t, what would that matter? It would go on
just the same!

Besides, M. de Noailles is a considerable personage. Bearing a great
name, being lofty of manner, enjoying an immense fortune, of certain
political weight under Louis Philippe, accepted by the Conservatives
although, or because, a Legitimist, reading speeches that were listened
to, he occupied an important place in the Chamber of Peers; which proves
that the Chamber of Peers occupied an unimportant place in the country.

Chateaubriand, who hated all that could replace him and smiled at
all that could make him regretted, had had the kindness to tell him
sometimes, by Mme. Recamier's fireside, "that he hoped he would be his
successor;" which prompted M. de Noailles to dash off a big book in two
volumes about Mme. de Maintenon, at the commencement of which, on the
first page of the preface, I was stopped by a lordly breach of grammar.

This was the state of things when I concluded to go to the Academy.

The session which was announced to begin at two o'clock, as usual,
opened, as usual, at a quarter past three. And at half past three--

At half past three the candidacy of Monsieur the Duke do Noailles,
*replacing* Chateaubriand, was irresistibly acclaimed.

Decidedly, I ought to have gone to the Assembly.

March 26, 1850. Tuesday.

I had arrived early, at noon.

I was warming myself, for it is very cold, and the ground is covered
with snow, which is not good for the apricot trees. M. Guizot, leaning
against the mantelpiece, was saying to me:

"As a member of the dramatic prize committee, I read yesterday, in a
single day, mind you, no fewer than six plays!"

"That," I responded, "was to punish you for not having seen one acted in
eighteen years."

At this moment M. Thiers came up and the two men exchanged greetings.
This is how they did it:

M. THIERS: Good afternoon, Guizot.

M. GUIZOT: Good afternoon, Monsieur.

AN ELECTION SESSION. March 28, 1850.

M. Guizot presided. At the roll call, when M. Pasquier's name was
reached he said: "Monsieur the Chancellor--" When he got to that of M.
Dupin, President of the National Assembly, he called: "Monsieur Dupin."

First ballot.
Alfred de Musset 5 votes.
M. Nisard 23 "

M. Nisard is elected.

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To-day, September 12, the Academy worked at the dictionary. A propos
of the word "increase," this example, taken from the