her
fine, frank, sweet eyes still fixed upon Salvandy:

One easily believes one's self to be somebody in France.

1845.

During the run of M. Ponsard's "Lucrece", I had the following dialogue
with M. Viennet at a meeting of the Academy:

M. VIENNET.--Have you seen the "Lucrece" that is being played at the
Odeon?

MYSELF.--NO.

M. VIENNET.--It is very good.

MYSELF.--Really, is it good?

M. VIENNET.--It is more than good, it is fine.

MYSELF.--Really, is it fine?

M. VIENNET.--It is more than fine, it is magnificent.

MYSELF.--Really, now, magnificent?

M. VIENNET.--Oh! magnificent!

MYSELF.--Come, now, is it as good as "Zaire"?

M. VIENNET.--Oh! no! Oh! you are going too far, you know. Gracious!
"Zaire"! No, it is not as good as "Zaire".

MYSELF.--Well, you see, "Zaire" is a very poor piece indeed!

AN ELECTION SESSION.

February 11, 1847.

Thirty-one Academicians present. Sixteen votes are necessary.

First ballot.

Emile Deschamps 2 votes.
Victor Leclerc 14 "
Empis 15 "

Lamartine and M. Ballanche arrive at the end of the first ballot. M.
Thiers arrives at the commencement of the second; which makes 34.

The director asks M. Thiers whether he has promised his vote. He
laughingly replies: "No," and adds: "I have offered it." (Laughter.)

M. Cousin, to M. Lebrun, director: "You did not employ the sacramental
expression. One does not ask an Academician whether he has *promised*
his vote, but whether he has *pledged* it."

Second ballot.

Emile Deschamps 2 votes.
Empis 18 "
Victor Leclerc 14 "

M. Empis is elected. The election was decided by Lamartine and M.
Ballanche.

On my way out I meet Leon Gozlan, who says to me: "Well?"

I reply: "There has been an election. It is Empis."

"How do you look at it?" he asks.

"In both ways."

"Empis?---"

"And _tant pis_!"

March 16, 1847.

At the Academy to-day, while listening to the poems, bad to the point
of grotesqueness, that have been sent for the competition of 1847, M. de
Barante remarked: "Really, in these times, we no longer know how to make
mediocre verses."

Great praise of the poetical and literary excellence of these times,
although M. de Barante was not conscious of it.

April 22, 1847.

Election of M. Ampere. This is an improvement upon the last. A slow
improvement. But Academi