The evening would have been pleasant, had there not been a degree of form, which to me was not a little annoying. About twelve o’clock supper was announced; which was served on the ground floor, in a small _salle à manger_, which was also elegantly furnished. The supper was good, and the servants who waited were attentive. I saw, this evening, for the first time, general Berthier. He is a little man, plainly dressed, with cropped hair. His countenance is expressive, when he speaks; but his figure is diminutive, and his appearance by no means military. He is extremely polite, gentlemanly, and affable. I am told, he is by birth “_gentil homme_;” and by his manner it is easy to see, that he must have passed the early part of his life in good company. After giving you this account of a party at one of the new houses, you will, perhaps, not be displeased, if I conclude my letter with a short description of a ball given by a person, formerly of very high rank, and still of considerable fortune. The antichamber, through which it is always necessary to pass at a french assembly, is rather a disgusting sight. The servants, differently occupied, some playing cards, some sleeping, and others criticising the dress of those who pass by them, do not attempt to rise, and even those of the house seldom give themselves the trouble of moving, at the arrival of their master’s guests. If the _valet de chambre_ is near, the company are announced; if otherwise, they are allowed to find their way to the apartment of those whom they are visiting. At the ball, of which I am now speaking, in addition to the antichamber devoted to the use I have mentioned, the second drawing room was filled with _filles de chambre_, milliners, and mantuamakers, whom the good nature of our hostess permitted to sit there, that they might view the dancing, and learn the fashions. I observed, that several of these _soubrettes_ did not direct their attention solely to the _female_ part of the company. After passing through these rooms, we found ourselves at last in the _salon_, which was extremely well lighted with patent lamps. These are much used at Paris, and almost generally substituted for wax. The oil used here is less offensive than that which is bought in London; and, when a sufficient number of reflectors are placed about a room (which is not very commonly the case) it becomes very brilliant; but the heat is always oppressive.