Groups of Children in the Gardens of the Luxembourg--Joyous Sounds--The Nurses--The Child of Noble Birth and that of the _Parvenu_--Joys of Childhood--Contrast between Youth and Age--Meeting with Dr. P---- --Arrival of General and the Comtesse d'Orsay--Attractions of the latter--Remark of Napoleon--Affection in Domestic Circles in France--The Duchesse de Guiche--The Comtesse d'Orsay--The Duc de Gramont--Madame Craufurd--The _ci-devant Jeune Homme_--Potter, the actor--Sir Francis Burdett--Advantages of French Society--Topics of Conversation--Pedigrees of Horses--French Politeness--Deferential Treatment of the Fair Sex--Domestic Duties of the Duchesse do Guiche--Influence of Courts--Visit to the Théâtre des Nouveautés--_La Maison du Rempart_--Inflammable Exhibitions--Mr. Cuthbert and M. Charles Lafitte--advance of Civilization--Lady Combermere--Mr. Charles Grant (now Lord Glenelg)--Curiosity Shops on the Quai Voltaire--Madame de Sévigné--Objects that have belonged to celebrated People--A Hint to the Ladies--Pincushion of Madame de Maintenon--The Marquis de Rambouillet--Molière's _Précieuses Ridicules_--Pangs of Jealousy--Julie d'Angennes--Brilliant Coterie, 120. CHAPTER XII. The Marquise de Pouleprie---The celebrated Madame du Barry--Anecdote--Mademoiselle Mars in _Valerie_--Her admirable Style of Acting--Playing to the Galleries--Exclusive Nature of Parisian Society--French Conversation--Quickness of Perception--Walk in the Gardens of the Tuileries--Comparative Beauty of French and English Ladies--Graceful Walking of the Former--Difference of Etiquette--Well-bred Englishmen--Flight of Time--Colonel Caradoc, son of Lord Howden--New Year's Day--Custom of making Presents--Gallery of the Louvre--The Statues therein--Works of Art--_Chefs-d'oeuvre_ of the Old Masters--Consolation for Men of Genius--Nicolas Poussin, 134. CHAPTER XIII. Visit to the Hotel d'Orsay--Sad Change in it--Mr. Millingon, the Antiquary--Liberality of Comte d'Orsay--A Fanciful Notion--General Or-nano--Unhappy Marriages accounted for--_La Gazza Ladra_--Mallbran's "Ninetta"--_The Calamities of Authors_--Mr. D'Israeli--The Princesse de Talleyrand--Her Person described--Her Dress and Manners--Amusing Story told by the Abbé Denon--Unexpected Arrival--_Yes and No_, by Lord Normanby--Lady Dysart-Comte Valeski--Influence of Agreeable Manners--Effects of opposite ones--Injudicious Friends--A Candid Admission--Lord ---- --Love of Contradiction--Remarks on the Novel of _Pelham_--Misery of receiving stupid Books--Malibran in _La Cenerentola_--French Customs--Proofs d'_Amilié_--Wedding Dresses, 146. CHAPTER XIV.