why I should be the only person you should

treat with insincerity.

"I am, &c.

"LOUIS P. DUKE OF ORLEANS."

I have much to say respecting the writer of this last letter, which will be quite new to you. I think Louis XV. was nearly right, when he said that the monarchy would last during his lifetime, and not much longer. Unless some very great change take place— which I shall endeavour to effect, by writing, and in every other possible way-Louis the Sixteenth will be the last monarch who will reign over the destinies of France.

If I had time, I would enter into further particulars; another day I will do so.

Adieu!

M.

LETTER XIX.

Pleasant Invitation

Rural Fete Water Party

Grand English Dinner-Statue of William Walworth-The Fishmongers' Company-Ball, Supper, and Conclusion of the Feast.

London.

I SPENT a charming day on the 15th instant. I received a letter from Madame de M., in which, without entering into any explanation, she requested me to call at her country seat, as soon as possible. It is beautifully situated on the banks of the Thames. On my arrival, I was shown into the park, and, under a very large oak-tree, I observed a number of tables covered with every luxury imaginable. Scarcely had I commenced paying my respects to the noble Amphytrion, when the sound of music drew my attention to the river, whence it proceeded

some

eight or ten handsome boats, and a splendid

barge, had now reached the shore. About thirty men, and as many well dressed ladies, landed under a salute of guns, and the sound of French horns. They were soon seated at the tables, one of which was assigned to the thirty sailors or watermen, who were dressed in uniform, with curious caps, and large breastplates. At their table, as you may imagine, the greatest number of bottles (empty ones I mean) were to be seen.

When the repast had terminated, I was invited to accompany the noblemen :

we

thanks to the energetic vivacity of our joyous boatmen, we soon passed through Chelsea, Westminster, and Blackfriars bridges.

Reaching London bridge, our barge stopped, and we were led through a passage, not very splendid, into a large handsome hall, and thence, into another room, where we left our hats and canes. We were then shown the Council chamber, the Assembly,

The latter is remark

and Dining rooms. ably large, well proportioned, and about the heighth of the saloon of Marly. The windows, looking upon the river, render it extremely cheerful. A gallery, sufficiently large to accommodate several hundreds of spectators, goes round the room, and, at one extremity, is an orchestra. Dinner was announced. Figure to yourself a very long table, in the form of a horse-shoe, with a hundred and thirty or forty covers. The President was seated at the head, upon a sort of Curule chair; on his right, the lady of the nobleman, my friend; on his left, the nobleman himself, the wife of the chairman, and other ladies.

To give you an idea, once for all, of what a good English dinner is composed, you must know, that, after turtle soup, which is very rich, highly spiced, and highly prized, comes the first course, consisting solely of the best kinds of fish-salmon, trout, turbot, and lobster-sauce of every kind and colour.

The second service was of meat, game of different sorts, particularly venison, the fat of which is considered most delicious; notwithstanding which, they add a sort of rich sweet jelly to it, made of currants. The third service was of custard and fruit tarts, puddings, &c.; and the whole was terminated by the finest dessert England could afford— delicious pine apples, excellent ices, and the rarest French and Spanish wines.

Besides this dinner, on a sideboard was placed an enormous piece of beef, over which were suspended the national colours: and this is what is called a baron of beef.

What do you think struck me most at this dinner? The activity, the grave deportment of four old beadles, dressed in a heavy livery, who waited upon us. What equally surprised me was a terrific statue, of painted wood, rudely sculptured, but representing a marked countenance, holding a naked dagger in its hand. This almost colossal statue occupied a recess behind the President's chair.