O xford T ext A rchive. But let me thank Heaven that I have found in you, Sir, all the virtues which I could desire in a brother, and that affection and respect which leads me to dedicate these Letters to you. Since your Highness left Paris, I have had my brother and sister here; the south of France has entirely recovered her, and she is in a fair way of producing an heirβI have many nephews, but none of that name yet β.
I shall set out to-morrow for Touraine, called by the French le Jardin de la France; and at three o'clock in the morning, as it is very hotβMy harp is in the coach with me; for though my intention is not to stay above three weeks where I am going toβI cannot be so long absent from the sound of an instrument that I prefer to every other. I have the honour to subscribe myself your very affectionate sister, faithful friend and servant,.
I wished my friend Mr. I need not tell you, how many extraordinary personages and events this Chateau called to my mind. If the confusion which ambition naturally creates in history, should at this moment prevent your memory from placing them before youβI refer you to the Nouveau Voyage de la France, par Mr. You shall have it in my next. I will only add to this, that if ever you go from Blois to Tours, do not go by nightβthe road is on a causeway, the Loire on your left, and a precipice into [Page 6] meadows on your right, without any fence to prevent an accident, if your postillions were drunk, or your horses frightened.
The word enfant always strikes to my heart: among the many reasons I had before, I have now an additional one for feeling about an enfant of any sort. I am at this moment above a hundred miles distant from the most affectionate, the most engaging, and the most beautiful child that ever mother hadβand for the first time I have ever left him β. What unfeeling people! It was then about six o'clock. The postillions by this time were listening to my conversation with the child, and one of them with a gruff voice saidβ si ce petit monsieur veut payer un cinquieme cheval, il [Page 10] montera.
I had lain half an hour; the room was dark; and when the door opened, the first thing I saw was Cassius holding two wax-lights, preceding my maid. He said, Mademoiselle might go to her supper, and he would wait upon me, and his countenance had a mixture of comfort, joy, and gratitude in it, scarcely to be seen but in the candour of youth. MY approach to this place was through bad cross-country roads.
