young’s TRAVELS IN FRANCE.

167

and Moulins , and the mountainous region S. E. of the lad town, prefented in the mapan ample fpace, which it would be necefiary to pafs before I could have fuch an idea ofthe kingdom as 1 wifhed to acquire ; I determined to make this third effort, in order toaccomplilh a defign which appeared more and more important, the more I reflected onit; and lefs likely to be executed by thofe whofe powers are better adapted to theundertaking than mine. The meeting of the States General of France alfo, who werenow affembled, made it the more neceflary to lofe no time ; for, in all human proba-bility, that aflV inbly will be the epoch of a new conflitution, which will have new effects,and, for what 1 know, attended with a new agriculture; and to have the regal fun, infuch a kingdom, both, rife and fet without the territory being known, muft of neceffitybe regretted by every man folicitous for real political knowledge. The events of acentury and half, including the brilliant reign of Louis XIV . will for ever render thefources of the French power interefting to mankind, and particularly that its ftate maybe known previouflv to the eflablifhment of an improved government, as the companionof the effeCls of the old and new fyflem will be not a little curious in future.

June 2. To London . At night, La Generojita d'Alejfandro, by Tarchi, in whichSignor Marchefi exerted his powers, and lung a duet, that made me for fome momentsforget all the fheep and pigs of Bradfield. I was, how'ever, much better entertainedafter it, by fupping at my friend Lr. Burney’s, and meeting Mifs Burney ; how leldoniis it that we can meet two characters at once in whom great celebrity deducts nothingfrom private amiablenefs ? How many dazzling ones that we have no delire to livewith! give me fuch as to great talents add the qualities that make us wifh to Jhut updoors with them.

The 3d. Nothing buzzing in my ears but the fete given laff night by the SpanifhAmbafiador. The belt fete of the prefent period is that which ten millions of peopleare giving to themfelves,

The flail of reafon and the flow of foul.

The animated feelings of bofoms beating with gratitude for the efcape of one commoncalamity, and the thrilling hope of the continuance of common bleflings. .Meet atMr. Songa’s the Count de Berchtold, who has much good fenfe and many impor-tant view 7 ?:-Why does not the Emperor call him to his own country, and make

him a Minuter? The world will never be well governed till princes know theirfubjeCts.

The 4th. To Dover in the machine, with two merchants from Stockholm, a Ger-man and a Swede ; we fliall be companions to Paris . I am more likely to learn fome-thing ufeful from the converfation of a Swede and a German , than from the chancemedley Engiifhmen of a ffage-coach.-72 miles.

The 5th. Paflage to Calais ; fourteen hours for reflection in a vehicle that- does notallow one power to reflect.-21 miles.

The 6th. A Frenchman and his wife, and a French teacher from Ireland , full offoppery and affeCtation, which her own nation did not give her, were our company,with a young good-natured raw countryman of hers, at whom (he played off many airsand graces. The man and his wife contrived to produce a pack of cards, to banifh,they laid, Lemtye of the journey; but they contrived alfo to fleece the young fellow offive louis. This is the firft French diligence I have been in, and fhall be the lalt;they are deteflable. Sleep at .Abbeville.-78 miles.

Thefe men and women, girls and boys, think'themfelves ("except the Swede ) verychearful becaufe very noify; they have ftunned me with finping ; my ears have been