A character of England as it was lately presented in a letter to a noble man of France.

A character of England as it was lately presented in a letter to a noble man of France.

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Title page

TO THE READER.

A CHARACTER OF ENGLAND, &c.

[Page]

A CHARACTER OF ENGLAND, &c.

My Lord,

YOu command me to give you minute account of what I observed, and how I passed that little time which I latel y spent in England; a Country, whose Character you so greatly desire to be inform'd [Page] of, in a conjuncture (as you rightly deduce) of so strange vicissitude, and wonderful alterations; And to whom, my Lord, should I more readily submit? First, encouraged to make this excursion by your Ld. as who had formerly beheld, and so much admir'd the splendor and magnificence of this Court, and Kingdom in its greatest Acme and lustre. But, my Lord, I cannot imagine, that you should esteeme me either of years, or capacity to inform You whose judgement is so mature, and correspondence so universall, [Page] as that there is nothing which can escape your cognizance, not onely in that Island, but in all the world besides. But since you oblige me not to dip into the transactions of State, the effects of Providence, Time, Notices of a superiour Orbe, and in which you cannot be instructed by so weak an instrument as your Servant; and demand onely the little Remarkes of my hasty, and desultory Peregrination; though I cannot pretend to improve your Lordships knowledge, yet I may hope to give it diversion, [Page] and an Essay of my Obedience.

It must be avowed that England is a sweet, and fertill Country.

Terra potens armis, atque ubere gleba:

That the Fields, the Hills, and the Vallies are perpetually clad with a glorious, and agreeable verdure; that her provisions are plentifull; her staples important; and her interest very considerable; not omitting the most beautifull Ladies, I had almost said, of the world, but for a just respect due to the illustrious Circles of our [Page] Court, where the beauties of conversation, so far transcend the tinctures of Lillies and Roses. But these, my Lord, are not the Memoires which you demand; I will therefore hasten to my Post.

After a short passage from Calais, we came on shore at Dover, where the people of the Town entertain'd us with such suspicious, and forbidding countenances, whispering, and stiff postures, that I should never have believed so great a difference in the addresses of two Nations, could have been produced [Page] by so short a trajection, and in a Port continually accustom'd to the faces of strangers, had not the contrary humours of our contiguous neighbours, the Spaniards, made it possible, in so many pleasant instances. But I was amazed, when we had taken Post, and scarce out of the Village, at the acclamations of the Boys, running after, and affrighting our horses, hooting, and crying out, French Dogs, French Dogs, a Mounser, Mounser! by a particular expression of welcome, which other people would interpret derision; [Page] But in this Triumph (though somewhat late e're we set out of Dover) we attain'd as far as Rochester the first night, where, how new a thing it appeared to me, to see my confident Host set him down cheek by joul by me, belching, and puffing Tabacco in my face, you may easily imagine; till I afterwards found it to be the usuall stile of this Country; and that the Gentlemen, who lodge at their Inns, entertain themselves in their company, and are much pleas'd with their impertinencies: Arriv'd at the [Page] Metropolis of civility, London, we put our selves in Coach with some persons of quality, who came to conduct us to our Lodging; but neither was this passage without honours done to us, the kennel dirt, squibs, roots and rams-hornes being favours which were frequently cast at us by the children, and apprentises without reproofe; civilities, that in Paris, a Gentleman as seldome meets withall, as with the contests of Carmen, who in this Town domineer in the streets, o're-thow the Hell-Carts (for so they name [Page] the Coaches) cursing, and reviling at the Nobles: You would imagine your self amongst a Legion of Devils, and in the suburbs of Hell. I have greatly wondred at the remisness of the Magistrate, and the temper of the Gentlemen, and that the Citizens, who subsist onely upon them, should permit so great a disorder, rather joyning in the affronts, than at all chastizing the inhumanity: But these are the naturall effects of parity, popular Libertinism, and Insulary manners.

