OCR Text |
Show 36 The Art of Travelling. with me to marrow. The Art of Travelling. The Envoy did not fail to come, and oppolite to him was plac'd one of tliofe fecret Cenfors, who penetrate a Man as foon as he begins to open his Mouth, without regard to his Ofice, of which they never fpeak directly or indirectly. He was magnificently regal‘d, and at the time when the Table allows a liberty of free Difcourfe, Well Sir, fays this Cenfor, how d'ye like this Country? There's nothing but Alagnificence (fays the Envoy ) every where, hutyct here's one thing wanting: to which the other wittily reply'd, If it 37 diculous when he fpeaks, to lignify fome unjufl: Preference that he makes in it. The confounding of a perfonal Determination of a Minilter of State, together with a National Determination, is a fecond Stumbling-block, againlt which the greatell: part of inconfiderate and raw Travellers break their Shins: Who when they are fpoken to about the attual Symptoms of the Go- vernment of their Country, on purpofe to put 'em upon difcourling, if inftead of intimating by a wife be riothiuér but your Approhation, we can do well enough Reply, that they know how to diltinguilh the In- without it. Indeed this Envoy was not long enough at this terelts and Deligns of their Country from the perfonal Motives of thofe who govern it, which on that account determine them otherwife, they confound them both together, they pafs for Pools, and mere Butterflies, that always flutter about that which cal‘ts the greatel'c Light. And after a Man Court to improve himfelf by it: for when he left it he was f0 entirely difpleas'd with it, that by fignifying his Difguft, he gave occafion to 'em to let him know a thoufand ways, that they were every jot as much difgui‘ted with him. At his re- turn he made a ridiculous Defcription of this Court: but Men had need take care what they fay, for there happen'd to be a Stranger in the company who made this difdainful Reply : If your own Coun- has once made fuch a falfe Rep, let him try as long as he pleafes, he'll himfelf right again in the Railery will take its turn and the greater Expence find it impollible to fet Eileen] of Men of fenfe, after ferious Difcourfe, he {hall be at to intro- try (faid he) could not furni/h you with common duce himfelf into good Company, the more ridi- Senfe, how could you expat? that a Court which you did but jufi pafs through fhoula' teach you what you had no difpofitiou to learn 9 This Repartee was carried culous will he appear to 'em: And it you tell to that Court of which this Envoy had given f0 unfutable a Character, and 'tis certain he a long time pal‘s'd there for the greatelt Fool that ever was honour'd with a public Employ: Thefe are the Eff'eits of Ignorance, and a fottifh Prejudice. That is never to be learn'd in Travelling which 'tis fuppos'd a well-bred Man ought to know be- fore he engages in Travels. For the Principles of Society and Policy are fo link'd together, a that he that tranfgrell‘es the former, renders himfelf ridiculous thefe ftupid Creatures, or (it you pleafe) thefe pretended Politicians, that they err in the lirll: Principles of Policy, they'll treat you as a ridi- culous and whimfical Perfon; nay fome of 'em have been f0 ill-temper'd as to endeavour to render a Man fufpeéted, for having had refined; and kind: nefs enough for his Country to advertife cm of their Miftake. . The Faults of every Nation are known in all foreign Countries: Nay they compofe divers Ari- oms of 'em, which are not altogether iallc; for afterall, if they are not all of lem ablolutely true, there's fomething in 'em infallibly f0. And vylhe- ier |