I4& LETTERS PROM 



with paltry decorations, it monftroufly ofFends the eye. 

 In another part of the town one meets at the fame time 

 with houfes like thofe of old Holland and of new Hol- 

 land ; and the like incongruity is found in feveral other 

 places, which ftrikes the fpectator with redoubled force, 

 as, by reafon of the fmall circumference of the city, it 

 glares upon him at every moment. 



When it is faid of Berlin, that one fees only foldiers 

 in the ftreets, it is an exaggeration : but of Potfdam it 

 might be advanced with great reafon. We not only 

 meet with hardly any other clafs of men thai* foldiers 

 in all the ftreets ; but call your eyes where you will 

 againft the houfes, and you are fure to fee, popping out 

 between the chubby cherubims, which are here every 

 where ufed as ornaments, a head of fome fon of Mars 

 with his plaiftered locks and grim whifkers. In one 

 place every article of linen is hanging out to dry at 

 thefe magnificent windows ; in another ftockings and 

 waiftcoats ; here an under-officer ftiaving himfelf before 

 a bit of looking-glafs ftuck againft one of the panes, 

 and there another making his toilet in the light of all 

 the pafTers-by. In other places, where the foldiers do 

 not pique themfelves on their appearance, are feen 

 hanging againft the fuperbeft ftrudlure, the inlignia of 

 a beer-houfe, or of petty fhops, or of the loweft handi- 

 crafts ; and the perfons going in and out plainly evince, 

 to the moft carelefs beholder, that thefe palaces are 

 not inhabited by princes, minifters of ftate, bifhops or 

 court-paralites. A very moderate houfe muft harbour 

 four foldiers, who dwell and eat together. They keep 

 their money in common, and each by turns is cam-keeper 

 for a week, who defrays the daily expences. How- 

 ever, 



