 was astonished and
confounded at this rhapsody of names and instances, which was uttered with
surprising eagerness and rapidity; suspecting at first that the whole was the
creation of his own brain; but when Pickle, with a view of flattering the
doctor's self-conceit, espoused his side of the question, and confirmed the
truth of every thing he advanced, Mr. Pallet changed his opinion, and in
emphatic silence adored the immensity of his friend's understanding. In short,
Peregrine easily perceived that they were false enthusiasts, without the
smallest pretensions to taste and sensibility; and pretended to be in raptures
with they knew not what; the one thinking it was incumbent upon him to express
transports on seeing the works of those who had been most eminent in his
profession, whether they did or did not really raise his admiration; and the
other as a scholar deeming it his duty to magnify the ancients above all
competition, with an affected fervour, which the knowledge of their excellencies
never inspired. Indeed our young gentleman so successfully accommodated himself
to the disposition of each, that long before their review was finished, he was
become a particular favourite with both.
    From the Palais Royal he accompanied them to the cloisters of the
Carthusians, where they considered the history of St. Bruno, by Le Sueur, whose
name being utterly unknown to the painter, he gave judgment against the whole
composition, as pitiful and paultry; though in the opinion of all good judges,
it is a most masterly performance.
    Having satisfied their curiosity in this place, Peregrine sollicited them to
favour him with their company at dinner; but whether out of caution against the
insinuations of one whose character they did not know, or by reason of a prior
engagement, they declined his invitation on pretence of having an appointment at
a certain ordinary, though they expressed a desire of being farther acquainted
with him; and Mr. Pallet took the freedom of asking his name, which he not only
declared, but promised, as they were strangers in Paris, to wait upon them next
day in the forenoon, in order to conduct them to the hotel de Tholouse, and the
houses of several other noblemen, remarkable for painting or curious furniture.
They thankfully embraced his proposal, and that same day made inquiry among the
English gentlemen, about the character of our hero, which they found so much to
their satisfaction, that upon their second meeting, they courted his good graces
without reserve; and as they had heard of his intended departure, begged
earnestly to have the honour of accompanying him through the Low Countries. He
assured them that
