In the evening I accompanied Madame M. to Lafayette’s. I cannot reconcile myself to the cannon at the door; but they were made for the general, and presented to him by the people of Paris, since the Revolution of this year, as the engraving on them states.
We could scarcely enter the second room, it was so full! and the military caps and plumes in the midst of it were like a forest! Count de L. came up to us, “Observe the Prince de Salms,” said he, “in a splendid scarlet and silver uniform: he is come to pay his court to the General; he wants to be king of Belgium!” I did see him, a lively-looking, short young man, dazzling in silver embroidery. How different the costume of a Polish Palatine, who soon after entered! dignified in his carriage, but looking like a priest, rather than a soldier; his tunic was black; the tops of the sleeves were full; round his waist was a girdle of gold lace, full four inches deep; and I think his gold-handled sword and dagger were fastened with something of gold fringe. His hair, of a reddish brown, was cut square on the forehead, and hung squared also, below the nape of his neck; he was young and remarkable looking, and the tone of his voice deep, rich, and sweet. I should have liked to have talked to him, and tell him I knew Kosciusko; I saw my dress excited his curiosity as much as his did mine. The evening was interesting. I talked with Americans who were named to me, and with Frenchmen, who neither knew me nor I them; but we were jumbled together in the crowd, and politics and the great days are themes which naturally occur. I saw also, with interest, the Prince of Moskowa, the eldest son of Maréchal Ney. We did not get home till twelve.
(4th day, 8th.) Went in search of lodgings; called at poor B. Constant’s house, to inquire for him, as I heard at the General’s he was in danger. I heard he was worse; what a loss to France! * * * *
B. Constant is no more! I hope to have the melancholy satisfaction of attending his funeral.
(1st day, 12th.) Breakfasted at De B.’s to see the funeral procession pass; I gave up going to Père la Chaise, as I could not be easy to give up Meeting, and said I should be at the Champs Elysées by half-past twelve; it was impossible. The convoi, which set off at ten, from the Rue d’Anjou, did not pass our windows till one; there were at least 80,000 men in it! Had it not been first day, I should have taken a coach, and followed it to the Temple, and to Père la Chaise.
(14th.) In the morning Cuvier’s lecture; in the evening with some Friends to Lafayette’s. The General received us in his usual kind manner; they were pleased, and so surprised at his youth and beauty! It was a gratifying evening to me. A number of Americans were introduced to me, who had read my works, and admired them, particularly the book on Lying; and a young lady said, “our youth bless your name, you have done us so much good!” I was affected, and, as usual felt but half gratified, because my dear father could not know it also.
(1st day, 19th.) After Meeting went to call on la Comtesse de Genlis; enjoyed my interview, and met a French lady who had read my works in English; was flattered, as usual. The trial of the Ministers is going on, and disturbances are feared.
(20th.) Fenimore Cooper called on me; a most interesting interview! I read him a manuscript. He is a charming man; he said things looked gloomily at the Luxembourg. * * * *
(12th mo., 21st.) Rose at half-past seven. I went to the T.s to dinner, and heard, from undoubted authority, (that of Le Dieu, editor of the “Revolution,”—a journal so called,) that there were serious disturbances expected at the Luxembourg; and that, not only the prisoners, but the peers were in danger; however Le D. had promised to come in the evening, if he could, and tell us what was passing in that quarter. Anxiously did we look towards the door, whenever it opened; however, when we had dined, and were talking over the cheerful fire, ceasing to watch for his entrance, he was announced, and we crowded round him. His news was indeed alarming! He was just come from the Luxembourg; the people had assembled in thousands, had made three attacks on the gates; had at last “enfoncé la Garde Nationale” and forced the gates. They could not, however, make their way to the prisoners or the peers, because the National Guards had, instead of forming in lines, fallen back in a mass before the doors, holding their arms as when exercising; the people then attempted to seize their arms, but they said, “take care! we will not fire, but, if you do not desist, we will use the bayonet.” Soon after, some one (probably to produce a change of place and object) said, “while you are stopping here, the Peers will escape the other way;” this produced a diversion, and they dispersed. Le D. then went on to say, that the people continued to increase, till, he believed, there were 60,000, and 30,000 Gardes nationaux; that the guards had formed cordons round certain streets and quais to keep off the people, and that he had advised some one to propose sending off the prisoners to Vincennes in the night. He said he had had conversation with the chiefs of the people, who were deliberating together in some Café; and that their demand is, that the Chamber of Peers should be dissolved, as well as the prisoners condemned. He added he had advised the people to assemble in the Champs de Mars, and decide to petition the King for justice and redress; that at last they were angry with him, and accused him of being the friend and defender of the criminals; that he eagerly repelled the charge, and that promising his friends to return at eleven o’clock, he came to us! I staid listening to his various anecdotes, some grave, some gay, till near eleven o’clock, and returned home to my new apartments, anxious for the results of to-night and the prospects of the morrow.
(21st.) Could not sleep. The Journal des Débats, which I had at half-past eight, was at once alarming and tranquillizing; it confirms the dangers and disquietudes of yesterday, but, at the same time, it assures us that very strong means are taken to resist the revolutionary spirit. It says that Lafayette went to the Luxembourg, and put himself at the head of the Garde Nationale, and was well received. Le D. represented him as become very unpopular, and his excellent “ordre du jour,” (which is on the walls,) as having been torn down and trodden underfoot.