ered with snow, and though it even continues in
spots in the vallies, the latter with the trees and shrubs in the woods
are already in beautiful verdure; and the earth every where putting
forth flowers in a wild and lovely variety and profusion.

'Tis amazingly pleasing to see the strawberries and wild pansies
peeping their little foolish heads from beneath the snow.

Emily and I are prodigiously fond after having been separated; it is
a divine relief to us both, to have again the delight of talking of our
lovers to each other: we have been a month divided; and neither of us
have had the consolation of a friend to be foolish to.

Fitzgerald dines with us: he comes.

Adieu! yours,
A. Fermor.

LETTER 135.

To the Earl of ----.

Silleri, May 5.

My Lord,

I have been conversing, if the expression is not improper when I
have not had an opportunity of speaking a syllable, more than two hours
with a French officer, who has declaimed the whole time with the most
astonishing volubility, without uttering one word which could either
entertain or instruct his hearers; and even without starting any thing
that deserved the name of a thought.

People who have no ideas out of the common road are, I believe,
generally the greatest talkers, because all their thoughts are low
enough for common conversation; whereas those of more elevated
understandings have ideas which they cannot easily communicate except
to persons of equal capacity with themselves.

This might be brought as an argument of the inferiority of women's
understanding to ours, as they are generally greater talkers, if we did
not consider the limited and trifling educations we give them; men,
amongst other advantages, have that of acquiring a greater variety as
well as sublimity of ideas.

Women who have conversed much with men are undoubtedly in general
the most pleasing companions; but this only shews of what they are
capable when properly educated, since they improve so greatly by that
accidental and limited opportunity of acquiring knowledge.

Indeed the two sexes are equal gainers, by conversing with each
other: there is a mutual desire of pleasing, in a mixed conversation,
restrained by politeness, which sets every amiable quality in a
stronger light.

Bred in ignorance from one age to another, women can learn little of
their own sex.

I have often thought this the reason why officers daughters are in
general more agreable th