I did not go to Compiegne because the business which I had constantly to execute did not permit me to leave Paris for so long an interval as that journey would have required, but I was at St. Ouen when Louis XVIII. arrived on the 2d of May.  There I had to congratulate myself on being remembered by a man to whom I was fortunate enough to render some service at Hamburg.  As the King entered the salon through which he had to pass to go to the dining-room M. Hue recognising me said to his Majesty, “There is M. de Bourrienne.”  The King then stepping up to me said, “Ah!  M. de Bourrienne, I am very glad to see you.  I am aware of the services you have rendered me in Hamburg and Paris, and I shall feel much pleasure in testifying my gratitude.”

At St. Ouen Louis XVIII. promulgated the declaration which preceded the Charter, and which repeated the sentiments expressed by the King twenty years before, in the Declaration of Colmar.  It was also at St, Ouen that project of a Constitution was presented to him by the Senate in which that body, to justify ‘in extremis’ its title of conservative, stipulated for the preservation of its revenues and endowments.

On the 3d of May Louis XVIII. made his solemn entrance into Paris, the Duchess d’Angouleme being in the carriage with the King.  His Majesty proceeded first to Notre Dame.  On arriving at the Pont Neuf he saw the model of the statue of Henri iv. replaced, on the pedestal of which appeared the following words:  ‘Ludovico reduce, Henricus redivivus’, which were suggested by M. de Lally-Tollendal, and were greatly preferable to the long and prolix inscription composed for the bronze statue.

The King’s entrance into Paris did not excite so much enthusiasm as the entrance of Monsieur.  In the places through which I passed on the 3d of May astonishment seemed to be the prevailing feeling among the people.  The abatement of public enthusiasm was more perceptible a short time after, when Louis XVIII. restored “the red corps” which Louis XVI. had suppressed long before the Revolution.

It was not a little extraordinary to see the direction of the Government consigned to a man who neither had nor could have any knowledge of France.  From the commencement M. de Blacas affected ministerial omnipotence.  When I went on the 11th of May to the Tuileries to present, as usual, my portfolio to the King, in virtue of my privilege of transacting business with the sovereign, M. de Blacas wished to take the portfolio from me, which appeared to me the more surprising as, during the seven days I had the honour of coming in contact with Louis XVIII., his Majesty had been pleased to bestow many compliments upon me.  I at first refused to give up the portfolio, but M. de Blacas told me the King had ordered him to receive it; I then, of course, yielded the point.