEENTH DAY. Wise reflections on a defective law. Adieu and parting, ....... 226 PREFACE. The translation of this Fortnight^s Ram- ble is the only one hitherto written. It has been carefully revised, and such errors cor- rected as were apparent. Though the title given, together with the whole work, is a faithful translation of the original ; yet every thing that was thought interesting, has been taken and condensed, together with the introduction of such new matter as occurred in the perusal of other jaaemoirs, in reference to the time when this excursion was made, from materials in the possession of the translator, who proposes shortly to present them to the public. ADVERTISEMENT. THIS work is written for the instruction and bene- fit of all foreigners who may, from inexperience, be se- duced into the snares of the artful and debased, who so numerously infest large cities. It would even be of importance, if parents Avere to put this narrative into the hands of those whom they send abroad; it might prove a useful manual, by exposing the vices of the gayest city in the world. LORD D***'s FIRST AND SECOND EXCURSION TO PARIS BEING A FORTNIGHT'S RAMBLE. PIUST DAY. Arrival at Paris, and first acquaintances in that City, After six years' absence from France, I am now on my second journey to Paris ; the first was a tour of fifteen days. I have spent more than six years in reflecting" on tlie many follies witnessed there in that pe- riod, and now publish an account, in order to instruct my poor countrymen, whom with grief I have observed treading the same steps. After such an absence, that city ap- peared very different. I had then hardly at- tained my eighteenth year ; and I hope, for my honour, that evei-y line will demonstrate the very humble confession which follows. In 177], I left London with the retinue, equipage, and the dispositions of the most 14 A Fortniyhi's Ramble. part of our starlings ; that is to say, with u good coach, two English footmen, a con- fidential provensal valet, and letters of cre- dit to a considerable amount; the pro- duct destined to defray the expenses during the whole course of my journies, which were to embrace many great states in Europe. But, unhappily, I took my route through France ; and enjoyed a very short period of being called My Lord, by all the courtesans, sharpers, chimney-sweepers, and subalterns of every kind in the city. Arrived at Calais, I met M. S , and after having hired one of those interpreter footmen whom it is customary to take, in order to make up the deficiencies as respects language, of which our English servants are ignorant, we took the road to Paris. Kotwithstauding the skill and effrontery of my provensal, I increased my retinue with one of them, who drove us without accident to P. R 's Hotel, St. Germain suburb. This house had been recommended to me at Calais by le Sieur Desaint, as the one at which all the Lords of our nation resort- ed, and the only hotel that became a man who travelled in a berlin, and bearer of twelve thousand pound sterling. My pride A Fortnight's Ramble. lo yielded to show, and unhappily 1 had all the good will possible to become the dupe of the splendour of a furnished and repu- table hotel. The Sieur Beam, a most civil and cour- teous landlord, came to receive me at my stepping from the coach : and from that in- stant, he gilded the pill by the most humble politeness, which bore a character of such moving honesty, that I really believed him to be the most obliging man in France, if not one who sustained the greatest probity. So great was my infatuation, that, like the citizen nobleman of Moliere, I would with pleasure have given him a guinea for every bow he made. They were, however, so swift and so incessant, that he wouhl have emptied my purse quicker than the jour- neyman taylor drained that of Mr. Jordan. His head down, and body half bent, my landlord, with a flambeau in hand, walked before me with profound respect ; and led me into a fine spacious drawing-room in the first story. After making me examine its elegance and convenience, he declared that I should pay but forty guineas a month ; to which proposition, he added a list of all the peers of England, who had been pleas- 16 A FortniyhCs Ramble. ed with it on the same terms, and ended his conversation by an insinuation equally dex- terous and kind — of the many gratifications they added gratuitously, as marks of satis- faction for his personally waiting on them. I had too much ostentation and ignorance lo contradict the perfidious inn-keeper ; therefore I remained in