The Villa.

CALLING upon a citizen of my ac

quaintance on a Saturday, I found him and his family just setting off for his villa in the country. Having nothing particular to hinder me, I accepted a hearty invitation to make one of the party; and as the ladies condefcended to fubmit to a worse accommodation than usual, I fqueezed into the well-filled carriage, which very foberly brought us to the place of our destination.

A citizen's box by the road fide is fo perfectly known, and has been fo often painted in its dufty colours, that I have no new touches to add-It was one of the thousands that are in the vicinity of London, with nothing to distinguish it from its neighbours.

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In the evening, as we were taking repeated turns on the small space of the garden which permitted it, I believe my friend perceived an involuntary smile of contempt playing about my face, which he confidered as a reproach on his taste— to which he made this reply.

"A Londoner's country-houfe has been the fubject of much ridicule, and given occafion to fome excellent papers in periodical publications, from the Spectator, down.to our own times. I have laughed heartily at the wit and humour it has produced-but we ftill are in the fame state-and ought to be fo." ~

I acknowledged that my fmile was occafioned by recollecting thofe humorous defcriptions to which he alluded; that, adinitting the propriety of having a villa ; yet, I faw no reason why it must always poffefs fome points for ridicule

Every reason, says he, why it should not, if those points were ridiculous to the poffeffor; but if sources of enjoyment to him, he may excuse their being laughed at by others-permit me to offer fomething in defence of these our little boxes.

"Should you difpute the propriety of our going into the country at all—I reply, that we return the keener to our business for having had a little relaxation from it-that change of air and exercise contributes to our health. The hope of future enjoyment gives us prefent fpirits. If you knew the pleasure with which we look forward to Saturday, that is to carry us to the little garden, where we survey the accumulated vegetation of the days we have been absent, you would think it a sensation not to be despised.

"From what I have obferved, no perfons really enjoy the country but the Those who poffefs

London citizens,

magnificent villas feem infenfible to the beauties in their poffeffion. It is the appetite which gives pleasure to the feast. If we have this inclination, and it is gratified, there is nothing farther to ask. Touchstone is properly matched with Audrey: the finest lady in the land could only give him pleasure, and that he receives from his Dowdy.

But, in my opinion, there is more ftill to be faid for us-Are you fure that a box by the fide of a dufty road, is lefs calculated for enjoyment, than a palace fituated in a vaft park?-My neighbour who poffeffes fuch a palace, like you, wonders at my bad taste, which he continually abuses, for fear I fhould fufpect that he receives pleasure, when fitting in my window, which he does for hours together (notwithstanding the duft) inwardly envying my happiness that I can ice the world in motion.

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"I have obferved, that the poffeffors of great houfes have a marvellous affection to a little parlour !—Is it that the minds fills a fmall space without effort, and finds the whole within the scope of enjoyment; while in a large one, it seems to be making vain attempts to approach what is out of its reach? We fancy a little parlour to come nearer, and be, as it were, part of ourselves; while a great room feems made for more than one, and to belong not only to us, but to others. Whether this reasoning be just or not, it is certain that you feldom are shewn a great house, but you are informed that some small room you were paffing unnoticed, is the place where the owner refides-the grand fuite of apartments is for ftrangers.

"You know that from our fhops we fee fucceffive crowds for ever paffing. Were we to retire to abfolute folitude, the change would be too great to be relished.

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