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I '■: 



336 



AUDUBON 



he had forgot, but now remembered, somewhat to his 

 embarrassment. He examined every sheet very closely, 

 said he would speak to the King, and I must send him a 

 written and exact memorandum of everything. He ex- 

 pressed surprise the Due d'Orl^ans had taken only one 

 copy. I walked from here to Vicomte Simeon. It was 

 his audience day, and in the antechamber twenty-six 

 were already waiting. My seat was close to the door of 

 his cabinet, and I could not help hearing some words 

 during my penance, which lasted one hour and a half. 

 The Vicomte received every one with the same words, 

 "Monsieur (or Madame), j'ai I'honneur de vous saluer;" 

 and when each retired, " Monsieur, je suis votre tris 

 humble serviteur. " Conceive, my Lucy, the situation of 

 this unfortunate being, in his cabinet since eleven, re- 

 peating these sentences to upwards of one hundred per- 

 sons, answering questions on as many different subjects. 

 What brains he must have, and — how long can he keep 

 them } As soon as I entered he said : " Your business is 

 being attended to, and I give you my word you shall have 

 your answer on Tuesday. Have you seen Barons Vacher 

 and La Brouillerie.^" I told him I had, and he wished 

 me success as I retired. 



October 19. About twelve walked to the plains d'Issy 

 to see the review of the troops by the King in person. It 

 is about eight miles from that portion of Paris where I 

 was, and I walked it with extreme swiftness, say five and 

 a half miles per hour. The plain is on the south bank of 

 the Seine, and almost level. Some thousands of soldiers 

 were already ranged in long' lines, handsomely dressed, 

 and armed as if about to be in action. I made for the top 

 of a high wall, which I reached at the risk of breaking my 

 neck, and there, like an Eagle on a rock, I surveyed all 

 around me. The carriage of the Due d' Orleans came 

 first at full gallop, all the men in crimson liveries, and 

 the music struck up like the thunder of war. Then the 



