indelicacy of many of them, who make it a point of religion to abjure
linen, and wear their habits till they drop off. How astonishing that
any mind should suppose the Deity an enemy to cleanliness! the Jewish
religion was hardly any thing else.

I paid my respects wherever I stopped, to the _seigneuress_ of
the village; for as to the seigneurs, except two or three, if they had
not wives, they would not be worth visiting.

I am every day more pleased with the women here; and, if I was
gallant, should be in danger of being a convert to the French stile of
gallantry; which certainly debases the mind much less than ours.

But what is all this to my Emily? How I envy Sir George! what
happiness has Heaven prepared for him, if he has a soul to taste it!

I really must not think of her; I found so much delight in her
conversation, it was quite time to come away; I am almost ashamed to
own how much difficulty I found in leaving her: do you know I have
scarce slept since? This is absurd, but I cannot help it; which by the
way is an admirable excuse for any thing.

I have been come but two hours, and am going to Silleri, to pay my
compliments to your friend Miss Fermor, who arrived with her father,
who comes to join his regiment, since I left Quebec. I hear there has
been a very fine importation of English ladies during my absence. I am
sorry I have not time to visit the rest, but I go to-morrow morning to
the Indian village for a fortnight, and have several letters to write
to-night.