Votre douceur m’a sçu si bien attraire, Que tous vostre je suis entièrement Très désirant de vous servir et plaire, Mais je soffre mainte douloureux tourment, Quand a mon gre je ne vous voi souvent Et me déplaist quand me font vous l’escrire; Car si fou je pouvois autrement J’aimasse mieux de bouche vous le dire. C’est par dangier mon cruel adversaire, Qui m’a tenu en ses mains longuement. En tous mes faits je le trouve contraire Et plus se rit quand plus me voit dolent. Si je voulais raconter pleinement En cet escrit mon ennuyeux martyre Trop long serois; pour certainement J’aimasse mieux de bouche vous le dire. Besides these manuscripts there are many treasures of inestimable value, particularly the cabinet of medals, a rich and magnificent collection, to which has been added the cabinets of medals and antiques taken from St. Geneviève, St. Germains des Près and the Petits Pères, besides a vast accession from the plunder of Italy. The late Abbé Barthélémy, author of the “Travels of Anacharnis,” had the superintendence of the cabinet of medals, and by his exertions several beautiful and rare additions were made to the original collection. A very fine bust of him stands at the extremity of the hall. There is also a rich collection of engravings, amounting to more than 5000 volumes. It requires whole months to review and examine all the curiosities and beauties contained within this library, and as it is impossible to detail them without writing a volume, I consider the synopsis I have given sufficient to explain their value to the student of every nation. XXXII HUMANE INSTITUTIONS: THE HOSPITAL OF INVALIDES [Sidenote: OVERTHROW OF INSTITUTIONS] The French Revolution wrought as much harm to the cause of humanity as to letters, science, and art. I have, it is true, described certain brilliant institutions which the present Government has created, but they form the least substantial part of social order, and are in a sense but the holiday suit of the Republic. It would be as wrong to judge the French nation by this splendid exterior as of a private family by the same rule. To form a correct judgment of the character of a man we should enter his dwelling, see him as a parent, husband or friend, and examine his domestic economy. To contemplate him driving in a chariot, and surrounded by glittering attendants, would give us no idea of his real situation. Much as we may admire establishments which ornament and serve a nation, if haggard poverty and distress meet the eye at every turn we cannot but infer that the nation in which such things prevail has mistaken the true road to grandeur and public felicity.