This shall be a letter-writing day, my dear friend, and I will at least begin my letter to thee, though it will not go till sixth day by the ambassador’s bag. I was truly sorry not to see thee before my departure, and equally so not to be able to write thee.
Hitherto all has prospered with me, and I trust will continue to do so; we are more quiet here than you seem to be in my dear native land; even the ex-ministers seem forgotten, the people threaten them no longer—audibly at least. It is thought they will soon be transferred to the Luxembourg, guarded by several troops of the National Guard; when there, I should not be surprised if the duty of watching over them became a very difficult and anxious one; but nous verrons; violent excitements, if not kept alive, soon wear themselves out. I had such an interesting morning yesterday at les Halles aux draps! It was the distribution of prizes at the boys’ and girls’ schools. I went alone, and had time to contemplate, with great interest, the young population before me! The boys were dressed in a dark brown tunic a little à la Grecque, and this added to the illusion, when I fancied that I beheld a race of young republicans. “Voyez vous cette jeune population?” said an old man near me, “et en quinze ans ils seront hommes!” It was only a truism, but it made me think; and when, after a very good liberal address from the mayor of the arrondissement, in a tricolor sash and scarf, those young voices burst into songs of joy and praise, I felt my eyes fill and my heart beat! * * * Interrupted by Quatrefuges du Fesq, Commandant de la Garde Nationale, du département du Gard! a protestant gentleman of large estates. He came to take me to the Chamber of Deputies, but, as I dine out, and go to Lafayette’s, (if a cold will let me,) I refused to go, and after a visit of an hour and a half he has just quitted me; he seems a worthy man, and has lavished on me a great deal of useless eloquence to persuade me not to go out at all, and threatening to keep guard always at my door! he was in his full military dress, and when two plain Friends came in, to call on me, they looked so surprised to see such a warlike man by my side! I said, “que je présente un homme de paix à un homme de guerre!”—I was glad to find that he belongs to a Bible Society chez lui; and he is going to present me to its president. He is delighted at being one of my agents, and I have met two English clergymen who are equally willing. To go on with my schools—the Comtesse de St. Aulaire, one of the committee, introduced herself to me, and hoped I approved what I saw and heard; I was glad to be able to express my unqualified approval. When the crowns of flowers and greens, and the books, were all distributed, a letter from Appert was read, announcing one prize from the Queen, which was given to the girl who had already gotten the prize for good conduct, and she came looking so meek and pretty in her crown of white roses. One child who got a prize, was, the Comtesse told me, only six years old! When the Mayor told them, at the close, that their industry should be rewarded by ten days of holidays, the little girls clapped, and shouted “Vive le Roi!”—“The boys did not do that,” said I to a gentleman near me. “No, but it was in their hearts to do it,” he gravely replied.
I then drove to Bowring’s lodgings, where I found the wife of the Spanish General Mina; she was on her way to him; he has been very ill. In the evening I saw Napoleon’s Count Bertram; which completed the pleasurable sights of the day. I had the pleasure of presenting to the dear General two members of our Society, J. B. and his young nephew, and H. S.; they were much pleased.
I have dined at de Bardelin’s twice, and yesterday I met him at Mrs. D.’s. One of the dishes was a canard aux olives; very peculiar, but very good. I live quite to my mind; I have my dinner from the restaurateur belonging to the hotel, which is the cheapest way, as firing is very dear, and I should have a dinner’s worth expended in the kitchen; but I have a kitchen to myself, and the whole floor, that is, the entresol to me exclusively; a great comfort. The parties on a seventh day eve, at the Jardin des Plantes, (Baron Cuvier’s,) are pleasanter than ever; ambassadeurs, savans, sages, deputés, historiens, &c., &c. The Paris intellectual world runs just now after a new sect, (a new religion, as they call it,) the Saint Simoniennes; the founder is a St. Simon, of the Duc de St. Simon’s family. His disciples preach up equality of property. The thing is, I suspect, more political than anything else, in its object; but on a first day there is religious preaching, and the room overflows; so it does on a week-day evening, when there are only lectures. The room is very near me, but I am in vain urged to go. “What a triumph it would be to them,” (said a Frenchman to me at Cuvier’s,) “to get off that little cap, and see it exchanged for their large black hat and feathers!” (the costume, with a blue gown, of the women.) But I, at present, hold out; because I have, in the first place, as I tell them, a scruple against going to any place of worship from curiosity merely; and also because I have vainly tried to read their book of doctrine—I could not get on with it; but as they agree with Friends on two points, I am sometimes tempted to go one evening;—nous verrons. * * *
(12th mo., 1st, 1830.) I passed a most pleasant day at Major M.’s; the only guest beside myself was a General Ferguson, well known for his sufferings in the cause of liberal opinions, as he was imprisoned through the jealousy and suspicion of the Austrian government some years ago, and liberated with great difficulty, by Canning. I do not remember his story, but it was before the House. My friends here have persuaded me to be at home on one particular day; so on the seventh day morning I receive from one to five, and I have beaucoup de monde. Farewell, till to-morrow.
My friend E. M. is arrived. How good are her objects, how bright her zeal! She is a Christian indeed, and she says much good is doing; even that the St. Simoniennes are overruled for good. She wishes me to go one evening. She says one or two pious preachers mean to go and answer them, (for they put questions on a week-day, and wish for discussion.)
With love to all, I am, thy very affectionate,
A. Opie.
The Journal continues:—
I went in the evening, at eight o’clock, to Lafayette’s, and had a kind reception from the dear and venerated host; the rooms were very full, and some Americans were introduced to me. The officers of artillery and cannoneers, bearing their plumed caps all the evening, have an odd effect.