At the close of the London season his father returned to Paris.
An exceptional insight into the musical and artistic circles of the French capital at this time, when Manuel was a young man of eighteen, is given by the following paragraph from a paper of that day:—
"On November 15 some of the principal musical composers and theatrical performers of Paris united to give a dinner to Signor Rossini, in the great room of M. Martin, Place du Châtelet.
"Signor Rossini was seated between Mdlle. Mars and Mme. Pasta. M. Lesueur, placed exactly opposite to him, had Mme. Colbran Rossini on his right and Mdlle. Georges on his left; Mmes. Grassari, Cinti, and Denuri sat next to these. MM. Talma, Boieldieu, Garcia, and Martin were in the midst of this group of elegance and beauty. All the arts, all the talents, were represented by MM. Auber, Hérold, Cicéri Panseron, Casimir Bonjour, Mimaut, Horace Vernet, &c.
"When the dessert was served, M. Lesueur rose and gave the following toast—'To Rossini! whose ardent Genius has opened a new path and formed an epoch in the art of music.'
"Signor Rossini replied by this toast—'To the French School, and to the prosperity of the Conservatoire.'
"M. Lesueur then gave—'Gluck.'
"Signor Garcia proposed—'Gretry! the most sensible and one of the most melodious of French musicians.'
"Signor Rossini then gave—'Mozart.'
"M. Boieldieu offered his toast in the following words—'Mehul! I see Rossini and the shade of Mozart applaud this toast.'