the king of Spain; which, however, was the last that ever was exhibited in France.
From this particular circumstance, the reader may form an idea, that the manners and sentiments of those times differred widely from those of the present; and of course, the delicacy with which, the princess of Cleves and the duke of Nemours conducted themselves, though under the influence of an unjustifiable passion, ought not to be deemed unnatural, though, perhaps, in these more licentious days it may be supposed improbable.
There are some situations in the following Novel, more refined and elegant than any we ever remember to have met with before; particularly, that of our heroine's flying for sanctuary, as it were, from herself, into the bosom of her husband, by revealing to him her passion for another. What a confidant for a modern dame! The line which the princess of Cleves pursues through the whole story, is doubtless worthy of emulation to those who may be so unhappy as to stand in the same predicament; but her conduct, after the death of her husband, will, we fear, rather be considered as a subject for admiration, than imitation.
