In A Particular Part Of
The Garden A Curtain Was Drawn Up, And By Means Of Some Mechanism Of
Extraordinary
Ingenuity, the eye and the ear are so completely
deceived, that it is not easy to persuade one's self it
Is a
deception, and that one does not actually see and hear a natural
waterfall from a high rock. As everyone was flocking to this scene
in crowds, there arose all at once a loud cry of "Take care of your
pockets." This informed us, but too clearly, that there were some
pickpockets among the crowd, who had already made some fortunate
strokes.
The rotunda, a magnificent circular building in the garden,
particularly engaged my attention. By means of beautiful
chandeliers, and large mirrors, it was illuminated in the most
superb manner; and everywhere decorated with delightful paintings,
and statues, in the contemplation of which you may spend several
hours very agreeably, when you are tired of the crowd and the
bustle, in the walks of the garden.
Among the paintings one represents the surrender of a besieged city.
If you look at this painting with attention, for any length of time,
it affects you so much that you even shed tears. The expression of
the greatest distress, even bordering on despair, on the part of the
besieged, the fearful expectation of the uncertain issue, and what
the victor will determine concerning those unfortunate people, may
all be read so plainly, and so naturally in the countenances of the
inhabitants, who are imploring for mercy, from the hoary head to the
suckling whom his mother holds up, that you quite forget yourself,
and in the end scarcely believe it to be a painting before you.
You also here find the busts of the best English authors, placed all
round on the sides. Thus a Briton again meets with his Shakespeare,
Locke, Milton, and Dryden in the public places of his amusements;
and there also reveres their memory. Even the common people thus
become familiar with the names of those who have done honour to
their nation; and are taught to mention them with veneration. For
this rotunda is also an orchestra in which the music is performed in
rainy weather. But enough of Vauxhall!
Certain it is that the English classical authors are read more
generally, beyond all comparison, than the German; which in general
are read only by the learned; or, at most, by the middle class of
people. The English national authors are in all hands, and read by
all people, of which the innumerable editions they have gone through
are a sufficient proof.
My landlady, who is only a tailor's widow, reads her Milton; and
tells me, that her late husband first fell in love with her on this
very account: because she read Milton with such proper emphasis.
This single instance, perhaps, would prove but little; but I have
conversed with several people of the lower class, who all knew their
national authors, and who all have read many, if not all, of them.
This elevates the lower ranks, and brings them nearer to the higher.
There is hardly any argument or dispute in conversation, in the
higher ranks, about which the lower cannot also converse or give
their opinion.
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