ADVERTISEMENT.

From a diffidence of his own abilities, and from other motives not so well founded, the Author of the following Letters thought it expedient, in the first edition, to throw a slight veil over the real situation in which they were written: he imagined also, that by this means some reflections, particularly those on gaming, might be introduced more naturally, and with a stronger effect. But having been assured by those of whose friendship and judgment he is equally convinced, that the assumed character and feigned situation in the two first letters gave an air of fiction to the real incidents in the rest of the work, he has now restored those two letters to their original form.

Just Published,

Written by the same Author,

A VIEW of SOCIETY and MANNERS in ITALY: With Anecdotes relating to some Eminent Characters. 2 Vols. 8vo. Price 14s.

TO HIS GRACE
DOUGLAS,
Duke of Hamilton and Brandon, Marquis of Douglas, &c.

MY LORD DUKE,

Although established practice might, on this occasion, justify my holding a language to your Grace which I never before used, yet you have nothing of that kind to fear; it is as inconsistent with my disposition to offer adulation, as it is contrary to yours to desire it.—Nor does this address proceed from a vain belief that the lustre of your name will dispose the Public to wink at the blemishes of my performance. The highest titles do not screen even those to whom they belong from contempt, when their personal characters are contemptible; far less can they shelter the dulness or folly of others.

I am prompted to offer this View of Society and Manners to your Grace, by sentiments of the most sincere esteem and attachment; and, exclusive of all considerations of that nature, it is presented with peculiar propriety to you, as no other person has had equal opportunities of knowing how far the objects it comprehends are just, and faithfully drawn from nature.

Some perhaps may imagine, that I should have displayed more prudence in offering this work to a less competent judge; but I am encouraged in my desire of prefixing your Name to these imperfect sketches, by the fond persuasion that nobody can be more inclined to afford them the indulgence of which I am sensible they stand in so much need.

I have the honour to be, with the most respectful and cordial regard,

Your Grace’s

Most obedient, and obliged Servant,

THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS
OF THE
FIRST VOLUME.

[LETTER I. p. 1.]

[LETTER II. p. 11.]

Plan of conduct while abroad.—Agree to correspond by letter.—Servants.—Masters.

[LETTER III. p. 18.]

Marquis de F——.—Colisée.—Characters.

[LETTER IV. p. 26.]

French manners.

[LETTER V. p. 33.]

Paris.—London.—French opinions.—Marquis de F—— and Lord M——.

[LETTER VI. p. 38.]

Loyalty, English, German, Turkish, French.—Le Roi.—Princes of the blood.—Ideas of government.

[LETTER VII. p. 48.]

Sentiments of Frenchmen concerning the British constitution.

[LETTER VIII. p. 54.]

French Kings have peculiar reasons to love their subjects.—The three sons of Catherine of Medicis.—Henry IV.—Natural effects of exertion and of sloth on the body, understanding, heart.

[LETTER IX. p. 63.]

A French lover.

[LETTER X. p. 68.]

Groundless accusations.—Friendship.—English travellers.

[LETTER XI. p. 76.]

English prejudices.—Conversation with Mr. B——.—Reflections.

[LETTER XII. p. 86.]

Tragedy of Siege of Calais.—Bon mot of Duc d’Ayen.—Russia—Prussia.—France.—Statue of Lewis XV.—Epigrams.

[LETTER XIII. p. 95.]

Chevalier B—— and his lady.—Madame de M——, her character;—her misfortune.

[LETTER XIV. p. 103.]

Condition of the common people in France.—Unwillingness to censure the King.—French parliaments.—Lawyers indiscriminately ridiculed on the French stage.—Opposition in England.

[LETTER XV. p. 113.]

Dubois and Fanchon.

[LETTER XVI. p. 126.]

Mankind do not always act from motives of self-interest.—A fine gentleman and a pine-apple.—Supper at the Marquis de F——’s.—Generosity of Mr. B——.—Men who calculate.—Men who do not.

[LETTER XVII. p. 137.]

Different taste of French and English with respect to tragedy.—Le Kain.—Garrick.—French comedy.—Comedie Italienne, Carlin.—Repartée of Le Kain.

[LETTER XVIII. p. 150.]

Pleasure and business.—Lyons.—Geneva.

[LETTER XIX. p. 157.]

Situation of Geneva.—Manners.—Government.—The clergy.—Peculiar customs.—Circles.—Amusements.

[LETTER XX. p. 168.]

English families at Cologny.—Le jour de l’Escalade.—Military establishment.—Political squabbles.—Sentiments of an Englishman.—Of a gentleman of Geneva.

[LETTER XXI. p. 178.]

King of Arquebusiers.—A Procession.—A Battle.

[LETTER XXII. p. 187.]

A Feast.

[LETTER XXIII. p. 193.]

The garrison and fortifications of Geneva not useless.—Standing armies in other countries.—The freedom and independence of Geneva of service to the King of Sardinia.

[LETTER XXIV. p. 201.]

Journey to the Glaciers of Savoy.—Mole.—Cluse.—The Rhone and the Arve.—Sallenche.—Mules.—A church.—Conversation with a young peasant in the valley of Chamouni.

[LETTER XXV. p. 214.]

Mountanvert.—The Chamois.—Mount Breven.—Mont Blanc.—The Needles.—The Valley of Ice.—Avalanches.

[LETTER XXVI. p. 228.]

Account of Glaciers continued.—Theories.

[LETTER XXVII. p. 236.]

Idiots.—The sentiments of an old Soldier.—Guatres.—Journey from Chamouni to the Pays de Vallais.—Martigny.—Sion.

[LETTER XXVIII. p. 247.]

Road to St. Maurice.—Reflections on the situation of the Pays de Vallais.—Bex.—Aigle.—St. Gingo.—Meillerie.—Evian.—Repaille.

[LETTER XXIX. p. 261.]

Voltaire.

[LETTER XXX. p. 273.]

Voltaire.