Visit to the Hotel d’Orsay—­Sad Change in it—­Mr. Millingon, the Antiquary—­Liberality of Comte d’Orsay—­A Fanciful Notion—­General Or-nano—­Unhappy Marriages accounted for—­La Gazza Ladra—­Mallbran’s “Ninetta”—­The Calamities of Authors—­Mr. D’Israeli—­The Princesse de Talleyrand—­Her Person described—­Her Dress and Manners—­Amusing Story told by the Abbe Denon—­Unexpected Arrival—­Yes and No, by Lord Normanby—­Lady Dysart-Comte Valeski—­Influence of Agreeable Manners—­Effects of opposite ones—­Injudicious Friends—­A Candid Admission—­Lord ——­ —­Love of Contradiction—­Remarks on the Novel of Pelham—­Misery of receiving stupid Books—­Malibran in La Cenerentola—­French Customs—­Proofs d’Amilie—­Wedding Dresses, 146.

CHAPTER XIV.

Comte Charles de Mornay—­His Wit and Good Nature—­Mademoiselle Mars, in Henri III—­Some Account of the Play—­Love and Ambition—­Curious Incident—­Romantic Notions—­Passion of Love—­Wordsworth’s Poems—­Admiration of his Writings—­Religion displayed by the Upper Classes—­The Duc de Bordeaux—­Piety of the Great—­Popularity of the Duchesse de Berri—­Anecdote of her—­Walter Savage Landor—­His Imaginary Conversations—­Sir William Gell—­The Duc d’Orleans—­His Enviable Situation—­The Duc de Chartres—­Genius of Shelley—­Beauty of his Writings—­His Wild Theories—­William Spencer the Poet—­Melancholy Change in Him—­French Prejudices towards the English—­Example of it—­Accomplishments of French Ladies—­Talent for Conversation, 169.

CHAPTER XV.

Consequences of the Revolution in France—­Corruption of the
Regency—­Sarcastic Verses of St.-Evremond—­Reign of Louis the
Fifteenth—­Lessons taught by Affliction—­Dangers of Anarchy—­The Haute
Noblesse previously to the Revolution—­Want of Affection between
Parents and Children—­Superficial Judgments erroneous—­Power of
Fashion—­The Novel of Devereux—­Infrequency of Elopements in
France—­Les Dames de B——­ —­Their Attachment to each other—­Old
Maids—­Servitude in England and France contrasted—­French Masters and
Mistresses—­Treatment of Servants—­Avoidance of Politics—­French
Discontent—­Charles the Tenth—­National Prosperity—­The Duchesse de
Guiche and her two Sons—­Position of the Duc de Guiche, 171.

CHAPTER XVI.

Approach of Spring—­Fogs on the Seine—­The Jardins des Tuileries—­Impurity of the London Atmosphere—­Exhilaration of the Spirits—­Anecdote—­The Catholic Question—­Lord Rosslyn—­The Duke of Wellington—­Merits of a Cook—­Amour-propre of a Parisian Cook—­English Sauce—­A Gourmand and an Epicure—­The Duc de Talleyrand—­A perfect Dinner—­The Marquis de L——­ —­House-hunting again—­Letter from Lord B——­ —­The Hotel Monaco—­College of St.-Barbe—­The Duchesse de Guiche and her Sons—­A Mother’s