ear friend, have
thanked you for your punctuality, for it highly gratified me, had I not
wished to wait till I could tell you that this day was not stained with
blood. Indeed the prudent precautions taken by the National Convention to
prevent a tumult, made me suppose that the dogs of faction would not dare
to bark, much less to bite, however true to their scent; and I was not
mistaken; for the citizens, who were all called out, are returning home
with composed countenances, shouldering their arms. About nine o'clock
this morning, the king passed by my window, moving silently along
(excepting now and then a few strokes on the drum, which rendered the
stillness more awful) through empty streets, surrounded by the national
guards, who, clustering round the carriage, seemed to deserve their name.
The inhabitants flocked to their windows, but the casements were all
shut, not a voice was heard, nor did I see any thing like an insulting
gesture.--For the first time since I entered France, I bowed to the
majesty of the people, and respected the propriety of behaviour so
perfectly in unison with my own feelings. I can scarcely tell you why,
but an association of ideas made the tears flow insensibly from my eyes,
when I saw Louis sitting, with more dignity than I expected from his
character, in a hackney coach, going to meet death, where so many of his
race have triumphed. My fancy instantly brought Louis XIV before me,
entering the capital with all his pomp, after one of the victories most
flattering to his pride, only to see the sunshine of prosperity
overshadowed by the sublime gloom of misery. I have been alone ever
since; and, though my mind is calm, I cannot dismiss the lively images
that have filled my imagination all the day.--Nay, do not smile, but pity
me; for, once or twice, lifting my eyes from the paper, I have seen eyes
glare through a glass-door opposite my chair and bloody hands shook at
me. Not the distant sound of a footstep can I hear.--My apartments are
remote from those of the servants, the only persons who sleep with me in
an immense hotel, one folding door opening after another.--I wish I had
even kept the cat with me!--I want to see something alive; death in so
many frightful shapes has taken hold of my fancy.--I am going to
bed--and, for the first time in my life, I cannot put out the candle.

M. W.

FOOTNOTES:

[67-A] To Original Stories.

[69-A] Countess Mount Cashel.

[82-A] This alludes to a fo