Another time he recited the whole of “Ruth and Boaz.” But I preferred his political discussions to all that, especially when he criticised the speech of some one whose opinion was opposed to his own. The eminent qualities of this politician’s talent were logic and balance, and his seductive force was chauvinism. The obscure death of so great a thinker is a disconcerting challenge flung at human pride. I sometimes saw Rochefort, whose wit delighted me. I was not at ease with him, though, for he was the cause of the fall of the Empire, and, although I am very Republican, I liked the Emperor, Napoleon III. He had been too trustful, but very unfortunate, and it seemed to me that Rochefort insulted him too much after his misfortune. I also frequently saw Paul de Rémusat, the favorite of Thiers. He had great refinement of mind, broad ideas, and fascinating manners. Some people accused him of Orleanism. He was a Republican, and a much more advanced Republican than Thiers. Anyone must have known him very little to believe him anything else but what he said he was. Paul de Rémusat had a horror of untruth. He was sensitive, and had a very straightforward, strong character. He took no active part in politics, except in private circles; and his advice always prevailed, even in the Chamber and in the Senate. He would never speak except in the office. The Ministry of Fine Arts was offered to him a hundred times, but he repeatedly refused it. Finally, after my repeated entreaties, he almost allowed himself to be appointed Minister of Fine Arts, but at the last moment he declined, and wrote me a delicious letter, from which I quote a few passages. As the letter was not written for publication, I do not consider that I have a right to give the whole of it, but there seems to be no harm in publishing these few lines: Allow me, my charming friend, to remain in the shade. I can see better there than in the dazzling brilliancy of men. You are grateful to me, sometimes, for being attentive to the miseries you point out to me. Let me keep my independence. It is more agreeable to me to have the right to relieve everyone than to be obliged to relieve no matter whom.... In matters of art, I have made for myself an ideal of beauty which would naturally seem too partial.... It is a great pity that the scruples of this delicate-minded man did not allow him to accept this office. The reforms that he pointed out to me were, and still are, very necessary ones. However, that cannot be helped.