indeed, their way of life, which shuts them
out of all public commerce, does not permit them any other. Our
vulgar notion, that they don't own women to have any souls, is a
mistake. 'Tis true, they say, they are not of so elevated a kind,
and therefore must not hope to be admitted into the paradise
appointed for the men, who are to be entertained by celestial
beauties. But there is a place of happiness destined for souls of
the inferior order, where all good women are to be in eternal bliss.
Many of them are very superstitious, and will not remain widows ten
days, for fear of dying in the reprobate state of an useless
creature. But those that like their liberty, and are not slaves to
their religion, content themselves with marrying when they are afraid
of dying. This is a piece of theology, very different from that
which teaches nothing to be more acceptable to God than a vow of
perpetual virginity: which divinity is most rational, I leave you to
determine.

I HAVE already made some progress in a collection of Greek medals.
Here are several professed antiquaries, who are ready to serve any
body that desires them. But you cannot imagine how they stare in my
face, when I enquire about them, as if no body was permitted to seek
after medals, till they were grown a piece of antiquity themselves.
I have got some very valuable ones of the Macedonian kings,
particularly one of Perseus, so lively, I fancy I can see all his ill
qualities in his face. I have a prophyry (sic) head finely cut, of
the true Greek sculpture; but who it represents, is to be guessed at
by the learned when I return. For you are not to suppose these
antiquaries (who are all Greeks) know any thing. Their trade is only
to sell; they have correspondents at Aleppo, Grand Cairo, in Arabia
and Palestine, who send them all they can find, and very often great
heaps, that are only fit to melt into pans and kettles. They get the
best price they can for them, without knowing those that are valuable
from those that are not. Those that pretend to skill, generally find
out the image of some saint in the medals of the Greek cities. One
of them, shewing me the figure of a Pallas, with a victory in her
hand on a reverse, assured me, it was the Virgin, holding a crucifix.
The same man offered me the head of a Socrates, on a sardonyx; and,
to enhance the value, gave him the title of saint Augustine. I have
bespoke a mummy, which I hope will come safe to my han