Edward L. Pierce, Memoir and letters of Charles Sumner: volume 1

[285] Government for the Palais de laElysee Bourbon. She is full sixty, but appears to be forty-five. She received me quite cordially in her bedroom, where there were already three or four ladies, and, in the true French style, was pleased to compliment me on my French; when, indeed, I spoke wretchedly,—not speaking as well as I might, for I felt a little awe at the presence in which I found myself. She is rather stout, with a free, open, pleasant countenance and ready smile. Presently some marquis or other titled man was announced, and she said, “C'est terrible,” and rose and passed to the salon, where she received him. Her countenance had the roundness which belonged to Napoleon's, but none of his marble-like gravity. In the evening went to a dinner.¹

We hardly found ourselves at table before eight o'clock. The American minister, the Greek ambassador, and a large company of a hundred or more were there. After the dinner, what was my astonishment to hear my name introduced into some remarks of the President, with terms of praise, which, though disguised in a foreign language, sounded most strange and undeserved. An ambassador could not have a longer or more richly-embroidered paragraph devoted to his merits. And then the company applauded.

April 12. Heard a singular admission of hearsay evidence in court to-day. The accused was partly identified as the person who committed the alleged theft through the medium of a handkerchief, which had been found in the place where the theft had been committed. The evidence was quite strong that this handkerchief belonged to the prisoner. His advocate, in his defence, stated that he had seen the washerwoman of the accused and described to her the handkerchief in question, and she had said that she had never washed such a handkerchief for the prisoner. The court at once admitted the advocate as a witness, to state what the washerwoman had told him!

April 14. To-day heard a case of avortement against two females. The trial lasted from eleven o'clock in the forenoon till seven o'clock in the evening. The two were acquitted, much to the astonishment of many. When their acquittal was declared, they both threw themselves on their knees and raised their clasped hands to Heaven in thankfulness, and then kissed each other. After the trial, dined with one of the successful advocates. Agreeably to a provision of the code, at the commencement of the examination of the witnesses, the public were dismissed from the court, as the evidence concerned the public morals.

April 15. This evening saw an interesting personage,—a commissaire de police, at his house. One of my friends was robbed, and had complained to the police, who had been indefatigable in their search. I called with my friend upon the commissaire this evening. His conversation showed remarkable expertness in his business, and what a trade it is in Paris to detect thieves. He drew from his pocket a white, red, and blue sash, which he told me he always carried with him, and in any emergency put it on, when