I arrived in Paris[149] at the time of the celebration for the baptism of M. le Duc de Bordeaux. The cradle of the descendant of Louis XIV., of which I had had the honour to pay the carriage[150], has disappeared like that of the King of Rome. In a time different from the present, Louvel's outrage would have ensured the sceptre to Henry V.; but crime no longer constitutes a right, except for the man who commits it. [Sidenote: Baptism of the Duc de Bordeaux.] After the baptism of M. le Duc de Bordeaux[151], I was at last reinstated in my ministry of State: M. de Richelieu had taken it from me, M. de Richelieu restored it to me; the reparation gave me no more pleasure than the wrong had given me offense. While I was looking forward to returning to see my crows, the cards were being shuffled: M. de Villèle resigned[152]. Loyal to my friendship and my political principles, I thought it my duty to retire into private life with him. I wrote to M. Pasquier: "PARIS, 30 _July_ 1821. "MONSIEUR LE BARON, "When you were good enough to invite me to call on you, on the 14th of this month, it was to tell me that my presence was necessary in Berlin. I had the honour to reply that, as Messieurs de Corbière and de Villèle appeared to be retiring from office, it was my duty to follow them. In the practice of representative government, it is the usage that men of the same opinion should share the same fortune. What usage demands, monsieur le baron, honour commands of me, since it is a question, not of a favour, but of a disgrace. In consequence, I now repeat to you in writing the offer which I made to you verbally of my resignation as Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Berlin. I hope, monsieur le baron, that you will kindly lay it at the King's feet. I entreat His Majesty to accept its motives and to believe in my profound and respectful gratitude for the kindness with which he has deigned to honour me. "I have the honour to be, etc., "CHATEAUBRIAND." I announced to M. le Comte de Bernstorff the event which was breaking off our diplomatic relations; he wrote in reply: "MONSIEUR LE VICOMTE, "Although I ought long to have expected the intelligence which you have been good enough to send me, I am none the less painfully affected by it. I know and respect the motives which, in this delicate circumstance, have determined your resolutions; but, while adding new claims to those which have in this country won for you an universal esteem, they also add to the regrets which are here felt at the certainty of a loss long dreaded and for ever irreparable. These sentiments are keenly shared by the King and the Royal Family, and I am only awaiting the moment of your recall to tell you so officially.