[Footnote 2:  Le portrait va plus loin que ma pensee.—­A. de Tocqueville.  The picture expresses more than my idea.]

[Footnote 3:  Cela va plus loin que ma pensee.  Je crois que le vote universel peut se concilier avec d’autres institutions, qui diminuerait le danger.—­A. de Tocqueville.

This goes farther than my idea.  I think that universal suffrage may be combined with other institutions, which would diminish the danger.]

[Footnote 4:  Cela aussi va plus loin que ma pensee.  Je crois tres-desirable le maintien des institutions aristocratiques en Angleterre.  Mais je suis loin de dire que leur abolition menerait necessairement au despotisme, surtout si elles s’affaiblissaient peu a peu et n’etaient pas renversees par une revolution.—­A. de Tocqueville.

This also goes farther than my idea.  I think the maintenance in England of aristocratic institutions very desirable.  But I am far from saying that their abolition would necessarily lead to despotism, especially if their power were diminished gradually and without the shock of a revolution.]

To N.W.  Senior, Esq.

St. Cyr, March 18, 1854.

Your letter was a real joy to us, my dear Senior.  As you consent to be ill lodged, we offer to you with all our hearts the bachelor’s room which you saw.  You will find there only a bed, without curtains, and some very shabby furniture.  But you will find hosts who will be charmed to have you and your MSS.  I beg you not to forget the latter.

My wife, as housekeeper, desires me to give you an important piece of advice.  In the provinces, especially during Lent, it is difficult to get good meat on Fridays and Saturdays, and though you are a great sinner, she has no wish to force you to do penance, especially against your will, as that would take away all the merit.  She advises you, therefore, to arrange to spend with us Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and to avoid Friday and Saturday, and especially the whole of the Holy Week.

Now you are provided with the necessary instructions.  Choose your own day, and give us twenty-four hours’ warning.

A. DE TOCQUEVILLE.

St. Cyr, March 31, 1854.

My dear Senior,—­As you are willing to encounter hard meat and river fish, I have no objection to your new plan.  I see in it even this advantage, that you will be able to tell us de visu what went on in the Corps Legislatif, which will greatly interest us.

The condemnation of Montalembert seems to me to be certain; but I am no less curious to know how that honourable assembly will contrive to condemn a private letter which appeared in a foreign country, and which was probably published without the authorisation and against the will of the writer.

It is a servile trick, which I should like to see played.

Do not hesitate to postpone your visit if the sitting of the Corps
Legislatif should not take place on Monday.