ages was so antic,
their manner so awkwardly absurd, and their language so ridiculously
unfit for conveying the sentiment of love and honour, that Peregrine's
nerves were diuretically affected with the complicated absurdity, and
he was compelled to withdraw twenty times before the catastrophe of the
piece.

The subject of this performance was the famous story of Scipio's
continence and virtue, in restoring the fair captive to her lover.
The young Roman hero was represented by a broadfaced Batavian, in a
burgomaster's gown and a fur cap, sitting smoking his pipe at a table
furnished with a can of beer, a drinking glass, and a plate of tobacco.
The lady was such a person as Scipio might well be supposed to give
away, without any great effort of generosity; and indeed the Celtiberian
prince seemed to be of that opinion; for, upon receiving her from the
hand of the victor, he discovered none of those transports of gratitude
and joy which Livy describes in recounting this event. The Dutch Scipio,
however, was complaisant enough in his way; for he desired her to sit at
his right hand, by the appellation of Ya frow, and with his own fingers
filling a clean pipe, presented it to Mynheer Allucio, the lover. The
rest of the economy of the piece was in the same taste; which was so
agreeable to the audience, that they seemed to have shaken off their
natural phlegm, in order to applaud the performance.

From the play our company adjourned to the house of their friend, where
they spent the evening; and the conversation turning upon poetry, a
Dutchman who was present, and understood the English language, having
listened very attentively to the discourse, lifted up with both hands
the greatest part of a Cheshire cheese that lay upon the table, saying,
"I do know vat is boetre. Mine brotre be a great boet, and ave vrought
a book as dick as all dat." Pickle, diverted with this method of
estimating an author according to the quantity of his works, inquired
about the subjects of this bard's writings; but of these his brother
could give no account, or other information, but that there was little
market for the commodity, which hung heavy upon his hands, and induced
him to wish he had applied himself to another trade.

The only remarkable scene in Amsterdam, which our company had not
seen, was the Spuyl or music-houses, which, by the connivance of the
magistrates, are maintained for the recreation of those who might
attempt the chastity o