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

To George S. Hillard.

I have not attended the courts or the Chamber of Deputies yet, because I wish to reserve these till my knowledge of French shall enable me to attend them with the most advantage. I attend the lectures, as a good opportunity of hearing French spoken, and accustoming my ear to its sound. For this purpose I have also been to the theatre, with the play in my hand to assist me in following the actors. As yet I have not seen one-quarter of the interesting sights in Paris. Distances are so gigantic, and time is so precious, that I cannot accomplish more than one a day. The Chamber of Deputies, the courts, Versailles, and Pere La Chaise (Judge Story will start at this) are still unvisited. I have delivered but few of my letters, because I was unwilling to subject myself to the chance of civilities and the time they necessarily take up. All these I reserve for my last month. In fact, I have not lived, for a great while, so cheaply and college-like as at present . . . . Paris, beyond my anticipations, presents opportunities to a studious young man, which he may improve at small cost. You know the supremacy of its schools of medicine: they have not been overrated. But there are opportunities afforded for knowledge in other departments, which are hardly less important. Besides, here, more perhaps than elsewhere in the world, the human heart is laid bare; you see people more as they appear in Angelo's representation of the great Judgment Day. On this I might enlarge: sat verbum. Though I have seen much to interest and instruct me, I have seen nothing which has weakened my attachment to my country; neither have I yet procured mustaches or a club cane, as President Quincy predicted.

Why did the Northern members of Congress bear the infamous bullying of the South? Dissolve the Union, I say.

Affectionately yours,