announced to us that Napoleon had entered Paris quietly, without
pageantry or mark of splendid triumph, and was seated at supper in the
vacated palace of Louis XVIII!--

"On that same throne where Henri great and good,
In glory sat--now sits this man of blood;
Yet let not prejudice debase my line,
As warrior, as statesman, let him shine,--
Through all the world his mighty name resound,
For arts of peace and deeds of arms renown'd:
Mark with what steady hand he rules the State!
Yet wants the stamp of _Virtue_ to be _Great_!"


Thus did the French people permit his return without firing a gun in
defence of truth, and of their legitimate sovereign, whom they had
recalled to the throne of his ancestors _only ten months_ before!
Our excellent friend, the minister, joined us soon after; but he was
taciturn and thoughtful, and retired early. The next morning I
determined to see Napoleon; but when our carriage arrived at the Pont
Royal, thousands were collected there. Our servant advised us to descend
and make our way on foot. The crowd civilly made way--they were waiting
to see the review. An unusual silence prevailed, interrupted only by the
cries of the children, whom the parents were thumping with energy for
crying "Vive le Roi," instead of "Vive l'Empereur!"--which, some months
before, they had been thumped for daring to vociferate! We proceeded to
the Bibliothêque Royale: its outward appearance is that of an hospital
or prison, its interior heavy and dark,--it was almost deserted.--Van
Pratt still lingered there.--A Dutchman's phlegm tempered his emotions
on the proceedings without; perhaps the repeated changes of government