To return to le Texier. His play concluded without any interruption; and though the words “vive le roi” were omitted, the song of “vive Henry IV” was repeated and received with enthusiasm, by the audience.
Adieu. How strange a nation are the french! the more I see of them, the more I find it difficult to discover their real sentiments. I am rather inclined to think, that they have no decided political opinions at all; and that their passions, the fashion of the day, or the accidental humour of the moment, make them at one time stern and visionary republicans; then hot headed royalists; and at another, quiet, submissive, unreflecting tools of the ruling power, whatever it may be. But I must not allow myself to enter on such topics: I therefore take my leave, and bid you, for the present,
Adieu.
LETTER XVI.
Party at a fournisseur’s.—Ball at a ci-devant noble’s.
Paris, february the 15th, 1802 (25 pluviôse).
MY DEAR SIR,
I received an invitation to spend yesterday evening at the house of an individual, who is supposed to have made a very large fortune as a “fournisseur,” or army contractor; and whose wife is one of the “élégantes” of the new set. I send you, therefore, a faithful account, as descriptive of that class of society, to which the name of “les nouveaux riches” is given.