I find, as you told me, my [Page] Lord, London to be a Town so nobly Situated, and upon such a River, as Europe certainly shews not a more usefull and agreeable; but withall this, a City consisting of a wooden, northern, and inartificiall congestion of Houses; some of the principall streets so narrovv, as there is nothing more deformed, and unlike, than the prospect of it at a distance, and its asymmitry vvithin the Walls. Their Fountains, vvhich are the pride and grace of our streets, and plentifully supplyed in this City, are here immur'd, [Page] to secure the vvaters from, I know not vvhat, impurities: but, certainly, it do's greatly detract from the beauty of the Carfours, and intercepts the vievv.

Amongst the peices of modern Architecture, I have never observ'd above tvvo, which were remarkable in this vast City: The Portico of the Church of S. Pauls, and the Banqueting house at White-hall, of vvhich I remember to have heard your Lordship speak: but you would be amaz'd at the genious of this age, that should suffer this goodly and venerable fabrick,[Page] to be built about, and converted into raskally Ware-Houses, and so sordidly obscur'd and defac'd, that an argument of greater avarice, malice, meanness and deformity of minde cannot possibly be expressed: Nothing here of Ornament, nothing of magnificence, no publique and honourable works, such as render our Paris, and other Cities of France, renowned, and visited by all the World; emulating even Italy her self, for her Palaces, uniform and conspicuous Structures: But O! how lothsome a Golgotha is [Page] this Paul's! I asure your Lordship, that England is the sole spot in all the world, where, amongst Christians, their Churches are made jakes, and stables, markets and Tipling-houses; and where there were more need of Scorpions, than Thongs, to drive out the Publicanes and Money-Changers: In sum, where these excellent uses, are pretended to be the markes of Piety and Reformation.

I had sometimes the curiosity to visite the several Worships of these Equivocal Christians, and Enthusiasts: But I extreamly [Page] wondred to [...]nd those whom they call Presbyterians, and that would imitate us of the Religion in France, and Geneva, to have their Discipline so confused and different. In this remarke, my Lord, to be somewhat more particular, you will not be displeas'd; because it was a thing you so much recommended to my especiall notice. Form, they observe none: They pray and read without method, and indeed, wtithout reverence or devotion. I have beheld a whole Congregation sit on their-with their hats on, at the reading of [Page] Psalms, and yet bare-headed when they sing them. In divers places they read not the Scriptures at all; but up into the Pulpit, where they make an insipid, tedious and immethodical Prayer, in Phrases and a tone so affected and mysterious, that they give it the name of Canting, a tearm by which they do usually expresse the gibbrish of Beggars and Vagabonds; after which, there follows the Sermon (which for the most part, they read out of a book) consisting (like their prayers) of speculative and abstracted notions, [Page] and things, which, nor the people nor themselves well understand: But these they extend to an extraordinary length, and Pharisaical repetitions: and well they may: for their Chaires are lined with prodigious Velvet cushions, upon which they loll, and talke, 'till almost they sleep; I am sure, 'till their Auditors do.

