(1st day, 2nd.) Went to Meeting, afterward to see poor Madame de Genlis in her coffin! Happily arrived too late! was introduced to some dear friends of the deceased, who for her sake received me à bras ouverts, because she loved me! I promised to go to her interment.
(3rd day, 4th.) Went to meet the mourners assembled for poor Madame de Genlis’ funeral; General Gérard was presented to me. At night went to Lafayette’s as usual, and was introduced to many persons.
(5th day, 13th.) Went to see the diorama of the three days; got there just as Lafayette left it!—In the evening to Mark Wilks’s; a delightful evening! met the Duchess de Broglie.
(28th.) Had a brilliant party of distinguished persons. It was rich in characters; Baron Cuvier, Gérard and his wife, Firman Rogier, the Belgic deputy; General Pépé, the famous Neapolitan chief, who brought with him Count de Almeyda, a Portuguese minister to Donna Maria; Cooper, Koseff, the witty physician of Talleyrand; H. Chuter, a man of letters, Colonel de Kay, a young and gallant chef d’escadre, who distinguished himself for his skill and bravery in Buenos Ayres. There were persons of ten nations present. It was a choice party and pleasant evening; I hope I was not improperly elated, and was certainly thankful for this, amongst other favours.
(6th day, 4th.) In the evening Firman Rogier called; it was near ten. “What news from Belgium?” “None to-day, I expect dispatches to-morrow.” “Who will be king?” “No doubt the Duke de Nemours.”—He staid till half-past ten, then said he was going to make another visit.
(7th day, 5th.) The first thing I saw in the papers to-day was, that at six the preceding evening, the telegraph had announced that the Duke de Nemours was elected king! and the Belgic Envoyé knew it not, but was making calls! how strange! he must explain this to me when we meet. Had nearly twenty callers. Unwell.
* * * * * *
We shall not pursue the Journal further, but conclude this chapter with a letter, in which Mrs. Opie relates her visit to the French court.
Hôtel de la Paix, 3rd mo., 7th, 1831.
* * * At least I will begin a letter to thee, my dear friend, to-day, reste à savoir whether I shall be able to finish it. I am amused (yet that is not the word) at seeing the formidable appearance which the little disturbances here make in the papers. I, living in the Rue and Hôtel de la Paix, know nothing of them, therefore they are certainly local, and nothing of consequence. We are most anxiously expecting the news from Poland. One of my most agreeable associates here, Count de Platen, left Paris, as he said, for London; but he is fighting at Warsaw! having been obliged to enter Poland in disguise. I am glad now I was not at home when he called to take leave. * * But to a less painful theme.—I had the pleasure of spending the evening of last first day week, seated en famille by the side of Marie Amèlie, Reine des François, in other words, I have been to court; and, as the phrase is, most graciously received. La Marquise de D., dame d’honneur de la Reine, came to my morning reception the day before, and told me the Queen desired to see me the next evening. I said I went nowhere on first day, but this should be an exception to a general rule. She replied, that if I had a scruple, she would ask the Queen for another day; I told her I had no scruple, for I felt sure there would be less company than usual. “No one scarcely, but the family.” This was just what I hoped and wished, and we parted.