THE GERMAN PLAY AT VENICE. 535 



circle with the principal families, which rendered it 

 very agreeable. 



One thing however hurt him much. As often as he 

 Was invited to any one of the chief nobility's houfes, 

 a little Italian play brought up the rear of the enter- 

 tainment ; and in thefe, almofi: without exception, - 

 fome german cuftom or other was reprefented in a ri- 

 diculous light. — The prince, who could not exert the 

 authority he poffeffed in his own country, took it amifs, 

 but had difcretion enough to keep it to himfelf ; and 

 his example was followed by all his attendants, the 

 chamberlain alone excepted. 



This gentleman having too nice a fenfe of his own dig- 

 nity, and the dignity of his nation, to brook this affront, 

 frequently affured his acquaintance, that he was me- 

 ditating revenge ; and that it was merely the know- 

 ledge of the crafty malice of the natives that reftrained 

 him from fpeaking his mind in the prefence of ftrangers. 



Mean time the moment of departure approached ; 

 and the prince, on the evening before his letting out, 

 invited all the perfons by whom he had been enter- 

 tained, to return them thanks for their civilities. — • 



The company was brilliant and numerous, the whole 

 day was fpent in mirth and feftivity. Supper being- 

 over, the gentry were proceeding to place themfelves 

 at the card-tables, when the chamberlain de E — 1 po- 

 litely addreffed the company to the following effecl: : 1 



They had, he faid, frequently charmed the eye and the 

 ear of the prince his mailer by theatrical performances, 

 which could not but be good, fince they were italian. 

 It was indeed impoffible for him to repay them in the 

 fame ftandard coin ; yet he flattered himfelf, if they 



m m 4 for 



