There were a few political salons.  The Countess de R. received every evening—­but only men—­no women were ever asked.  The wives rather demurred at first, but the men went all the same—­as one saw every one there and heard all the latest political gossip.  Another hostess was the Princess Lize Troubetskoi.  She was a great friend and admirer of Thiers—­was supposed to give him a great deal of information from foreign governments.  She was very eclectic in her sympathies, and every one went to her, not only French, but all foreigners of any distinction who passed through Paris.  She gave herself a great deal of trouble for her friends, but also used them when she wanted anything.  One of the stories which was always told of the Foreign Office was her “petit paquet,” which she wanted to send by the valise to Berlin, when the Comte de St. Vallier was French ambassador there.  He agreed willingly to receive the package addressed to him, which proved to be a grand piano.

The privilege of sending packages abroad by the valise of the foreign affairs was greatly abused when W. became Minister of Foreign Affairs.  He made various changes, one of which was that the valise should be absolutely restricted to official papers and documents, which really was perhaps well observed.

The Countess de Segur received every Saturday night.  It was really an Orleanist salon, as they were devoted friends of the Orleans family, but one saw all the moderate Republicans there and the centre gauche (which struggled so long to keep together and be a moderating influence, but has long been swallowed up in the ever-increasing flood of radicalism) and a great many literary men, members of the Institute, Academicians, etc.  They had a fine old house entre cour et jardin, with all sorts of interesting pictures and souvenirs.  Countess de S. also received every day before three o’clock.  I often went and was delighted when I could find her alone.  She was very clever, very original, had known all sorts of people, and it was most interesting to hear her talk about King Louis Philippe’s court, the Spanish marriages, the death of the Duc d’Orleans, the Coup d’Etat of Louis Napoleon, etc.  When she first began to receive, during the reign of Louis Philippe, the feeling was very bitter between the Legitimists (extreme Royalist party) and the Orleanists.  The Duc d’Orleans often came to them on Saturday evenings and always in a good deal of state, with handsome carriage, aides-de-camp, etc.  She warned her Legitimist friends when she knew he was coming (but she didn’t always know) and said she never had any trouble or disagreeable scenes.  Every one was perfectly respectful to the duke, but the extreme Legitimists went away at once.