This, upon leaving _Chantilly_, I declared to be the best principle in
the world to travel speedily upon; but I gave it only as matter of
opinion. I still continue in the same sentiments—only I had not then
experience enough of its working to add this, that though you do get on
at a tearing rate, yet you get on but uneasily to yourself at the same
time; for which reason I here quit it entirely, and for ever, and ’tis
heartily at any one’s service—it has spoiled me the digestion of a good
supper, and brought on a bilious diarrhœa, which has brought me back
again to my first principle on which I set out——and with which I shall
now scamper it away to the banks of the _Garonne_—
——No;——I cannot stop a moment to give you the character of the
people—their genius—— their manners—their customs—their laws——their
religion—their government— their manufactures—their commerce—their
finances, with all the resources and hidden springs which sustain them:
qualified as I may be, by spending three days and two nights amongst
them, and during all that time making these things the entire subject
of my enquiries and reflections——
Still—still I must away——the roads are paved—the posts are short—the
days are long—’tis no more than noon—I shall be at _Fontainebleau_
before the king——
—Was he going there? not that I know——