The Minister uses no habit of distinction, or gravity; but steps up in querpo; and when he laies by his cloak (as I have observed some of them) he has the action rather of a Thrasher, than [Page] a Divine; this they call taking pains, and indeed it is so, to those that hear them: But, thus they have now encouraged every pert Mechanick to invade, affront and out-preach them; and having uncancell'd all manner of decency, prostituted both their persons and function to usurpation, penury and derision. You may well imagine by the manners of the people, and their prodigious opinions, that there is no Catechism, nor Sacraments duely administred: The Religion of England is Preaching, and sitting stil [Page] on Sundaies. How they Baptitse I know not, because the Congregation is dismissed, and they agree in no form; and for the other Sacraments, no man gives, or receives alike; and it is so seldome done in remembrance of Christ, that in some Parishes, I have heard, they can hardly remember when they received it. Generally I have no where seen goodlier out-sides of Churches, what they are within I cannot so well say, for their Temples are as fast as was that of Janus after the first Punick-war, [Page] unless it be upon Sundaies, when they blow the brazen Trumpets of Sedition, not the silver-ones of the Tabernacle. I have discoursed with some concerning this sealing up their Churches in the weekdaies; They are ready to retorte upon us in France, not considering that our Churches are solitary, and in some places many leagues distant from the Towns, that we are under a persecution, & so necessitated to omit the publique Morning and Evening Sacrifie, which I remember to have heard severall of [Page] our Divines deplore the defect of; as of many other decencies, which, here, they can have no pretence against: But such of their Churches as I have frequented, were dammed up with Pues, every three or four of the Inhabitants, sitting in narrow Pounds or Pulpits by themselves; for they are all turn'd Preachers [...]ow. In short, there is nothing more unlike to our reformed Churches in France, and I think, in all Europe beside; the apprehension of Popery, or fondness to their own imaginations, having carryed them [Page] so far to the other extream, that they have now lost all moderation, and decorum; And I have been herein, my Lord the more industrious to inform my self of each particular; because it seemes yet to be the most publique Religion of the State. Some of their own party, I have heard deplore this confusion, but certainly, they themselves gave the first occasion to these monstrous Liberties, by a rigid, and uncharitable discipline; primarily (it seemes) introduced by the Scots, and so refined upon by these; as there are few [Page] or none that will submit to the Tyrany; but every one takes his own course, and has protection for it. Some well natur'd abused men I have met withall amongst them; but, if I mistake not, for the greater ingredient, ambitious, ignorant, overweening, sower and uncharitable, ne quid asperius, combining with the interest of the times, and, who to render themselves powerfull, have in compliances with the spiritual pride of the Mechanicks and Corporations, conniv'd at those many, and prodigious Schismes and [Page] Heresies which are now spawn'd under them in such numbers, as give terrour to the State. I omit to tell your Lord-ship that few take notice of the Lords Prayer; it is esteemed a kind of weakness to use it, but the Creed and the Decalogue are not once heard of in their Congregations; This is milke for Babes, and these are all Giants. They do frequently solemnize their late National deliverances, and some daies of Christian blood shed with all possible severity: But they think it gross Idolatry to joyn with the whole [Page] Christian Church of all professions under heaven, in the Anniversaries of our B. Saviours Incarnation, Passion, Resurrection, and the descent of the Holy Ghost, spirituall, eternall and never to be forgotten mercies. Would your Lordship believe that this madness should advance so far, as to disturbe the French-Church there, which you know, do's in all places observe those signall deliverances & blessings, both by Preaching, Prayer, Sacraments and exhortations apposite to the occasion? What think you will be the [Page] issue of this goodly Reformation? I could tell you of the mysterious Classis, of the Tryers; their ridiculous, insidiary and presumptuous questions; their unheard of animosities against their Brethern of the Church of England, suffering themselves to be rather torn in sunder by the Sectaries, Demetrius and the Crafts-men, whilst they contend about trifles and meer shadows.

