; and
in the mean time, give my patron no respite from my sollicitations. - When I
renewed my visit, I found the street door opened to me as if by enchantment; but
in my passage towards the presence-room, I was met by the valet de chambre, who
cast some furious looks at me, the meaning of which I could not comprehend. The
Earl saluted me at entrance with a tender embrace, and wished me joy of his
success with the Premier, who, he said, had preferred his recommendation to that
of two other noblemen very urgent in behalf of their respective friends, and
absolutely promised that I should go to a certain foreign court in quality of
secretary to an embassador and plenipotentiary, who would set out in a few
weeks, on an affair of vast importance to the nation. I was thunder-struck with
my good fortune, and could make no other reply, than kneel and attempt to kiss
my benefactor's hand, which he would not permit, but raising me up, pressed me
to his breast with surprizing emotion, and told me he had now taken upon himself
the care of making my fortune. - What inhanced the value of the benefit still
the more, was his making light of the favour, and shifting the conversation to
another subject: Among other topicks of discourse, that of the Belle Lettre was
introduced, upon which his lordship held forth with great taste and erudition,
and discovered an intimate knowledge of the authors of antiquity. - »Here's a
book (said he, taking one from his bosom) written with great elegance and
spirit, and though the subject may give offence to some narrow minded people,
the author will always be held in esteem by every person of sense and learning.«
So saying, he put into my hand Petronius Arbiter, and asked my opinion of his
wit and manner. - I told him, that in my opinion, he wrote with great ease and
vivacity, but was withal so lewd and indecent, that he ought to find no quarter
or protection among people of morals and taste. - »I own (replied the Earl) that
his taste in love is generally decried, and indeed condemned by our laws; but
perhaps that may be more owing to prejudice and misapprehension, than to true
reason and deliberation. - The best man among the ancients is said to have
entertained that passion; one of the wisest of their legislators has permitted
the indulgence of it in his commonwealth; the most celebrated poets have not
scrupled to avow it at this day; it prevails not only
