In countries where women are the shopkeepers, shops are only kept for the convenience of the people, and not for their amusement. Persons there go into a shop because they want the article which is sold there, and in that case a woman answers all the purposes which are required; the shops themselves are mere repositories (1) of goods, and the time of year of little importance to the receipts (2) . But it is otherwise in London ; luxury (3) here fills every head with caprice (4) , from the servant-maid (5) to the peeress (6) , and shops are become exhibitions of fashion. In the spring, when all persons of distinction (7) are in Town, the usual morning employment of the ladies is to go a-shopping, as it is called; that is, to see curious exhibitions. This they do without actually wanting to purchase any thing, and they spend their money or not, according to the temptations which are held out to gratify (8) and amuse. Now female shopkeepers, it is said, have not enough patience to indulge (9) this idle and fastidious (10) curiosity; whereas young men are more assiduous (11) , more engaging, and not at all querulous (12) about their loss of time.

（ 1 ） repository ： . 容器；贮藏处； ; 宝库

（ 2 ） receipt ：收到的物 ( 或款项 ); 收入

（ 3 ） luxury ： . 奢侈品

（ 4 ） caprice ：多变；反复无常；怪念头

（ 5 ） servant-maid ：侍女

（ 6 ） peeress ：贵妇；女贵族

（ 7 ） distinction ：不同点；特征 , 特性

（ 8 ） gratify ：满足 ( 欲望等 )

（ 9 ） indulge ：沉迷于；满足 ( 欲望等 )

（ 10 ） fastidious ：爱挑剔的；难讨好的；过分讲究的

（ 11 ） assiduous ： . 勤勉的，照顾周到的，殷勤的，一丝不苟的

（ 12 ） querulous ：爱发牢骚的；易怒的；爱挑剔的