Brydone, Patrick; Beckford, William: A Tour Through Sicily And Malta: in a series of letters to William Beckford ; in 2 vol. (Band 2) (1775)

S02 A TOUR THROUGH
families would be just as much afliamed to
be seen on foot as their matters.—We took
the liberty to ridicule the folly of this prac-
tice : they allow of its absurdity, and wish
to break through it; but who is to lead the
way ? We even prevailed with some of
the young nobility, which I assure you was
no small condescension, to walk the streets
with us during the illuminations; but even
this condescension mewed the folly of the
prejudice in a stronger light than if they
had refused us; for they would not be pre-
vailed on to stir out, till they had sent their
servants about ten yards before them, with
large wax flambeaux, although the whole
city was in a ssame of light. You may be-
lieve we did not spare them upon this oc-
casion; but it was all to no purpose. How-
ever, it is pomble that we may overlook
many customs of our own, that are not lels
ridiculous ; for ridicule for the most part
is relative, and depends only on time and
place.—Perhaps you may remember the
Prince