Yet In Less Than Three
Minutes, He Sold It For Four And A Half, And When The Buyer
Upbraided Him With His Former Declaration, He Shrugged Up His
Shoulders, Saying, Il Faut Marchander.
I don't mention this as a
particular instance.
The same mean disingenuity is universal all
over France, as I have been informed by several persons of
veracity.
The next letter you have from me will probably be dated at
Nismes, or Montpellier. Mean-while, I am ever - Yours.
LETTER VII
To MRS. M - .
PARIS, October, 12, 1763.
MADAM, - I shall be much pleased if the remarks I have made on the
characters of the French people, can afford you the satisfaction
you require. With respect to the ladies I can only judge from
their exteriors: but, indeed, these are so characteristic, that
one can hardly judge amiss; unless we suppose that a woman of
taste and sentiment may be so overruled by the absurdity of what
is called fashion, as to reject reason, and disguise nature, in
order to become ridiculous or frightful. That this may be the
case with some individuals, is very possible. I have known it
happen in our own country, where the follies of the French are
adopted and exhibited in the most aukward imitation: but the
general prevalence of those preposterous modes, is a plain proof
that there is a general want of taste, and a general depravity of
nature. I shall not pretend to describe the particulars of a
French lady's dress.
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