(See _Introduction_.)
The following five letters were given me by the Author of the
preface. I should have thought this hint unnecessary, had not much
nonsense and scurrility been unjustly imputed to him by the _good
judgment_ or _good-nature_ of the age. They can know but
little of his writings, who want to have them pointed out; but they
know much less of him, who impute any such base and scandalous
productions to his pen.
Letter cli.
_A letter from a French gentleman to his friend in Paris; in
imitation of Horace, Addison, and all other writers of travelling
letters.
Done into English_.
MONSIEUR,--
AT Whitehall we took a pair of oars for Putney. These we had indeed
some difficulty to procure; for many refused to go with us farther
than Foxhall or Ranelagh Gardens. At last we prevailed with two
fellows for three half-crowns to take us on board.
I have been told there was formerly a law regulating the fares of
these people; but that is to be sure obsolete. I think it pity it was
not revived.
As the weather was extremely fine, we did not regret the tide's
running against us, since by that means we had more opportunity of
making observations on the finest river in the world except the Seine.
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