The Victory of Waterloo ended all fears of a fresh Imperial Despotism, and also all the hopes of those who, like Lord Sheffield and the Stanley family, were no great admirers of the Bourbon Dynasty.
Edward Stanley's desire to revisit France was now coupled with a wish to realise the scene of the late Campaign, and he planned his journey so as to arrive there on the first anniversary of the battle, June 18, 1816.
He was accompanied by Mrs. Stanley, by his brother-in-law, Edward Leycester Penrhyn,[104] who had travelled with him in 1814, and by their mutual friend, Donald Crawford.
Mrs. Stanley's bright and graphic letters contribute to the story of their adventures, and are added to make it complete.
CHAPTER VII
AFTER WATERLOO
A long Channel passage—Bruges—The battlefield—A posting journey—Compiègne—Paris—Michael Bruce.