A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY THROUGH FRANCE AND ITALY




They order, said I, this matter better in France.--You have been in
France? said my gentleman, turning quick upon me, with the most
civil triumph in the world.--Strange! quoth I, debating the matter
with myself, That one and twenty miles sailing, for 'tis absolutely
no further from Dover to Calais, should give a man these rights: --
I'll look into them: so, giving up the argument,--I went straight
to my lodgings, put up half a dozen shirts and a black pair of silk
breeches,--"the coat I have on," said I, looking at the sleeve,
"will do;"--took a place in the Dover stage; and the packet sailing
at nine the next morning,--by three I had got sat down to my dinner
upon a fricaseed chicken, so incontestably in France, that had I
died that night of an indigestion, the whole world could not have
suspended the effects of the droits d'aubaine;--my shirts, and
black pair of silk breeches,--portmanteau and all, must have gone
to the King of France;--even the little picture which I have so
long worn, and so often have told thee, Eliza, I would carry with
me into my grave, would have been torn from my neck!--Ungenerous!
to seize upon the wreck of an unwary passenger, whom your subjects
had beckoned to their coast!--By heaven! Sire, it is not well
done; and much does it grieve me, 'tis the monarch of a people so
civilized and courteous, and so renowned for sentiment and fine
feelings, that I have to reason with! -

But I have scarce set a foot in your dominions. -