| Citation |
BEP(F.737.028
19 Sep 1737:12 (110)
Some passages from a letter wrote by a Persian in England,
to his friend in Ispahan, with remarks upon our national
follies.
----The first objects of a stranger's curiosity are the
publick spectacles. I was carried last night to one they
call an opera, which is a concert of musick brought from
Italy, and in every respect foreign to this country. It was
performe'd in a chamber as magnificent as the resplendent
palace of our emperor, and as full of handsome women as his
Seraglio: They had no eunuchs among them, but there was one
who sung upon the stage, and, by the luxurious tenderness of
airs, seem'd fitter to make them wanton than keep them
chaste.
Instead of the habit proper to such creatures he wore a
suit of armour, and call'd himself Julius Caesar.
I ask'd who Julius Caesar was, and whether he had been
famous for singing ?
They told me, he was a warrior that had conquer'd all the
world, and debauch'd half the women in Rome.
I was going to express my admiration at seeing him so
properly represented, when I heard two ladies who sat nigh
me cry out, as it were in an extacy, O that dear creature !
Madam, an't you quite in love with him ?
Bless me, said I, why should the women in this country be
so fond of eunuchs ? Methinks they have men enough about
them ?
At the same time I heard a gentleman say aloud that both
the musick and singers were detestable.
You must not mind him, said my friend, he is of the other
party, and comes here only as a spy.
How, said I, have you parties in musick ? Yes, reply'd
he, it is a rule with us to judge of nothing by our senses
and understanding, but to hear and see, and think, only as
we chance to be differently engaged.
I hope said I, that a stranger ay be neutral in these
divisions; and to say the truth, your musick is very far
from inflaming me to a spirit of faction; it is much more
likely to lay me asleep. Ours in Persia set us all a
dancing, but I am quite unmoved with this.
Do but fancy it moving, return'd my friend, and you will
soon be moved as much as others: It is a trick you may
learn when you will with a little pains: We have most of us
learnt it in our turns. (To be continued.)
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