132 
doubt of their utility; indeed I think 
very highly of them; but I queftion the 
advantage of cultivating them on fuch 
land as has been defcribed. Ehave known 
the tops mowed twice for horfes, and a 
very large produce of roots, notwih- 
Portrait of Mantefquiew, by Himfelf. 
[Feb. 
ftanding this was on a wild blowing fea- 
fand. 
I would recommend the fame preven- 
tive for bad flavoured butter from cole- 
feed, as is ufed for turnips, I am, &c. 
Bedford, Feb. 8, 1799. GIA 

ANECDOFES OF EMINENT PERSONS, 
PORTRAIT OF 
THE PRESIDENT MONTESQUIEU, 
BY HIMSELF. 
[ Tranflared from his pofihumous qworks iuft pubs 
lifhed at Paris. } 
AM of fo happy a temperament, that 
I have fenfibility enough to receive 
all the pleafure which the objeéts that 
furround me can afford; but not enough 
to be fufceptibie of all the mortification 
and forrow they give to others. Vexation 
is very little known to me; and Iam a 
ftill oreater ftranger to littleisnedts of {pirit. 
I have ambition enough to take an ac- 
tive part in life; but not fo much as to 
be diflatisfied with the ftation in which 
fortune has placed me. 
When I difcover any new fource of 
~-pleafure, I am extremely moved ; and am 
‘inftantly furprized, that I could over- 
look the object, or regard it with indif-" 
ference. 
When I was ayouth, I was always fo 
fortunate as to perfuade myfelf that the 
woman I loved was partial to me; and 
when I happened to- be undeceived, to be 
inftantaneoufly cured of my paffion. ~ 
Literature is with me a never failing 
remedy for all the ills of lite; nor did I 
ever know what that forrow was which 
an hour’s reading could not diffipate. 
IT awaken in the morning with a fecret 
joy at feeing the dawn; I regard the light 
with a feeling approaching to extacy ; 
and, during the reft of the day, I am 
happy. I patsthe might without awak- 
ing, and am aileep the moment I lay down 
my head. 
Iam almoft as well fatisfied wita the 
company of fcols as of the wife; for I 
have not often met with men fo dull as 
not to amufe me, and there are few things 
as diverting as fome filly people are. 
I make no {crupie to.entertain myfelf 
with fecretly obferving the characters of 
men, permitting them meanwhile to do 
«the fame with mine. 
When i was a novice, I looked up to 
the great with veneration; experience 
foon changed my fentiments, with little 
exception, to the extreme oi contempt. 
- 
Tam not unwilling to flatter women; 
it-is doing them a kindnefs at a cheap 
rate. 
ZT have naturally a great anxiety for the 
pro{perity and honour of my country; 
and very little for my own fame. I al- 
ways feel a jecret plea(ure when any re- 
gulaticn happens to be made for the pub- 
lic benefit. 
Whenever I have refided in a foreign 
country, I have attached myfelf to it as 
to my native land; my heart has fhared 
in its fortunes, and I have longed to fee 
it flourifh. 
I have thought I perceived talents 
where the world has formed a contrary 
opinion. 
Iam not forry te pafs for an abfent 
man; I can thus with impunity indulge 
in a neglect of many kKttle forms, toe which 
otherwile I mutt have been a flave. 
I love to vifit where I can efcape cen- 
fure with my ordinary converlation and 
manners. 
On vifits, I am always charmed when 
I find one of the company take upon him- 
felf the trouble of being gay-and enter- 
taining. Such a one protects thofe that 
chute to be filent. 
Northing diverts me more than to hear 
a man relating petty ftorics with all their 
petty circumftances. It is not the tale I 
attend to, but the ridiculous paflion of 
the fpeaker. As to moft talkers, indeed, 
I would rather gratify them with my 
praife than my attention. 
I love my family fufficiently to provide 
every thing in my power for its welfare, 
but am not fo foolifh as to make mytelf 
a flave tothe minute affairs of a houfe. 
When I confide in anyone, I have no 
referves; but there are few in whom I 
am inclined to confide. 
It has given me no high opinion of 
mylelf, to perceive that there. are very 
few offices in the ftate for which I am in 
reality qualified. Ag to my ftation as 
prefident of the parliament, I have a very 
upright mind, and I can readily enovgh | 
difcover what reafon demands of me; bue 
-Iam loft, when I come to afk mytelf— 
What is the decifion of thelaw? Yet, I 
haye been anxious to make my felf maiter 
of 
