DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61893#0081
PRELIMINARY DISCOURSE.
55
amusement; and whatever society contri-
butes to either, ought to be cultivated with
an assiduity proportioned to-its advantages.
The traveller, therefore, ought by all means
to procure an introduction to the best com-
pany of the great towns through which he
may pass ; and at the same time he may
become acquainted with such English gen-
tlemen as may chance to be in the same
place. Such an acquaintance super-induces
no obligation; it may be cultivated or
dropt at pleasure; but the trial ought to be
made; and if experience may be credited,
the reader may be assured, that casual ac-
quaintance not unfrequently ripens into
settled and permanent friendship. Conti-
nental connexions in general are of a very
different nature; however agreeable, they
are contracted only for the occasion, and
cannot be supposed, in general, strong
enough to resist the influence of absence.
Besides, why should we voluntarily reject
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55
amusement; and whatever society contri-
butes to either, ought to be cultivated with
an assiduity proportioned to-its advantages.
The traveller, therefore, ought by all means
to procure an introduction to the best com-
pany of the great towns through which he
may pass ; and at the same time he may
become acquainted with such English gen-
tlemen as may chance to be in the same
place. Such an acquaintance super-induces
no obligation; it may be cultivated or
dropt at pleasure; but the trial ought to be
made; and if experience may be credited,
the reader may be assured, that casual ac-
quaintance not unfrequently ripens into
settled and permanent friendship. Conti-
nental connexions in general are of a very
different nature; however agreeable, they
are contracted only for the occasion, and
cannot be supposed, in general, strong
enough to resist the influence of absence.
Besides, why should we voluntarily reject
3