I should have stopt here, and finished my present correspondence with you by leaving your mind harmonized with the above sweet stanzas of _Madame des Jardins_, but that it may seem strange, to give a specimen of one French Lady's literary talents, without acknowledging, that this kingdom abounds with many, of infinite merit.--While England can boast only of about half a dozen women, who will immortalize their names by their works, France can produce half an hundred, admired throughout Europe, for their wit, genius, and elegant compositions.--Were I to recite the names and writings only of female authors of eminence, which France has produced, since the time of the first, and most unfortunate _Heloise_, who died in 1079, down to _Madame Riccoboni_, now living, it would fill a volume. We have, however, a CARTER, and a BARBAULD, not less celebrated for their learning and genius than for their private virtues; and I think it may, with more truth be said of women, than of men, that the more knowledge, the more virtue; the more understanding, the less courage. Why then is the _plume elevated to the head_? and what must the present mode of female education and manners end in, but in more ignorance, dissipation, debauchery and luxury? and, at length, in national ruin. Thus it was at ROME, the mistress of the world; they became fond of the most vicious men, and such as meant to enslave them, who corrupted their hearts, by humouring and gratifying their follies, and encouraging, on all sides, idleness and dissolute manners, blinded by CÆSAR's complaisance; from his _almsmen_, they became his _bondmen_; he charmed them in order to enslave them. When the tragedy of _Tereus_ was acted at ROME, _Cicero_ observed, what plaudits the audience gave with their hands at some severe strokes in it against tyranny; but he very justly lamented, that they employed their hands, _only in the Theatre_, not in defending that liberty which they seemed so fond of. And now, as BAYES says, "let's have a Dance." ---- GENERAL HINTS TO STRANGERS WHO TRAVEL IN FRANCE. GENERAL HINTS, &c. I. If you travel post, when you approach the town, or bourg where you intend to lie, ask the post-boy, which house he recommends as the best? and never go to that, if there is any other.--Be previously informed what other inns there are in the same place. If you go according to the post-boy's recommendation, the aubergiste gives him two or three livres, which he makes you pay the next morning. I know but one auberge between _Marseilles_ and _Paris_, where this is not a constant practice, and that is at _Vermanton_, five leagues from _Auxerre_, where every English traveller will find a decent landlord, _Monsieur Brunier_, _a St. Nicolas_; good entertainment, and no imposition, and consequently an inn where no post-boy will drive, if he can avoid it. II.