[4] See Mirror, vol. xii.

* * * * *




SPIRIT OF THE ANNUALS.


A FRENCH GENTLEMAN'S LETTER TO AN ENGLISH FRIEND IN LONDON.


Ah my deer frend--I cannot feel the plaisir I expresse to come to your
country charming, for you see. We are arrive at Southampton before
yesterday at one hour of the afternoon, and we are debarked very nice.
I never believe you when at Paris, you tell me that the Englishwomen
get on much before our women; but now I agree quite with you; I know
you laughing at your countrywomen for take such long steps! My faith!
I never saw such a mode to walk; they take steps long like the man!
Very pretty women! but not equal to ours! White skins, and the tint
fresh, but they have no mouths nor no eyes. Our women have lips like
rose-buttons; and eyes of lightning; the English have mouth wide like
the toads, and their eyes are like _"dreaming sheeps,"_ as one of our
very talented writers say, "mouton qui rève." It is excellent, that. I
am not perceived so many English ladies _tipsy_ as I expect; our
General Pilon say they all drink brandy; this I have not seen very
much. I was very surprise to see the people's hair of any colour but
red, because all our travellers say there is no other hair seen,