“My dearest mother,—­I absolutely blush for your kindness to me.  The day before yesterday Mercy sent me your precious letter, and yesterday I received a second.  That is indeed passing one’s fete day happily.  On Tuesday I had a fete which I shall never forget all my life.  We made our entrance into Paris.  As for honors, we received all that we could possibly imagine; but they, though very well in their way, were not what touched me most.  What was really affecting was the tenderness and earnestness of the poor people, who, in spite of the taxes with which they are overwhelmed, were transported with joy at seeing us.  When we went to walk in the Tuileries, there was so vast a crowd that we were three-quarters of an hour without being able to move either forward or backward.  The dauphin and I gave repeated orders to the Guards not to beat any one, which had a very good effect.  Such excellent order was kept the whole day that, in spite of the enormous crowd which followed us everywhere, not a person was hurt.  When we returned from our walk we went up to an open terrace, and staid there half an hour.  I can not describe to you, my dear mamma, the transports of joy and affection which every one exhibited toward us.  Before we withdrew we kissed our hands to the people, which gave them great pleasure.  What a happy, thing it is for persons in our rank to gain the love of a whole nation so cheaply!  Yet there is nothing so precious; I felt it thoroughly, and shall never forget it.

“Another circumstance which gave great pleasure on that glorious day was the behavior of the dauphin.  He made admirable replies to every address, and remarked every thing that was done in his honor, and especially the earnestness and delight of the people, to whom he showed great kindness.  Of all the copies of verses which were given me on this occasion, these are the prettiest which I inclose to you.[1] Tomorrow we are going to Paris to the opera, There is great anxiety for us to do so; and I believe that we shall go on two other days also to visit the French and the Italian comedy.  I feel more and more, every day of my life, how much my dear mamma has done for my establishment.  I was the youngest of all her daughters, and she has treated me as if I were the eldest; so that my whole soul is filled with the most tender gratitude.

“The king has had the kindness to procure the release of three hundred and twenty prisoners, for debts due to nurses who have brought up their children.  Their release took place two days after our entrance.  I wished to attend Divine service on my fete day; but the evening before, my sister, the Countess of Provence, had a party for me, a proverb with songs and fire-works, and this distraction forced me to put off going to church till the next day.

“I am very glad to hear that you have such good hope of the continuance of peace.  While the intriguers of this country are devouring one another, they will not harass their neighbors nor their allies.”