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In the German towns, the different clalTes of people do not mix 

 fo much together, as in other countries. This is owing to a cer- 

 tain ftiff and unfocial pride, religioully tenacious of rank and 

 place. The German in middle life, (in which ftation the authors 

 by trade are commonly found) has no accefs to any thing, which 

 bears the name of nobility, belongs to nobility, or appertains to 

 the court. The tafte for focial pleafures, and the elegant unbend - 

 ings of polifhed life, where orders, and degrees, and dignities lofe 

 themfelves, in one mafs of elegance and pleafures, in a republican 

 fraternity cf enjoyment, are more confined in the German cities, 

 than in thofe of moft other people ; confequently, the inhabitants 

 do not enter fo freely into the innumerable incidents and varieties 

 of common fociety, and the boundlefs difplay of charader, which 

 the temporary levellings of civilization and urbanity neceffarily 

 produce. Such reftraints on the intercourfe of men, as prevail in 

 Germany, for the moft part, being attended by this want of inte- 

 r.eft, in the ufual virtues, vices, and foibles of men, this infenfibi- 

 lity to the little events of ordinarv life; the writers of this coun- 

 try are driven io look for ftrange events, outrageous emotions, and 

 monftious caricatures, in order to excite attention. Authors, who 

 court the favour of fuch judges, muft deprave themfelves, to the 

 flandard of thofe, whom they feek to pleafe. A ftate of fociety, 

 where the intercourfe of man- with man circulates freely, and con- 

 verfation is open and uninterrup ed, offers to the. literary adven- 

 turer a fairer and more enlightened tribunal. The readers are fa- 



tisfied. 



