[
589]
July 23, for Bains Frascati near
Havre.
He wrote, August 8, to
J. R. Gordon, of
Montpellier:—
I left Dieppe for London, where I enjoyed myself at breakfasts and dinners, besides often attending Parliament.
This was too much for a convalescent, and I cane to this place, where I have been already a fortnight, and shall remain a month longer, happier in seclusion and sea-bathing than in the grande monde of Paris or London.
Here I have access to the cercle and to the public library; but I find no such friendly houses as yours and Martins's, and no such conversation as I enjoyed at Montpellier.
At London I dined with Lord Cranworth; Brougham and Clarendon were there.
We spoke of old Mr. Dalton, who was described as in great force.
I also dined with Sir Henry Holland, and sat by the side of his wife, who had not forgotten Montpellier.
I was at Lansdowne House, Stafford House, Holland House, Grosvenor House, Cambridge House, Argyll Lodge, etc.; and saw, perhaps, as much as could be seen in so short a time.
The distrust of Louis Napoleon is universal.1 The only person I heard speak well of him was Lady Shaftesbury.
I met the Due d'aumale twice, and found him as charming as ever.
If the republic cannot prevail, let us have him. The Comte de Paris, whom I saw several times, but not to become acquainted with, did not impress me much; he looked like an American youth.
Had I not known who he was I should have selected him as from my own country.2 Lord Palmerston was as gay and jaunty as ever, Lord Clarendon as fascinating, Lord Brougham as fitful, Lord Lyndhurst as eloquent and clever, Lord Lansdowne as kind, and Lord Cranworth as good.
I saw much of Macaulay at breakfast and dinner,—at least half a dozen times, and twice in his own house.
His conversation was as full and interesting as ever.
Nothing seemed too great or too small for his memory.
I think that I was more than ever struck by him. Bright I heard for the first time.
I was asked if he was not like an American speaker; I should be glad to claim him.
The consciousness of regained health continued, though with now and then a lurking sensibility; and his letters assured his friends at home that he should return in the autumn ‘a working man.’
He wrote to
C. F. Adams, July 13:—
I am glad to assure you that I am to return a well man. Even at Rome I was obliged to seek repose during the day and to avoid all walling; but I have got beyond this now. Imagine my happiness at being able again to move about without pain or any considerable fatigue.
But there is still a something lurking in the system which must be eradicated, and my physician prescribes a course of baths and medicines.
For this purpose I went to Dieppe, but soon became dissatisfied.
There was water enough, but no libraries or books, and I at once left for London. . . .
