pire has been improved from a state of gross ignorance, refined by the arts of peace, and instructed in the arts of war, by the vast genius and industry of one of its princes, who laid the foundation of its present power and grand eur. Another inconsiderable state, with fewer resources, has, at a later period, been created a powerful monarchy, by the astonishing efforts, perseverance, and magnanimity of its present king; whose love of knowledge and the arts has drawn some of the greatest geniuses in Europe to his capital; whence science and taste must gradually flow through his whole dominions, where they were formerly but little cherished. In these instances, and others which might be enumerated, the princes have been superior in genius to any of their subjects. The throne has been the source whence knowledge and refinement have flowed to the extremities of the nation. But this has never been the case in France, where it is not the king who polishes the people ;-but the people who refine the manners, humanize the heart, and, if it be not perfectly opaque, enlighten the understanding of the king. Telemaque, and many other works, have been composed with this intention. In many addresses and remonstrances to the throne, excellent precepts and hints are insinuated in an indirect and delicate manner, By the emphatic applause they bestow on particular passages of the pieces represented at the theatre, they convey to the monarch the sentiments of the nation respecting the measures of his government. By ascribing qualities to him which he does not possess, they endeavour to excite within his breast a desire to attain them: they try to cajole him into virtue. Considered in this point of view, the design of the equestrian statue which the city of Paris has erected in honour of Lewis XV may have been suggested from a more generous motive than flattery, to which it is generally imputed. This was begun by Bouchardon; who died when the work was well advanced, and has since been committed to Pigal to be finished. The horse is placed on a very high pedestal. At the angles are four figures, standing in the manner of Caryatides, who represent the four virtues, Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, and the love of Peace. All the ornaments are of bronze. The two small sides of the pedestal are ornamented with gilded laurels and inscriptions. On the front, towards the Tuilleries, is the following. LUDOVICO XV, OPTIMO PRINCIPI QUOD AD SCALDUM, MOSAM, RHENUM, PACEM ARMIS PACE SUORUM ET EUROPÆ FELICITATEM QUÆSIVIT. The large sides of the pedestal are adorned with trophies and bas reliefs. One represents Lewis giving peace to Europe; the other represents him in a triumphal chariot, crowned by Victory, and conducted by Renown to a people who submit. When we recollect that the inscription and emblems allude to the conclusion of the war before the last, and what kind of inscriptions are usually put under the statues of kings, we shall not find any thing outrageously flattering in the above; the moral of which is, that the love of peace is one of the greatest virtues a king can possess -The best moral that can be insinuated into the breast of a monarch. In this work the horse is infinitely more admired, by sculptors and satirists, than the king. But the greatest oversight is, that the whole group, though all the figures are larger than life, have a diminutive appearance in the centre of the vast area in which they are placed. The wits of Paris could not allow such an opportunity of indulging their vein to escape unimproved. Many epigrams are handed about.-Here are two.— Bouchardon est un animal, Et son ouvrage fait pitié; Et met les vertus à pied. Voilà notre Roi comme il est à Versailles, sans foi, sans loi, et sans entrailles. Both are too severe; giving the idea of wicked dispositions, and cruelty of temper, which do not belong to Lewis XV; whose real character, in three words, is that of a goodnatured, easy-tempered man, sunk in sloth and sensuality. I have seen another inscription for the statue handed about; it is in Latin, and very short. STATUA STATUÆ.* You may imagine that the authors of these would meet with a dreadful punishment, if they were discovered. No danger of that kind is sufficient to restrain the inhabitants of this city from writing and spreading such pasquinades, which are greatly relished by the whole nation. Indeed, I imagine there is more of the spirit of reyenge, than of good policy, in attempting to repel such humours; which, if they did not get vent in this manner, might break out in a more dangerous shape. LETTER XIII. Adieu. I Paris. DINED yesterday with an equal number of both sexes, at the chevalier B's. He is F's very intimate. friend, and has a charming house within a few leagues of Paris, which the marquis makes full as much use of as the owner. • The Statue of a Statue, The chevalier has a considerable revenue, which he spends with equal magnificence and economy. He has been married many years to his present lady, a most agreeable woman, with whom he possesses every thing which can make their union happy, except children. They endeavour to forget this disagreeable circumstance, by a constant succession of company; and, which is very singular here, the society entertained by the husband and wife are the same. F-, though much younger than either, is a great favourite of both; and they are always pleased when he invites a small company of his friends to dine at their house. The present party was proposed by Madame de M a rich young widow, much admired here; of whom I shall give you a glimpse, en passant-for do not imagine I undertake to describe the most undescribable of all human beings, a fine French lady. Madame de Mhas some wit, more beauty, and vivacity in the greatest measure:-if there were a fourth degree of comparison, I should place her vanity there. She laughs a great deal, and she is in the right; for her teeth are remarkably fine. She talks very much, and in a loud and decisive tone of voice. This is not so judicious, because her sentiments are not so brilliant as her teeth, and her voice is rather harsh.-She is received with attention and respect every where;-that she owes to her rank. She is liked and followed by the men; this she owes to her beauty. She is not disliked by the women, which is probably owing to her foibles. This lady is thought to be fond of F; so, to prevent scandal, she desired me to call at her house, and attend her to the chevalier's. I found her at her toilette, in consultation with a general officer and two abbés, concerning a new head-dress which she had just invented. It was smart and fanciful; and, after a few corrections, received the sanction of all those critics. They declared it to be a valuable discovery, and foretold that it would immediately become the general mode of Paris, and do immortal honour to the genius of Madame de M She wheeled from before the glass, with an air of exultation.-Allons, donc, mes enfansà la gloire, cried gloire,—cried she; and was proceeding to give orders for her equipage, when a servant entered, and informed her, that Madame la Comtesse had accepted her invitation, and would certainly do herself the honour of dining with her. I despair of giving you an idea of the sudden change which this message occasioned in the features of Madame de M. Had she heard of the death of her father, or her only child, she could not have been more confounded. -Est-il possible (said she, with an accent of despair) qu'on puisse être si bête !-The servant was called, and examined regarding the import of the answer he had brought from Madame la Comtesse.-It was even so she was assuredly to come.-Fresh exclamations on the part of Madame de M. Did you send to invite her for this day? said I.-Undoubtedly I did, replied Madame de M. That could be delayed no longer.She came to town last Sunday.-I therefore sent her the politest message in the world, begging to have the honour of her company for this day, at dinner; and behold, the horrid woman (with a rudeness, or ignorance of life without example) sends me word she will come. It is very shocking, indeed, said I, that she should have misunderstood your kindness so prodigiously.-Is it not? said she. Could any mortal have expected so barbarous a return of civility?—She is connected with some of my relations in the country when she came to town, I immediately left my name with her porter.-She called next day on me-I had informed my Swiss, that I was always to be out when she came. I was denied accordingly. Celà est tout simple, et selon les régles. The woman is twenty years older than I, and we must be insupportable to each other-She ought to have seen, that my invitation was dictated by politeness only the same po |