PRINCE EUGENE was so polite as to shew me his library yesterday; we found him attended by Rousseau, and his favourite count Bonneval, who is a man of wit, and is here thought to be a very bold and enterprizing (sic), spirit.  The library, though not very ample, is well chosen; but as the prince will admit into it no editions but what are beautiful and pleasing to the eye, and there are, nevertheless, numbers of excellent books that are but indifferently printed, this finikin (sic) and foppish taste makes many disagreeable chasms in this collection.  The books are pompously bound in Turkey leather; and two of the most famous book-binders of Paris were expressly sent for to do this work.  Bonneval pleasantly told me, that there were several quartos, on the art of war, that were bound with the skins of spahis and janizaries:  and this jest, which was indeed elegant, raised a smile of pleasure on the grave countenance of the famous warrior.  The prince, who is a connoisseur in the fine arts, shewed me, with particular pleasure, the famous collection of portraits that formerly belonged to Fouquet, and which he purchased at an excessive price.  He has augmented it with a considerable number of new acquisitions; so that he has now in his possession such a collection in that kind, as you will scarcely find in any ten cabinets in Europe.  If I told you the number, you will say that I make an indiscreet use of the permission to lie, which is more or less given to travellers, by the indulgence of the candid.

COUNT TARRACCO is just come in.—­He is the only person I have accepted, this morning, in my general order to receive no company.—­I think I see you smile;—­but I am not so far gone as to stand in need of absolution; though as the human heart is deceitful, and the count very agreeable, you may think, that even though I should not want an absolution, I would, nevertheless, be glad to have an indulgence.—­No such thing.—­However, as I am a heretic, and you no confessor, I shall make no declarations on this head.—­The design of the count’s visit is a ball;—­more pleasure.—­I shall be surfeited. 
          
                                                 Adieu, &c.

LET.  LV.

TO MR P——.

Sept. 1. 1717.

WHEN I wrote to you last, Belgrade was in the hands of the Turks; but, at this present moment, it has changed masters, and is in the hands of the Imperialists.  A janizary, who, in nine days, and yet without any wings but what a panic terror seems to have furnished, arrived at Constantinople from the army of the Turks before Belgrade, brought Mr W——­ the news of a complete victory obtained by the Imperialists, commanded by prince Eugene, over the Ottoman troops.  It is said, the prince has discovered great conduct and valour in this action; and I am particularly glad that the voice of glory and duty has call’d him from the—­(Note in the published book:  here several words of the manuscript are effaced.)—­Two