JEAN FRANÇOIS MILLET
being too weak, and resorted to the use of terms which were more energetic and therefore better fitted to depict the situation. . . .
"Without knowing what your fine festivities are at Notre Dame and the Hotel de Ville,[1] I prefer the more modest ones that are prepared for me, when I choose to go and see them, by the trees, the forest rocks, the black flights of crows dropping down to the plain, or even by the dilapidated roof whose chimney sends out the smoke that spreads so poetically into the air and tells of the woman cooking supper for the tired home-coming field-workers; or even the little star shining from a cloud, as we saw it one evening after a splendid sunset, or the human outline advancing solemnly on the heights, and many other things dear to those who do not think the noise of omnibus wheels or the music of a marchand de robinets[2] the finest things in the world. Only these tastes must not be confessed to everyone, for they are regarded as great weaknesses and cause
- ↑ Probably rejoicings over the Prince Imperial's christening.
- ↑ Sellers of taps or cocks—a variety of the hawker genus peculiar to Paris.—Translator's Note.
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