Concerning the Independents, all I can learn is; They are a refined, and apostate sort of Presbyters; or, rather such as renounce [Page] all ordination, as who having preached promiscuously to the people, ct cuningly ensnar'd a select number of rich, & ignorant Proselytes, separate themselves into Conventicles, which they name Congregations. There is nothing do s more resemble this Sect, than our Rom. Missionaries sent out in partibus Infidelium; for they take all other Christians to be Heathen. These are those great pretenders to the Spirit, into whose party do's the vilest person living, no sooner adscribe himself, but he is, ipso facto, dub'd a Saint, hallow'd, [Page] and dear to God. These, are the confidents, who can design the minute, the place and the means of their conversion: a Schism full of spiritual-disdain, incharity and high imposture, if any such there be on earth: But every alteration of State, destroying the interest of the versatile contrivers, they are as ready to Transmigrate into the next more thriving Fraternity, as the Souls of Pythagoras into beasts, and may then perhaps, assume some other Title. This is a sad, but serious truth, and no little menaces the common Christianity, [Page] unless timely prevented. But Sr. I will no longer tire your patience with these Monsters (the subject of every contemptuous Pamphlet) then with the madness of the Anabaptists, Quakers, fift Monarchy-men and a Cento of unheard of Heresies besides, which, at present, deform the once renowned Church of England; and approach so little the pretended Reformation, which we in France have been made to believe, that there is nothing more heavenly wide. But I have dwelt too long on this remarke, I return [Page] to where I digressed; for I was veiwing the Buildings, which are as deformed as the minds & confusions of the people, for if a whole street be fired (an accident not unfrequent in this wooden City) the Magistrate has either no power, or no care to make them build with any uniformity, which renders it, though a large, yet, a very ugly Town, pestred with Hackney-coaches, and insolent Carre men, Shops and Taverns, Noyse, and such a cloud of Sea-coal, as if there be a resemblance of Hell upon Earth, it is in this [Page] Vulcano in a foggy day: This pestilent Smoak, which corrodes the very yron, and spoils all the moveables, leaving a soot upon all things that it lights; and so fatally seizing on the Lungs of the Inhabitants, that the Cough, and the Consumption spare no man. I have been in a spacious Church where I could not discern the Minister for the Smoak; nor hear him for the peoples barking. There is within this City, and in all the Towns of England (which I have passed through) so prodigious a number of [Page] houses where they sell a certain drink called Ale, that I think a good halfe of the Inhabitants may be denominated Ale house-keepers: These are a meaner sort of Cabarets: But what is most deplorable, where the Gentlemen sit, and spend much of their time; drinking of a muddy kinde of Beverage, and Tobacco, which has universally besotted the Nation, and at which (I hear) they have consumed many noble Estates. As for other Taverns, London is compos'd of them, where they drink Spanish Wines, and other [Page] sophisticated Liquors to that fury and imtemperance, as has often amaz'd me to consider it: But thus some mean fellow, the Drawer, ar [...]ves to an Estate, some of them having built fair houses, and purchased those Gentlemen out of their possessions, who have ruined themselves by that base and dishonourable vice of ebriety: And that nothing may be wanting to the height of luxury and impiety of this Abomination, they have translated the Organs out of the Churches, to set them up in Taverns, chanting their Dithyrambicks, [Page] and bestiall Bacchanalias to the tune of those Instruments, which were wont to assist them in the clebration of God's Praises, and regulate the voices of the worst singers in the World, which are the English in their Churches at present: I cannot but commend the Reformed in Holland, who still retain their Organs in the Churches, and make use of them at the Psalms, without any opinion of superstition; and I once remember to have heard the famous Diodati wish might be introduced even at Geneva. A great [Page] errour undoubtedly in those who sit at the helme, to permit this Scandal; to suffer so many of these Taverns and occasions of intemperance, such Leaches and Vipers; to gratifie so sordid and base a sort of People with the spoils of honest, and well natur'd men. Your L. will not believe me that the Ladies of greatest quality, suffer themselves to be treated in one of these Taverns, where a Curtesan in other Cities would scarcely vouchsafe to be entertain'd: but you will be more astonish't when I shall assure you, that they drink their [Page] crowned Cups roundly, strain healths through their Smocks, daunce after the Fiddle, kiss freely, and tearm it an honourable Treat. But all this my experience, particular address, and habitudes with the greatest of that Nation has assur'd me, that it is not the pass time onely of the inferiour and meretricious sort; since I find it a cheif suppletory at all their entertain ments, to drink excessively, and that in their own houses, before the Ladies, and the Lacquaes: It is the afternones diversion; whether for want of better to [Page] employ the time, or affection to the drink, I know not: But I have found some persons of quality, whom one could not safely visite after dinner, without resolving to undergo this Drinkordel, and endure the Question: It is esteem'd a piece of wit, to make a man drunk, for In France they give a