l
manner. I took the opportunity of applauding the admirable Coquelin, as
well as two charming vaudeville performers, M----and Meillet.
I met, on this occasion, all the bathers who were at the beach. It is no
great distinction this year.

Next day I went to lunch at Yport. I noticed a tall man with a beard,
coming out of a large house like a castle. It was the painter, Jean Paul
Laurens. He is not satisfied apparently with imprisoning the subjects of
his pictures, he insists on imprisoning himself.

Then I found myself seated on the shingle close to a man still young, of
gentle and refined appearance, who was reading poetry. But he read it
with such concentration, with such passion, I may say, that he did not
even raise his eyes towards me. I was somewhat astonished and asked the
proprietor of the baths, without appearing to be much concerned, the name
of this gentleman. I laughed to myself a little at this reader of rhymes;
he seemed behind the age, for a man. This person, I thought, must be a
simpleton. Well, aunt, I am now infatuated about this stranger. Just
fancy, his name is Sully Prudhomme! I went back and sat down beside him
again so as to get a good look at him. His face has an expression of
calmness and of penetration. Somebody came to look for him, and I heard
his voice, which is sweet and almost timid. He would certainly not tell
obscene stories aloud in public or knock up against ladies without
apologizing. He is assuredly a man of refinement, but his refinement is
of an almost morbid, sensitive character, I will try this winter to get
an introduction to him.

I have no more news, my dear aunt, and I must finish this letter in
haste, as the mail will soon close. I kiss your hands and your cheeks.
Your devoted niece,
BERTHE DE X.

P. S.--I should add, however, by way of justification of French
politeness, that our fellow-countrymen are, when travelling, models of
good manners in comparison with the abominable English, who seem to have
been brought up in a stable, so careful are they not to discommode
themselves in any way, while they always discommode their neighbors.

Madame de L. to Madame de X.

LES FRESNES, Saturday.
My Dear Child:

Many of the things you have said to me are very sensible, but that does
not prevent you from being wrong. Like you, I used formerly to feel very
indignant at the impoliteness of men, who, as I supposed, constantly
t