330 STATE OF FRANCE. [1817. 



without too great a risk. There are numbers of dis- 

 contented people all over the country, I doubt not, 

 especially the half-pay officers ; and a very strong 

 feeling of admiration for Bonaparte exists almost 

 everywhere. But every day lessens the numbers of 

 the half-pay, and the force of such feelings for any 

 practical purpose. And as soon as the people have 

 had a few years' rest perhaps even before, they will be 

 quite ready to join in any military enterprise under 

 the Bourbons, whose power would be completely con- 

 solidated by even a tolerably successful campaign. As 

 for the Allies remaining, it seems great folly. Every 

 day they stay makes their removing more difficult; 

 and it seems clear to me that if they mean to go at 

 all, the sooner they go the better. 



" Eemember me most particularly to Lady Grey and 

 the Lambtons and Flahaults, and tell Flahault that I 

 saw Madame de Stael the day before I left Paris, quite 

 well. I came very quick, having dined on the Mon- 

 day at Paris and left it between eight and nine, and 

 got to Hothfield two hours before dinner on Wednes- 

 day. The Hollands go somewhat slower, expecting to 

 be ten days on the road to Calais, but they are setting 

 out about this time. 



" I was much edified with your Newcastle dinner, 

 which seems to have answered most perfectly in every 

 respect. I shall write to Lambton on Monday, and I 

 fear before that we shall have news of a conviction at 

 Derby. When I saw Cross was to be leading counsel, 

 I was satisfied it must be a desperate case to fail, but 

 a jury of twelve farmers seems decisive. 



" I have seen nobody and heard nothing since I came, 

 but shall probably before Monday. Yours ever, 



" H. BROUGHAM." 



