ung man
named Billaud, who is coming forward, and considered to be rather a
brilliant speaker. The foregoing names include several men who have had
much experience, and possess moderate abilities, merely passable as
orators, but having a fair practical knowledge of political business,
but not men of exalted genius, or such whose names will be likely to
figure in the page of history; perhaps it may be with truth said, that
the best statesman France now possesses, or even ever has possessed, is
the King, it being very doubtful whether any of his ministers, or indeed
any member of either of the chambers, is blest with that deep
discernment and profound knowledge of human nature which he has
displayed, by the correctness of his calculations upon the pulses of his
subjects, under the most trying difficulties, and which have enabled him
to weather the storm.

CHAPTER XIII.

The theatres, present state of the drama, and principal performers.
Collections of paintings.

It is rather extraordinary that in this age of superlative refinement,
the drama should rather be upon the decline than otherwise in regard to
the talent of the performers, but it appears to me that such is really
the case both in England and France. I can just remember when Mrs.
Siddons, John Kemble, Charles Kemble, Young, Mrs. Jordan, Irish Johnson,
Munden, Emery, etc. so well sustained the character of the English
stage. Alas! shall I ever see the like again? Theatrical representations
in France have had a similar decline, although _two_ stars there are who
uphold her histrionic fame with superior _eclat_, Mlle. Rachel for
tragedy, and Bouffe for comedy; it would be useless for me to attempt
any description of the powers of the former, as she is as well known in
London as in Paris, but with the latter my readers I believe are only
partially acquainted; he has been in London, but I rather think only
made but a short stay, certainly a more perfect representation of French
nature it would be impossible to imagine; even although he undertake
ever so opposite a description of character, the simple truth would be
given in them all; he has not recourse to grimace or buffoonery, or any
exaggerated action, but seems not to remember he is counterfeiting a
part, but appears to make the case his own, and not to have another
thought than that which must be supposed to occupy the mind of the
individual he is personifying. Pleased with Bouffe to our hear