193 



recent times, which, owing to the rapid course of 

 events, seem already to belong to an antediluvian age. 



I perceive with joy and gratitude that our con- 

 versations in my red drawing-room in the Tuileries, 

 and at St. Cloud, ever present to me, have not become 

 estranged from your memory ; and I thank your Ex- 

 cellency for this fidelity of feeling, which, in these 

 times, acquires a double value. 



Thanks to the kindness of my beloved cousine* I 

 had already enjoyed the newly published work ; which 

 hearts tried by the vicissitudes of life, and minds 

 troubled by the disturbed state of the world, must hail 

 as a refreshing spring. My son, too, has found in it 

 much wherewith to quench his thirst for information. 

 How many thanks do I not owe you, nevertheless, for 

 having sent me this jewel, the value of which is 

 enhanced by your letter which accompanies it. 



How gentle and truly apposite are your words : 

 " Men are working in this moment at a fable convenue ; 

 aiming in part at the Impracticable, which they do 

 not themselves believe ! " But where will the light 

 appear which is to lead them to clearer insight ; and 

 what events will not be requisite to convince them of 

 the futility of the most contradictory demands? I 

 share your Excellency's belief as to the short duration 

 of the present calm. I see in it no sign of satisfaction ; 

 but simply apathy and indifference, the influence of 

 which enervates, but cannot convince. Who is able 

 to fathom the future? The riddle of to-morrow 

 remains hidden from us ! So much the more stringent 

 reason for us to await in silent patience the problems 

 which coming years must be left to solve. The delay 



* The Princess of Prussia. TR. 



