16.
e Paris December 10th Saturday.
My little work of preparation for my voyage draws
to an end, and I am beginning to experience how
Paris is to one who has any earnestness of character.
indeed meet me on every ride – but I find
that they are the occupations of those who have nothing
else to do. I have discovered with great curiosity
a large community of Americans here who have virtually
fled from the activity the excitement and the cares
of home to find rest in idleness in a foreign land.
The same thing is true of all parts of France and
of Europe. Persons too indolent to take part in
the responsibilities of public or political affairs ar in
all countries congregate here, to be under the
protection of a rigorous military despotism and
amuse themselves day after day with idle
or gossip about the course of affairs of which
they are content to be spectators instead of actors.
I dined yesterday with Mr Clarke of New Hampshire
and met Mr Bigelow of the Evening Post and Mrs
Bigelow.