I must conclude by observing what a very extraordinary, strange creature a Frenchman is! Instead of attending the King, or suppressing Navy Depôts where there are only fifty loyal men, the Minister of War flies to England, and, as he represented, in order to join the King in Flanders. At Paris he was certainly nearer Flanders than he was at Dieppe.... Yours ever, SHEFFIELD. The Victory of Waterloo ended all fears of a fresh Imperial Despotism, and also all the hopes of those who, like Lord Sheffield and the Stanley family, were no great admirers of the Bourbon Dynasty. Edward Stanley's desire to revisit France was now coupled with a wish to realise the scene of the late Campaign, and he planned his journey so as to arrive there on the first anniversary of the battle, June 18, 1816. He was accompanied by Mrs. Stanley, by his brother-in-law, Edward Leycester Penrhyn,[104] who had travelled with him in 1814, and by their mutual friend, Donald Crawford. Mrs. Stanley's bright and graphic letters contribute to the story of their adventures, and are added to make it complete. [Illustration: _Corn Mills at Vernon, July 11 1816._ _To face p. 247._] CHAPTER VII AFTER WATERLOO A long Channel passage--Bruges--The battlefield--A posting journey--Compiègne--Paris--Michael Bruce. _Mrs. E. Stanley to Lady Maria Stanley._ _Spring, 1816._ ...Edward has long talked of a week at Waterloo, and all the rest of the plan came tumbling after one day in talking it over with Edward Leycester, as naturally as possible, and I expect almost as much pleasure in seeing Cambridge and being introduced to the looks and manners at least of E. L.'s friends, and in seeing him there as in anything else. We are to pay a visit to Sir George and Lady Scovell at Cambray, and perhaps to Sheffield Place, on our return.... ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, _June, 1816_. I am very glad to have this opportunity of seeing what a college life is, as well as seeing Cambridge itself and its contents animate and inanimate. I like both very much. We had a very pleasant journey. The road is not only prettier by Ashbourne and Derby, but better, and, provided your nerves can stand cantering down hill sometimes, you get on faster than on the other road. We drank tea at Nottingham on Monday and went up to the Castle. We arrived at Cambridge by 6 o'clock on Tuesday evening, and found Edward deep in his studies.... This morning we breakfasted with George,[105] and, after seeing libraries and people and buildings till I am tired, here I am, snug and comfortable, in Edward's room.... We are off to-morrow for London. _Mrs. E. Stanley to Lady Maria Josepha Stanley._ BLENHEIM HOTEL, LONDON, _Saturday_.