ABSTRACT
IT is at present what is called the bel air in. France, to take a journey to Brussels. The people of distinction go to show their importance, and people of no distinction go in imitation of others. A young Frenchman; the son of a person who was formerly in power, went lately to join the emigrants, and was much astonished, upon Ms arrival at Brussels, to find, that instead of being well received, the aristocrates were, inclined to put him to death. The reason of this was, that they recollected he had, some years before the 143revolution, on a particular occasion, espoused the interests of the people.* “Il faut bien s’examiner,” said the gentleman who related this circumstance, “avant d’ aller à Bruxelles, si dans quelque moment de la vie, on a senti de l’amour pour ses concitoyens, ou fait une belle action.” I received a letter a few days ago from a friend of mine at Paris, which mentions the departure of a pretty young woman for Germany, with whom I had a slight acquaintance. Her own titles to nobility were very new, and very in-considerable; but the was acquainted with some women of high rank who had fled to Germany. She came to a relation’s house, one morning, at the hour of breakfast, and, almost breathiess with agitation, told her that the was instantly going to leave France, “I know,” said the, “that my movements are watched; but I have taken every possible precaution for my own safety, and intend to travel through by-roads.” “My dear cousin,” replied her relation, “what, a wild plan is this!—Why will you leave us? Be assured you are in perfect safety—nobody thinks of you.” † “Ah! je vous demande pardon,” replied the young woman; “on a des yeux fur moi.” “Well,” said her cousin, “if you are absolutely determined to go, at least stay and breakfast with me; here is some caffé à la creme.” “Ah, my dear cousin,” replied the young woman, in a most pathetic accent, “du caffé à la crême!—I dare not taste it upon any 144account—If madame la duchesse de—, or madame la comtesse, were to hear of it, they would never forgive me—they know that casté à la crème does me harm; and they interest themselves so much in my health, that they have strictly forbidden my tailing it.”
