utility.

Towards the end of January, I completed my mission, and took my leave of
the court of Russia.

"Tell the Regent," said Peter, "that I shall visit him in France soon,
and shall expect to see his drawings if I show him my models."

In effect, the next month (February 16), the Czar commenced his second
course of travels. He was pleased to testify some regard for me on my
departure. "If ever you quit the service of the French court, and your
own does not require you, I implore you to come to me; I will give you
_carte blanche_ as to the nature and appointments of your office."

I need not say that I expressed my gratitude for the royal
condescension; nor that, in leaving Russia, I brought, from the example
of its sovereign, a greater desire to be useful to mankind than I had
known before. Pattern and Teacher of kings, if each country in each
century had produced one such ruler as you, either all mankind would
_now_ be contented with despotism or all mankind would be _free_! Oh!
when kings have only to be good, to be kept forever in our hearts
and souls as the gods and benefactors of the earth, by what monstrous
fatality have they been so blind to their fame? When we remember the
millions, the generations, they can degrade, destroy, elevate, or
save, we might almost think (even if the other riddles of the present
existence did not require a future existence to solve them), we might
almost think a hereafter _necessary_, were it but for the sole purpose
of requiting the virtues of princes,--or their SINS!*

* Upon his death-bed Peter is reported to have said, "God, I dare trust,
will look mercifully upon my faults in consideration of the good I
have done my country." These are worthy to be the last words of a king!
Rarely has there been a monarch who more required the forgiveness of
the Creator; yet seldom perhaps has there been a human being who more
deserved it.--ED.

CHAPTER V.

RETURN TO PARIS.--INTERVIEW WITH BOLINGBROKE.--A GALLANT
ADVENTURE.--AFFAIR WITH DUBOIS.--PUBLIC LIFE IS A DRAMA, IN WHICH
PRIVATE VICES GENERALLY PLAY THE PART OF THE SCENE-SHIFTERS.

IT is a strange feeling we experience on entering a great city by
night,--a strange mixture of social and solitary impressions. I say by
night, because at that time we are most inclined to feel; and the mind,
less distracted than in the day by external objects, dwells the
more intensely upon its own hopes and thoughts, remembrances and
assoc