227 [=229]

[227]

[Lett. lix. Letters Historical and Galant.]

"I want nothing, says she, but to get rid of an impertinent fellow, that has said a hundred foolish things to me, which
"I excuse him because I believe he is crazy, but I shall not be in the humour to bear with much longer." At these words
the German lost all Patience, and after Letting out some Starti start tuyvle, thinking she deserved it, for carrying her im-
pudence so far, related the melancholy Adventure privately to them, and said that for his six hundred Pistoles he might be permitted to
take some Liberties, after having enjoyed much greater with her. The Dutchess had a mind to have him well Cudgeled by her
people at first, but she was advised, to dive into the bottom of this affair, and to see what foundation this Fable had in His
tory. Some thought the German had lost his Senses; but at last, they resolved to examine the proofs he offered to give of
it; and the Count de ** offered to go with him in quest of the Chevalier Dupeville, and to the Lady's where the Scene pass
But they found she had changed her Quarters, and was one of your Love Traders, that the Chevalier Dupeville was a
remarkable Rogue, and that the German was the Dupe of the Adventure, because after stripping him at play, they compleated his
Ruin by substituting a Prostitute in the Room of the Dutchess, whom they knew he was in love with. He flew then into Despair
for having been capable to offend her, and appeared more sensible of that than he loss of his money: he ran to ask her a thousand
Pardons for his Extravagance; and she in her turn, was so touch'd with his Repentance, and good Mien, that they say he has
found the secret to arrive at the happiness he thought he had possess'd. So true is it that Love loses none of his rights, and
that what we look upon to be the greatest Misfortune, often leads us to the highest felicity! This Young Lord's ought to
be much greater now, since he is obliged to his merit and not to his Money for it. They say, the Dutchess has lent him some,
and till his Bills of Exchange come which he expects soon, gives him wherewithal to make a figure agreeable to his
Quality. The Chevalier de Dupeville, and his Mistress, who has not been taken, have been hanged in Effigy. and this History
which is quite new, makes a great Noise here. They have reason to punish with such severity Crimes in which the honour
of the Ladies is so strongly concerned. For what Ideas will strangers carry home with them of us, if people sell them thus
all the Women of the Court and Town, by substituting Prostitutes in their place? Opinion, they say, is all in all with men;
so that we should be in a bad Predicament in the world, if care was not taken to put a stop to such abuses as these ----
But this History has so swelled my Letter, that tis high time to finish it, and to assure you that I am, Madam, Yr. &c.

[Letter. lix. From Aix_la_Chapelle]

I had need of the History of your German to dissipate the sad Ideas you recalled in me, at the Memory of the Prince of
Conti, and Mr. de St. Olon, whom I regret with all my heart. As all my Regrets will do them no good, and as Melancholy is very
pernicious to Health, I believe, since they are in perfect repose, our best way is not to disturb ours with sad and Melancholy
Thoughts. For as Fontaine says, since there are people alive, why should we think on the Dead?

I am very well pleased with the Dutchess of ** for her Generosity, and Since her Star leads her to tenderness, she
does very well to comfort that poor Foreigner, who for his downright honesty and disinterestedness assuredly deserves the preference
from her. That poor Devil fell into good Hands as far as I see; but he is not the first that met with such an adventure, and
young men can never escape the Tricks of Sharpers, but by the abilities of a good Governor. We have some of those gentry here,
very expert at their trade, that come from all Parts to try to make Dupes; Every place here is full of what they Call
Knights of Industry.

'Tother day I was shew'd a french Gentleman, or at least one that pass'd for such, who after a Journey of three
hundred Leagues, which he took with some Gentlemen, who did not know as much as he, ask'd each of them when they arrived
hear how much it cost him on the Road. One Say'd fifty Pistoles,, another Sixty, and the rest in Proportion. "Very
"well, says he, it cost me no more than a single penny that I gave this Morning to the Servant maid of the house where
"we lay last night." This all his fellow travellers thought incredible; they always lodged together, dined at the same
table, and thought the Expence was equal: But he explained the Mystery to them. "Don't you remember, says he to them,
that when we were pretty near our Inns, I always went before, to see that we had the best, and that under pretence of being
better acquainted with the several places, I was quartermaster of the Troop? Wou'd it be reasonable I should give myself
"this trouble for nothing, no Certainly; when I was travelling for your advantage, 'twas natural I should travel for
"my Interest too. I went before hand then to the places we were to dine at, and taking the host aside; "Look you says
"I, there are a number of Gentlemen behind me, I'll bring them to you; if you'll let me have my diinner gratis; If he
"made any difficulties I threatned to go elsewhere;" so not to lose his windfall, our bargain was soon made, and
"then I took care to get our selves well used for your Money. What I did at dinner, I did at night too, with the
"same Success, and so got here without opening my Purse." Every one admired the Address of this Knight