France in eighteen hundred and two : $b Described in a series of contemporary lettersYorke, Henry Redhead
History
France in eighteen hundred and two : $b Described in a series of contemporary letters
Yorke, Henry Redhead
France -- Description and travel
I went to the office of Minister Talleyrand with my passport. It
was punctually returned by noon the next day, and after sending our
heavy luggage to the office of the diligence and laid in a stock of
provisions for the journey, we stepped into our chaise and took our
leave of the French capital. As it was my wish to gratify my companion
with the sight of as much of France as our time would permit, we did
not return by the road we came, but shaped our course for Brussels.
The account of that extensive tour would be out of place here, being
too long for insertion. Suffice it to say that though bowed down under
the yoke of a most horrible despotism, the rest of France, unlike
Paris, presents everywhere objects of interest and sympathy. The moral
influence of the Revolution has by no means wrought such pernicious
effects as might have been expected. The people retained much of their
civility and engaging manners of former times, and until my second
interview with the brutal Mengard at Calais, there was not one place
from Senlis where we did not feel a regret at leaving.
[Sidenote: CONCLUSION]
The roads are inconceivably wretched; and sometimes very dangerous. We
were often obliged to go for many miles at a foot’s pace. Between Arras
and Lille ruts were often three feet deep, our traces were continually
breaking, and fresh horses constantly required. In some places the
people did not even know the Peace had been signed, for no English had
come that way. While getting out of the carriage they once asked me,
with looks of inexpressible anxiety, whether I had brought them peace
at last. On my answering “Yes,” they exclaimed: “Ah! but has the King
of England signed it?”
These letters give my opinions of the present Government of France.
I purpose, however, to give the subject a more ample and serious
discussion, although I do not pledge myself to execute this work.
I left the Republic convinced that it was the interest of France to be
at peace with England, but with manifold doubts of that Peace’s long
continuance.
APPENDIX
[BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES]
TO
LETTERS FROM FRANCE
IN 1802
THESE BIOGRAPHIES COMPRISE SHORT NOTICES OF CERTAIN PERSONS
MENTIONED BY MR. REDHEAD YORKE IN HIS LETTERS FROM FRANCE.
I HAVE NOT THOUGHT IT NECESSARY TO INCLUDE THEREIN BIOGRAPHIES
OF ANY MEMBER OF THE BONAPARTE FAMILY NOR OF SUCH WELL-KNOWN
ENGLISHMEN AS WILLIAM PITT AND CHARLES FOX, BUT MERELY
ENDEAVOURED TO GIVE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN LEADING
CHARACTERS IN THE FIRST FRENCH REVOLUTION WHOM A LATER
GENERATION HAS FORGOTTEN, AND ALSO DESCRIBED CERTAIN OTHER
HISTORICAL PERSONAGES.
V. A. C. SYKES.
APPENDIX
ADAMS, JOHN.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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