certain torture to Malefactors, by pouring such a quantily of water into their mouths which they call giving the question, and I by Traslation Drink Ordell. which some swilling insipid client or Congiarie, is a frequent and constant adjutant. Your L: may hence well imagine, [Page] how heavy, dull and insigficant the conversation is; loud, querelous and impertinent. I shall relate a story that once happened in my presence at a Gentlemans house in the Country, where there was much company and feasting. I fortun'd to come at dinner-time, and after the cloth was taken away (as the manner is) they fell to their laudable exercise: But I unacquainted then with their custome, was lead up into a withdrawing Room, where I had the permission (with a noble person who introduced me) to sit and converse [Page] with the Ladies, who were thither retired; the Gentle. of the house leaving us in the mean time, to entertain his freinds below: But you may imagine how strangely I was astonish'd, to see within an hour after, one of the company that had dined there, entering into the Room all bloody, and disorder'd, to fetch a svvord vvhich lay in one of the vvindovves, and three or four of his companions, vvhom the fumes of the Wine had inspirited, pursuing, and dragging him by the hair, till in this confusion, one of their Spurs [Page] engaged into a Carpet, upon which stood a very fair Looking-Glass, and two noble pieces of Porselain, drew all to the ground, brake the Glass and the Vasas in pieces; and all this on such an instant, that the Gentleman and my self, had much ado to rescue the affrighted Ladies from suffering in the tumult; but at last we prevail'd, and brought them to tearms, the quarrel concerning an Health onely, which one of them would have shifted. I don't remember my Lord, ever to have known (or very [Page] rarely) a health drank in France, no not the Kings; and if we say A Vostre sante Monsier, it neither expects pledge, or ceremony. 'Tis here so the custome to drink to every one at the Table, that by the time a Gentleman has done his duty to the whole company, he is ready to fall asleep, whereas with us, we salute the whole Table with a single glass onely. But, my Lord, was not this, imagine you, an admirable Scene and very extraordinary? I confess, the Lady of the house being much out of countenance at [Page] what had hapned, profered to excuse this disorder and I was as ready to receive it, till several encounters confirmed me, that they were but too frequent, and that there was a sort of perfect Debauchees, who stile themselves Hectors, that in their mad and unheard of Revels, pierce their veins to quaff their own blood, which some of them have drank to that excess, that they died of the intemperance: These are a professed Atheistical order of Braves, compos'd for the most of Cadets, who spending beyond their pensions, [Page] to supply their extravagancies, practise now and then the high-way, where they sometimes borrow that which they often repay at the Gibbet; an ignominious trade, unheard of amongst our Gallant Noblesse; however fortune reduce them. But I know not whether I might not here match these valiant Heroes with an avow'd society of Ladies, and some of them not of the meanest for birth (I even blush to recount it of that fair Sex) who boast of making all advantages at play, and are become so [Page] dextrous at it, that seldome they make a sitting, without design and booty: For there is here, my Lord, no such thing as courtship after the decent mode of our Circles; for either being mingled in a room, the Gentlemen separate from the conversation of the Ladies, to drink, as before I related; or else, to whisper with one another at some corner or Bay-window, abandoning the Ladies to Goship by themselves, which is a custome so strange to a Gallant of our Nation, as nothing appears more barbarous and unbecoming; [Page] and this in effect must needs be the reason, that those beautifull Creatures can so little furnish, that they want assurance, address, and the charming discourse of our Damoiseles, which are faculties so shining, and agreeable in their Sex with us in France: and in truth, even the Gentlemen themselves, are greatly defective as to this particular, ill Courtiers, unplyant, morose and of vulgar address; generally, not so polished, free and serene, as is universally found even amongst the most inferiour of our Nation. [Page] I am not ignorant that they impute it to a certian levity in us; but it is a mistake in them, and that because they so hardly reform it, without some ridiculous affectation, as is conspicuous in their several Modes and Dresses, which they vary ten times for our once; eve [...]y one affecting something particular; as having no standard at C [...]urt, which should give Lawes, and do countenance to the fashion. The Women are much affected with Gaudry, there being nothing more frequent, than to see an antient Ladie [Page] wear colours, a thing which neither young, nor old of either Sex do with us, save in the Country, and the Camp; but Widows at no time. And yet reprove they us for these exorbitances; but I have often disputed the case: Either we do ill, or well; if ill, why then do they ape us? if well, why do they reproach us? The truth is, they have no moderation, and are neither so lucky, nor frugal as our Ladies are in these sumptuary expenses; and whereof the Magistrate [...]akes so little cognisance, that it is [Page] not an easie matter to distinguish the Lady from the Chamber-Maid; Servants being suffered in this brave Country, to go clad like their Mistrisses, a thing neither decent, nor permitted in France, where they may wear neither lace, nor silke.