possession of the first story, with the certain tax of forty guineas per month, besides other speculations he had beforehand grounded on my kitchen, equipage, and all the other extravagancies I had the appearance of requiring during my stay. After having been lulled into a profound sleep, with the pleasing dreams and the foretaste the pleasures of Paris occasioned, I was awakened by one of the two hired ser- vants the Sieur Beam's care had added to my retinue ; who brouoht me word that Doctor *** had already called with the intention of a full visit, and in order not to disturb my sleep, he had put off his respect to twelve o'clock. It was no more than ten in the morning ; I did not know the Doctor, and could not conjecture what in- terest he could have for a being who he could only have been apprized of within A Fortnight's ilamhle. 17 fifteen hours : 1 however was determined to wait for this oblig^ing- visitor ; from whom I might possibly learn something useful, or at least some merry conceit, worthy of the fickle wit of the nation which I had come to study. I then waited for him. During" the two hours that passed until his return, I was as- sailed with a multitude of shop-keepers, stage players, taylors, professors of lan- guages, and dancing masters. Little ac- customed then to the ways and manners of the world, the only conclusion I drew from these interested visits, was to apply to my own person a foolish importance, that could be but the raving and petty pride of my youth. At last the Doctor made his ap- pearance, and confirmed my opinion. I will give the description of this man at some length, because he had a great share in all the extravagancies that have signaliz- ed my beginning in the world. Let one fancy a face in which is described a mix- ture of impudence, taken at first for an ho- nest boldness, with a smile that expresses at the first glance a friendly zeal, but allayed with a kind of reverence, so as to single out the silly and studied politeness of a subal- B 2 18 yi Fortni(/hfs Ramble, tern intriguer without wit; a small head wrapped in two curls of hair the big'ness of an arm, and fifteen inches long, proceeding from the brows, stretching in a circumflex way three inches under the ears, in order to meet the nape of the neck, where it formed an enormous bulk ; the whole smoothed and highly greased, resembling a huge shell, al- most secreting a small head from observa- tion ; when it was discovered, one would vainly have sought for traits of knowledge or understanding in the features of his face. The fancy pemwig, of which 1 have drawn the picture, had for support a body length- ened upwards like a vine prop, the limbs be- ing largest at the end ; and together giving an altitude of about seven English feet; this complicated piece of contrivance was clothed with a coat that announced at least a marquis, by its uncommon taste. A long- sword rattled at the place where elastic plumpness would have graced its move- ment ; long fingers, placed at the end of a broad hand, were in a ridiculous manner loaded with rings of some value, which I have since learned were so many rewards for good offices rendered to some of my wealthy countrymen ; I shall hereafter have A Fortni(/hfs Ramble. 19 an opportunity to sliow the nature thereof. The crash of twenty toys tokl me from the parlour there was something much hke a mule ; but it had only the moral resem- blance with the family of that creature. Such was the Doctor's exterior. As soon as he mentioned his titles, and declared him- self a member of the faculty, I could not forbear to recall to my mind, when in Eng- land, it had been foretold, that on my arrival in France, I should lind every thing more sin- gular and elegant, than rational and learn- ed. I caused the glittering Esculapius to sit down, and handed him a cup of tea which I had yet before me, waiting with some im- patience for him to explain himself as to the motives of his visit. The Doctor expressed himself in English with readiness -, but his accent was not pure: I judged him to be a native of I , and it was not long before he gave me an op- portunity to ascertain it. After the com- pliments and general offers of services, cus- tomary in the interview of a new acquaint- ance, were over, he went on thus : " It ap- pears to me, that my lord is to make some stay in this city ; at his age people come to seek for pleasure, and one seldom fails to 20 A FortnighCs Ramble. find it; but it is necessary to have a select society, and one could not be too nice in its choice. He oug'ht also to have a