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Anecdotes, Bons-Mots, and Characteristic Traits of the Greatest Princes, Politicians, Philosophers, Orators, and Wits of Modern Times
Anecdotes Bons-Mots and Characteristic Traits of the Greatest Princes Politicians Philosophers Orators and Wits of Modern Times Author:John Adams Subtitle: Calculated to Inspire the Minds of Youth With Noble, Virtuous, Generous, and Liberal Sentiments General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1789 Original Publisher: Printed for G. Kearsley Subjects: Great Britain Anecdotes History / Europe / Great Britain Humor / General Humor / Form / Anecdotes Not... more »es: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. Excerpt: He afterwards faid, that " though he could not " perfectly pronounce Englifh, his ear was fenfi- " ble of the harmony of their language and of " their verification ; that Pope and Dryden had " the moft harmony in poetry; Addifon in profe." Vol. How have you found the French ? Sher. Amiable and witty. I only find one " fault with them; they imitate the Englifh too much. Vol. How! do you think us worthy to be ori ginals ourfelves ? Sher. Yes, Sir. Vol. So do I too; but it is of your government that we are jealous. Sher. I have found the French more free than I expected. Vol. Yes, as to walking, or eating whatever he pleafes, or lolling in his elbow-chair, a Frenchman is free enough ; but as to taxes Ah ! Sir, you are happy; you may do any thing; we are born in flavery, and we die in flavery ; we cannot even die as we will, we muft have a prieft. Speaking of our government, he faid, " the " Englifh fell themfelves, which is a proof that " they are worth fomething. We, French; do " not fell ourfelves, probably becaufe we are worth " nothing." Sher. What is your opinion of the Eloife i VoL Vol. It will not be read twenty years hence. Sher. Mademoifelle 1'Enclos has written good letters. Vol. She never wrote one; they were written by the wretched Crebillon. " The Italians," he faid, " were a nation of " brokers; that Italy was an old...« less