* * * * *

THE BOXES.

(To the Editor of Blackwood’s Magazine.)

Sir,—­In the course of my study in the English language, which I made now for three years, I always read your periodically, and now think myself capable to write at your Magazin.  I love always the modesty, or you shall have a letter of me very long time past.  But, never mind, I would well tell you, that I am come to this country to instruct me in the manners, the customs, the habits, the policies, and the other affairs general of Great Britain.  And truly I think me good fortunate, being received in many families, so as I can to speak your language now with so much facility as the French.

But, never mind.  That what I would you say, is not only for the Englishes, but for the strangers, who come at your country from all the other kingdoms, polite and instructed; because, as they tell me, that they are abonnements[10] for you in all the kingdoms in Europe, so well as in the Orientals and Occidentals.

   [10] Abonnements—­subscriptions.

No, sir, upon my honour, I am not egotist.  I not proud myself with chateaux en Espagne.  I am but a particular gentleman, come here for that what I said; but, since I learn to comprehend the language, I discover that I am become an object of pleasantry, and for himself to mock, to one of your comedians even before I put my foot upon the ground at Douvres.  He was Mr. Mathew, who tell of some contretems of me and your word detestable Box.  Well, never mind.  I know at present how it happen, because I see him since in some parties and dinners; and he confess he love much to go travel and mix himself altogether up with the stage-coach and vapouring[11] boat for fun, what he bring at his theatre.

   [11] Bateau an vapeur—­a steam-boat.

Well, never mind.  He see me, perhaps, to ask a question in the paque-bot—­but he not confess after, that he goed and bribe the garcon at the hotel and the coach man to mystify me with all the boxes; but, very well, I shall tell you how it arrived, so as you shall see that it was impossible that a stranger could miss to be perplexed, and to advertise the travellers what will come after, that they shall converse with the gentlemen and not with the badinstructs.

But, it must that I begin.  I am a gentleman, and my goods are in the public rentes,[12] and a chateau with a handsome propriety on the bank of the Loire, which I lend to a merchant English, who pay me very well in London for my expenses.  Very well.  I like the peace, nevertheless that I was force, at other time, to go to war with Napoleon.  But it is passed.  So I come to Paris in my proper post-chaise, where I selled him, and hire one, for almost nothing at all, for bring me to Calais all alone, because I will not bring my valet to speak French here where all the world is ignorant.

   [12] Rentes—­public funds.