Now in what spirit have I written all this?  Gently, this time, I do hope.  If you knew in what an agonised state of humiliation I am sometimes, you would not suspect me of ‘despising’ you?  Oh no, indeed.  But I am much in earnest, and can’t ‘prophesy smooth things,’ at moments of strong conviction.  Who can?

Indeed, indeed, yes.  I am very anxious about what passes in Paris.  Do you know that Keller’s infamous discourse was corrected by Guizot’s own hand?  Mr. Pentland (who was with the Prince of Wales) knows G. and this.  He (P.) has just come from Paris.  He knows the ‘sommites’ there, and considers that, though there is danger, yet on the whole the Emperor dominates the situation.  Prince N.’s speech, in its general outline, was submitted to the E. and had his full sympathy, Persigny said to P. or in his presence.  Let no one ever speak ill of Prince N. before me; I read all the seventeen columns in the ‘Moniteur,’ and most magnificent was the discourse.  Rome is greatly excited, but hopeful.  There may be delay, however.

Surely you don’t think the large head of Robert bad.  Why, it is exquisite....  I can’t read over, and send this scratch that you may pardon me before you go (not to lose the post).

Sarianna says that Squires carries about his own table.  In which case, I give him up.  Don’t you write.

* * * * *

To Miss I. Blagden

126 Via Felice, [Rome:  early in 1861].

Dearest dear Isa,—­We don’t get the paper.  Will you ask why?  Here’s a special address enclosed.

I have just heard from what seems excellent authority (F.P. Zanetti has been here) that a French company is to be withdrawn from Rome to-day, and that all the troops will be immediately withdrawn from the R.S., except Rome and Civita Vecchia.  The French generals, however, were not aware of this yesterday morning, though prepared for much, and thus I can’t help a certain scepticism.  There is an impression in French quarters, that the delay arises from a fear of a ‘coup’ on the part of Austria, if she didn’t see France hereabouts.  But Gorgon means to try to get away before the crisis, which isn’t in his tastes at all.  De Noue has gone—­went yesterday.

I heard yesterday of Sir John Bowring telling somebody that the time had resolved itself now into an affair of days.  Still, there are people I suppose who hold fast their opinions of the antique form, like Mr. Massy Dawson, for instance, who called on me yesterday with moustaches and a bride, but otherwise unchanged.  He still maintains that Napoleon will perish in defence of the Papacy, and that (from first to last) he has been thwarted in Italy.  ’I know that Sir John Bowring, Diomed Pantaleone, Mrs. Browning’ (bowing graciously to me in that complimentary frame of body which befits disputants with female creatures), ’and other persons better informed