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 The 

 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 being 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 



