will enable Mrs. M. to sustain it better. Every thing should be
done to divert and occupy her with other thoughts and cares, and I
am sure that all that can be done will.

"Now to your letter. Napoleon--but the papers will have told you
all. I quite think with you upon the subject, and for my _real_
thoughts this time last year, I would refer you to the last pages
of the Journal I gave you. I can forgive the rogue for utterly
falsifying every line of mine Ode--which I take to be the last and
uttermost stretch of human magnanimity. Do you remember the story
of a certain Abbe, who wrote a treatise on the Swedish
Constitution, and proved it indissoluble and eternal? Just as he
had corrected the last sheet, news came that Gustavus III. had
destroyed this immortal government. 'Sir,' quoth the Abbe, 'the
King of Sweden may overthrow the _constitution_, but not _my
book_!!' I think _of_ the Abbe, but not _with_ him.

"Making every allowance for talent and most consummate daring,
there is, after all, a good deal in luck or destiny. He might have
been stopped by our frigates--or wrecked in the Gulf of Lyons,
which is particularly tempestuous--or--a thousand things. But he is
certainly Fortune's favourite, and

Once fairly set out on his party of pleasure,
Taking towns at his liking and crowns at his leisure,
From Elba to Lyons and Paris he goes,
Making _balls for_ the ladies, and _bows_ to his foes.

You must have seen the account of his driving into the middle of
the royal army, and the immediate effect of his pretty speeches.
And now if he don't drub the allies, there is 'no purchase in
money.' If he can take France by himself, the devil's in 't if he
don't repulse the invaders, when backed by those celebrated
sworders--those boys of the blade, the Imperial Guard, and the old
and new army. It is impossible not to be dazzled and overwhelmed by
his character and career. Nothing ever so disappointed me as his
abdication, and nothing could have reconciled me to him but some
such revival as his recent exploit; though no one could anticipate
such a complete and brilliant renovation.

"To your question, I can only answer that there have been some
symptoms which look a little gestatory. It is a subject upon which
I am not particularly anxious, exce