I may not forget to acacquaint your Lordship. that though the Ladies and the Gentlemen are so shy of one another; yet when once they grow acquainted, it passes into expressions, and compellations extreamly new to our usages, and the stile of our [Page] Country: Do but imagine how it would become our Ladys to call Mons. N. Jack. N. what more frequent than this? Tom P. was here to day; I went yesterday to the A place neer Paris, like Hide-parke. Cours with will. R. and Harry M treated me at such a Taverne: These are the particular idioms, and gracefull confidences now in use; in. troduced I conceive at first by some Camerades one with another; but it is mean and rude, and such as our Lacquais would almost disdain in Paris, [Page] where I have often observed two Chimny-Sweepers accost one another, in better forms, and civiller addresses. But to be confident and civill, is not a thing so easily understood, and seems a peculiar talent of our Nation.

However the Ladies are not more obliging, & familiar than the L. are difficult & inaccessible; for though by reason of my Birth, and quality, my recommendations and addresses, I found some tolerable reception amongst th [...]m; yet I observ'd, that they kept at such a surly dstance with [Page] the Gentlemen, even of Family, that me thought I never beheld a ruder conversation; especially, when comparing their parts, and educations, I found them generally so much inferiour, as if a Lord were indeed other than a Gentleman; or a Gentleman not a fit companion for a King: But this must needs be the result of an ill, and haughty institution, and for that most of these great persons are in their minority, and the age wherein they should be furnished with the noblest impressions, [Page] taught onely to converse with their servants, some Sycophants, and under the regiment of a Pedant, which imprints that scornfulness and folly, and fits them with no better forms when they should produce themselves, and give testimony to others as well of their superiority in vertue, as in birth and dignity. But this is my Lord a particular, which I have heard you often complain of, and which we do frequently take notice of at their coming abroad into our Country; where for want of address, and fit persons to [Page] introduce them, they seldome return more refined than they came; else they could not but have observed, that there is nothing which makes the distinction of Nobles in France, but the Title, and that his Majesty himself do's them the honours, which here they usurpe upon their equalls: But, my Lord, they are sufficiently punished for it in England: where, to me they appear so degenerate, for want of this humility and free conversation, by which, and their other vices, they grow now so much despised, that the [Page] Gentlemen need seek no revenge; for though (as I told you) the Gentlemen are most of them very intemperate, yet the Proverb goes, As drunk as a Lord. But, my Lord, as there is no rule so generall, but it do's admit of exceptions, so should I give my own experience, as well as your Lordships the contradiction, to make the censure universal; there being even amongst these, some sew, and in particlar my L. N. and N. &c. whom I esteeme to be very noble, and accomplished persons, as who have learned (by [Page] the good fortune of a better education) how to valuc the conversations of worthy men, and who indeed, do sufficiently verifie all those attributes which are due to their qualities, and therefore whom this Paragraph doth no waies concern.

Nor should I be less severe and unjust, totally to exclude even some of the Ladies from the advantages of this Period, whose perfections & vertues, claim an equal right to all that I have here spoken, out of a due resentiment of their merites and excellencies.

[Page] It was frequently, during the last Winter, that I was carried to their Balls, as where indeed I hoped to see what should appear the most of gallant and splendid amongst the Ladies, nor really did my expectations deceive me; for there was a confluence of very great beauties, to which the glistring of their jewells, (which upon these occasions they want not) could add nothing save their weight; the various habites being so particular, as if by some strange Inchantment, they had encountled, and come out of [Page] several Nations: But I was astonished to see, when they were ready to move, that a Dancing-Master had the boldness to take forth the greatest Ladies, and they again the Dancing-Master, who performed the most part of the Ball, whilst the Gentlemen, that were present, were the least concerned, and stood looking on; so as it appear'd to me, more like the Farce of a Comedy at the The p [...]y, at Paris, as once ours at Black-Friers. Hostel de Bourgogne, than a Ball of the Noblesse, and in truth, their measures, [Page] when any of them were taken out, made me somewhat ashamed to lead a Lady who did me the honour, for fear (though my skill be very vulgar in that exercise) they should have taken me for a Dancing Master, as who had, happly imploy'd my youth so ill, as to have some advantage of the rest in that faculty. This favour is particular to the Dancing-Masters in this Country; and reason good; for they ride in their Coaches, and have such ample Salaries, as maintains both their prodigality, and an insolence [Page] that were insupportable in France, where these trifling fellows do better know themselves, are worse payed, and less presumptuous. Nay, so remiss are the Ladies of their respect in this instance, that they not onely entertain all this; but permit themselves likewise to be invited, and often honour these impertinent Fantasticks, by receiving the Ball at their petty Schools.