know- ledg"e of the language. I should be most pleased to deserve so much of his confi- dence, as to depend on me for those mat- ters." To this courteous introduction, he added the names of the peers and gentle- men of England, with whom he had had some connexion : I knew the names of a great many kinsmen and friends. That gave more warmth to our conversation; he talked of their gratitude and generosity. He even showed me jewels and likenesses, which he called precious remembrances of his dear friends, Lord such a one. Sir such a one, Mr. such a one. Seduced by these tokens of their friendship towards him, and the warmth of his offers, I was insensibly led to grant him my confidence, and in the unknown country 1 was in, to be guided by his advice. I accordingly invited him to dinner; he promised that in order to please me, he would break off an engagement of moment, and stepped out, promising he ■would return to my company. The Doctor had scarcely turned his back, ■when the interpreter footman, with the two yi Forlniyht's Ramble. 21 hired servants I had from the landlord, came in to praise him. They were inex- haustible in their commendation towards that man, who indeed blended profit with pleasm*e. All this was uttered with so lit- tle affectation, and so much cunning, it has required facts in order to convince me of the intelligence of the Panegyrist with the Saint : Surely it is not at the age of eigh- teen, one suspects that raffled intriguers are apt to buy fame from knaves in livery. By the talking of this eloquent pack of servants, as much was said of the parties of plea- sure the Doctor had made, as the cures he had performed. It is true they followed one another. Whilst digesting my break- fast, and reading carelessly the Stranger's Guide, or Paris Almanac, Mr. Tuft was deeply engaged in the art of paper curls, in order to give a French style to my head. This useful employment took two hours, which made a part of the time which the Doctor spent in visiting in the neighbour- hood. Englishmen resort in crowds in Saint Germam suburb : and of those that come in it of any note, not one escapes the Doctor's attention. Happily he never un- dertakes to cure them of those evils, that 22 A Fortnir/hi's Ramble, have a destructive tendency, which cure would require great medical sagacity. Since my knowledge of him, I have o)3served that he adroitly declined every thing- which was of a complicated and dangerous nature, in order to attend solely to accidental diseases. No doubt his practice in that way must be most shining, inasmuch, while he cures them with one hand, he maims them with the other. He came in exactly at three; and at an exhorbitant price did the Sieur Beam give us a slender dinner. The sight thereof pro- voked the Doctor, and, with far more con- fidence than myself, he scolded louder than I should have presumed to do. From that instant, he took on himself to regulate my house. As a requital for the dissatisfaction he showed in seeing me so ill attended, I thought I should prevent the excess. " It is true, Doctor," said I to him, " the entertain- ment is bad, but we may m turn set our- selves a drinking excellent Burgundy wine." " Tjet us see," said he with warmth. Thus speaking, he called for a glass which he held to his lips. '< From whence is this wine?" continued he, roughly. A hired servant trembling, answered him, it came from Pen- A ForinigMs Ramble. 2o tac. " Detestable poison," cried he aloud, " and worthy the accursed tavern where it was made!" Then applying to one of my men, he requested pen, mk, and paper; having written a few words : " Here," said he, " run to I , the king's wine merchant, tell him, whilst I am making out the order for an assortment, to send my lord one hun- dred flagons of his best Pomar wine." The easy and obedient servant, at his voice, dis- appeared like lightning. Unacquainted with the kind Doctor's shifts and pecu- liarities, I remained speechless with admi- ration, joy, and gratitude. It was not before the greatest exertion, that his conversation was revived : number- less words were lavished on the names of those people of note whom he was to apply to for my education, the most able masters of every kind he intended to select to attend me. Each expression ended as lx)llows : " Do not make yourself uneasy, this I take charge of — that 1 answer for." Then sue- ceeded the scandalous reports of all the pretty intrigues of our my lords vt'ith the opera beauties : who had had this one ; who had begun to set off that one ; the extrava- gancies lavished for them : the