, baffled in all his efforts to retrieve his lost
Amanda, yielded at length to the remonstrances of his governor and
fellow-travellers, who, out of pure complaisance to him, had exceeded
their intended stay by six days at least; and a couple of post-chaises,
with three riding-horses, being hired, they departed from Brussels in
the morning, dined at Mechlin, and arrived about eight in the evening
at the venerable city of Antwerp. During this day's journey Pallet was
elevated to an uncommon flow of spirits, with the prospect of seeing the
birthplace of Rubens, for whom he professed an enthusiastic admiration.
He swore, that the pleasure he felt was equal to that of a Mussulman, on
the last day of his pilgrimage to Mecca; and that he already considered
himself a native of Antwerp, being so intimately acquainted with their
so justly boasted citizen, from whom, at certain junctures, he could
not help believing himself derived, because his own pencil adopted the
manner of that great man with surprising facility, and his face wanted
nothing but a pair of whiskers and a beard, to exhibit the express
image of the Fleming's countenance. He told them he was so proud of this
resemblance, that, in order to render it more striking, he had, at one
time of his life, resolved to keep his face sacred from the razor;
and in that purpose had persevered, notwithstanding the continual
reprehensions of Mrs. Pallet, (who, being then with child), said, his
aspect was so hideous, that she dreaded a miscarriage every hour, until
she threatened in plain terms, to dispute the sanity of his intellects,
and apply to the chancellor for a committee.

The doctor, on this occasion, observed, that a man who is not proof
against the solicitations of a woman, can never expect to make a great
figure in life; that painters and poets ought to cultivate no wives but
the Muses; or, if they are by the accidents of fortune encumbered with
families, they should carefully guard against that pernicious weakness,
falsely honoured with the appellation of natural affection, and pay no
manner of regard to the impertinent customs of the world. "Granting that
you had been for a short time deemed a lunatic," said he, "you
might have acquitted yourself honourably of that imputation, by some
performance that would have raised your character above all censure.
Sophocles himself, that celebrated tragic poet, who, for the sweetness
of his versification, was styled Melitta, or "th