To MRS. M--.
PARIS, October, 12, 1763.

MADAM,--I shall be much pleased if the remarks I have made on the
characters of the French people, can afford you the satisfaction
you require. With respect to the ladies I can only judge from
their exteriors: but, indeed, these are so characteristic, that
one can hardly judge amiss; unless we suppose that a woman of
taste and sentiment may be so overruled by the absurdity of what
is called fashion, as to reject reason, and disguise nature, in
order to become ridiculous or frightful. That this may be the
case with some individuals, is very possible. I have known it
happen in our own country, where the follies of the French are
adopted and exhibited in the most aukward imitation: but the
general prevalence of those preposterous modes, is a plain proof
that there is a general want of taste, and a general depravity of
nature. I shall not pretend to describe the particulars of a
French lady's dress. These you are much better acquainted with
than I can pretend to be: but this I will be bold to affirm, that
France is the general reservoir from which all the absurdities of
false taste, luxury, and extravagance have overflowed the
different kingdoms and states of Europe. The springs that fill
this reservoir, are no other than vanity and ignorance. It would
be superfluous to attempt proving from the nature of things, from
the first principles and use of dress, as well as from the
consideration of natural beauty, and the practice of the
ancients, who certainly understood it as well as the connoisseurs
of these days, that nothing can be more monstrous, inconvenient,
and contemptible, than the fashion of modern drapery. You