f marriage; which, though it could signify nothing during the life
of the queen, pleased her so well, that she could not be contented,
without telling it to all the people she saw, and giving herself the
airs of a queen. Men endure every thing while they are in love; but
when the excess of passion was cooled by long possession, his
majesty began to reflect on the ill consequences of leaving such a
paper in her hands, and desired to have it restored to him. But she
rather chose to endure all the most violent effects of his anger,
than give it up; and though she is one of the richest and most
avaricious ladies of her country, she has refused the offer of the
continuation of a large pension, and the security of a vast sum of
money she has amassed; and has, at last, provoked the king to confine
her person to a castle, where she endures all the terrors of a strait
imprisonment, and remains still inflexible, either to threats or
promises. Her violent passions have brought her indeed into fits,
which 'tis supposed, will soon put an end to her life. I cannot
forbear having some compassion for a woman that suffers for a point
of honour, however mistaken, especially in a country where points of
honour are not over scrupulously observed among ladies.

I COULD have wished Mr W----y's business had permitted him a longer
stay at Dresden.

PERHAPS I am partial to a town where they profess the protestant
religion; but every thing seemed to me with quite another air of
politeness than I have found in other places. Leipzig, where I am at
present, is a town very considerable for its trade, and I take this
opportunity of buying pages liveries, gold stuffs for myself, &c. all
things of that kind being at least double the price at Vienna; partly
because of the excessive customs, and partly through want of genius
and industry in the people, who make no one sort of thing there; so
that the ladies are obliged to send, even for their shoes, out of
Saxony. The fair here is one of the most considerable in Germany,
and the resort of all the people of quality, as well as of the
merchants. This is also a fortified town, but I avoid ever
mentioning fortifications, being sensible that I know not how to
speak of them. I am the more easy Under my ignorance, when I reflect
that I am sure you'll willingly forgive the omission; for if I made
you the most exact description of all the ravelins and bastions I see
in my travels, I dare swear you would