One of the most agreeable Prospects in the Country here, is to see the happy Condition of the Peasants, who are all well lodged, well clad, and well fed. Their Lot is happier than that of many Gentlemen in certain Provinces that I know. Here is nothing of that excessive Subordination which is demanded by the Grandees of other Countries. A Gentleman who makes a Visit to a Lord, is receiv’d by him as his Equal, without being made sensible of the Difference that has happened betwixt them on the Score of Birth. Nevertheless, the great Men are very much honoured here; for while they are civil, every body strives to pay them all Sorts of Deference, but nobody thinks he is born to be insulted by them.
The Great Men here, as well as in France, don’t scruple to marry Women of inferior Families. Indeed there ought to be a great Distinction made between the English Merchant and the Merchants of other Countries. The English are often descended from the greatest Families in the Kingdom,
and we have seen some of them go from behind their Compter to a Peerage, when by Right of Succession they rise from Cadets to be the eldest of their Families. Thus, when a Nobleman marries a Merchant’s Daughter, she sometimes proves his Cousin, or a Lady of a distinguish’d Family; whereas in France, she is always the Daughter of a Plebeian.
These, Sir, are the few Remarks that I have made upon this Country, and I wish they may entertain you. As I propose to make some longer Stay here, I may hereafter send you farther Observations on what occurs. In the mean time, continue me in the Honour of your Remembrance, and be thoroughly persuaded, that no Person in the World is more particularly than I am, &c.
An Alphabetical INDEX
TO THE
SECOND VOLUME.
A Abbés, Italian, [69], [70]. Five or six club for one Mistress, [469]. Abbesses that preach’d, bless’d and confess’d, [195]. Academy, French. Its Invitation to the Stage-Players, and their Return of the Favour, [266], [267]. Acquaviva, Cardinal, [4], [44], [55]. —— Charles, Pr. of, [136]. Acunha, Lewis de, [406]. Agasias the Ephesian, [49]. Agnus Dei’s, their Fabrication and Distribution, Origin and Consecration, [99], &c. Agrippa, Emperor, [7]. Agrippina, the Mother of Nero, [332]. Aignan, (St.) Duke de, [85], [123]. Aix la Chapelle, t. [327]. Reliques exposed there, [329]. Aix Parliament. The Jansenists with the Members hang’d, [194]. An Epigram, making them greater Sinners than Pilate, ibid. Alacoque Maria, made a Saint by a Bishop, [202]. Alais, Count de, [217]. Albano Cardinal, [15], [16], [37], [78], [88]. —— Painter, [359]. Albemarle, Earl and Countess, [407], [408]. Alberoni’s Proposal to the Cardinals, to take away the Franchises of Churches, [75]. Clement XIth’s Design to deprive him of the Hat, [88]. Albert, Archduke of Austria, [313]. Albert the Great, Bishop of Ratisbon, [327]. Albert, Cardinal of Brandenbourg, [336], [342]. Albin, St. Abbé of, [291]. Alcmaer, t. [392]. Alegre, Marshal, [339]. Alexander Farnese, [39]. Alexander VI. Pope, [97]. Alexandria de la Paille, t. [151]. Aliberti, Count, his Theatre, [65]. Alincourt, Marquis de, [174], [175]. Remarkable Preferment of his Son to the See of Lyons, [175], [176]. Almanza Victory, to what ascrib’d, [259]. Alstein, a German Minister, [382]. Altelli, General of the Corsicans, [150]. Alva, Duke of, [317]. Ambiorix, King, [321]. Ambrun, Council of, [240]. Amelia, Princess, [448]. Amende honorable, Punishment, what, [433]. Amerongen, Brigadier de. The Token he gave of his Love for a Lady, at the Hazard of his Life, [320].