What did I want to see most of all in France? The people who were playing important roles in the new era—primarily ministers, orators, men of letters. I satisfied this desire partially. Why partially? First of all, because many of the most interesting people were not in Paris during that season; they left the city for their suburban houses and villages; second, because I was afraid of being disappointed. It is better to leave the portrait of an intelligent person in the twilight of our imagination rather than shine the harsh light of reality on him and discover an ordinary face instead of an intelligent one, an unbearable grimace of arrogance and self-confidence instead of a pleasant smile, and hear a flat statement instead of a witty word!

In my previous letter, I named several important public figures I was fortunate enough to see in Paris. One of them is the President of the Chamber of Peers, Pasquier, a tall, lean man, with a clever, calm face. He is considered one of the most capable statesmen: even Talleyrand acknowledges his merit. Once Pasquier did not come to the meeting of a certain committee and sent someone to announce that he was ill.— “This is very strange,” said chairman Talleyrand; “I do not see any reason for him to be ill today!”— The President of the Council of Ministers, Count Mole has a noble, interesting physiognomy. He is pale, silent, and sad-looking. It is very difficult at present to retain a position in the French ministry. It is a sea full of monsters and reptiles hiding behind the rocks.— Laffitte, the millionaire Laffitte who sacrificed his own property in order to become prime minister, is quite an important figure in present-day French history. I saw him in the Chamber of Deputies. His face is handsome and clever, but even in his eyes, one can see the despondency of disappointment. Recently, he resumed his banking business, and he was clever to do so. It is much better to have to deal with chervontsy, guineas, and Louis d’or than with obstinate and rebellious people.