ink from taking such a course, as I
fear that the general effect might be to present all appearance of
intrusive and impertinent interference with the affairs of a
foreign country, and that the very country towards which I should
least wish to offer the appearance of a slight I cannot likewise
refuse to cherish, the hope that the enlightened mind of Baron
Ricasoli and his colleagues may lead them either to avert or
mitigate this blow.

On his return he passed through Paris. The previous year a signal honour
had been bestowed upon him by the illustrious Institute of France--founded
on that Academy, in which Richelieu had crowned the fame of arms and
statesmanship by honour to purity in national language and competence in
letters.(151) In acknowledging the election, he wrote to Mignet, the
historian, then perpetual secretary:--

_11 Carlton House Terrace, March 9, 1865._--I have already
expressed although in an imperfect manner to your distinguished
colleagues Count Wolowski and M. Guizot, the sentiments of
gratitude with which I accept the signal and most unexpected
honour of my election as a foreign associate of the Institute of
France. Even the pressure, and what I might call the tumult, of my
daily occupations do not render me insensible to the nature of
this distinction, which carries with it a world-wide fame. I will
not, however, dwell further on the nature of the honour, or on my
own unworthiness to receive it: except to refer for a moment to
the gentleman whose name was placed in competition with my own. I
cannot but be aware of his superior claims. I fear that, for once,
the judgment of the Academy has erred, and that in preferring me
to Mr. Mill, its suffrages have taken a wrong direction. I am only
consoled by reflecting that such a body, with such renown, and
with its ranks so filled, can afford to suffer the detriment
attaching to a single mistake. I have the honour to be, etc.

(M64) This distinction brought with it the duty of attending the funeral
of a writer eminent among the philosophers and men of letters of his day.
It had been said of him that three days in the week he was absurd, three
days mediocre, and one day sublime. The verdict seems to be confirmed.

_Jan. 23._--From 10 to 3.45 at the successive stages of Victor
Cousin's interment, in my character of member of the Institute. It