We did not experience any difficulty in getting out of Paris, after our
four months’ stay there.
I went to the office of Minister Talleyrand with my passport. It
was punctually returned by noon the next day, and after sending our
heavy luggage to the office of the diligence and laid in a stock of
provisions for the journey, we stepped into our chaise and took our
leave of the French capital. As it was my wish to gratify my companion
with the sight of as much of France as our time would permit, we did
not return by the road we came, but shaped our course for Brussels.
The account of that extensive tour would be out of place here, being
too long for insertion. Suffice it to say that though bowed down under
the yoke of a most horrible despotism, the rest of France, unlike
Paris, presents everywhere objects of interest and sympathy. The moral
influence of the Revolution has by no means wrought such pernicious
effects as might have been expected. The people retained much of their
civility and engaging manners of former times, and until my second
interview with the brutal Mengard at Calais, there was not one place
from Senlis where we did not feel a regret at leaving.
[Sidenote: CONCLUSION]
The roads are inconceivably wretched; and sometimes very dangerous. We
were often obliged to go for many miles at a foot’s pace. Between Arras
and Lille ruts were often three feet deep, our traces were continually
breaking, and fresh horses constantly required. In some places the
people did not even know the Peace had been signed, for no English had
come that way. While getting out of the carriage they once asked me,
with looks of inexpressible anxiety, whether I had brought them peace
at last. On my answering “Yes,” they exclaimed: “Ah! but has the King
of England signed it?”
These letters give my opinions of the present Government of France.
I purpose, however, to give the subject a more ample and serious
discussion, although I do not pledge myself to execute this work.
I left the Republic convinced that it was the interest of France to be
at peace with England, but with manifold doubts of that Peace’s long
continuance.