celebrity and 24 A ForlnlghCs Ramble. lively qualities of those ladies ; their faults and charms ; the danger of some of them, with a thousand pretty anecdotes and plea- sant tricks. All these particulars excited my curiosity, and enlivened the remainder of the dinner. As soon as vv^e were risen from table, the Doctor, assuming a serious and consequential air: ^* Pray, my lord, who is your banker?" "M. G ." "^The worse for it; and I am sorry it is not *** ; that is strange. Few excepted, there is not an Englishman of your note and rank, who is not recommended to him. Besides the greatest integrity and zeal for your concerns, you would have been connected with a house no less agreeable than the master^s sense and talents, associated with a numerous and se- lect company that resorts there for sport." — " Gambling ? how ! to a house where confi- dence ought ever to replenish the chest !" — " Principles of your heavy and scrupulous country ! A true speculative mind makes a real branch of trade of gambling. Please, my lord, to tell me, what difference do you make of one who should venture to thirty and forty, and those loose and doubtful spe- culations that are transacted in your public funds ? But we should in no wise allow A FoHni(/ht's Rambie. 25 that a banker who holds properly in trust, should sport it away in ruinous bets, for at least but his possible personal gain." He replied, •*No doubt your letters of credit are to a great amount." " On Paris, I have about twelve thousand pounds sterling." This piece of indiscrete communication, uttered with no less share of vanity than inexperience, gave full scope to the Doctor's views, by essen- tially satisfying his curiosity. " A pretty sum," he replied warmly ; " we might buy with it the whole city ! Well ! I will in- troduce you at the Baron ***'s ; you can there move in the most genteel circle of so- ciety ; he is a man of the first rank and, fortune, the reward of his superior talents ; in this country he astonishes the learned, not only from the novelty of his genius, but equally from the depth of his general know- ledge. 26 A Fortnight's Ramble, He rose up, and pulling the bell ; " It is necessary," said he, " that I shouUl examine what kind of a carriage the landlord has provided for you ; let all these little details be left to me : I will take charge of them with pleasure ; and do my utmost, that you may not incur any imposition." " See," added he, with authority to one of my men who came in, " see if my lord's coach is rea- dy ;" and without waiting an answer ; " Let us step down," said he, " it is now six o'clock, we will visit the opera, and from thence go to the Baron ***^," Under the care of this extraordinary men^ tor, who thus made himself master of my person, I proceeded in a good hired coach, the back of it crowded with my servants, who by the Doctor's attention were each furnished with a cane : in an instant we were conveyed to the entrance of the Royal Palace. I alighted with my guide, who, without giving me time to view the build- ing, obtained in a hurry the play tickets from one of my most nimble hired ser- vants, who obeyed him upon the least sign, and swiftly hurried me into the play-house, in one of the balconies next to the stage, where he sat by my side. It was not long A Fortnight's Ramble. 27 before the curtain rose. For the first time, I heard that monstrous compound of blus- tering- and heavy music, executed without taste or animation, and capers without ex- pression, which French enthusiasm takes and gives for their first style of exhibition. Giving way to the heaviness that surround- ed me, I began to survey every corner of that immense house, and ended by casting my eyes on my companion ; whose optics were busily employed. I observed a kind of sympathetic understanding between his looks and those of some of the goddesses who were dancing on the stage. Every time the representation of some interlude brought these to our view, they seemed eagerly to eye my English dress and coun- tenance.