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"I'm plung'd in that abyfs whence none

return;

"Let me then weep, let me for ever mourn!"

In the beginning of the fith book, Julia is, in fome meafure, reconciled to her condition, from a fenfe of the worthinefs of her lover, and the fincerity of his paffion; but that tranquility is foon interrupted by the fufpicions of her father, which, however, extend no further than to Emilius's affection for her, but are, notwithstanding, attended with very extraordinary confequences. She, therefore, refolves to banish Emilius, till a favourable opportunity fhall offer of being united to him for ever, and makes Conftantia the bearer of the melancholy news. The whole of this tranfaction, and the two letters that follow it, and conclude the book, are pathetic in excess.

The fixth book opens with an offer from Lord Summerfield, Conftantia's brother, to provide for Julia and her lover, if they can be contented with a moderate competancy. This offer is made to Julia, who rejects it from regard to her parents, whose life fhe fuppofes to depend upon her conduct: fhe, however, recommends to his lordship Emilius, her lover, who now roufes from his melancholy, and things begin to wear a more favourable appearance on all fides, a few jealoufies excepted, which ftill cloud the mind of Emilius, but are at laft difpelled by a folemn promife of fidelity from Julia. Lord Summerfield's invitation, his fentiments on marriage, and Emilius's jealoufy, in this book, are equal to any part of the poem.

The feventh and last book is ushered in with an alarming circumftance. Julia miffes Emilius's letters; her mother, it appears, has seized them: the old lady was formerly in a bad state of health, the difcovery of her daughter's fhame makes her worse; fhe dies. Julia confiders her guilty paffion as the cause of her mother's death; and, in the agony of her heart, renounces Emilius for ever. He is humbled with a sense of his basenefs, and fubmits to his fentence with a patience that would otherwife have been impoffible. In the mean time Lord Palmeriton preffes Julia to marry Lord

Winterford, the hufband he had formerly mentioned; the remonftrates; he infifts; and at laft, in a kind of pious phrenzy, the confents. They are married, and the bridal day paffes; but when they enter the fatal bed-chamber, where Julia had firft yielded her virgin beauties to her dear Emilius, the is altogether distracted, and is going to reveal her shame, when her father unexpectedly rushes into the apartment: the embraces his knees, and begs forgivenefs; he dashes her from him as the difgrace of his blood, and the poem concludes with her approaching death. These last circumftances, and likewife thofe of the marriage, are related in a letter from Julia to Emilius, not inferior to any thing of the epiftolary kind.

The reader of tafte will perceive by this analyfis, imperfect as it is, that the fable of Julia has all the regularity of a well wrought tragedy, or epic poem : the mind of the reader is kept in perpetual fufpence from the beginning to the end of the piece; every circumstance rifes eafily out of the subject, and is intimately connected with fomething that went before; and the poem itself concludes with the natural confequences of the paffion that gave it birth, as obftructed by the pride of an imperious father, and fed by the sensibility of a too tender heart.

The lovers of poetry will excufe my not illuftrating the four last books of this excellent poem by extracts. as it would have fwelled the article to too great a length; I cannot, however, conclude, without making one extract from the last letter of the feventh book, as it both serves to throw light upon my analysis, and difplay the genius of the author.

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"So let it be!-if fo it must!-I cried.

"In after-times it never shall be faid, "That by your Julia you were difobey'd;

"That at his daughter's feet an aged fire

"Was left in fupplication to expire;

season under the direction of Mr. Yates, the comedian. This gentleman has fpared no pains or affiduity to render them as agreeable as poffible, by engaging the beft vocal and inftrumental performers, and dreffing all the charac

