The feeling with respect to Louis Napoleon is stronger, and it tends more to unanimity every day.  The Orleans confiscation has, I think, almost too much weight given to it.  After his other crimes the mere robbery of a single family, ruffian-like as it is, is a slight addition.

I breakfasted with V. yesterday.  He assures me that it is false that a demand of twenty millions, or any other pecuniary demand whatever, has been made in Belgium.  Nor has anything been said as to the demolition of any fortresses, except those which were agreed to be dismantled in 1832, and which are unimportant.

The feeling of the people in Belgium is excellent.

Mr. Banfield, who has just returned from the Prussian provinces, says the same with respect to them—­and Bunsen assures me that his Government will perish rather than give up a foot of ground.  I feel better hopes of the preservation of peace.

Thiers and Duvergier de Hauranne are much fetes, as will be the case with all the exiles.

I have been reading Fiquelmont.  He is deeply steeped in all the betises of the commercial, or rather the anti-commercial school; and holds that the benefit of commerce consists not, as might have been supposed, in the things which are imported, but in those which are exported.

These follies, however, are not worth reading; but his constitutional theories—­his belief, for instance, that Parliamentary Government is the curse of Europe—­are curious.

The last number of the ‘Edinburgh Review’ contains an article on Reform well worth reading.  It is by Greg.  He wrote an admirable article in, I think, the April number, on Alton Locke and the English Socialists, and has also written a book, which I began to-day, on the Creed of Christendom.  I have long been anxious to get somebody to do what I have not time to do, to look impartially into the evidences of Christianity, and report the result.  This book does it.

Lord Normanby does not return to Paris, as you probably know.  No explanation is given, but it is supposed to be in compliance with the President’s wishes.

I have just sent to the press for the ‘Edinburgh Review,’ an article on Tronson du Coudray[1] and the 18th fructidor, which you will see in the April number.  The greater part of it was written this time last year at Sorrento.

Gladstone has published a new Neapolitan pamphlet, which I will try to send you.  It is said to demolish King Ferdinand.

Kindest regards to Madame de Tocqueville.  We hope that you will come to us as soon as it is safe.

Ever yours,

N.W.  SENIOR.

P.S. and very private.—­I have seen a communication from Schwartzenberg to Russia and Prussia, of the 19th December, the doctrine of which is that Louis Napoleon has done a great service by putting down parliamentaryism.  That in many respects he is less dangerous than the Orleans, or elder branch, because they have parliamentary leanings.  That no alteration of the existing parties must be permitted—­and that an attempt to assume an hereditary crown should be discouraged—­but that while it shows no aggressive propensities the policy of the Continent ought to be to countenance him, and isoler l’Angleterre, as a foyer of constitutional, that is to say, anarchical, principles.