and the insolent vulgarity which a sudden influx
of wealth usually produces in common minds is here very conspicuous,
which contrasts with the distresses of many of the emigrants, "fallen,
fallen from their high estate," such are the ups and downs of fortune's
wheel. Many emigrants have met, with fortitude, such a total change of
circumstances as scarcely can be paralleled, retiring from a palace to an
obscure lodging with dignity; but the greater number glide about, the
ghosts of greatness, with the _Croix de St. Louis_ ostentatiously
displayed, determined to hope, "though heaven and earth their wishes
crossed." Still good breeding points out the gentleman, and sentiments
of honour and delicacy appear the offspring of greatness of soul when
compared with the grovelling views of the sordid accumulators of cent.
per cent.

Situation seems to be the mould in which men's characters are formed: so
much so, inferring from what I have lately seen, that I mean not to be
severe when I add--previously asking why priests are in general cunning
and statesmen false?--that men entirely devoted to commerce never acquire
or lose all taste and greatness of mind. An ostentatious display of
wealth without elegance, and a greedy enjoyment of pleasure without
sentiment, embrutes them till they term all virtue of an heroic cast,
romantic attempts at something above our nature, and anxiety about the
welfare of others, a search after misery in which we have no concern. But
you will say that I am growing bitter, perhaps personal. Ah! shall I
whisper to you, that you yourself are strangely altered since you have
entered deeply into commerce--more than you are aware of; never allowing
yourself to reflect, and keeping your mind, or rather passions, in a
continual state of agitation? Nature has given you talents which lie
dormant, or are wasted in ignoble pursuits. You will rouse yourself and
shake off the vile dust that obscures you, or my understanding, as well
as my heart, deceives me egregiously--only tell me when. But to go
farther afield.

Madame la Fayette left Altona the day I arrived, to endeavour, at Vienna,
to obtain the enlargement of her husband, or permission to share his
prison. She lived in a lodging up two pairs of stairs, without a
servant, her two daughters cheerfully assisting; choosing, as well as
herself, to descend to anything before unnecessary obligations. During
her prosperity, and consequent idleness, she did