"But truth, I fear, will fay, a daughters to the greateft advantage, which,

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OU may think, that I am fo im

united to the grandeur and magnificence of the scenery and decorations, afford one of the grandeft fpectacles that can be fuggefted. The orchestra contains upwards of thirty inftrumental performers, fome of the most capital hands that can be found: and amongst his vocal, performers the following are of greatest estimation; firft, fignor Millico, who has great judgment and execution; though there is fomething whining in his manner that takes off great part of his merit. 2d. Signor Schiroli, who has a fine manly voice, with a good figure, and obtains great applause, particularly from the ladies. 3dly. Signor Mechili, who has a pleafing perfon, and a very extenfive melodious pipe. 4thly. Signora Merchetti, who is a fine woman, with an expreffive eye, and a very good voice, united to much judgment; but she is not fo happy in her action, which is aukward and unpleafing. 5th. Signora Galli has long been confidered as a first-rate finger, and she still preferves her powers in great perfection. She occafionally performs a man's character, and acquits herself with much eafe and propriety and, 6thly. Signora Davies, Detta Inglefina. When I fpeak of this lady, I must tell you I have been particularly charmed with an English woman, who furpaffes in compafs of voice and judgment all the Italians, at leaft in England, even in their own operas. The

Y merfed in pleafure in this em- plaudits the receives are fearce to be

porium of voluptuoufnefs, as to have no leisure for business, much lefs for a friendly correfpondence; but in this refpect you will find yourself mistaken: for though the Opera, the Oratorio, the Mafquerade, the Pantheon, the Ridotto, Ranelagh, and even Sadler'sWells may have their attractions, the morning will admit of reflexion, and other pursuits.

Having mentioned the opera, I fhall attempt to give you fome idea of this fpecies of entertainment. The operas are performed at the king's theatre in the Hay-Market; and have been this

paralleled, and the encores conftantly echo through the houfe after every air the fings. The principal dancers are Mr. Pitrot, Mr. Fierville, fignor Mariottini, fignor Lorenzo; madame Mimi Favier, mademoiselle Favier, and fignora Mazzoni. Madame Heinel, the celebrated dancer, alfo made her appearance here before her departure for Verfailles where he is to dance in a new opera before the king and royal family. To point out the various merits of thefe different dancers in chaconnes, ballets, &c. is fcarce practica

ble;

ble; I fhall therefore content myself with faying, that Heinel, Pitrot, Fierville, and Mimi Favier, furpafs all the dancers I ever faw before. It may not be improper to inform you that there are three kinds of operas; the ferious, the comic, and what is fti ed a paftichio, being a collection of fome of the moft favourite airs in different operas, blended together under a general fable. Of the first of this kind is Perfeo, a new ferious opera, the mufic by fignor Sacchini. Of the fecond, Il Puntiglio Amorofo, the mufic by fignor Galluppi; and of the third, Lucio Vero, by fignor Sacchini and others, and Antigone, by fignor Giardini, and feveral eminent mafters. This laft has had a run for many nights, meeting with great applaufe; in which fignora Davies receives uncommon plaudits in her airs, in the character of Berenice, an Ægyptian princefs.

Another fpecies of entertainment is the oratorio; thefe are poems, chiefly upon facred fubjects, borrowed mofily from Holy Writ, and fet to mufic by the most eminent mafters. The celebrated Handel was the first who introduced them, His choruses are extremely grand and awful, finely adapted to the subject, and always executed in a masterly manner. These were performed three times a week in Lent this year at Drury-Lane; and there was a new one, faid to be compofed by Handel, under the title of Omnipotence at the theatre in the Hay-Market; but though the mufic was excellent, and conducted by Mr. Bartholemon, and the vocal performers were Mr. Vernon, Mr. Champnes, Mrs. Scott, and Mrs. Bartholemon, they performed to very thin audiences, except the last night.

You will naturally think my curiofity has led me to the masquerade; indeed it has to every one, fince I have been in this metropolis. Thofe that have been this year at Carlisle-House, have only been preludes to thofe at the HayMarket; a kind of affociation of the masks, previous to their going to the regular one at the Opera-Houfe. But if the masquerades here have not been equal to thofe elsewhere, the fplendour and magnificenc of the apartments, which are decorated with fo refined a taste as to furpass all defeription, and justly entitle Mrs. Cornelys, who has for fome

years been the fuperintendant of this houfe, to the protection of the nobility and gentry. The masquerades at the Hay-Market have been crowded and brilliant, and many of the characters well fupported, though the generality appear in dominos, for the convenience of not being compelled to maintain any particular character. The ladies fhew much taste and elegance in their thepherdeffes, as well as their Cleopatras; and enter into the true fpirit of the diverfion, being free, vivacious, and eternal dancers. I engaged with an old witch, whofe appearance befpoke her feventy, and who did not feem capable to go down a fingle dance and yet she was fo fafcinating as to dance me, and two others tired, before morning. I muft add, that the fuppers here are fumptuous and plentiful, and the wine excellent.

