ADVERTISEMENT.

In a fortnight's excursion to Paris, towards the close of the year 1788, I sketched every evening a short account of the day's rambles and observations. The MS. which contained it has been almost worn out by the reading which the partiality of several friends has given it. I have been frequently requested to give it to the public; but I did not think it sufficiently polished to meet the public eye in a separate publication. It was suggested that it might appear through the medium of some periodical work, the nature of which did not so much require the finished productions of art, as the occasional effusions of a feeling mind. With that request I at length comply, trusting that the time, of which the following papers treat, will not be deemed uninteresting. It was the dead calm before the tumult of the storm; it was a state of awful expectation, when the public mind was prepared for a change, when the generality of the people admitted the necessity of a reform, which all wished to receive in a salutary and invigorating stream, but which imagination did not paint in the form of a desolating torrent, sweeping away the wisdom and works of ages, and involving the whole world in slaughter and devastation. Much of my youth has been spent in France. I have observed corruption in the government; but I have seen happiness in the people. I am far from being the

advocate of the former; but it is not difficult to determine whether the Revolution has hitherto increased the latter. To that Great Power, who holds all nations in his hand, and regulates the vicissitudes of human affairs by the unerring decrees of infinite wisdom, we must bow with resignation; and consider the designs of human policy, the errors of politicians, and the misconduct of statesmen, but as secondary causes, subservient to that first, that Great Intelligence, which pervades and directs the whole. universe. On that Superintending Providence we must rely for the production of a fairer order of things, for the amelioration of Governments, and the practice of Religion, among mankind, recollecting that even the beautiful fabric of Heaven and Earth rose out of Chaos.

I shall occasionally subjoin a few Notes, chiefly suggested by the tremendous changes which have taken place since the trip was made.

May, 1797.

R. V.

This was printed, in 1797, in a most respectable periodical publication, the Nos. of which, containing it, perished in the flames. The Author was requested to permit it to be printed in the Pamphleteer, the proprietors of which thought that the numerous visitors of Paris, at this time, would be gratified by a sketch of that interesting city, as it was at the commencement of the Revolution. The few notes added to this edition will be included in crotchets.

May, 1814.

A

SHORT SKETCH, &c.

Oct. 18. LEFT Reading at two P. M. in company with Mr. A. We were to meet Mr. S. in London. The party originally consisted of four; but in the execution of a plan, some deviation from the original form must be expected, and care must be taken that the derangement of some parts may not destroy the whole. The post of the 18th brought me word that the original mover of the scheme could not fulfil his intentions.

We were apprehensive that we should be too late; for the Dover mail-coach, which we had secured, was to set off at half after seven. Emulation produced the effect we desired. Our driver ran a race from Maidenhead to Brentford with an Oxford coach, and we arrived in Holborn in four hours and a half. Our friend S. did not appear, and we began to apprehend a second disappointment; but a few minutes before the time of departure he arrived, and mutual congratulations succeeded mistrust and suspense.

That travellers are liable to perpetual impositions we experienced at our very outset. The book-keeper of the Dover mailcoach had required the whole fare to be paid, but had given me the assurance that half the money would be returned of any place that was not occupied, He, however, absolutely refused to

refund any part of the money he had received. The dishonesty of this proceeding struck us so forcibly, that we assured him of our determination to call him to an account on our return. But the sense of an injury is often effaced by time, especially if illusage is not aggravated by incivility or by contempt. The man was peremptory, but he was respectful; and, instead of punishing him for his dishonesty, we forgave him for his civility.

Oct. 19. A little before eight we arrived at Dover, and breakfasted at Payn's York Hotel; in which we found good accommodations, civil treatment, and reasonable charges. We had time to visit only either Dover Castle, or Shakespeare's Cliff. Castles we had seen, and could see, in several places; but a cliff, that will live in the description of our immortal Bard long after the castle shall be mouldered into dust, and the devouring surge shall have sapped the foundations of the "chalky bourn,” and levelled its towering summit with the shore, was far more interesting to an admirer of the works of nature. Shakespeare's description is much exaggerated. The ascent is indeed "horrible steep; " but "the crows and choughs that winged,” at this time, "the midway air," appeared undiminished; "the fishermen that walked upon the beach appeared like men;" and "the murmuring surge" was very distinctly "heard.” But it should be observed, that Edgar did not mean to give a real description, but to imprint the idea of horror, by the most frightful images, so strongly on his father's imagination, as to induce him to desist from his desperate attempt. Perhaps this consideration may defend this beautiful passage against the objections of Dr. Johnson, who observes, that "the overwhelming idea of irresistible destruction is dissipated and enfeebled from the instant that the mind can restore itself to the observation of particulars, and diffuse its attention to distinct objects."