— " It seems you take but little plea- sure in this noisy French music," said the Doctor. " But, if the scenes played on the stage occasion some indifference, one is amply indemnified," added he, with an expressive smile, " by those that take place behind the curtain." Holding out his hand to me at these words, he takes a stride over the three seats that were between the box door and us, and drew me along to the green- room. It was not long before I was con- 28 A FortnigMs Ramble. vinced of the esteem which the actresses had for him, and of the judicious and na ' iural partiality this dancing- swarm have for young Englishmen who are on their first visit in France. Miss ***, Miss ***, Miss ***, had at that moment ended a pas de trois ; they per- ceived my guide on their entrance, whose long figure exceeded two feet over the heads of a crowd of rakes of quality, who w^ere busy in lavishing gold and flattery on those divinities. I was along side of him; the fulness of my cravat, the length of the skirts of my coat, and a certain awkward- ness which we cannot divest ourselves oC for a year after leaving Oxford or Camr bridge, or at least a six months' residence at Paris, bespoke altogether the country of my birth. Too ignorant then how to observe and estimate the Doctor's winks, which, ever comprehensive to his artful associates, I was readily ensnared to fall a victim to their stratagems. The gilded train of mar- quisses were soon left to their grief, and my lord surrounded and ogled without mercy. Meanwhile, and unknown to me, the Doc- tor was getting ready an agreeable sup- per, and the more so, to surprise nae with the A Fortnight's Ramble. 29 Unexpected presence of two of the prettiest nymphs of the company, who with killing looks had uttered to me a few words of brok- en English. In order the more cunning^- ly to conceal the master piece of design he intended to unfold, he hastened to hurry me away from this enchanted place, by saying-, it was time that we should be at the Baron ***'s. We came to the door of his hotel in an instant, where the Doctor traversed the whole house with the same ease and freedom as if he had stept into his own. Af- ter having- gone through many rooms full of men with varied liveries^ he descried from the door of the first parlour, the Baron coming to welcome us. He was a man of a grave and phlegmatic countenance, whose strong and stuffed head bore an air of sys- tem, even in his bows and reception. His loud and heavy voice came out with slow- ness, followed by a hard and equal sound excessively important, even in the expres- sive complaisance of a good morrow. J was led into a drawing-room by the Ba- ron, where, in the midst of the confused noise of a great assembly, and the incum- brance of a number of card tables, 1 was pre- c 2 30 A Fortnight's Ramble. sented to the Baroness. The figure and ordU nary countenance of this lady was in ever\ respect the true counterpart of her husband. Hardly did she give herself time to return my first compliments, but hastily spreading a pack of cards, urged me to draw one, in order to sit down to a rubber of whist, that seemed by a decree of fate to await me. I never went into a house where there was so little of the usual chit-chat, and where one was so suddenly placed between kings of spades and diamonds. I submitted to custom, and began a tedious party with three strangers, an old maid, whose constant talk showed her designs ; an abbot, whose covetous looks, and application to play, .seemed to excel that of his breviary ; and an old military officer, on whom age had not imprinted in his features any traits of good nature, so much was his affected simplicity betrayed by his decayed manner and trick- ing. My mind was not at all at play. To the great grief of the antiquated beauty who sat opposite, and against my will, I threw a glance on every part of the room, and on the different characters who filled it. It was the most strange compound I had «ver witnessed. I was not then so able to judge of the same, as when better acquainted , A FortniyMs Rmnhie. 31 with the persons, and I had by a sad expe- rience ascertained the exactness of a Packet Boat's denonaination a merry fellow had given to that hotel. In the first instance, all that I saw of the chief employment of the house, was as much of politics as of gambling- ; for here and there were scatter- ed about a great variety of English pam- phlets and newspapers. The feathered hag, at least fifty years of age, and unfortunately my partner, was nevertheless incensed on account of my inattention to the game: for at times she would heave such a sigh, as if her whole soul was ready to vanish with it, or a shriek as sharp as a Cheapside market woman, when a lift was lost, for want of at- tention on my part — inwardly laughing whilst begging her most humble pardon. At length we were freed for a few Louis d'ors, and a swoon that suspended all the colour of her face for somfe minutes. While the company were preparing to withdraw, the master of the house desired to know if there was any gentleman com- plaisant enough to accompany Miss *** to