A thousand thanks for your letter to Lamoriciere.  He was very kind to me, and I hope hereafter, in Paris or in London, to improve the acquaintance.

I saw no other French in Brussels.  The most interesting conversation that I had was with the King.

I found him convinced that the decree annexing Belgium to France had been drawn up, and that it was the interference of Nicholas, and his expression of a determination not to suffer the existing temporal limits to be altered, that had occasioned it to be withdrawn.  I am happy, however, to think, as you also appear to think, that your great man is now intent on peaceful triumphs.

He would scarcely have created such a mass of speculative activity in France if he intended suddenly to check it by war.  I hope that by the time Masters in Chancery are abolished, I shall find France intersected by a network of railroads and run from Paris to Marseilles in a day.

I venture to differ from you as to the probable progress of reaction in England.  I see no symptom of it; on the contrary, democracy seems to me to continue its triumphant march without a check.  The Protectionists are in power, they take for their leader in the House of Commons a man without birth or connection, merely because he is a good speaker.  This could not have been done even ten years ago.  They bow to the popular will as to free-trade, and acknowledge that, even if they have a majority in the Houses of Lords and Commons, they will not venture to re-impose a Corn-law if the people do not ask for it.  Never was such a homage paid to the world ‘without doors.’

Then Lord John says that he objects to the Ballot, because those who have no votes have a right to know how those who have votes use them.

The example of the Continent will not affect us, or if it do affect us, will rather strengthen our democracy.  We are not accustomed to copy, and shall treat the reaction in France, Austria, and Prussia rather as a warning than as a model.

I suspect that Lord John, who, though not, I think, a very wise statesman, is a clever tactician, takes the same view that I do, and has selected Reform for his platform, believing it to be a strong one.

We were delighted with Rivet, and hope that he will soon come again.  Lamoriciere tells me that he is going to take the waters of Aix-la-Chapelle, but, if his exile continues, will probably come to England next year.

Kindest regards to Madame de Tocqueville.

Ever yours,

N.W.  SENIOR.

Kensington, April 30, 1852.

My dear Tocqueville,—­A thousand thanks for your letter.[3] I saw M. de Lamoriciere three times, and had a glimpse of Madame de L. who seemed very pleasing.  I was delighted with his spirit and intelligence, but understand the criticism that he is soldatesque.

I had a long and very interesting conversation with the King, and saw much of my excellent friends Arrivabene and Quetelet.  But after all Brussels is not Paris.  I was more than ever struck by the ugliness of the country and the provincialness of the society.