1815-1816] A Russian Officer 79 



passing anything I had fancied. The buildings are beautiful , 

 and as far surpass those of London, as London does Paris 

 in the neatness of the streets. Those of Paris are more 

 dirty and disagreeable than I even expected, from all I had 

 heard, to find them. These lodgings are handsome ones 

 and I like them much, but we pay much for them, 250 livres 

 a week. . . . 



The gallery of the Louvre is beautiful beyond expres- 

 sion. If I were to mention one thing beyond the others that 

 have charmed me it would be the Apollo. There is a beauty 

 in that which the most ignorant eye must see, beyond all 

 description. It is a pity Jenny [Mrs. John Wedgwood] did 

 not come with us, there is much here that would please her. 

 I feel still rather uncomfortable staring at naked statues 

 with men all round one. We have met with a surprising 

 number of our acquaintances since we came to Paris, not 

 less than six in the first day ; and this gave us a very English 

 feeling. The Cawdors were the first, and their accost was 

 more affectionate than I ever knew it. They continued 

 with us as long as Lady Cawdor could remain, and after he 

 put Lady Cawdor in the carriage he returned to do the 

 honours of the Louvre to us. ... 



Fanny Allen to her niece Elizabeth Wedgwood. 



[PAEis], Sept. 25th, 1815 



... I cannot tell you with what affection I look on your 

 and Charlotte's remembrance of me. I almost grudge 

 to take out a needle or displace the thread, it looks like 

 disturbing your work. . . . We spent yesterday at Versailles 

 and St Cloud. I believe I am singular in my opinion; but 

 Versailles rather disappointed me, or I should say did not 

 come up to my expectation. The fete at St Cloud was very 

 striking. It was a complete fair with pretty-looking 

 fountains and fireworks; it was so completely French that 

 it was worth seeing by all the English. At Mme Catalani's 

 concert the other night I had very tender love made me by 

 a Russian officer, moustached and painted up to his eyes. 



