whole suite being separated from the rest of the house. I felt, however, quite disappointed in the city; it did not seem to me handsome, gay, or elegant after London; but then, in truth, I was so busy settling my own little matters that I hardly had time to examine closely. To-day I have spent in walking about the city with my hostess, chiefly for the sake of chattering with her and accustoming my ear to the strange sounds, for I find I have much to learn. I have great trouble in expressing myself with any elegance, and I cannot see the physicians until I have acquired a tolerable command of words; I shall very soon, however, be able to do so. I went out to buy a bonnet to-day, but found that my unfortunate organs were totally unable to squeeze themselves into a Parisian head-dress; so I was obliged to order a bonnet, choosing plain grey silk, although I was assured again and again that nobody wore that colour. . . .
An interview with Lamartine.—At this period
much sympathy was felt in America for the Republican
movement in France, of which Lamartine was
the head. Before leaving Philadelphia a friend had
asked me to be the bearer of one of those expressions
of sympathy from public meetings which were then
sent to the poet from all parts of the United States.
I willingly undertook the commission, and now
wrote to the President for permission to present the
document entrusted to me.
May 31, 1849.
I have just returned from my visit by appointment to Lamartine, where I went to deliver the Philadelphia resolution entrusted to me. I must hasten to give you a sketch before this post—the last—closes.
Of course I dressed with great care, and arrived just at the appointed hour. I was asked if I was a lady from
