[London,] 14 July 1869 

Dear Frep, 

Arrived in Paris last Tuesday evening, left again Monday 
(12 July).*' I managed to remain completely incognito; on landing 

at Dieppe I passed first the douaniers* and police without them 
intervening, though, curiously enough, several innocent people 
(including a Yankee with very black hair, who was taken for an 
Italian) were asked for their passports and, in accordance with the 
latest regulations, the Frenchmen had to give their names. I 
lodged as A. Williams in Paris, Rue St Placide, maison meublée> 
(next street to Lafargue). 

Laurachen has been suffering from a really serious illness. She 
is now convalescing, and is going tomorrow with Paul, etc., to 
Dieppe, where they will spend a month at the seaside, and will 
perhaps come over to England later. My susiness in Paris was to 
have a look at the status rerum,° following a letter from Lafargue 
senior, and then write to the senior (from Paris), after consulta- 
tions with the junior.‘ Because of Laura’s state of health, Lafargue 
has naturally been completely absorbed by domestic worries, but 
has promised most solemnly to take the necessary steps as soon as 
Laura is completely restored. The senior also put his foot in it in 
his letters to Paris. I shall see what he writes to me in his reply. 

Le petit has left Paris (where he was present incognito at all the 
crowd-gatherings, etc.) for Brussels and, under the circumstances, 
his absence was by no means u npleasant for me. Because of this, 
the paper has been ‘postponed’. 

I saw neither Schily nor anybody else, but confined myself entirely 
to the Famity, with whom IJ sauntered through more or less the 
whole of Paris. The bank where they live (Faubourg St Germain, 
etc.), has not changed much and is not Haussmannised.**” Then, 
as now, narrow stinking streets. However, things look much 
changed on the other bank of the Seine, where the cance already 
starts with the front of the Louvre. 

The females appear to have become much uglier. 

The heat was unbearable, particularly in the train. 

The biggest sensation, to the great annoyance of the democratic 
opposition (including the irréconciliables), was caused by Raspail’s 
short sreecu,** in which he demanded the release of his election 
committee. He spoke of the injustice de la justice. Thereupon 
INTERRUPTIONS. He continued: Nitez-vous les injustices commises contre 
moi par la Restauration? Par ce ridicule Louis-Philippe?! etc. 
He wanted no peines, was ready a briler le code civil and le code
pénal*; in the meantime, the punishments of officials should be 
converted into fines (i.e., deductions from salary) and should begin 
with M. le préfet de la police, namely because of the ‘or gies 
infernales de casse-téte’.” The language of the old man was in 
violent contrast to the rounpasouT prattle of the faux jeunes hommes.‘ 
And the next day, the government released his Comité. 

The sessions of the Corps législatif were relatively very stormy. For 
this reason, Bonaparte has adjourned. 

Tussychen must also write to me about her plans for staying in 
Manchester. Schnaps,4 a charming little lad, sends heartiest 
greetings. 

Addio, oLp Boy. 

I] 
Moro 

My COMPLIMENTS TO Mrs* Burns.