Paris.
It would be almost superfluous to observe, that there are a great many
people in France, who think in a very different manner from that which
I have mentioned in my last, and who have just and liberal ideas of the
design and nature of government, and proper and manly sentiments of
the natural rights of mankind. The writings of Montesquieu are greatly
admired: This alone is sufficient to prove it. Many later authors, and
the conversation of the philosophical and reasoning people, display the
same spirit.
What is mentioned in my last letter, however, comprehends the general
turn or manner of thinking of the French nation, and evinces how very
opposite their sentiments upon the subject of civil government are, to
those of our countrymen.
I have heard an Englishman enumerate the advantages of the British
constitution to a circle of French Bourgeois, and explain to them in what
manner the people of their rank of life were protected from the insolence
of the courtiers and nobility; that the poorest shop-keeper and lowest
tradesman in England, could have immediate redress for any injury done
him by the greatest nobleman in the kingdom.
Well, what impression do you think this declamation had upon the
French auditory? You will naturally imagine they would admire such
a constitution, and wish for the same in France:—Not at all. They
sympathized with the great: They seemed to feel for their want of
importance. One observed, C’est peu de chose d’être noble chez vous; and
another, shaking his head, added, Ce n’est pas naturel tout cela.
When mention was made that the king of Great Britain could not impose a
tax by his own authority; that the consent of parliament, particularly of
the house of commons, was necessary, to which assembly people of their
rank of life were admitted; they said with some degree of satisfaction,
Cependant, c’est assez beau cela. But when the English patriot, expecting
their complete approbation, continued informing them, that the king
himself had not the power to encroach upon the liberty of the meanest of
his subjects; that if he or the minister did, damages were recoverable at
a court of law, a loud and prolonged DIABLE issued from every mouth. They
forgot their own situation, and the security of the people, and turned
to their natural bias of sympathy with the King, who they all seemed to
think must be the most oppressed and injured of mankind.
One of them at last, addressing himself to the English politician, said,
Tout ce que je puis vous dire, Monsieur, c’est que votre pauvre Roi est
bien à plaindre.
This solicitude of theirs for the happiness and glory of royalty extends
in some degree to all crowned heads whatever: But with regard to their
own monarch, it seems the reigning and darling passion of their souls,
which they carry with them to the grave.
A French soldier, who lay covered with wounds on the field of Dettingen,
demanded, a little before he expired, of an English officer, how the
battle was likely to terminate; and being answered, that the British
troops had obtained a great victory; Mon pauvre Roi, said the dying man,
que fera-t-il?
For my part, my friend, although I heartily wish his Majesty all public
and domestic happiness, yet if the smallest solicitude about either
should disturb my dying moments, it will be the strongest proof that my
own affairs, spiritual and temporal, your concerns, as well as those of
my other private friends, are in a most comfortable situation.
Adieu.
_P. S._ I have not seen the Marquis for several days. He had informed
me, at our very first meeting, that he was paying his court to a young
lady of family, at his mother’s desire, who was impatient to see him
married. He said, he could refuse his mother nothing, parcequ’elle étoit
le meilleur enfant du monde: Besides, he said, the young lady was very
pretty and agreeable, and he was over head and ears in love with her. He
has told me since, that every thing was arranged, and he expected to be
in a short time the happiest man in the world, and would have the honour
of presenting me to his bride very soon. I shall let you know my opinion
of the lady when I see her—But let her be what she will, I am sorry that
F—— thinks of marrying so early in life; for a Frenchman of five and
twenty, is not quite so sedate an animal as an Englishman of fifteen.