There are, doubtless, besides those which I have enumerated, many tombs deserving of notice; but I have specified these, on account of the celebrity of the artists, or that of the persons whose memory the monuments were intended to record. I send you a very imperfect account, yet it is the result of a six hours’ visit, made with no little care and attention. _Le Noir’s_ catalogue, which, I understand, is now translating into english, concludes with a curious account of the state in which the bodies of the former kings of France were found at _St. Denys_, when, in the year 1793, the national convention, with a savage disregard of decency, and with a contempt for departed grandeur scarcely credible, ordered that the kings, princes, and other great men, who had for fifteen hundred years lain in peace at _St. Denys_, should be dragged from their tombs, in order that the lead, of which their coffins were made, should be converted into ball. You will be surprised to hear, that the celebrated _Turenne_, preserved like a mummy, was instantly recognized by the resemblance which he still bore to his busts and pictures; and Henry the fourth was yet so perfect, (though he died in 1610), that not a feature was altered. This account is already of such a length, that I shall make no apology for abruptly concluding it. I am, &c. _POSTSCRIPT._ Returning home to day, at half past four o’clock, from viewing some of the sights, (which I have mentioned in my letter), we found a messenger waiting with a note from the _Thuilleries_. It proved to be an invitation to Mrs. ⸺, from the first consul, asking her to dinner the same day at five. She dressed as quickly as possible, and drove to the palace. She is just returned; and from her statement, I send you the following short account. The entertainment was extremely elegant, and the sight very striking. More than two hundred persons sat down to table in a splendid apartment. The company consisted, besides the family of Bonaparte, of the ministers, the ambassadors, several generals, senators, counsellors of state, and other constituted authorities. The number of women present was by no means in proportion to that of the men, and did not exceed fifteen. All the english ladies, who had been presented to madame Bonaparte, were invited (though not their husbands) to this entertainment; but it happened, that only two remained at Paris. The dinner was served entirely on plate and _Sèvre china_, the latter bearing the letter B on every dish, and every plate; and the _plateau_ was covered with moss, out of which arose innumerable natural flowers, the odour of which perfumed the whole room. The first consul and madame Bonaparte conducted themselves with much ease, and spoke very affably to those around them. The servants were numerous, splendidly dressed, and highly attentive. The dinner lasted more than two hours. LETTER XXX.