* * *
Till some might marvel with the modest Turk,
If 'nothing follows all this palming work.'"
To draw all the portraits who figured in the fascinating scene of gay
delight would be a task of almost equal magnitude with the Herculean
labours, and one which in attempting, I fear some of my readers may
censure me for already dwelling too long upon: but let them remember,
I am a professed painter of real life, not the inventor or promoter of
these delectable _nocte Attici_ and depraved orgies; that in faithfully
narrating scenes and describing character, the object of the author and
artist is to show up vice in all its native deformity; that being
known, it may be avoided, and being exposed, despised. But I must
crave permission to extend my notice of the Cythereans to a few more
characters, ere yet the mirth-inspiring notes of the band have ceased to
vibrate, or the graceful ~45~~fair ones to trip it lightly on fantastic
toe; this done, I shall perhaps take a peep into the supper-room, drink
Champagne, and pick the wing of a chicken while I whisper a few soft
syllables into the ear of the nearest _elegante_; and then--gentle
reader, start not--then-----
"The breast thus _publicly_ resign'd to man
In _private_ may resist him--if it can.
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