VII.
Paris, May 12, 1832.
The historical reminiscences which I promised in the previous article must be delayed. The present has made itself so harshly felt (so herbe geltend gemacht) that no one can now busy himself with the past. The great universal affliction, the cholera, is gradually passing away, but it leaves behind much sorrow and affliction. The sun shines cheerfully enough, men go about once more chatting intimately and smiling, but the black suits of mourning which we see everywhere are a check to really cheerful feeling. A sickly sorrow seems to prevail among the people, as if they had all passed through a serious illness; something like a sentimental weariness oppresses not only the Government, but also the Opposition. The enthusiasm of hatred is very weak, hearts are muddy (versumpfen), thoughts are pale in the brain; we look at one another gaping good-naturedly; we are no longer ill-natured; men seem to have become peaceable and pleasant.
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