按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
comfortable； or less dangerous to the health of valetudinarians；
and whether it would not be an encouragement to piety； as well as
the salvation of many lives； if the place of worship was well
floored； wainscotted； warmed； and ventilated； and its area kept
sacred from the pollution of the dead。 The practice of burying in
churches was the effect of ignorant superstition； influenced by
knavish priests； who pretended that the devil could have no power
over the defunct if he was interred in holy ground； and this
indeed； is the only reason that can be given for consecrating all
cemeteries； even at this day。
The external appearance of an old cathedral cannot be but
displeasing to the eye of every man； who has any idea of
propriety or proportion； even though he may be ignorant of
architecture as a science； and the long slender spire puts one in
mind of a criminal impaled with a sharp stake rising up through
his shoulder These towers； or steeples； were likewise borrowed
from the Mahometans； who； having no bells； used such minarets for
the purpose of calling the people to prayers They may be of
further use； however； for making observations and signals； but I
would vote for their being distinct from the body of the church；
because they serve only to make the pile more barbarous； or
Saracenical。
There is nothing of this Arabic architecture in the Assembly
Room； which seems to me to have been built upon a design of
Palladio； and might be converted into an elegant place of
worship； but it is indifferently contrived for that sort of
idolatry which is performed in it at present： the grandeur of the
fane gives a diminutive effect to the little painted divinities
that are adorned in it； and the company； on a ball…night； must
look like an assembly of fantastic fairies； revelling by
moonlight among the columns of a Grecian temple。
Scarborough seems to be falling off； in point of reputation。 All
these places （Bath excepted） have their vogue； and then the
fashion changes。 I am persuaded； there are fifty spaws in England
as efficacious and salutary as that of Scarborough； though they
have not yet risen to fame； and； perhaps； never will； unless some
medical encomiast should find an interest in displaying their
virtues to the public view Be that as it may； recourse will
always be had to this place for the convenience of sea bathing；
while this practice prevails； but it were to be wished； they
would make the beach more accessible to invalids。
I have here met with my old acquaintance； H＇ewet＇t； whom you have
often heard me mention as one of the most original characters
upon earth I first knew him at Venice； and afterwards saw him in
different parts of Italy； where he was well known by the nick…name
of Cavallo Bianco； from his appearing always mounted on a
pale horse； like Death in the Revelations。 You must remember the
account I once gave you of a curious dispute he had at
Constantinople； with a couple of Turks； in defence of the
Christian religion； a dispute from which he acquired the epithet
of Demonstrator The truth is； H owns no religion but that of
nature； but； on this occasion； he was stimulated to shew his
parts； for the honour of his country Some years ago； being in
the Campidoglio at Rome； he made up to the bust of Jupiter； and；
bowing very low； exclaimed in the Italian language； 'I hope； sir；
if ever you get your head above water again； you will remember
that I paid my respects to you in your adversity。' This sally was
reported to the cardinal Camerlengo； and by him laid before pope
Benedict XIV； who could not help laughing at the extravagance of
the address； and said to the cardinal； 'Those English heretics
think they have a right to go to the devil in their own way。'
Indeed H was the only Englishman I ever knew； who had
resolution enough to live in his own way； in the midst of
foreigners； for； neither in dress； diet； customs； or
conversation； did he deviate one tittle from the manner in which
he had been brought up。 About twelve years ago； he began a Giro
or circuit； which he thus performed At Naples； where he fixed
his headquarters； he embarked for Marseilles； from whence he
travelled with a Voiturin to Antibes There he took his passage
to Genoa and Lerici； from which last place he proceeded； by the
way of Cambratina； to Pisa and Florence After having halted some
time in this metropolis； he set out with a Vetturino for Rome；
where he reposed himself a few weeks； and then continued his
route for Naples； in order to wait for the next opportunity of
embarkation After having twelve times described this circle； he
lately flew off at a tangent to visit some trees at his country…house
in England； which he had planted above twenty years ago；
after the plan of the double colonnade in the piazza of St
Peter's at Rome He came hither to Scarborough； to pay his
respects to his noble friend and former pupil； the M of G；
and； forgetting that he is now turned of seventy； sacrificed so
liberally to Bacchus； that next day he was seized with a fit of
the apoplexy； which has a little impaired his memory； but he
retains all the oddity of his character in perfection； and is
going back to Italy by the way of Geneva； that he may have a
conference with his friend Voltaire； about giving the last blow
to the Christian superstition He intends to take shipping here
for Holland or Hamburgh； for it is a matter of great indifference
to him at what part of the continent he first lands。
When he was going abroad the last time； he took his passage in a
ship bound for Leghorn； and his baggage was actually embarked。 In
going down the river by water； he was by mistake put on board of
another vessel under sail； and； upon inquiry understood she was
bound to Petersburgh 'Petersburgh； Petersburgh （said he） I
don't care if I go along with you。' He forthwith struck a bargain
with the captain； bought a couple of shirts of the mate； and was
safe conveyed to the court of Muscovy； from whence he travelled
by land to receive his baggage at Leghorn He is now more likely
than ever to execute a whim of the same nature； and I will hold
any wager； that as he cannot be supposed to live much longer；
according to the course of nature； his exit will be as odd as his
life has been extravagant。
＇This gentleman crossed the sea to France； visited and conferred
with Mr de Voltaire at Fernay； resumed his old circuit at Genoa；
and died in 1767； at the house of Vanini in Florence。 Being taken
with a suppression of urine； he resolved； in imitation of
Pomponius Atticus； to take himself off by abstinence； and this
resolution he executed like an ancient Roman。 He saw company to
the last； cracked his jokes； conversed freely； and entertained
his guests with music。 On the third day of his fast； he found
himself entirely freed of his complaint； but refused taking
sustenance。 He said the most disagreeable part of the voyage was
past； and he should be a cursed fool indeed； to put about ship；
when he was just entering the harbour。 In these sentiments he
persisted； without any marks of affectation； and thus finished
his course with such case and serenity； as would have done honou