I know not what to think of the genius of this nation, my dear Aza; it runs through all extremes so rapidly, that it requires a greater capacity than I am mistress of, to be able to judge of its character.

I have been spectator of a sight entirely opposite to what I saw before. That, dreadful and cruel, made my reason rebel, and humbled humanity. This, pleasing and agreeable, imitates Nature, and does honour to good sense. It consisted of many more men and women than the last did: This likewise represented some actions of human life; but whether it was an expression of pain or pleasure, joy or sorrow, the whole was done by songs and dances.

The intelligence of sounds, my dear Aza, must be universal; for I was as much affected by the different passions which were represented, as if they had been expressed in our own language. This seems to me very natural.

Human speech is doubtless of man's invention, for it differs according to the difference of nations. Nature, more powerful, and more attentive to the necessities and pleasures of her creatures, has given them general means of expressing them, which are perfectly imitated by the songs I heard.

If it is a true observation, that poignant sounds better express occasion for assistance in violent fear, or acute pain, than words which are only understood in one part of the world, and of no signification in another; is it less certain, that tender sighs strike our hearts with a more tender compassion than words, the odd arrangement of which sometimes produces just a contrary effect?

Do not brisk lively sounds naturally excite in our souls that gaiety, which a diverting story or a joke, properly introduced, can but imperfectly raise?

Are the expressions of any language so forcible, as to be able to give the genuine pleasure which the natural sports of animals excite? Dancing seems to imitate Nature, and inspires the same kind of feelings.