of mother of pearl and olive wood
inlaid, and several of Japan china. The galleries, which are
numerous, and very large, are adorned with jars of flowers, and
porcelain dishes of fruit of all sorts, so well done in plaster, and
coloured in so lively a manner, that it has an enchanting effect.
The garden is suitable to the house, where arbours, fountains, and
walks, are thrown together in an agreeable confusion. There is no
ornament wanting, except that of statues. Thus, you see, Sir, these
people are not so unpolished as we represent them. 'Tis true, their
magnificence is of a very different taste from ours, and perhaps of
a better. I am almost of opinion, they have a right notion of life.
They consume it in music, gardens, wine, and delicate eating, while
we are tormenting our brains with some scheme of politics, or
studying some science to which we can never attain; or, if we do,
cannot persuade other people to set that value upon it we do
ourselves. 'Tis certain, what we feel and see is properly (if any
thing is properly) our own; but the good of fame, the folly of
praise, are hardly purchased, and, when obtained, a poor recompence
(sic) for loss of time and health. We die or grow old before we can
reap the fruit of our labours. Considering what short-liv'd, weak
animals men are, is there any study so beneficial as the study of
present pleasure? I dare not pursue this theme; perhaps I have
already said too much, but I depend upon the true knowledge you have
of my heart. I don't expect from you the insipid railleries I should
suffer from another in answer to this letter. You know how to divide
the idea of pleasure from that of vice, and they are only mingled in
the heads of fools.--But I allow you to laugh at me for the sensual
declaration in saying, that I had rather be a rich _effendi_, with
all his ignorance, than Sir Isaac Newton with all his knowledge.
I am, Sir, &c. &c.

LET. XLIV.

TO THE ABBOT OF ----.

_Tunis, July_ 31. O. S. 1718

I LEFT Constantinople the sixth of the last month, and this is the
first post from whence I could send a letter, though I have often
wished for the opportunity, that I might impart some of the pleasure
I found in this voyage, through the most agreeable part of the world,
where every scene presents me some poetical idea,

_Warm'd with poetic transport I survey
Th' immortal islands, and the well