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than others with all the affiftance of wind and tide; and yet that is a

true judgment which we form of ourselves from our fituation with others, whether we are on a line with them, or before them.

LETTER XXXIX.

10th November.

I Begin to think my fituation more

tolerable: I am much occupied;

and the number of actors, and the different parts they play, make a very amusing variety in the scene. I have made an acquaintance with the Count of C-, and I efteem him

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more and more every day. He is a man of ftrong understanding and great difcernment: but though he fees farther than other people, he is not therefore cold in his temper and manner; his fenfibility furpaffes alk his other qualities. One morning that I went to speak to him upon bufinefs, he expreffed a friendship for me; by the first word he perceived that we understood each other, and that he might talk to me in a style different from that he made ufe of with most of the others.

I cannot exprefs the fatisfaction I receive from the opennefs of his conduct with regard to me. It is

the

the greatest of pleasures when a delicate mind thus lays itself open

to one.

I

LETTER XL.

December 24.

Forefaw it; the minifter occafions me a number of vexations. 'Tis the most punctilicus blockhead under heaven; he goes on ftep by step, with the trifling minuteness of an old woman. But how can a man be pleafed with other people who is never fatisfied with himself? I like to

go on with bufinefs regularly and with

B 4

with alacrity; and when it is finished, that it should be finifhed. But not so with him; he is capable of returning my draught to me, and faying, "It will do; but go over it again however, there is always fomething to correct; one may find a better phrase, or a properer word."-I then lofe all patience, and wish myfelf at the devil. Not a conjunction, not one connecting word must be omitted; and as to the tranfpofitions, which I like, and which flow naturally from my pen, he is their mortal foe. If every fentence is not ́expreffed exactly in the ftyle of the

office,

office, he is quite loft. 'Tis deplo rable to have any connection with fuch a perfonage.

The only thing which gives me fatisfaction, is my intimacy with Count C. He very frankly told me the other day, how much he was difpleafed with the difficulties and delays of the minifter; that people of his caft muft make every thing troublesome to themfelves, and to others : "But," added he, one must submit, as a traveller that is obliged to climb over a mountain; if the mountain was not in the way, his road would undoubtedly be fhorter and more convenient, but in

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