I Suppose It Is
Because The Inhabitants Of London Rise So Late, That Divine Service
Begin Only At Half-Past Ten O'clock.
I missed Mr. Wendeborn this
morning, and was therefore obliged to enquire of the door-keeper at
St. Paul's for a direction to the German church, where I was to
preach.
He did not know it. I then asked at another church, not
far from thence. Here I was directed right, and after I had passed
through an iron gate to the end of a long passage, I arrived just in
time at the church, where, after the sermon, I was obliged to read a
public thanksgiving for the safe arrival of our ship. The German
clergy here dress exactly the same as the English clergy - i.e., in
long robes with wide sleeves - in which I likewise was obliged to
wrap myself. Mr. Wendeborn wears his own hair, which curls
naturally, and the toupee is combed up.
The other German clergymen whom I have seen wear wigs, as well as
many of the English.
I yesterday waited on our ambassador, Count Lucy, and was agreeably
surprised at the simplicity of his manner of living. He lives in a
small private house. His secretary lives upstairs, where also I met
with the Prussian consul, who happened just then to be paying him a
visit. Below, on the right hand, I was immediately shown into his
Excellency's room, without being obliged to pass through an
antechamber. He wore a blue coat, with a red collar and red
facings. He conversed with me, as we drank a dish of coffee, on
various learned topics; and when I told him of the great dispute now
going on about the tacismus or stacismus, he declared himself, as a
born Greek, for the stacismus.
When I came to take my leave, he desired me to come and see him
without ceremony whenever it suited me, as he should be always happy
to see me.
Mr. Leonhard, who has translated several celebrated English plays,
such as "The School for Scandal," and some others, lives here as a
private person, instructing Germans in English, and Englishmen in
German, with great ability. He also it is who writes the articles
concerning England for the new Hamburgh newspaper, for which he is
paid a stated yearly stipend. I may add also, that he is the master
of a German Freemasons' lodge in London, and representative of all
the German lodges in England - an employment of far more trouble than
profit to him, for all the world applies to him in all cases and
emergencies. I also was recommended to him from Hamburgh. He is a
very complaisant man, and has already shown me many civilities. He
repeats English poetry with great propriety, and speaks the language
nearly with the same facility as he does his mother language. He is
married to an amiable Englishwoman. I wish him all possible
happiness. And now let me tell you something of the so often
imitated, but perhaps inimitable
Vauxhall.
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