How does all go on at Jersey?--for I hope that you are still there. Your children form your happiness, and you can dispense easily with travelling, or with those people commonly called “friends”--nothing is so general as the name, or so rare as the reality--and you are right; yet I consider a true friend as a real treasure. I may be wrong, for man is so constituted as always to long for what he has not, but I wish I had friends around me here; these places, now often gloomy, would please me more. I hoped that at the king’s return I should have the happiness of hearing from you; but I am told that his journey will occupy a year, and before that time I shall be away from here. I hope, my little friend, that all is well with you. Embrace your dear children for me, and talk to them sometimes about their uncle “Barberousse,” who often thinks of them in this distant land, and is collecting stories for their amusement on his return. Ask C---- what I shall bring him--a monkey, a sabre to cut off M----’s dolls’ heads--no, that would give him warlike ideas, and I do not like our modern soldiers--or a tiger-skin for a carpet. I have several. And your pretty little M----, will she have an ape, a fan, some Chinese slippers (for she must have feet which would be small even in China), some marabout feathers, or a cane to keep her brothers in order? Adieu, adieu! Au revoir! Do not forget me. TO MADAME MOUHOT. Laos, Louang Prabang, 27th July, 1861. During my journey through the forests I enjoyed in anticipation the pleasure I should enjoy on reaching Louang Prabang, the capital of the province of Laos, in writing you good long letters containing all details of my journey; but I reckoned without my host, and it will be several weeks before I can enjoy any repose, or carry my wishes into execution. In the villages through which I passed no great degree of curiosity was manifested; but here, where the population is greater, I am surrounded by a compact and curious crowd, which extends even to the walls of a pagoda adjoining the caravanserai where I am lodged by the favour of his Majesty the King. Besides, I, in my turn, see people of various nations and tribes who excite my curiosity. Judge, therefore, if it be easy to collect my ideas. However, I profit by the occasion of the king’s departure for Bangkok in a few days to pay his tribute, and who has offered to take charge of any letters for me, to give some signs of life to you.