our unhappy country.  Even here, at the seat of my cousin, the Marchioness K------de C------, where I am at the present moment, I can discover nothing but frivolity among the men, and dangerous coquetry among the women.  The pernicious atmosphere of the period seems to pervade even the highest rank of the French aristocracy.  Sometimes discussions occur on matters pertaining to science and morals, which aim a kind of indirect blow at religion itself, of which our Holy Father the Pope should alone be called on to decide.  In this way God permits, at the present day, certain petty savants, flat-headed men of science, to explain in a novel fashion the origin of humanity, and, despite the excommunication which will certainly overtake them, to throw down a wild and impious challenge at the most venerable traditions.

I have not myself desired to be enlightened in regard to such base depravity, but I have heard with poignant grief men with great minds and illustrious names attach some importance to it.

As to manners and customs, they are, without being immoral, which would be out of the question in our society, distinguished by a frivolity and a faculty for being carried away with allurements which are shocking in the extreme.  I will only give you a single example of this, although it is one that has struck me most forcibly.

Ten minutes’ walk from the house there is a charming little stream overshadowed by spreading willows; the current is slight, the water pellucid, and the bed covered with sand so fine that one’s feet sink into it like a carpet.  Now, would you believe it, dear friend, that, in this hot weather, all those staying at the house go at the same time, together, and, without distinction of sex, bathe in it?  A simple garment of thin stuff, and very tight, somewhat imperfectly screens the strangely daring modesty of the ladies.  Forgive me, my pious friend, for entering into all these details, and for troubling the peacefulness of your soul by this picture of worldly scenes, but I promised to share with you my impressions, as well as my most secret thoughts.  It is a sacred contract which I am fulfilling.

I will, therefore, acknowledge that these bathing scenes shocked me greatly, the first time I heard them spoken of.  I resented it with a species of disgust easy to understand, while I positively refused to take part in them.  To speak the truth, I was chafed a little; still, these worldly railleries could not touch me, and had no effect on my determination.

Yesterday, however, about five in the afternoon, the Marchioness sent for me, and managed the affair so neatly, that it was impossible for me not to act as her escort.

We started.  The maid carried the bathing costumes both of the Marchioness and of my sister, who was to join us later.

“I know,” said my cousin, “that you swim well; the fame of your abilities has reached us here from your college.  You are going to teach me to float, eh, Robert?”