CHAPTER XII.
The Marquise de Pouleprie—-The celebrated Madame du Barry—Anecdote—Mademoiselle Mars in Valerie—Her admirable Style of Acting—Playing to the Galleries—Exclusive Nature of Parisian Society—French Conversation—Quickness of Perception—Walk in the Gardens of the Tuileries—Comparative Beauty of French and English Ladies—Graceful Walking of the Former—Difference of Etiquette—Well-bred Englishmen—Flight of Time—Colonel Caradoc, son of Lord Howden—New Year's Day—Custom of making Presents—Gallery of the Louvre—The Statues therein—Works of Art—Chefs-d'oeuvre of the Old Masters—Consolation for Men of Genius—Nicolas Poussin, 134.
CHAPTER XIII.
Visit to the Hotel d'Orsay—Sad Change in it—Mr. Millingon, the
Antiquary—Liberality of Comte d'Orsay—A Fanciful Notion—General
Or-nano—Unhappy Marriages accounted for—La Gazza Ladra—Mallbran's
"Ninetta"—The Calamities of Authors—Mr. D'Israeli—The Princesse de
Talleyrand—Her Person described—Her Dress and Manners—Amusing Story
told by the Abbé Denon—Unexpected Arrival—Yes and No, by Lord
Normanby—Lady Dysart-Comte Valeski—Influence of Agreeable
Manners—Effects of opposite ones—Injudicious Friends—A Candid
Admission—Lord —— —Love of Contradiction—Remarks on the Novel of
Pelham—Misery of receiving stupid Books—Malibran in La
Cenerentola—French Customs—Proofs d'Amilié—Wedding Dresses, 146.
CHAPTER XIV.
Comte Charles de Mornay—His Wit and Good Nature—Mademoiselle Mars, in Henri III—Some Account of the Play—Love and Ambition—Curious Incident—Romantic Notions—Passion of Love—Wordsworth's Poems—Admiration of his Writings—Religion displayed by the Upper Classes—The Duc de Bordeaux—Piety of the Great—Popularity of the Duchesse de Berri—Anecdote of her—Walter Savage Landor—His Imaginary Conversations—Sir William Gell—The Duc d'Orléans—His Enviable Situation—The Duc de Chartres—Genius of Shelley—Beauty of his Writings—His Wild Theories—William Spencer the Poet—Melancholy Change in Him—French Prejudices towards the English—Example of it—Accomplishments of French Ladies—Talent for Conversation, 169.
CHAPTER XV.
Consequences of the Revolution in France—Corruption of the
Regency—Sarcastic Verses of St.-Evremond—Reign of Louis the
Fifteenth—Lessons taught by Affliction—Dangers of Anarchy—The Haute
Noblesse previously to the Revolution—Want of Affection between
Parents and Children—Superficial Judgments erroneous—Power of
Fashion—The Novel of Devereux—Infrequency of Elopements in
France—Les Dames de B—— —Their Attachment to each other—Old
Maids—Servitude in England and France contrasted—French Masters and
Mistresses—Treatment of Servants—Avoidance of Politics—French
Discontent—Charles the Tenth—National Prosperity—The Duchesse de
Guiche and her two Sons—Position of the Duc de Guiche, 171.
CHAPTER XVI.
Approach of Spring—Fogs on the Seine—The Jardins des
Tuileries—Impurity of the London Atmosphere—Exhilaration of the
Spirits—Anecdote—The Catholic Question—Lord Rosslyn—The Duke of
Wellington—Merits of a Cook—Amour-propre of a Parisian
Cook—English Sauce—A Gourmand and an Epicure—The Duc de
Talleyrand—A perfect Dinner—The Marquis de L—— —House-hunting
again—Letter from Lord B—— —The Hôtel Monaco—College of
St.-Barbe—The Duchesse de Guiche and her Sons—A Mother's
Triumph—Spirit of Emulation—The Quarter called the Pays Latin—An
Author's Dress—Aspect of the Women—A Life of Study—Amable Tastu's
Poems—Effect of Living much in Society—Mr. W. Spencer—His
Abstraction—Disadvantages of Civilization—Confession of Madame de
—— —A Hint to Comte —— on visiting London—Suspicion of Poverty—A
Diner Maigre—Luxurious Bishops, 182.