Life of James Buchanan, Fifteenth President of the United States. v. 2 (of 2)Curtis, George Ticknor
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Life of James Buchanan, Fifteenth President of the United States. v. 2 (of 2)
Curtis, George Ticknor
Buchanan, James, 1791-1868
Sir Henry Holland called on Wednesday immediately after his
return, and expressed both sorrow and disappointment that he had
not seen you before your departure. He desired me to present you
his kindest regards, and says, God willing, he will call upon you
next summer in the United States.
Take good care not to display any foreign airs and graces in
society at home, nor descant upon your intercourse with titled
people:—but your own good sense will teach you this lesson. I
shall be happy on my return to learn that it has been truly said
of you, “she has not been a bit spoiled by her visit to England.”
I forgot to tell you I had seen the good duchess, who said many
extravagant things about you.
I received a letter from Mrs. Plitt by the last steamer, directed
to you, with instructions that if you had left I might open and
read and then burn it, all which I have done.
I wrote to Miss Hetty by the Southampton steamer on Wednesday
last, and sent two of the _Posts_.
I shall give up the house towards the end of the month. Mr.
Appleton now occupies your room, and renders himself quite
agreeable.
I have not seen Grey[23] since you left; but she says she did put
up your slippers in the black bag. I shall make it a point to see
her and talk with her before she finally leaves the house. She has
been absent, but is backwards and forwards.
I heard nothing from Washington by the last steamer respecting
myself. I shall present my letter of recall, and take leave of the
queen soon after it arrives. As you know, I am heartily tired of
my position. But what then? I do not wish to arrive in the United
States before the meeting of Congress. I am uncertain what I shall
do, but will always keep you advised, having confidence that you
will not talk about my intended movements......
Louis Napoleon at the present moment wields more real power than
ever his great uncle did. All the potentates in Europe dread him,
and are paying court to him. He has England in leading strings
nearly as much as Sardinia. How have the mighty fallen!
Mr. Ward came to the legation to take leave of you a few moments
after you left on Friday morning. Consols have been falling,
falling continually for the last week, and this makes him
melancholy.
Mrs. Shapter promised to write by the steamer. She has arranged
the account you left with her in a satisfactory manner. She has
not yet sent her letter, which I shall transmit by the bag.
Mrs. Lawrence called this morning to take leave of me. She appears
to be much rejoiced at the prospect of getting home.
Footnote 23:
Miss Lane’s English maid.
October 19, 1855.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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