OF FRENCH SOCIETY. London also has had its select assem- blies for conversation. They were neither trifling, dull, nor pedantic. If there were less display of wit, less pains to be easy, less study to be natural, less affectation of beingunaffected, less effort to be unconstrained, there was more sincerity, integrity, and kindness. If there was a less perpetual aim at .being ingenious, ingenuity was never wanting. If there were less persiflage and sarcasm, there was more affection, truth, and nature. Religion, though not discussed, was always venerated, and no degree of rank or talent would haveprocured an introduction where there was any taint on the reputation. The tone of social intercourse is at present, perhaps, likely to be raised by the recent adoption of more direct re- ligious improvement in the private parties of some persons of rank and talents. But to return to Paris. One instance more of the substitution of talent for virtue, and, of the little
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