side of the road."

An incident of that kind might mean little or much: but what he
proceeded to remark of the ordinary Parisian workpeople and smaller
shopkeepers, had a more grave complexion; and may be thought perhaps
still to yield some illustration, not without value, to the story of
the quarter of a century that has passed since, and even to some of the
appalling events of its latest year or two. "It is extraordinary what
nonsense English people talk, write, and believe, about foreign
countries. The Swiss (so much decried) will do anything for you, if you
are frank and civil; they are attentive and punctual in all their
dealings; and may be relied upon as steadily as the English. The
Parisian workpeople and smaller shopkeepers are more like (and unlike)
Americans than I could have supposed possible. To the American
indifference and carelessness, they add a procrastination and want of
the least heed about keeping a promise or being exact, which is
certainly not surpassed in Naples. They have the American
semi-sentimental independence too, and none of the American vigour or
purpose. If they ever get free trade in France (as I suppose they will,
one day), these parts of the population must, for years and years, be
ruined. They couldn't get the means of existence, in competition with
the English workmen. Their inferior manual dexterity, their lazy habits,
perfect unreliability, and habitual insubordination, would ruin them in
any such contest, instantly. They are fit for nothing but
soldiering--and so far, I believe, the successors in the policy of your
friend Napoleon have reason on their side. Eh bien, mon ami, quand vous
venez a Paris, nous nous mettrons a quatre epingles, et nous verrons
toutes les merveilles de la cite, et vous en jugerez. God bless me, I
beg your pardon! It comes so natural."

On the 30th he wrote to me that he had got his papers into order and
hoped to begin that day. But the same letter told me of the
unsettlement thus early of his half-formed Paris plans. Three months
sooner than he designed he should be due in London for family reasons;
should have to keep within the limit of four months abroad; and as his
own house would not be free till July, would have to hire one from the
end of March. "In these circumstances I think I shall send Charley to
King's-college after Christmas. I am sorry he should lose so much
French, but don't you think to break another half-year's schooling would
be a pit