xvi INTRODUCTION, 
cious, that many officers fent to France for 
a cargo of feathers to gratify their paffion. 
The hufbands, on their fide, vying in gallan- 
try with the lovers, procured fome from 
Afia, and even from Holland. Africa could 
no longer fupply a fufficient number ; and 
they were become dearer there even than in 
Europe, 
The French enjoy one advantage in par- 
ticular above every other nation. Where^ 
ever their deftiny may lead them, they foon 
acquire a fort of empire over every thing that 
furrounds them. Their vivacity, foftnefs of 
manner, and attention to the graces, have 
fpmething in them fo captivating, and even 
their prefumption and forwardnefs fo forcibly 
ftrike the generality of minds, and efpecially 
the minds of women, that, in a little time, per- 
fe£tly overcome and fubdued, it is confidered 
as a fort of duty and honour to adopt their 
manners ar^c} language. Though the town 
was 
