_Y. Mir._ A Dutch woman's too compact,--nay, every thing among them is so; a Dutch man is thick, a Dutch woman is squab, a Dutch horse is round, a Dutch dog is short, a Dutch ship is broad bottomed; and, in short, one would swear, that the whole product of the country were cast in the same mould with their cheeses.
_Dur._ Ay, but Mirabel, you have forgot the English ladies.
_Y. Mir._ The women of England were excellent, did they not take such unsufferable pains to ruin, what nature has made so incomparably well; they would be delicate creatures indeed, could they but thoroughly arrive at the French mien, or entirely let it alone; for they only spoil a very good air of their own, by an awkward imitation of ours. But come, Duretete, let us mind the business in hand; Mistresses we must have, and must take up with the manufacture of the place, and upon a competent diligence, we shall find those in Paris shall match the Italians from top to toe.
_Dur._ Ay, Mirabel, you will do well enough, but what will become of your friend? you know, I am so plaguy bashful! so naturally an ass upon these occasions, that----
_Y. Mir._ Pshaw! you must be bolder, man! Travel three years, and bring home such a baby as bashfulness! A great lusty fellow, and a soldier; fie upon it!
_Dur._ Lookye, sir, I can visit, and I can ogle a little,--as thus, or thus now. Then I can kiss abundantly--but if they chance to give me a forbidding look, as some women, you know, have a devilish cast with their eyes--or if they cry, "What do you mean? what d'ye take me for? Fie, sir, remember who I am, sir--A person of quality to be used at this rate!"--'Egad, I'm struck as flat as a fryingpan.
_Y. Mir._ Words of course! never mind them: Turn you about upon your heel, with a jantée air; hum out the end of an old song; cut a cross caper, and at her again.
_Dur._ [_Imitates him._] No, hang it, 'twill never do!--Oons! what did my father mean, by sticking me up in an university, or to think that I should gain any thing by my head, in a nation, whose genius lies all in their heels!--Well, if ever I come to have children of my own, they shall have the education of the country--they shall learn to dance, before they can walk, and be taught to sing, before they can speak.