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122. BAILLY. 
Volney, on returning from the New World, said: “The 
Anglo-Americans tax the French with lightness, with 
indiscretion, with chattering.” (Volney, preface to 7'he 
Table of the Climate of the United States.) Such is the 
impression, in my opinion very erroneous, at least by 
comparison, under which the Ambassador Franklin ar- 
rived in France. All the world knows that he halted 
at Chaillot. As an inhabitant of the Commune, Bailly 
thought it his duty to visit without delay the illustrious 
guest thus received. He was announced, and Franklin, 
knowing him by reputation, welcomed him very cordially, 
and exchanged with his visitor the eight or ten words 
usual on such occasions. Bailly seated himself by the 
American philosopher, and discreetly awaited some ques- 
tion to be put to him. Half an hour passed, and Frank- 
lin had not opened his mouth. Bailly drew out his snuff- 
box, and presented. it to his neighbour without a word ; 
the traveller signed with his hand that he did not take 
snuff. The dumb interview was then prolonged during 
a whole hour. Bailly finally rose. Then Franklin, as 
if delighted to have found a Frenchman who could re- 
main silent, extended his hand to him, pressed his vis- 
itor’s affectionately, exclaiming: “Very well, Monsr. 
Bailly, very well!” 
After having recounted the anecdote as our academician 
used amusingly to relate it, I really fear bemg asked how 
I look upon it. Well, Gentlemen, whenever this question 
may be put to me, I shall answer that Bailly and Frank- 
lin discussing together some scientific question from the 
moment of their meeting, would have appeared to me 
much more worthy of each other, than the two actors of 
the scene at Chaillot. I will, moreover, grant that we 
may draw the following inference,—that even men of 
