‘Portrait of the French’ by Fanny de Beauharnais (1776)
All your tastes are inconsistent: Your character undergoes no change; You have no control of your inclinations. You take to burning fires Over trifles which are most slight. The attraction of the novel, Inflames you to crazed delight: More than enough to seduce you Is your own childish portrait. Who amuses you controls you: Who made you laugh? They did…