has no more to do in this life, but to judge and accept of the first good offer.  The manner of her inauguration is much like that of the choice of a Doge in Venice:  it is performed by balloting; and when she is so chosen, she reigns indisputably for that ensuing year; but must be elected anew to prolong her empire a moment beyond it.  When she is regularly chosen, her name is written with a diamond on a drinking-glass.[265] The hieroglyphic of the diamond is to show her, that her value is imaginary; and that of the glass to acquaint her, that her condition is frail, and depends on the hand which holds her.  This wise design admonishes her, neither to overrate nor depreciate her charms; as well considering and applying, that it is perfectly according to the humour and taste of the company, whether the toast is eaten, or left as an offal.

The foremost of the whole rank of toasts, and the most undisputed in their present empire, are Mrs. Gatty and Mrs. Frontlet:  the first, an agreeable; the second, an awful beauty.  These ladies are perfect friends, out of a knowledge that their perfections are too different to stand in competition.  He that likes Gatty can have no relish for so solemn a creature as Frontlet; and an admirer of Frontlet will call Gatty a maypole-girl.  Gatty for ever smiles upon you; and Frontlet disdains to see you smile.  Gatty’s love is a shining quick flame; Frontlet’s a slow wasting fire.  Gatty likes the man that diverts her; Frontlet him who adores her.  Gatty always improves the soil in which she travels; Frontlet lays waste the country.  Gatty does not only smile, but laughs at her lover; Frontlet not only looks serious, but frowns at him.  All the men of wit (and coxcombs their followers) are professed servants of Gatty:  the politicians and pretenders give solemn worship to Frontlet.  Their reign will be best judged of by its duration.  Frontlet will never be chosen more; and Gatty is a toast for life.

St. James’s Coffee-house, June 3.

Letters from Hamburg of the 7th instant, N.S., inform us, that no art or cost is omitted to make the stay of his Danish Majesty at Dresden agreeable; but there are various speculations upon the interview between King Augustus and that prince, many putting politic constructions upon his Danish Majesty’s arrival, at a time when his troops are marching out of Hungary, with orders to pass through Saxony, where it is given out, that they are to be recruited.  It is said also, that several Polish senators have invited King Augustus to return into Poland.  His Majesty of Sweden, according to the same advices, has passed the Dnieper without any opposition from the Muscovites, and advances with all possible expedition towards Voldinia, where he proposes to join King Stanislaus and General Cressau.

We hear from Berne of the 1st instant, N.S., that there is not a province in France, from whence the Court is not apprehensive of receiving accounts of public emotions, occasioned by the want of corn.  The General Diet of the thirteen cantons is assembled at Baden, but have not yet entered upon business, so that the affair of Tockenburg is yet at a stand.