338 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



Now I was charged with being one of his assailants, lyy him- 

 self, and was arraigned before you all in conclave. You 

 presided, and appealed to my honor to know whether I 

 scraped or not. I told you the truth that I did not, for I 

 disliked the manner of assailing a man en masse. You 

 believed me, for we understood each other, and I was dis- 

 missed without even a reproof. You told me you believed 

 me, and I was not a boy to deceive any one who had that 

 sort of confidence in me. This little court made a pleasant 

 impression on me which I remember to this day. I hope 

 to return next summer, and certainly I shall come and take 

 a look at old Yale. You cannot claim me in public, for the 

 reason that Dr. Busby wore his hat before King Charles ; 

 but I hope you will not turn your backs on me in private. 

 I can sit in the gallery at least. Is Mr. Twining living ? 

 I could wish to be recalled to the memory of both him and 

 his wife. I trust I have not wearied you with my gossip. 

 If I can be of any use to you at Paris, where I shall pass 

 most of the present year, I beg you to command me. 

 With great respect and regard, 

 I remain, dear sir, 

 Yours faithfully, 



J. FENIMORE COOPER. 

 DR. SILLIMAN, Yale College. 



In looking over your letter I see I ought to have ex- 

 plained to you that no moment has Paris been in serious 

 danger of disturbance, except at that when the Ministers 

 were acquitted. Lafayette then saved the king, and the 

 next week he was turned out of his office. He can de- 

 throne Louis Philippe even now, when he shall please, but 

 he acts on principle. The other affairs were mere riots of 

 no great moment, though they looked ominous on paper. 

 You are quite wrong in thinking Franco in danger of des- 

 potism. Bonaparte himself could not now enslave this 

 nation, rely on it. The new generation is too enlight- 

 ened, and has too much the habit of liberty for that. 



