<p><SPAN name="link2H_4_0141" id="link2H_4_0141"></SPAN></p>
<h2> LETTER CXXXIX </h2>
<h3> LONDON, April 22, O. S. 1751 </h3>
<p>MY DEAR FRIEND: I apply to you now, as to the greatest virtuoso of this,
or perhaps any other age; one whose superior judgment and distinguishing
eye hindered the King of Poland from buying a bad picture at Venice, and
whose decisions in the realms of 'virtu' are final, and without appeal.
Now to the point. I have had a catalogue sent me, 'd'une Trente a
l'aimable de Tableaux des plus Grands Maitres, appartenans au Sieur
Araignon Aperen, valet de chambre de la Reine, sur le quai de la
Megisserie, au coin de Arche Marion'. There I observe two large pictures
of Titian, as described in the inclosed page of the catalogue, No. 18,
which I should be glad to purchase upon two conditions: the first is, that
they be undoubted originals of Titian, in good preservation; and the other
that they come cheap. To ascertain the first (but without disparaging your
skill), I wish you would get some undoubted connoisseurs to examine them
carefully: and if, upon such critical examination, they should be
unanimously allowed to be undisputed originals of Titian, and well
preserved, then comes the second point, the price: I will not go above two
hundred pounds sterling for the two together; but as much less as you can
get them for. I acknowledge that two hundred pounds seems to be a very
small sum for two undoubted Titians of that size; but, on the other hand,
as large Italian pictures are now out of fashion at Paris, where fashion
decides of everything, and as these pictures are too large for common
rooms, they may possibly come within the price above limited. I leave the
whole of this transaction (the price excepted, which I will not exceed) to
your consummate skill and prudence, with proper advice joined to them.
Should you happen to buy them for that price, carry them to your own
lodgings, and get a frame made to the second, which I observe has none,
exactly the same with the other frame, and have the old one new gilt; and
then get them carefully packed up, and sent me by Rouen.</p>
<p>I hear much of your conversing with 'les beaux esprits' at Paris: I am
very glad of it; it gives a degree of reputation, especially at Paris; and
their conversation is generally instructive, though sometimes affected. It
must be owned, that the polite conversation of the men and women of
fashion at Paris, though not always very deep, is much less futile and
frivolous than ours here. It turns at least upon some subject, something
of taste, some point of history, criticism, and even philosophy; which,
though probably not quite so solid as Mr. Locke's, is, however, better,
and more becoming rational beings, than our frivolous dissertations upon
the weather, or upon whist. Monsieur du Clos observes, and I think very
justly, 'qu'il y a a present en France une fermentation universelle de la
raison qui tend a se developper'. Whereas, I am sorry to say, that here
that fermentation seems to have been over some years ago, the spirit
evaporated, and only the dregs left. Moreover, 'les beaux esprits' at
Paris are commonly well-bred, which ours very frequently are not; with the
former your manners will be formed; with the latter, wit must generally be
compounded for at the expense of manners. Are you acquainted with
Marivaux, who has certainly studied, and is well acquainted with the
heart; but who refines so much upon its 'plis et replis', and describes
them so affectedly, that he often is unintelligible to his readers, and
sometimes so, I dare say, to himself? Do you know 'Crebillon le fils'? He
is a fine painter and a pleasing writer; his characters are admirable and
his reflections just. Frequent these people, and be glad, but not proud of
frequenting them: never boast of it, as a proof of your own merit, nor
insult, in a manner, other companies by telling them affectedly what you,
Montesquieu and Fontenelle were talking of the other day; as I have known
many people do here, with regard to Pope and Swift, who had never been
twice in company with either; nor carry into other companies the 'ton' of
those meetings of 'beaux esprits'. Talk literature, taste, philosophy,
etc., with them, 'a la bonne heure'; but then, with the same ease, and
more 'enjouement', talk 'pom-pons, moires', etc., with Madame de Blot, if
she requires it. Almost every subject in the world has its proper time and
place; in which no one is above or below discussion. The point is, to talk
well upon the subject you talk upon; and the most trifling, frivolous
subjects will still give a man of parts an opportunity of showing them.
'L'usage du grand monde' can alone teach that. That was the distinguishing
characteristic of Alcibiades, and a happy one it was, that he could
occasionally, and with so much ease, adopt the most different, and even
the most opposite habits and manners, that each seemed natural to him.
Prepare yourself for the great world, as the 'athletae' used to do for
their exercises: oil (if I may use that expression) your mind and your
manners, to give them the necessary suppleness and flexibility; strength
alone will not do, as young people are too apt to think.</p>
<p>How do your exercises go on? Can you manage a pretty vigorous 'sauteur'
between the pillars? Are you got into stirrups yet? 'Faites-vous assaut
aux armes? But, above all, what does Marcel say of you? Is he satisfied?
Pray be more particular in your accounts of yourself, for though I have
frequent accounts of you from others, I desire to have your own too.
Adieu. Yours, truly and friendly.</p>
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