him on the character of the French people,[6] and of the best mode of governing them, in which Louis entered into many details, he found his correctness of judgment and general knowledge of sound principles of policy far superior to his anticipations, though at the same time he felt convinced that his want of readiness and decision, and his timidity in action, would always render and keep him very inferior to the queen, especially whenever it should be necessary to come to a prompt decision on matters of moment.

After a visit of six weeks, he quit Paris for his dominions in the Netherlands at the end of May, and a letter of the queen to her mother is very expressive of the pleasure which she had received from his visit, and of the lasting benefits which she hoped to derive from it.

“Versailles, June 14th.

“My dearest mother,—­It is plain truth that the departure of the emperor has left a void in my heart from which I can not recover.  I was so happy during the short time of his visit that at this moment it all seems like a dream.  But one thing will never be a dream to me, and that is, the good advice and counsel which he gave me, and which is forever engraven in my heart.

“I must tell my dear mamma that he gave me one thing which I earnestly begged of him, and which causes me the greatest pleasure:  it is a packet of advice, which he has left me in writing.  At this moment it constitutes my chief reading; and, if ever I could forget what he said to me, which I do not believe I ever could, I should still have this paper always before me, which would soon recall me to my duty.  My dear mamma will have learned by the courier, who started yesterday, how well the king behaved during the last moments of my brother’s visit.  I can assure you that I thoroughly understand him, and that he was really affected at the emperor’s departure.  As he does not always recollect to pay attention to forms, he does not at all times show his feelings to the outer world, but all that I see proves to me that he is truly attached to my brother, and that he has the greatest regard for him; and at the moment of my brother’s departure, when I was in the deepest distress, he showed an attention to, and a tenderness for, me which all my life I shall never forget, and which would attach me to him, if I had not been attached to him already.

“It is impossible that my brother should not have been pleased with this nation.  For one who, like him, knows how to estimate men, must have seen that, in spite of the exceeding levity which is inveterate in the people, there is a manliness and cleverness in them, and, speaking generally, an excellent heart, and a desire to do right.  The only thing is to manage them properly....  I have this moment received your dear letter by the post.  What goodness yours is, at a moment when you have so much business to think of, to recollect my name day!  It overwhelms me.  You offer up prayers for my happiness.  The greatest happiness that I can have is to know that you are pleased with me, to deserve your kindness, and to convince you that no one in the world feels greater affection or greater respect for you than I.”