JOURNAL CONTINUED—1827.
January 11th.—In the afternoon Lord Erskine brought the Queen-Dowager letters from Mr. Canning and Count Munster, announcing the death of the Duke of York at half-past nine in the evening of the 5th. They came by a messenger despatched by Mr. Canning, by order of his Majesty.
April 30th.—Arrived at Paris. The National Guard are dismissed, in consequence of their riotous behaviour last night, crying out “A bas les Ministres!” It is said many ill-intentioned persons made up uniforms and mixed with them, for the purpose of creating confusion.
May 14th.—In the evening went with the Viscountess de Vaudreuil to visit the Duke and Duchess de Rivière at the Tuileries, in the apartments formerly occupied by the King when he was Monsieur. The little Duke de Bordeaux was there, M. de Rivière being his governor. He appeared very lively and good natured. He is not very tall for his age, but has an elegant and well-proportioned figure. He seems to possess quickness and intelligence. His Royal Highness had with him two sub-preceptors and a young companion—the son of the Duke—three years and a half older than himself. The “salon” is, as before, furnished with stools, and with only one arm-chair for the King.
August 1st.—Went to St. Ouen to visit the Countess du Cayla and her daughter, the Princess de Craon. Their house is in the midst of very extensive grounds and gardens. It appears like a pavilion; but on entering we found an elegant staircase, carpeted as in England, and well proportioned rooms elegantly furnished. On the first floor we saw a “salon” and two handsome bedrooms, with a Gothic “cabinet” in the best style of that species of architecture. On the ground floor an excellent dining-room, billiard-room, “salon,” and “cabinet de bain,” all fitted up in good taste, the locks good, and the doors shutting well. In the “salon” is an inscription by Louis XVIII., to the effect that here began a new era in the liberties of France. It was here that he met the Allied Sovereigns and Ministers in 1814, and gave the Charter. He afterwards with great secrecy rebuilt the house, or, rather, erected this very beautiful villa, and made all the plans himself. He then presented it to Madame du Cayla, as a residence for her life; and the present King allows her two thousand five hundred livres a year to keep up the place. The floors are very handsome, and almost all the furniture is of French wood.
8th.—Went with the Bishop of Tulle to Athis, a place belonging to the Baroness de Crussol, about four leagues from Paris, on the road to Fontainebleau. The grounds are well laid out, with fine trees, and the house is large and commodious, very nice, and in good order. The poor lady herself, who is very civil and good natured, has nearly lost her mental faculties; but a friend of her late husband manages everything for her. In the grounds is a Gothic chapel, as also the Temple of Flora and a rustic building, all of which are well placed. There is likewise the tomb of a dog, with his image at the top. It seems that when this place belonged to the Duchess de Roquelaure, in the reign of Louis XIV., Mademoiselle de Scudéry had a dog named Badine, who died while she was staying here. At that time the philosophers wanted to introduce the doctrine that animals are only machines. The epitaph engraved on the tomb alludes to this:
Ci-gît la célèbre Badine,
Qui n’eut ni beauté, ni bonté,
Mais dont l’esprit a démonté
Le système de la machine.