14 ([return])
[ It was of this lady that Marmontel said—“She has the art of making the most common thoughts appear new, and the most uncommon simple, by the elegance and clearness of her expressions.”]
15 ([return])
[ To these observations there are honourable exceptions.]
16 ([return])
[ Vapeurs noirs—vulgarly known by the name of blue devils.]
17 ([return])
[ Since this was written, the author has seen the same thoughts so much better expressed in the following lines that she cannot forbear to quote them:
“Since trifles make the sum of human things,
And half our mis’ry from our foibles springs;
Since life’s best joys consist in peace and ease,
And few can save or serve, but all may please:
Oh! let th’ungentle spirit learn from hence,
A small unkindness is a great offence.
Large bounties to bestow we wish in vain;
But all may shun the guilt of giving pain.”
SENSIBILITY. By Mrs. H. More.]
18 ([return])
[ “Il est très-difficile de se faire une idée nette de ce que les Anglais entendent par ce mot; on a tenté plusieurs fois sans succès d’en donner une définition précise. Congreve, qui assurement a mis beaucoup d’humour dans ses comédies, dit, que c’est une manière singulière et inévitable de faire ou de dire quelque chose, qui est naturelle et propre à un homme seul, et qui distingue ses discours et ses actions des discours et des actions de tout autre.