STUDY XIII. 185 



confiderable influx of money into a country ; but, 

 at the long run, neighbouring Nations imitate 

 them J the money of ftrangers difappears, but their 

 debauched morals remain. See what Venice has 

 come to, with her mirrors, her pomatums, her 

 courtezans, her mafquerades, and her carnival. 

 The frivolous arts on which we now value our* 

 felves, have been imported from Italy, whofe feeble- 

 nefs and mifery they this day conftitute. 



The nobleft fpedacle which any Government 

 can exhibit, is that of a people laborious, induf- 

 trious, and content. We are taught to be well- 

 read in books, in piftures, in algebra, in heraldry, 

 and not in men. Connoifleurs are rapt with admi- 

 ration at fight of a Savoyard's head, painted by 

 Greuze; but the Savoyard himfelf is at the corner 

 of the flreet, fpeaking, walking, almoft frozen to 

 death, and no one minds him. That mother, with 

 her children around her, forms a charming group; 

 the pifture is invaluable : the originals are in a 

 neighbouring garret, without a farthing whereupon 

 to fubfift. Philofophers ! ye are tranfported with 

 delight, and well you may, in contemplating the 

 numerous families of birds, of fiQies, and of qua- 

 drupeds, the inftincls of which are fo endlefsly va- 

 ried, and to which one and the fame Sun commu-- 

 nicates life. Examine the families of men, of which 

 the inhabitants of the Capital confift, and you 



would 



