Page:Margaret Fuller by Howe, Julia Ward, Ed. (1883).djvu/169

154 "very happy in that little study, in presence of these two men whose influence has been so great, so real." It was indeed a very white stone that hit two such birds at one throw.

Margaret heard a lecture from Arago, and was not disappointed in him. “Clear, rapid, full, and equal was this discourse, and worthy of the master's celebrity.”

The Chamber of Deputies was in those days much occupied with the Spanish Marriage, as it was called. This was the intended betrothal of the Queen of Spain's sister to the Duc de Montpeusier, youngest son of the then reigning King of the French, Louis Philippe. Guizot and Thiers were hoth heard on this matter, but Margaret heard only M. Berryer, then considered the most eloquent speaker of the House. His oratory appeared to her, “indeed, very good; not logical, but plausible, with occasional bursts of flame and showers of sparks." While admiring him, Margaret thinks that her own country possesses public speakers of more force, and of equal polish.

At a presentation and ball at the "Tuileries Margaret was much struck with tho elegance and grace of the Parisian ladies of high society. The Qucen made the circuit of state, with the youthful Duchess, the cause of so much disturbance, hanging on her arm. Margaret found here some of her own country-women, conspicuous for their beauty. The uniforms and decorations of the gentlemen contrasted favourably, in her view, with the sombre, black-coated masses of men seen in circles at home.

“Among the crowd wandered Leverrier, in the costume of an Academician, looking as if he had lost, not found, his planet. He seemed not to find it easy