A Residence in France With an Excursion Up the Rhine, and a Second Visit to Switzerland   By: James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851)

OF

ANCIENT AND MODERN

BRITISH AUTHORS

VOL. CXLIV.

A

RESIDENCE IN FRANCE;

WITH AN

EXCURSION UP THE RHINE,

AND A

SECOND VISIT TO SWITZERLAND.

BY J. FENIMORE COOPER ESQ.

AUTHOR OF "THE PILOT," "THE SPY," &c.

PARIS,

BAUDRY'S EUROPEAN LIBRARY,

RUE DU COQ. NEAR THE LOUVRE;

SOLD ALSO BY AMYOT, RUE DE LA PAIX; TRUCHY, BOULEVARD DES ITALIENS;

THEOPHILE BARROIS, JUN., RUE RICHELIEU; LIBRAIRIE DES ETRANGERS,

RUE NEUVE SAINT AUGUSTIN; AND HEIDELOFF AND CAMPE,

RUE VIVIENNE.

1836.

PREFACE.

The introduction to Part I. of the "Sketches of Switzerland," leaves very little for the author to say in addition. The reader will be prepared to meet with a long digression, that touches on the situation and interests of another country, and it is probable he will understand the author's motive for thus embracing matter that is not strictly connected with the principal subject of the work.

The first visit of the writer to Switzerland was paid in 1828; that which is related in these two volumes, in 1832. While four years had made no changes in the sublime nature of the region, they had seriously affected the political condition of all Europe. They had also produced a variance of feeling and taste in the author, that is the unavoidable consequences of time and experience. Four years in Europe are an age to the American, as are four years in America to the European. Jefferson has somewhere said, that no American ought to be more than five years, at a time, out of his own country, lest he get behind it. This may be true, as to its facts ; but the author is convinced that there is more danger of his getting before it, as to opinion . It is not improbable that this book may furnish evidence of both these truths.

Some one, in criticising the First Part of Switzerland, has intimated that the writer has a purpose to serve with the "Trades' Unions," by the purport of some of his remarks. As this is a country in which the avowal of a tolerably sordid and base motive seems to be indispensable, even to safety, the writer desires to express his sense of the critic's liberality, as it may save him from a much graver imputation.

There is really a painful humiliation in the reflection, that a citizen of mature years, with as good natural and accidental means for preferment as have fallen to the share of most others, may pass his life without a fact of any sort to impeach his disinterestedness, and yet not be able to express a generous or just sentiment in behalf of his fellow creatures, without laying himself open to suspicions that are as degrading to those who entertain them, as they are injurious to all independence of thought, and manliness of character.

CONTENTS.

LETTER I.

Influence of the late Revolution in France. General Lafayette. Sketch of his Private Life. My visits to him. His opinion of Louis XVI. Mr. Morris and Mr. Crawford. Duplicity of Louis XVIII. Charles X. Marie Antoinette. Legitimacy of the Duc de Bordeaux. Discovery of the Plot of 1822. Lafayette's conduct on that occasion. A negro Spy. General Knyphausen. Louis Philippe and Lafayette. My visit to Court. The King, the Queen, Madame Adelaide, and the Princesses. Marshal Jourdan. The Duke of Orleans. Interview with the King. " Adieu l'Amérique! " Conversation with Lafayette. The Juste Milieu. Monarchy not inconsistent with Republican Institutions. Party in favour of the Duc de Bordeaux.

LETTER II.

The Cholera in Paris. Its frightful ravages. Desertion of the city My determination to remain. Deaths in the higher classes. Unexpected arrival and retreat. Praiseworthy conduct of the Authorities. The Cholera caricatured! Invitation from an English General. Atmospherical appearance denoting the arrival of the Cholera. Lord Robert Fitzgerald. Dinner at the house of Madame de B

LETTER III.