her convent : this Vt'as my afflicted partner. The courteous Doctor, who had already taken the management of all that belonged to me, thought fit to dispose likewise of my S2 A Fortnight's Ramhle. person and coach. I could not withstand the superior sway he made use of. I pre- sented my hand to the old lady with as much ill grace as possible, and we left the room together. I percieved my complaisance had appeas- ed her, and her chagrin at my mistakes whilst at play, began to vanish from her mind. I discovered on the way from the hotel *** to the monastery, her excessive kindness, with the easy good grace thereof, led me to overlook the enormity of her pre- tensions : and at our adieu, I obtained leave to visit her on social terms. It was no small indulgence, considering I had not the trou- ble of requesting this favour, and in the mean- time observed how' yielding were the man.- ners of beauties at her advanced time of life. Hardly were we in the carriage, when the Doctor with warmth cried aloud to the coach- man to go into Richelieu-street : he accord- ingly whipped the horses, and on we flew. Then, said my companion, with a squeeze of the hand, " my dear friend, I have de- termined you should be fully revenged for all the disgust you must no doubt have felt this evening, by enjoying one of the prettiest suppers in Paris : for a person like you must divide his way of living between A FortniyMs Ramble. 33 serious and amusing- companies ; young and gay, with fine faces, and good sense : to pass through six months of such a life will leave far behind you the Marquis D***, and M***, two of the most accomplished noblemen in France; no doubt it will be most honourable to England." " My dear Doctor, truly, you are the most complaisant and the best of men. Happy is the stran- ger who can meet with such a friend. How ©bliging !" " Oh ! my lord," hastily replied the Doc- tor, " this flows from the easiness of my temper, and draws me into a share of all the pleasures which I procure for my coun- trymen, without my incurring any expense, but quite on the contrary" — " It is," said I to him, " a proof of the goodness of your heart." My mind having no improper in- clination, was then too much occupied to apply the strict and literal sense which, the Doctor's last expression so obviously im- plied. My coach stopped, we ahghted. The Doctor went first through a narrow and very dark stair-way ; and arrived at the first story, to a pretty neat and well lighted parlour. Two well dressed servants with- out livery were in waiting : one of them re- 34 A FortnigMs Ramhle. quested my name, when the Doctor replying^ on a sudden, large folding doors were thrown open* My eyes were struck with a most voluptuous and uncommon scene, known but at Paris, especially in similar re- sorts, where every means are employed that can fascinate the senses. The whole com-^ pany consisted of three fenaales ', who cheer- fully rose to receive my guide, at the same time showing me the most tender and offi- cious politeness. I recollected one of the ladies to be Miss **^, whose name I \vas told by the Doctor, when at the opera. The second was a friend; she called th6 third one, her mama. It is true, she looked old enough to give her the title of a matron, and it very well answered the purpose. I observed that Miss ***, was the sullanesis who reigned in the palace. I also perceiv- ed a complete understanding to exist be- tween the Doctor and the Dowager, They spoke in whispers, all which time the old lady's eyes were obliquely surveying me* The ancient features of the old shrew* show- ed a most cunning and covetous counte- nance, which seemed to infuse into their conversation the greatest apparent testimo- ny of affection and friendship. Julia was A Fortnight's Ramble. Qa Miss ***'s oampanion ; was less pretty : among the chiefs of the opera, it is a policy to be thus coupled. Every, time a man of note, (and that is known by the repute of his purse,) is expected, and any design is in- tended, if he is to be accompanied by a Doc- tor, or someptherpersonof like description, there is always a lesser beauty to be found that may chance to be the partner of the procurer.