66 
TRAVELS 
chin, and paints his face. If, added to thefe decorations, he can 
but fcrape a little on the fiddle, he is the darling of all the ladies 
who play, in their feeble way, on the harpfichord. A tafte for 
mufic in Swedifh focieties, is by no means the predominant paf- 
fion. It is as yet fo little formed, and the judgment of the au¬ 
dience fo wavering and uncertain, that, after hearing any thing 
played, they will confider with themfelves what opinion it may 
be proper to give; and watch the countenance of any foreigner 
that may happen to be prefent in order to regulate their fenti- 
ments, and decide concerning their own impreffions. Tafte is the 
refult of a well conftrudted and well informed mind, and of a fen- 
fibility of difpofition. Until the Swedifti ladies fhall change their 
minds and hearts, they will always fing and play more for the 
purpofe of furprizing by the eafe of their execution, than for that 
/ Jtr 
of giving delight by their exprefiion. It is impoflible that they 
fhould communicate to others what they do not feel themfelves. 
However, for their confolation it may be faid, that in France, 
Germany, England, and in all countries, there are muficians of 
the fame inefficient clafs. 
The want of mufic in the polite circles, or any thing approach¬ 
ing to that fcience, is not, I am forry to fay, compenfated by the 
attra<ftions and charms of converfation. You feel the want of 
many things in Sweden, which in fome other countries confti- 
tute a fund of focial pleafure and entertainment. There is, for 
inftance, nothing to be met with that refembles thofe friendly 
dinners, where a fmall number of feledl friends meet, not for the 
purpofe 
