“The General looks better and younger than ever.  There is a healthy freshness of complexion, like that of a young man in full vigor, and his frame and step (allowing for his lameness) are as firm and strong as when he was our nation’s guest.  I sat with him ten or fifteen minutes and then took my leave, for I felt it a sin to consume any more of the time of a man engaged as he is in great plans of benevolence, and whose every moment is, therefore, invaluable.

“The news of the fall of Warsaw is now agitating Paris to a degree not known since the trial of the ex-ministers.  About three o’clock our servant told us that there was fighting at the Palais Royal, and we determined to go as far as we prudently could to see the tumult.  We proceeded down the Rue Saint-Honore.  There was evident agitation in the multitudes that filled the sidewalks—­an apprehension of something to be dreaded.  There were groups at the corners; the windows were filled, persons looking out as if in expectation of a procession or of some fete.  The shops began to be shut, and every now and then the drum was heard beating to arms.  The troops were assembling and bodies of infantry and cavalry were moving through the various streets.  During this time no noise was heard from the people—­a mysterious silence was observed, but they were moved by the slightest breath.  If one walked quicker than the rest, or suddenly stopped, thither the enquiring look and step were directed, and a group instantly assembled.  At the Palais Royal a larger crowd had collected and a greater body of troops were marching and countermarching in the Place du Palais Royal.  The Palais Royal itself had the interior cleared and all the courts.  Everything in this place of perpetual gayety was now desolate; even the fountains had ceased to play, and the seared autumnal leaves of the trees, some already fallen, seemed congruous with the sentiment of the hour.  Most of the shops were also shut and the stalls deserted.  Still there was no outcry and no disturbance.

“Passing through the Rue Vivienne the same collections of crowds and of troops were seen.  Some were reading a police notice just posted on the walls, designed to prevent the riotous assembling of the people, and advising them to retire when the riot act should be read.  The notice was read with murmurs and groans, and I had scarcely ascertained its contents before it was torn from the walls with acclamations.  As night approached we struck into the Boulevard de la Madeleine.  At the corner of this boulevard and the Rue des Capucines is the hotel of General Sebastiani.  We found before the gates a great and increasing crowd.

“We took a position on the opposite corner, in such a place as secured a safe retreat in case of need, but allowed us to observe all that passed.  Here there was an evident intention in the crowd of doing some violence, nor was it at all doubtful what would be the object of their attack.  They seemed to wait only for the darkness and for a leader.