:

A ridotto is an unmasked ball, at the Opera-Houfe, where the greatest decorum is preserved, every one being full dreffed as at court, and very few but people of rank affociate here. As these balls are only in Lent, the generality of the company appear in full trimmed black, whether the court is or is not in mourning. Befides the dreffes, this entertainment differs materially from a mafquerade, as there is no fupper given, and the only refreshments are tea, coffee, wine, lemonade, orgeat and the like. The company generally dance till morning, when they retire with much decency and politeness.

The Pantheon is a new edifice, built by fubfcription at a great expence, being of stone, and moft magnificently decorated and embellifhed; where are fubfcription masquerades, and balls, that in every respect resemble those at the Opera houfe; but as the latter here are not confined to Lent, the dreffes are generally more diverfified and brilliant, than those at the ridotto.

Ranelagh is an elegant rotunda, erected in a beantiful garden, about two miles from the capital. The infide is finely ornamented, and when illuminated, with a number of glass chandeliers, makes one of the most beautiful coup d'oeils that can be conceived. The entertainment confifts of a concert of music, executed by fome of the most eminent vocal and inftrumental performers.

During

During which the company drink tea and coffee, and walk round in regular groups. The concert finishes at ten o'clock, and the company gradually retire to their respective equipages. This is the conftant rendezvous of the nobility and people of rank of both fexes; but as the price of admittance is so moderate as half-a-crown, and as no particular etiquette of dress is required, it is frequently vifited by people of inferior stations.

At Sad er's-Wells, which is situated very near the city, an entertainment of a very fingular kind is ferved up, whilft you enjoy a glass of wine or punch, which is included in the entrance money. The chief amusements are rope-dancing, vaulting, dancing on ladders perpendicular and unfupported, and other amazing feats of agility and activity; then fucceeds a kind of vocal interlude, and a regular pantomime concludes the performance. These are all excellent in their kinds, the prefent proprietor having fpared neither pains or expence, to have the best performers; and the machinery and decorations are equal to those of either theatre.

Such have been the amufements for fome time in and about this metropolis, which are calculated for perfons of every rank and station, though they are frequently blended, and a star is as often to be feen at Sadler's-Wells, as an honest tar at Ranelagh.

You cannot imagine that I have been a conftant frequenter of all thefe public entertainments, without having my attention attracted by the ladies of this happy island, whofe beauty furpaffes every idea that you can frame of them, and their affability and civility, particularly to strangers, add additional lutte to their charms. Notwithstanding all the fcandalous reports of News-Paper intelligencers, I have the greatest reafon to believe that the many accounts we have feen in print of amours, intrigues, detections, feparations, and divorces, have either been manufactured by fome needy fcribblers, or have been greatly exaggerated by envy and malice. A few faux pas made by one or two women of fashion, have brought too universal a ftigma upon the ladies, whom, in general, I take to be as virtuous as any fet of females in the world. At the

fame time I do not pretend to tell you that all gallantry is banished from this fpot of the globe: there are many intrigues carried on; but it is most frequently fpeedily divulged who and who are together, and thefe difcoveries are generally fo well authenticated as to admit of no doubt of their certainty. But here are another tribe of females, of whom, at the distance you live, it is almoft impoffible for you to frame any idea of when I tell you they are nuns, and refide in nunneries; but inftead of being tainted with the least bigotry of a monaftic life, they would have you believe they live for the benefit of mankind only; and fo far from making any vows of celibacy, they seem to have fworn eternal inconftancy. In a word, they are profeffed devotees of Venus, who live in numbers under one roof, and under the regulation of a nominal mother abbefs. They usually appear together at all public places in a group with their good mother at their head, elegantly dreffed, with their charms difplayed to the greatest advantage, as no art is left uneffayed that may improve them. They have for the most part a fplendid equipage, and fome of them running-footmen. Adieu till I have more leifure.

