In mentioning the word _gay_ (as in the close of the last chapter) it
puts one (_i.e._ an author) in mind of the word _spleen_----especially
if he has anything to say upon it: not that by any analysis--or that
from any table of interest or genealogy, there appears much more ground
of alliance betwixt them, than betwixt light and darkness, or any two of
the most unfriendly opposites in nature----only ’tis an undercraft of
authors to keep up a good understanding amongst words, as politicians do
amongst men--not knowing how near they may be under a necessity of
placing them to each other----which point being now gain’d, and that I
may place mine exactly to my mind, I write it down here--
SPLEEN
This, upon leaving _Chantilly_, I declared to be the best principle in
the world to travel speedily upon; but I gave it only as matter of
opinion. I still continue in the same sentiments--only I had not then
experience enough of its working to add this, that though you do get on
at a tearing rate, yet you get on but uneasily to yourself at the same
time; for which reason I here quit it entirely, and for ever, and ’tis
heartily at any one’s service--it has spoiled me the digestion of a good
supper, and brought on a bilious diarrhœa, which has brought me back
again to my first principle on which I set out----and with which I shall
now scamper it away to the banks of the _Garonne_--
----No; ----I cannot stop a moment to give you the character of the
people--their genius----their manners--their customs--their
laws----their religion--their government--their manufactures--their
commerce--their finances, with all the resources and hidden springs
which sustain them: qualified as I may be, by spending three days and
two nights amongst them, and during all that time making these things
the entire subject of my enquiries and reflections----
Still--still I must away----the roads are paved--the posts are
short--the days are long--’tis no more than noon --I shall be at
_Fontainbleau_ before the king----
--Was he going there? not that I know----