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 Abbe 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’Amilie—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’Orleans—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 Hotel
Monaco—College of St.-Barbe—The
Duchesse de Guiche and her Sons—A Mother’s
Copyrights
The Idler in France from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.
