LETTERS FROM PARIS. 437 



the lafl: quarter of the current century. Unlefs all ap- 

 pearances around deceive me, the prefent limits of Pa- 

 ris are at once the limits of the increafe of its inhabi- 

 tants, and the domination of its kings. Both have at- 

 tained their fummit ; and, at length, as it is in the 

 nature of things, have fet bounds to themfelves : Paris 

 by walls ; the king by convoking the general affembly. 

 Farewell, 



LETTER II. 



Paris, June 18, 1789. 

 THE new wall, when quite finifhed, will be twelve 

 thoufand three hundred toifes, or about lixteen miles, 

 m circuit. Be the motive for building it what it may, 

 it is an extraordinary work, fuited to the extraordinary 

 age in which we live. This monltrous line of Hone 

 and mortar, is at certain diftances adorned with fump- 

 tuous edifices, that might pafs for palaces, deltined to 

 the reception of the revenues, which the inventive ge- 

 nius of the French for finance, their prodigal kings, 

 and their greedy farmers-general have found means to 

 extort. The vaft chinefe wall was conftrucled for the 

 purpofe of fetting bounds to the incurlions of hoftile 

 hordes, the parifian to put a ftop to contraband trade. 

 We fee what they had in thofe times to guard againft 

 and what they -would fecure in our's. The old Chinefe 

 by their's, fecured flourifhing corn-fields, rich herds 

 and flocks, fruitful gardens, and a cheap confump- 

 tion ; but the Parifians, by their's, are cut off from 

 thefe things, and crammed together within an unfruit- 

 ful mafs of Hone, in which they muft pay dearer for 



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