nce
better than compliments. I have answered your letter by giving you
the accounts you desired, and have reserved my thanks to the
conclusion. I intend to leave this place to-morrow, and continue my
journey through Italy and France. In one of those places I hope to
tell you, by word of mouth, that I am, Your humble servant, &c. &c.

LET. XLV

TO THE COUNTESS OF ----.

_Genoa, Aug_. 28. O. S. 1718

I BEG your pardon, my dear sister, that I did not write to you from
Tunis, the only opportunity I have had since I left Constantinople.
But the heat there was so excessive, and the light so bad for the
sight, I was half blind by writing one letter to the Abbot ----, and
durst not go to write many others I had designed; nor indeed could I
have entertained you very well out of that barbarous country. I am
now surrounded with subjects of pleasure, and so much charmed with
the beauties of Italy, that I should think it a kind of ingratitude
not to offer a little praise in return for the diversion I have had
here.--I am in the house of Mrs D'Avenant at St Pierre d'Arena, and
should be very unjust not to allow her a share of that praise I speak
of, since her good humour and good company have very much contributed
to render this place agreeable to me.

GENOA is situated in a very fine bay; and being built on a rising
hill, extermixed (sic) with gardens, and beautified with the most
excellent architecture, gives a very fine prospect off at sea; though
it lost much of its beauty in my eyes, having been accustomed to that
of Constantinople. The Genoese were once masters of several islands
in the Archipelago, and all that part of Constantinople which is now
called Galata. Their betraying the Christian cause, by facilitating
the taking of Constantinople by the Turk, deserved what has since
happened to them, even the loss of all their conquests on that side
to those infidels. They are at present far from rich, and are
despised by the French, since their doge was forced by the late king
to go in person to Paris, to ask pardon for such a trifle as the arms
of France over the house of the envoy, being spattered with dung in
the night. This, I suppose, was done by some of the Spanish faction,
which still makes up the majority here, though they dare not openly
declare it. The ladies affect the French habit, and are more genteel
than those they imitate. I do not doubt but the custom of Cizisbei's
has very much improved their a