I have seen, at length, Madame Solvyns; I think her charming, gay, spirited, natural, and agreeable. Various circumstances had prevented our meeting till the other day; and then, how did we talk of my dearest father! She is truly worthy of the subject, for she says she sees nothing perfect without recollecting him. "He is so French in his manners! so attentive, so polite, so pleasing!—it's so rarely one sees an Englishman, however good and excellent, so charmingly well bred and engaging." Monsieur Guinguiné, whom you inquired after in one of your letters, is well and flourishing. I have never seen him, which I regret, since you have known him; but he is much acquainted at a house where I visit with very particular pleasure, M. de Tracy's, and where I hope one day to meet him. I have all my old horror of arranged encounters, or Madame de Tracy would instantly contrive one; but they always seem to me formidable, and I leave all my meetings to chance. M. d'A. saw lately our justly celebrated De Lille, and amongst other subjects he mentioned his knowledge of my dear father, and spoke of him in warm terms of admiration and regard. This leads me to inquire after Mrs. Crewe. It is very long since I have heard of her. Monsieur Suard is still as active in literature, as much sought in society, and as alive in the world as when you knew him. The Abbé Morellet, about five years ago, sung me a ballad of his own composition, at the house of Madame de Tessé, that he made upon completing his 80th year; it was gay, touching, amusing, and informing. I will endeavour to get you a copy. He is now member of the Corps Législatif, and, to the entertainment of his numerous friends, wears, when in grand costume, a sword. He is quite well, cheerful, spirited, and chattily agreeable; and still tall and upright. I am charmed to see how literature, as well as astronomy, is long of life. Adieu, my most dear Sir. My old visions of again seeing you, and being blest with your blessing, revisit again my slumbers. O give them your prayers! For your devotedly affectionate and dutiful, F. D'ARBLAY. My tenderest love to all my dears: my two that are my constant consolation and support send you theirs with the most dutiful respect. PART X. Madame d'Arblay desirous of visiting her Friends in EnglandFouché-A Disappointment-She prepares to take her Son with her-Commissions-Detained at Dunkirk-The French Government permit her Manuscripts to be forwarded to her-Spanish Prisoners-Her sympathy towards them-Examination at the Police Office-Sails from Dunkirk-The Vessel captured by the English-Landing in England-Recognition of her BrotherArrival at Chelsea-Saddening change in Dr. Burney. PART X. JOURNAL FROM PARIS TO LONDON. Dunkirk, 1812. THERE are few events of my life that I more regret not having committed to paper while they were fresher in my memory, than my police-adventure at Dunkirk, the most fearful that I have ever experienced, though not, alas, the most afflicting, for terror, and even horror, are short of deep affliction; while they last they are, nevertheless, absorbers; but once past, whether ill or well, they are over, and from them, as from bodily pain, the animal spirits can rise uninjured: not so from that grief which has its source in irremediable calamity; from that there is no rising, no relief, save in hopes of eternity: for here on earth all buoyancy of mind that might produce the return of peace, is sunk for ever. I will now, how ever, put down all that recurs to me of my first return home. In the year 1810, when I had been separated from my dear father, and country, and native friends, for eight years, my desire to again see them became so anxiously impatient that my tender companion proposed my passing over to England alone, to spend a month or two at Chelsea. Many females at that period, and amongst them the young Duchesse de |