up a smattering of Italian, during a voyage up the Straits.
At this explanation she shook her head, and observed that no smatterer
could read as I had done. She then desired to know if I understood
French. To which question I answered in the affirmative. She asked if I
was acquainted with the Latin and Greek? I replied, "A little." "Oho!"
continued she, "and with philosophy and mathematics, I suppose?" I owned
I knew something of each. Then she repeated her stare and interrogation.
I began to repent of my vanity, and in order to repair the fault I
committed, said, it was not to be wondered at if I had a tolerable
education, for learning was so cheap in my country, that every peasant
was a scholar; but, I hoped her Ladyship would think my understanding no
exception to my character. "No, no, God forbid." But during the rest of
the time they sat at table, they behaved with remarkable reserve.

This alteration gave me great uneasiness; and I passed the night without
sleep, in melancholy reflections on the vanity of young men, which
prompts them to commit so many foolish actions, contrary to their
own sober judgment. Next day, however, instead of profiting by this
self-condemnation, I yielded still more to the dictates of the principle
I had endeavoured to chastise, and if fortune had not befriended me more
than prudence could expect, I should have been treated with the contempt
it deserved. After breakfast my lady, who was a true author, bade me
follow her into the study, where she expressed herself thus: "Since you
are so learned, you cannot be void of taste; therefore I am to desire
your opinion of a small performance in poetry, which I lately composed.
You must know that I have planned a tragedy, the subject of which shall
be, the murder of a prince before the altar, where he is busy at his
devotions. After the deed is perpetrated, the regicide will harangue the
people with the bloody dagger in his hand; and I have already composed a
speech, which, I think, will suit the character extremely. Here it is."
Then, taking up a scrap of paper, she read, with violent emphasis and
gesture, as follows:--

"Thus have I sent the simple King to hell,
Without or coffin, shroud, or passing bell:
To me what are divine and human laws?
I court no sanction but my own applause!
Rapes, robberies, treasons, yield my soul delight,
And human carnage gratifies my sight:
I drag the parent by the hoary hair,
A