——** Well ! My Lord," said *** to me with a confidential and wanton look, " how do you fancy Paris ? Do you think our ladies appear as pretty as youp English beauties ? Surely you must have lost your heart by this time. So amiable and young a lord as you are, cannot long remain inattentive to female charms." To this sweet compliment, I made n6 other an- swer than: " Oh! not at all. Madam ;" which reply, in its pronunciation, must, to a French ear, have been both comical and unintelligible, accompanied with a stupid silliness, by playing the game of fingers on my hat, and holding myself as stift* as a Stick : my borrowed and silly looks would Jiave produced unfavourable impressions on the minds of persons of any other profession | but the knowing ones of the opera have a 36 A ForlniyMs Ramble. pleasure in removing- our bashfulness, and make us pay tbem well for their time and kindness. Miss *^*, in the same manner asked me more than fifty alluring questions ; which I answered with the artless repetition of my three monosyllables. I however ap- peared in their eyes a charming fellow, and halving a physiognomy that bespoke a great deal of wit. There was a time, when I sought to be praised for the many fine things which I thought I often uttered. In this delirium, I should have pocketed their praises and flattery, like the Doctpr's idle tales. The artful beauty who had undertaken my introduction, turning towards the Doc* tor with an amorous look^ said with a sigh : " My lord is very amiable, but he seems to be very indifferent : Ah ! no doubt he knows the beautiful du T*^'*, Avho is the belle of the day ; no other charms but hers are worthy attention." " 1 do not believe that my lord has the least idea of her," re- plied the Doctor ; " besides, he is too dis- cerning not to let justice give the palm to you." As this part of the conversation had in some way escaped me, and as my staring indiqated a wish to know their meanin^^ A FortnigMs Rumhk. 37 tiie Doctor liastened to give me its transla- tion. ** I confess, and without flattery, there js a great deal of difference," added he, ^* Miss D**^ is admilted to be one of the Sliest creatures in Paris, and one altogether free of those sentiments which too often dis- grace beauty." Eyed by Miss ***, " jMy lord," said she to me, with liveliness, and giving me gentle strokes on the fingers with her fan, " do speak French.*' I requested my interpreter to express my sorrow for not enjoying the facihty of discoursing with her, bat at least, I knew enough of the French tongue not to let any of her lovely witti- cisms escape unnoticed. In return for this compliment, I received a great many otherso ^* Well !" continued she, with sprightliness, '' teach me the English, and I will teach you the French." " With all my heart,'" answered I. Meanwhile, her glances vi- brated through every nerve, and fired my yery soul. A man far better clothed than the ser- vants, waiting in the parlour, whom I hav« since known to be at least the supposed fa- ther of Miss***, came to inform us, that sup- per was ready. *' Come, my lord," said this siymph, " give me your hand, and we will 38 A FortiiighCs Ramhk. be sealed tog-ether." — " Daug-liler, daiigli- ter," cried the matron, " it is not pfelty to be so forward with gentlemen !" " Mama," replied the other, with a frolicsome counte- nance, " this is my Eng-lish master." — We however instantly found ourselves in the hall. A table elegantly decorated, and iig-hted by twelve wax candles, supported by a chandelier which rose from the fouF angles of a sumptuous surtcut*. My scho- lar, who had placed me so near to her, that I felt somewhat embarrassed and ashamed, like a novice as I was, sat carelessly in an arm chair that took part of the fire. On the opposite side was the mama, and between Jier and the minor goddess the Doctor was placed. They eagerly helped me with de- licate morceaus, and by example forced me to drink sparkling wines. To a well sup- plied course, another succeeded no less savoury and delicious. The last was height- ened by an abundance of champain. Punch was circulated, in order to perfect the work, by pleasing me ; and as the pretty hand of the hostess squeezed the lemons, I could in ■ * A silver plale put on a large latlc, on vlilch ai-e placed flowers and fi'uil vases. A Fortnight's llamhle. S9 iio way refuse the libation. Every instant gave a more lively and animated turn to the conversation. One may easily fancy liow Mttle J was able to lake a share in it ; how- over I paid the expenses. The nymph per- ceiving that my senses were beginning to be affected, let out her pretty voice, and sang a tender air in a superior taste to her singing at the opera. Towards half after one in the morning, rising from table, after some merry jokes added to the pretty things said whilst at sup- per, a vingl-un was proposed by the mama. I was ignorant of the game. " Well ! my lord," said my pretty bewitched to me, *^ we will be in