and, by
their wild appearance, added to the singularity of the
scene. On one {p.059} hand was the extended line of the
Tuileries, seen through the gardens and the rows of
orange-trees; on the other, the long column of troops
advancing to the music. Behind was a long colonnade, forming
the front to the palace, where the Chamber of
Representatives are to hold their sittings; and in front of
the monarchs was a superb row of buildings, on which you
distinguish the bronze pillar erected by Napoleon to
commemorate his victories over Russia, Prussia, and Austria,
whose princes were now reviewing their victorious armies in
what was so lately his capital. Your fancy, my dear friend,
will anticipate, better than I can express, the thousand
sentiments which arose in my mind from witnessing such a
splendid scene, in a spot connected with such various
associations. It may give you some idea of the feelings of
the French--once so fond of _spectacles_--to know that, I
think, there were not a hundred of that nation looking on.
Yet this country will soon recover the actual losses she has
sustained, for never was there a soil so blessed by nature,
or so rich in corn, wine, and oil, and in the animated
industry of its inhabitants. France is at present the fabled
giant, struggling, or rather lying supine, under the load of
mountains which have been precipitated on her; but she is
not, and cannot be crushed. Remove the incumbent weight of
600,000 or 700,000 foreigners, and she will soon stand
upright--happy, if experience shall have taught her to be
contented to exert her natural strength only for her own
protection, and not for the annoyance of her neighbors. I am
cut short in my lucubrations by an opportunity to send this
letter with Lord Castlereagh's despatches, which is of less
consequence, as I will endeavor to see you in passing
through London. I leave this city for Dieppe on Saturday,
but I intend to go round by Harfleur, if possible.

Ever your truly obliged and affectionate

Walter SCOTT.

{p.060} "Paul" modestly acknowledges, in his last letter, the
personal attentions which he received, while in Paris, from Lords
Cathcart, Aberdeen, and Castlereagh; and hints that, through their
intervention, he had witnessed s