When this Ceremony was ended, some of the Gallants fell to other recreations, and as far as I understood, were offering [Page] at that innocent, yet salt and pleasant diversion, which in France are called Ralliarie; but so far were they from maintaining it within the decencies, and Laws, which both in that, and our Characters A wittie, & a civil description of one anothers persons we observe; that in a little time, they fell so upon personal abusing one another, that there was much ado to preserve the peace, and as I heard, it was the next day, the product of a quarel, and a Duell.

I did frequently in the spring, accompany my [Page] Lord N. into a field near the Town, which they call Hide-Parke; the place not unpleasant, & which they use, as our Course; but with nothing that order, equipage and splendor, being such an assembly of wretched jades, and Hackney Coaches, as next a Regiment of Carre-men, there is nothing approaches the resemblance. This Parke was (it seemes) used by the late King, and Nobility for the freshness of the Air, and the goodly prospect: but it is that which now (besides all other excises) they pay for here [Page] in England, though it be free in all the World beside; every Coach and Horse which enters, buying his mouthfull, and permission of the Publicane, who has purchased it, for which the entrance is guarded with Porters and long Staves.

The manner is, as the company returns, to alight at the Spring Garden, so called, and in order to the Parke, as our Thuilleries is to the Course; the inclosure not disagreable, for the sollemness of the Grove, the warbling of the Birds, and as it opens into the [Page] spacious Walks at St. James's: but the company walk in it at such a rate, as you would think all the Ladies were so many Atalanta's, contending with their Wooers; and my Lord there was no appearance that I should prove the Hippomenes, who could with very much ado, keep pace with them: But as fast as they run, they stay there so long, as if they wanted not time to finish the Race; for it is usuall here, to find some of the young company till midnight; and the Thickets of the Garden seeme to be [Page] contrived to all advantages of Gallantry, after they have been refreshed with the Collation, which is here seldome om [...]tted, at a certaine Cabaret in the middle of this Paradise; where the forbidden fruites are certaine trifling Tartes, Neatestongu's, Salacious meates, and bad Rhe [...]ish; for which the Gallants pay Sauce, as indee [...] they do at all such house throughout England; for they think it a price of frugality beneath them, to bargaine, or accompt for what they eat in any place however unreasonably impos'd upon;

[Page] But thus, those meane fellowes are (as I told your Lordship) inriched; begger, and insult over the Gentlemen. I am assur'd that this particular Host, has purchased, within few years, 5000 livers 500. per. Ann of our monies: of annuall rent; and well he may, at the rates these Prodigalls pay; whereas, in France, a Gentleman esteemes it no diminution to mannage even these expences with reason. But my Lord, it is now late, and time to quit this Garden, and to tell you, that I think there is not a more illustrious sight [Page] in the World, than to meet the Divinities of our Court marching up the long walk in the Thuilleries, where the pace is so stayed and grave, the encounters so regular and decent; and where those who feed their eyes with their beauties, and their cares with the charming accents of their discourse and voyces, need not those refreshments of the other Senses, finding them all to be so taken up with these.

I was curious before my returne, and when I had conquer'd some difficulties of the language, and [Page] Customes, to visite their Judicatures; where, besides that few of their Gown-men are to be compared to those of the Robe in our Palais [...]or elocution, Where they p [...]ead as at Westminster. and the talent of well speaking; so neither do they at all exceed them in the formes & colours of their Pleading; but (as before I spake of their Ralliary) supply the defects of the cause, with flat, insipide & grossely abusing one another; a thing so trifling, and misbecoming the gravity of Courts (where the Lawyers take liberty to [Page] jeast mens estates away, & yet avow their avarice) that I have much admired at the temper of the Judges, and their remissenesse in reforming it: There was a young Person, whom at my being there, was very much cried up for his abillities, and in whom I did not observe that usuall intemperance, which I but now reproved; and certainly, it springs either for want of those abillities which the Municipall Lawes of this Nation (consisting most of them in Customes like our Normandy, whose antient dialect [Page] their books yet retaine) are so little apt to furnish; or the defect of those advantages, which the more pollished Sciences afford us without which, it is impossible to be good Orators, & to maintaine their discourses, without diversion to that vile impertinency.