Yours fincerely.

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HERE is certainly nothing fo ve

TH

ry fickle in the world as the natural and general difpofitions of Englishmen: they are fond of all novelties, whether they lead to fame or deftruction, fortune or death. Every thing new hath its charms, and all things are purfued with an equal avidity. Their prejudices and affections are of much the fane duration, and when we mean to defcribe any other people as well as our own, I do not know any allegory fo applicable as the igneous one that follows.

For example, I have always compared the French to the fuel of their own coun

try,

try, faggots, which kindle quick, blaze, and foon burn out.

The Dutch are flow in lighting like their turfs; but burn well to their very afhes, which hold a heat to the very last without blazing at all.

The English are like their own fea-coal fires, which catch quick, make a great fmoke; but, if they are not continually rumaged and stirred with the poker, they die away and foon go out.

It is thus with our vices and follies in general, our tenets and paffions for religion and politics: we catch any new matter in a moment; but, unless we are continually roufed, ftirred, and pokered up, we forget the business we began upon, and the moft material or the moft trifling circumstances of life, are but the wonder and roar of nine days.

To-day we throw up our greafy caps for Wilkes; to-morrow he passes from the Manfion-house to Prince's-court unnoticed. To day who is fo great as Mr. Pitt? to-morrow, who is fo difregarded? Our paffions of hatred and admiration are much the fame; in the year 1745 we were all rage and blood against the Scotch rebels; int he year 1774 we confer every dignity, every honour, every lucrative fituation, may reftore to the fons the identical eftates that their fathers forfeited in arms against this country. The people of England are in fome refpects juft obfervers of the Chriftian doctrine; for, after receiving one blow upon the cheek, they will turn their faces and take a fecond. In our charities we are as variable as our pleasures: when the Foundling hofpital was first established, it was the faflion to frequent it and fubcribe to it. Every lady of quality made it a part of her day's amufement to attend it, and every old finner that died left fomething towards the fupport of it. New hofpitals rifing into the air took off the zeal for this, though at firft dukes and ducheffes were fponfers for the Foundling children: all the fashion was for the Foundling; plays were written and fo called, and odes, novels and romances, all took their fubjects and their titles from this laudable inftitution. A new charity again foon turned the tide of charitable and religious fafhi

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name of the Magdalene. This tickled the fancy of the belles of quality, and the pulpit thunder of Dr. Dodd, with the idea of feeing repentant beauty, drew all the world to fubfcribe and frequent this new inftitution. The Magdalene had fcarcely turned out a dozen faints, before the Afylum ftarted up at Weftminster-bridge on another plan; and, though the old Magdalene house was deferted, and a new one was built in St. George's-fields, nevertheless the novelty of the Asylum took away the attention from the other.

Preaching is a fashion as well as other things: one day the gallop after Romaine, then after Wefley, then after Dodd, and next after Madan. Pleafures are alfo of equal fluctuation: Ranelagh was ravishing; now they are all for the Pantheon. Carlisle house was once incantation; now it is the opera and the Heinel; and he who has not seen her swivel round on the velvet toe is reckoned a favage of the firft clafs, and totally unfit for the company of gentlemen and ladies of the true bon ton and favoir vivre.

These whimfies are not confined within any bounds: they prevail in every thing, and over every thing: they reign in our dreffes, our words, our very diets; no people can be fo capricious, The French are accufed of poffeffing more levity than any other peoplewithout allowing them one certain virtue which we have not, they are conftant in their follies.

One half year we wear little hats, little coats, little fwords, little wigs, fhort shoes, little buckles, and little heads. Whisk goes the change of fashion, and in an inftant, as if we were metamorphofed by order of the lord chamberlain, we come forth in large hats, large wigs, large buckles, long coats, long fwords, high fhoes, and large heads.

One day we are all turtle-mad, another day we run after pilau and curry, then after the fricandeaux; now raving for French dishes, next hunting after German cooks, and then dying for Italian maccaroni.

I cannot define who is the grand fashion-worker; but he hath us all as much under his command as Torre hath the fire-works! he hath only occafion

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