partnership ;" and taking me by the arm, led me to a green covered table that stood off at a few paces. They rang for cards ; ever^^ one took a seat ; I pulled out ray purse that contained about eighty louis d'ors. The deal was fortliwith given to me, and with my fluttering neigh- bour, who most dexterously left me the care of the advance money, I took charge of the bank. — If, whilst at the Baron's, I had had many causes of distraction, snrely I had more here ; for the feet, the eyes, and the iittle strokes on the knees above and imder 40 A FortniyMs R&mbk^ the table j the whale had a tendency to in- crease them. Deprived of part of my rea- son by the champain wine; even if my senses had been left entire, they would have been taken from me by such dangerous con- tacts. Therefore before the end of my bank, my eighty louis d*ors disappeared. In spite of my giddiness, I perceived my young partner's cunning and discreet mama had the three fourths of the gain on her side i and that the dear Doctor and the complai- sant friend had the other fourth. My part- ner complained but indifferently of her loss; in order to make up a new fund, she feigned pulling out some money from her pocketo But a change of clothes was a pretext for not having her purse on the toilet. I'o avoid the trouble of rising up, the Doctor, Ihe politest of men, handed me a roll of fif- ty louis. My nymph, offended at the in- flexibility of fate, as if let loose against my hand, wished in her turn to deal the cards : which was with infinite less luck than I had. Her mama, my lady, had an incredible good share of fortune; nothing withstood it, and in two deals the Doctor's roll fol- lowed the course of my gold. They had the kindnessj howeverj to postpone the A I'Mki^hts liamhle. 47 chance of revenge for us to another day, and agreed that that night my fair partner and myself were in a train of ill luck. Dur- ing the time of play, my fair Miss displayed a gold snuft-bqx of beautiful workmanship* sportingly playing with it. I expressed my admiration; and most ardently examined its beauties. It was given into my hands^ After having noticed its taste, workman- ship, and polish, I offered to return it: but my charming hostess would not consent* i\ly insisting, created a sham display of ill humour. Delighted at such a generous and o])liging attention, I was about mentioning to the Doctor that I at least would wish to make an equivalent exchange with her. The fair one, not less cunning than liberal, perceived at the same instant, a most beau- tiful diamond ring on my fingei-, which she gazed at with great avidity ; and whilst ca- j'essing my hand, I do not know how it happened, but it slipped naturally fi'om my finger, and found its way to heis. "Well!'* said she, with a childish simplicity, " If my lord does not wish to accept of my snuff- box, I will take his ring in exchange." It did not beconje the dignity of a peer of England to pay attention to the enormous D 2 42 A ForinigMs UamUe^ difference of value of those two jewels j be*. sides, the finger appeared so pretty, that in my moment of intoxication^ a ring worth Hfteen hundred guineas was not too precious to adorn it. No doubt such an extraordina- ry liberality heightened the brightness of the qualities it was found I possessed. Ani- mated eyes showed me but love and plea- sure: with a severe look and harsh voice, the prudent mama took that moment to de- clare, that it was high time to close the scene. " Come, girls," said she, " come, it is late : to-morrow we have a rehearsal at eleven o'clock, and we must now with- draw r" Familiar intimacy thus establish- ed, 1 obtained leave to bid her fare- well most expressively, with an English kiss. Partly supported by my people, and partly by my legs, after forming an infinite number of curved lines, I reached my €oaeh, and returned to my apartments for rest, intoxicated with wine, and pleased with my night's adventure, and escorted by the faithful Doctor, to whom I returned the roll of fifty louis wasted away at Miss ****&, before our morning's separation, 1 have heard that love sometimes takes away sleep ; surely it is not that lov« which A Fortnif/ht*s Jiamhie. 43 is acquired in green-rooms : with the help of fine sparkling champain, one forgets in the arms of Morpheus the losses and follies that have occurred on a preceding day. There- fore, I did not in the least think either of the money lost or of my diamond ring. But J. saw in the whole day's excursion the pur- chase of a valuable gold box, and the hap- py omen of the nymph's yielding kindness. 