But what is infinitly agreable in this Country, are the Bowling-Greens, and the Races, which are really such pleasures abroad, as we have nothing approaches them in France, and which I was extreamly delighted in; but the Verdure of the Country, and [Page] delicious Downes it is, which renders them this praeheminence, and indeed, it is to be valued, and doth in my esteeme, very much commute for the lesse benignity of that glorious Planet, which ripens our Vines in France.

The Horses, and the Doggs, their incomparable Parkes of Fallow-deer, and lawes of Chase, I extreamly approve of; but upon other occasions, all Englishmen ride so fast upon the Road, that you would swear there were some enemy in the ariere; and all the Coaches in London, [Page] seeme to drive for Midwives.

But what did much more afflict me, is their cerimony at Table, where every man is obliged to sit tell all have done eating, however their appetites differ, and to see the formality of the Voider, which our Withdrawing-roomes in France are made to prevent, and might so here, if they knew the use of them, to be, that every man may tile when he has din'd, without the least indecency, and leave the Sewers to their Office.

I have now but a word to [Page] add, and that is the tediousnesse of Visits, which they make here so long, that it is a very tyranny to sit to so little purpose: If the Persons be of Ladys that are strangers, it is to look upon each other, as if they had never seen any of their own kina before; and here indeed the virtue of their Sex is eminent; for they are as silent and fixt as Statue's; Or if they do talk, it is with censure, and sufficient confidence: so difficult it is, to Entertaine with a grace, or to observe a mediocrity.

In Summe, my Lord, I [Page] found so many particulars worthy of reproofe in all those Remarkes which I have been able to make; That to render you a veritable account of England, as it is at present, I must pronounce, with the Poet.

Difficile est Satyram non Scribere. —

FINIS.

[Page]

§

§

[Page]

[Page]

A CHARACTER OF ENGLAND, As it was lately presented in a Letter, to a Noble Man of FRANCE.

[figure]

LONDONs Printed for Jo. Crooke, and are to be sold at the Ship in St. Paul's-yard, 1 [...]59.

TO THE READER.

[Page]

[Page]

WHen I first chanced upon this severe piece and had read it in the Language it was sent me, I was so much concern'd with the honour [Page] of our Country, that it was my resolution to suppress the publication of our shame, as conceiving it an act of great inhumanity; But upon second, and more impartialthoughts, I have been tempted to make it [Page] speak English, and give it liberty, not to reproach, but to instruct our Nation; remembring what the Wiseman hath said, Open rebuke is better than secret Love. Prov. 27.5. The truth is, I cannot say but the particulars, [Page] are most of them, very home; and which we may no way evade, without acknowledging, at least, that the Gentleman (who ever he were) made notable use of his time, but best of all, by setting upon an effectuall [Page] redresse of what is amiss. And though I doubt not, but one might easily retort in as many instances, upon defects as great (if not greater) of that Nation; (for he that finds fault, had need be perfect) [Page] yet were it then fittest to do it, and to revenge this charitable office, when we shall have first reformed our selves.

Farewell.

Information about this book

Title statement

A character of England as it was lately presented in a letter to a noble man of France.

Evelyn, John, 1620-1706.

Edition statement

1659

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A38785

ID [STC]

Wing E3485

ID [STC]

ESTC R17036

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

12102321

ID [OCLC]

ocm 12102321

ID [VID]

54133

Availability

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A38785)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 54133)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 66:11)

Source

— A character of England as it was lately presented in a letter to a noble man of France., Evelyn, John, 1620-1706..

Extent

[8], 71 [i.e. 72] p.

Printed for Jo. Crooke ...,. Londons [i.e. London] :: 1659.. (Attributed to John Evelyn. Cf. Halkett & Laing (2nd ed.).) (Reproduction of original in Huntington Library.)

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