George Ticknor, Life, letters and journals of George Ticknor
George Hillard, Ed.

[17] seul. I have been consulted at different times by many heads of parties in other countries, who wanted to make great changes or revolutions. I have always talked with them, as I now talk with you, directly, frankly, truly,—directement, franchement, avec verite; very often afterwards I have crushed them,—je les ai écrases,— but I have never deceived them, and they are not now my personal enemies. I am less exposed, too, to make personal enemies than most persons in my situation would be, for another reason: I labor chiefly, almost entirely, to prevent troubles, to prevent evil. In a democracy you cannot do this. There you must begin by the evil, and endure it, till it has been felt and acknowledged, and then, perhaps, you can apply the remedy.

This is another reason why democracies do not suit me,—ne me conviennent pas. I care nothing about the past, except as a warning for the future. The present day has no value for me, except as the eve of to-morrow,—Le jour qui court n'a aucune valeur pour moi, excepte comme la veille du lendemain. I labor for to-morrow. I do not venture even to think much of the day following, but to-morrow, it is with to-morrow that my spirit wrestles,—mon esprit lutte,—and I am but too happy if I can do something to prevent the evil it may threaten, or add something to the good of which it is capable,

C'est toujours avec le lendemain que mon esprit lutte, is a fine phrase, and he pronounced it with great force, perhaps with emotion.

He spoke with great earnestness, especially in the latter part of the conversation; was eloquent in many parts of it, gesticulated frequently, and occasionally struck forcibly the little table between us; but he was always dignified, winning, and easy in his whole air and manner.

The conversation lasted above an hour and an half, and I am accurate in what I have given of it; but I have given only the thread of it, and its more striking parts, omitting almost all of what I interposed, and all I do not distinctly remember.

Soon after four a servant came in and announced dinner; but the Prince did not notice him at all. About half past 4 another came, an old man with powdered hair and in full dress, to whom the Prince merely said, ‘Very well,’ and went on as earnestly as ever. Soon after a third entered, and said, ‘The Princess orders me to let your Highness know it wants only a quarter to five.’ ‘Well,’ said he to me, laughing, ‘since my wife sends for us, we must go’; though still he talked a little longer, and during the whole time, from beginning to end, did not seem to take his eyes off my countenance.