them the entire empire over whom they please.  For me, who am not very apt to believe in wonders, I cannot find faith for this.  I disputed the point last night with a lady, who really talks very sensibly on any other subject; but she was downright angry with me, in that she did not perceive, she had persuaded me of the truth of forty stories she told me of this kind; and, at last, mentioned several ridiculous marriages, that there could be no other reason assigned for.  I assured her, that, in England, where we were entirely ignorant of all magic, where the climate is not half so warm, nor the women half so handsome, we were not without our ridiculous marriages; and that we did not look upon it as any thing supernatural, when a man played the fool, for the sake of a woman.  But my arguments could not convince her against (as she said) her certain knowledge.  To this she added, that she scrupled making use of charms herself; but that she could do it whenever she pleased; and, staring me in the face, said, (with a very learned air) that no enchantments would have their effects upon me; and that there were some people exempt from their power, but very few.  You may imagine how I laughed at this discourse; but all the women are of the same opinion.  They don’t pretend to any commerce with the devil; but only that there are certain compositions adapted to inspire love.  If one could send over a ship-load of them, I fancy it would be a very quick way of raising an estate.  What would not some ladies of our acquaintance give for such merchandize?  Adieu, my dear lady ——.  I cannot conclude my letter with a subject that affords more delightful scenes to the imagination.  I leave you to figure to yourself the extreme court that will be made to me, at my return, if my travels should furnish me with such a useful piece of learning.  I am, dear madam, yours, &c. &c.

LET.  XXXVIII.

TO MRS T——.

Pera of Constantinople, Jan. 4.  O. S.

I AM infinitely obliged to you, dear Mrs T——­ for your entertaining letter.  You are the only one of my correspondents that have judged right enough, to think I would gladly be informed of the news amongst you.  All the rest of them tell me, (almost in the same words) that they suppose I know every thing.  Why they are pleased to suppose in this manner, I can guess no reason, except they are persuaded, that the breed of Mahomet’s pigeon still subsists in this country, and that I receive supernatural intelligence.  I wish I could return your goodness with some diverting accounts from hence.  But I know not what part of the scenes here would gratify your curiosity, or whether you have any curiosity at all for things so far distant.  To say the truth, I am at this present writing, not very much turned for the recollection of what is diverting, my head being wholly filled with the preparations necessary for the increase of my family,