no European
court, where the ladies would have behaved themselves in so polite a
manner to such a stranger. I believe, upon the whole, there were two
hundred women, and yet none of those disdainful smiles, and satirical
whispers, that never fail in our assemblies, when any body appears
that is not dressed exactly in the fashion. They repeated over and
over to me; "UZELLE, PEK UZELLE," which is nothing but, _Charming,
very Charming_.--The first sofas were covered with cushions and rich
carpets, on which sat the ladies; and on the second, their slaves
behind them, but without any distinction of rank by their dress, all
being in the state of nature, that is, in plain English, stark naked,
without any beauty or defect concealed. Yet there was not the least
wanton smile or immodest gesture amongst them. They walked and moved
with the same majestic grace, which Milton describes our general
mother with. There were many amongst them, as exactly proportioned as
ever any goddess was drawn by the pencil of a Guido or Titian,--and
most of their skins shiningly white, only adorned by their beautiful
hair divided into many tresses, hanging on their shoulders, braided
either with pearl or ribbon, perfectly representing the figures of
the Graces.

I WAS here convinced of the truth of a reflection I have often made,
_That if it were the fashion to go naked, the face would be hardly
observed_. I perceived, that the ladies of the most delicate skins
and finest shapes had the greatest share of my admiration, though
their faces were sometimes less beautiful than those of their
companions. To tell you the truth, I had wickedness enough, to wish
secretly, that Mr Gervais could have been there invisible. I fancy
it would have very much improved his art, to see so many fine women
naked, in different postures, some in conversation, some working,
others drinking coffee or sherbet, and many negligently lying on
their cushions, while their slaves (generally pretty girls of
seventeen or eighteen) were employed in braiding their hair in
several pretty fancies. In short, 'tis the women's coffee-house,
where all the news of the town is told, scandal invented, &c.--They
generally take this diversion once a-week (sic), and stay there at
least four or five hours, without getting cold by immediate coming
out of the hot bath into the cold room, which was very surprising to
me. The lady, that seemed the most considerable among them,
entreated me t