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 given publicity to the business by your orders to consular agents, I surely cannot be blamed in following your royal example.

2em

Jôon, February 12, 1838.

Sir,

Probably the wheel-horse has forgotten his driver, but the latter has not forgotten him. I am told that the chief weight of the carriage of state bears upon you; if so, it must be a ponderous one indeed, if I can judge by a specimen of the talent of those who guide it.

You, who have read and thought a great deal upon men and manners, must be aware that there are situations almost unknown in Europe from which persons, in what is called a semi-barbarous country, cannot extricate themselves with honour without taking a part either for or against humanity: besides, there are extraordinary gusts of knowledge—of extraordinary information—which, if you do not take advantage of them at the moment, are lost to you forever. I have, therefore, exceeded my pecuniary means, but always with the hope of extricating myself without the assist-