144 TRAVELS IN 
permitted them to ufe it as they pleafed : but 
I contrived a method to prevent them. Ob- 
ferving that the third pipe wras drawing to a 
clofe, as foon as I had drank my tea I ordered 
a fmall box to be brought me, which I placed 
on my knees. I opened it, and never did any 
quack (hew more myfterious dexterity ; I 
drew from it that noble and melodious in- 
ftrument unknown perhaps at Paris, but very 
common in fome of the provinces, and which 
is feen in the hands of almoft every fchool- 
boy and of the vulgar — in a word, a Jews 
harp. Scarcely had I begun one of thofe 
airs played on the Pont-Neuf, when I faw 
every body with the utmoft filence lay down 
their pipes, and ftare at me with their mouths 
wide open, their arms half extended, and their 
fingers fpread, in the attitude of thofe people 
whom fome old woman has bewitched. With 
their ears attentive, and their heads motionlefs, 
and inclined to one fide, they did not lofe the 
leafl; note of the inftrument; till, not being able 
to reftrain their enthufiafm, each infenfibly 
quitted his place, to enjoy the pleafure nearer., 
Iiniaginedevery moment that Ifliould fee them 
all together proftrate themfelves before the god 
who performed this wonder^ whilfl I could hardly 
keep 
