to get out of the damps and perplexities of Soorflect yesterday
evening; so mounting a very indifferent staircase, he led me to a
suite of garret-like apartments; which, considering the meanness of
their exterior, I was much surprised to find stored with some of the
most valuable productions of the Indies. Gold cups enriched with
gems, models of Chinese palaces in ivory, glittering armour of
Hindostan, and Japan caskets, filled every corner of this awkward
treasury. What of all its baubles pleased me most was a large coffer
of some precious wood, containing enamelled flasks of oriental
essences, enough to perfume a zenana, and so fragrant that I thought
the Mogul himself a Dutchman, for lavishing them upon this inelegant
nation. If disagreeable fumes, as I mentioned before, dissolve
enchantments, such aromatic oils have doubtless the power of raising
them; for, whilst I scented their fragrance, scarcely could anything
have persuaded me that I was not in the wardrobe of Hecuba, -


"Where treasur'd odours breath'd a costly scent."


I saw, or seemed to see, the arched apartments, the procession of
venerable matrons, the consecrated vestments: the very temple began
to rise upon my sight, when a Dutch porpoise approaching to make me a
low bow; his complaisance was full as notorious as Satan's, when,
according to Catholic legends, he took leave of Calvin or Dr.
Faustus. No spell can resist a fumigation of this nature; away fled
palace, Hecuba, matrons, temple, etc. I looked up, and lo! I was in
a garret. As poetry is but too often connected with this lofty
situation, you won't wonder much at my flight. Being a little
recovered from it, I tottered down the staircase, entered the