Sir,--In the course of my study in the English language, which I made
now for three years, I always read your periodically, and now think
myself capable to write at your Magazin. I love always the modesty, or
you shall have a letter of me very long time past. But, never mind. I
would well tell you, that I am come to this country to instruct me in
the manners, the customs, the habits, the policies, and the other
affairs general of Great Britain. And truly I think me good fortunate,
being received in many families, so as I can to speak your language now
with so much facility as the French.
But, never mind. That what I would you say, is not only for the
Englishes, but for the strangers, who come at your country from all the
other kingdoms, polite and instructed; because, they tell me, that they
are abonnements[B] for you in all the kingdoms in Europe, so well as in
the Orientals and Occidentals.
[Footnote B: Abonnements--subscriptions.]
No, sir, upon my honour, I am not egotist. I not proud myself with
châteaux en Espagne. I am but a particular gentleman, come here for that
what I said; but, since I learn to comprehend the language, I discover
that I am become an object of pleasantry, and for himself to mock, to
one of your comedians even before I put my foot upon the ground at
Douvres. He was Mr Mathew, who tell of some contretemps of me and your
word detestable, _Box_. Well, never mind. I know at present how it
happen, because I see him since in some parties and dinners; and he
confess he love much to go travel and mix himself altogether up with the
stage-coach and vapouring[C] boat for fun, what he bring at his theatre.
[Footnote C: Bateau à vapeur--a steamboat.]
Well, never mind. He see me, perhaps, to ask a question in the
paquebot--but he not confess after, that he goed and bribe the garçon at
the hotel and the coachman to mystify me with all the boxes; but, very
well, I shall tell you how it arrived, so as you shall see that it was
impossible that a stranger could miss to be perplexed, and to advertise
the travellers what will come after, that they shall converse with the
gentlemen and not with the badinstructs.
But it must that I begin. I am a gentleman, and my goods are in the
public rentes,[D] and a château with a handsome propriety on the bank of
the Loire, which I lend to a merchant English, who pay me very well in
London for my expenses. Very well. I like the peace, nevertheless that I
was force, at other time, to go to war with Napoleon. But it is passed.
So I come to Paris in my proper post-chaise, where I selled him, and
hire one, for almost nothing at all, for bring me to Calais all alone,
because I will not bring my valet to speak French here where all the
world is ignorant.
[Footnote D: Rentes--public funds.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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