| [28] | She mentioned afterwards, that the driver was much amused at seeing her do this, and at last said, “really, madame, you must be very fond of your petit chapeau, to give yourself so much trouble about it.” To which I replied, “oui, j’aime beaucoup mon petit chapeau—c’est mon petit Buonaparte.” Oh! what a look the man gave me! his fine dark eyes were almost fearfully bright, as, with a smile of delight, he cried, “vous êtes une brave femme, d’avoir osé me répondre de la sorte, et je vous jure, madame, que je vous menerais même en Angleterre!” |
| [29] | The engraving which forms the Frontispiece to this volume is taken from this medal. |
| [30] | Second volume of Southey’s “Colloquies,” at the 322nd page.—On reading this eloquent eulogium, Mrs. Opie observed, “It so overpowered me, that I could not read it through at first, and wept because the eye it would most have pleased, would not see it.” |
CHAPTER XVII.
REVOLUTION OF “THE THREE DAYS;” MRS. OPIE GOES TO PARIS AGAIN; HER JOURNAL THERE.
The fearful events which transpired at Paris, in the summer of the year 1830, deeply and painfully interested Mrs. Opie. She wrote to her friends at Northrepps in the month of August, and an extract from her letter will best shew her feelings under the excitement of the time.
Norwich, 8th mo., 2nd, 1830.
Dr. Ash shall not go to Northrepps without a letter. I think you will like to know how I am, under existing circumstances. I went to Wroxham on the election day, and should have enjoyed, even more than usual, the exquisite, and even increased stillness of that place, (as it appeared to me,) had not my calm been interrupted by the inquietude of mind, induced by the alarming news from Paris. The Chamber of Deputies dissolved for ever, and the liberty of the press abolished!! We saw the results of this news in the fearful perspective; and yesterday came the affecting tidings, that the National Guard had re-organized themselves; that Lafayette was at their head; that the Chamber had assembled, and voted their sitting perpetual, and had declared the throne vacant; that the king, ministers, court, and ambassadors, had left Paris, and were at Vincennes, or Brussels; that cannon was planted against the city; that it had fired, and killed 5000 persons, and the beautiful Rue de Rivoli was running with blood; and that they are to be starved into submission.
I humbly hope I shall be enabled to pray for my friends there, which is all I can do. “Whom the Gods mean to destroy they first make mad,” says some Latin proverb, and this seems illustrated now.
You will readily believe how anxious, interested, and excited I feel. I was, and am, writing on the scenes of the Revolution in 1802, little dreaming that another was so near, in which some I love and reverence must be actors! * * *