for a Dutchman, extremely communicative. We talked of indifferent things-plays, politics, and the state of literature on the Continent.

"Books," said he, "are very rapidly multiplied both at Paris and at the Hague; and it is on that account, although it may appear a parodox with many, that an author finds it so very difficult to live." I answered, "that I could very easily conceive it.”

With respect to the politics of his country, I found him somewhat wary and reserved. I spoke of the seafight off the Dogger Bank, and of the bravery of Admiral Byland. He replied, "that it was peu de chose." I told him, "my countrymen were of a different opinion."

He asked me how I found the Dutch. I answered, "that I had seen but little of them; but that if in my tour through Holland I met with twenty like himself, I should return to England in much better humour than I had left it." He gently inclined his head. It was sufficient. And yet, for such a compliment, a Frenchman would have made me as many bows as there were words in it.

My companion gave a shrug.

"But how do you like our women?" continued he. ""Faith," said I, "I think them particularly handsome -as handsome as those of England"

-The door of our room was at this time open, and we perceived a Dutchwoman in the adjoining chamber, who, on hearing our discourse, immediately adjusted her head-dress at the glass.

"Ah," exclaimed the Frenchman, "voilà une petite Mademoiselle qui entend bien ce que c'est qu'un éloge." "True," replied Monsieur De C- ; and she seems determined to apply it to herself."

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We now retired to rest. In passing to my chamber, I met the lady I have lately spoken of, and who proved to be the mistress of the house. She made me a much lower curtsey than a hostess usually makes to an ordinary guest.

THE PARADE.

HAGUE.

EARLY the next morning I was again visited by Monsieur De C, who came to offer his services in conducting me about the Hague. I thanked him, I said, for his attention; but that I was unwilling to divert him from his studies. He pressed the matter, however, so very earnestly, that I was under the necessity of accepting him for my guide; and shortly after we set out on our perambulation.

In how opposite a manner are our friendships and connexions frequently formed! We at one time enter into them with the greatest caution and reserve; by the slowest and most regular gradation: and at another time, perhaps, with the utmost precipitancy and haste. Monsieur De C and I were already friends.

Both

We proceeded immediately to the parade. horse and foot were at this time drawn out, and made a truly soldier-like appearance. I never saw a finer set of men. Frederick himself, I think, would be delighted with them. I wished for nothing more ardently than the possibility of instantly passing to the troops of the Emperor. Monsieur De C- would have been equally "If," said he, "they

pleased to have done the same. are superior to those of the States (superior in numbers they certainly are), there is little to be expected from the clemency of Joseph. But we have hitherto boldly maintained our rights; and if our soldiers are to be depended on, I should hope that their High Mightinesses would continue firm in their resolutions, and never give up a single point. The demands of the Emperor are unjust.'

Monsieur De Chad scarcely done speaking, when my attention was called to the other side of the parade, by the appearance of the Prince of Orange. A murmur

of some few moments ran among the people. I demanded the reason of their discontent. "They trembled," they said, "for their freedom-that it was evidently the aim of the Prince of Orange to subvert their established form of government, and to assume to himself a kingly and even a despotic power." "And what steps," said I, "has he taken towards it?" "Not any," returned they; "but we fear that such are his intentions." "Ridiculous!" cried I, endeavouring to point out to them the improbability of such an event; but they were not to be reasoned with.

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I now moved towards his Highness. Calmness and benignity sat upon his countenance; and there was an ease and affability in his carriage and general address, which won upon me strangely. "This prince," said I to Monsieur De C-, " is an amiable character; every unprejudiced person, indeed, has always represented him as such: I saw it, however, on the instant, and would venture to risk my opinion and skill in physiognomy even on the judgment of Monsieur De Lavater. By Heaven!" exclaimed I, "O Hollanders! there is a cruelty and injustice in your conduct towards this man, for which it is scarcely possible to make atonement. At present, however, he is your friend-at present, did I say? No! treat him as you will, he never can become your enemy. O! that I could inspire you with sentiments noble and generous as his own!"

Monsieur De C- embraced me.

Leaving the parade, we sauntered about the town without meeting with any thing remarkable, and returned to the hotel to dinner. After which, by way of proving to M. De C that I was an advocate for liberty, without being a friend to licentiousness, I drank the Prince of Orange's health in a bumper.

THE THEATRE.

HAGUE.

I HAD not yet visited the Comédie Française. The play announced for the present evening was the Méchant of Gresset-an admirable piece: I was therefore desirous of attending the representation; more especially as the Princess of Orange was to be present. So at the usual hour I repaired to the theatre, and took my seat in the parquet.

"And this," said I, (on hearing that her Highness was entering the theatre,)" will enable me to speak decisively of the Dutch. Much will depend on the manner in which they may receive the consort of their prince."

She entered the house unnoticed. The Princess Louisa accompanied her. The curtain was already drawn up. How! thought I, not the smallest attention -not the most trifling mark of respect! But what was my surprise, when a few minutes afterwards an utter stranger was admitted to their box: it was the Abbé R-, a literary gentleman, with whom I had become acquainted at the Table d'Hôte. Rallying him next day on his situation at the play-house, I found him equally astonished at it with myself; and he very pleasantly observed to me, in the language of one of our own poets, that he could not help wondering, while sitting by the side of the princess, "how the devil he got there."

Though the Princess of Orange is not a regular beauty, there is something particularly striking in her countenance-mild, yet penetrating; and, if the soul may be said to " sit within the eye"*-her's I pronounce a noble one.

*Thy rapt soul sitting in thine eye.-MILTON.

THE PROVERB AND THE BON-MOT.

HAGUE.

I was in want of gloves; so I stepped into a shop in the Casuari-street, in order to purchase a pair. A grisette of genteel appearance was sitting behind the counter-I thought I knew the face. It was actually the petite Bourgeoise whom I had accommodated with a place in my carriage.

"Ah! Monsieur," cried she, " que je suis enchantée de vous voir!" Every circumstance of my behaviour to her at Briel immediately rushed into my mind. I was really afraid to meet her eye-it was in truth a piercing one.

"Y-a-t-il long temps que vous êtes à la Haye?" continued she. I answered with some degree of hesitation, that I had been there about a week.-I was really confounded-I wished myself away: so having paid for the gloves, I complained that I was greatly fatigued by my walk, and that I must return to the hotel to tea. Indeed I should not, she said—she would have the honour of making me a cup herself.—It was true, her husband was not at home-

"You are married then ?" said I.

“O qu'oui,” said she, “depuis trois jours—mais cela ne signifie rien: mon mari n'est pas de ces jaloux qui— mais entrez-entrez, Monsieur." Saying which, she took me by the arm, and conducted me into her parlour.

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I apologized for the trouble I was about to give her. -She was pleased to call it a pleasure.—“ Besides," said she, " you are very distant from your hotel, et encore, Monsieur, à beau jeu beau retour." I thought it a little maliciously said; but excused it on account of her liveliness.

She entertained me with a hundred little anecdotes.