Paris,
April 25th 1816.
My Dear Mamma,
We have been twice to the Comedie, at the Theâtre Français, <1> rue de Richelieu. Mlle Mars & Fleury <2> played both nights. I understand enough to be very well amused, though I lose a great deal of the wit. We were in the Orchestra both times, where we see & hear perfectly. We were both unwell for the first day or two, but at present are quite well. The weather is clear & hot: very hot. Yesterday I went to Sir Robert Wilson's <3> trial in the Palais de Justice, <4> Ile de Notre Dame, It was excessively crowded, so that we could scarcely obtain a place, tho' we had billets and arrived an hour & a half before it began. It was the third & last day of the Trial: M. Dupin <5> made a most eloquent defence for the English: and then Sir Robert Wilson spoke for himself; & Mr Bruce <6> [illegible deletion] did the same; Hutchinson <7> said he had nothing to say. Sir Robert spoke the best Speech, and Mr Bruce the best French. When Sir Robert had finished, there were great acclamations, which incensed the Judge, who shouted for the gendarmerie. <8> The judge then made a long dull charge to the jury, who found the English prisoners guilty, & acquitted the French; - Madame Lavalette was in Court. Lady Wilson <9> staid in the carriage outside - The Heat was intolerable. I wish you were here, you would like it excessively. We dined yesterday at Very's the restaurateur in the Palais Royal; <10> He has a long list of comestibles, all ready at a minute's notice, and so good. Our diner [sic] was as follows,
Potage au riz à la purée. <11>
Coquille de volaille aux truffes. <12>
Pommes de terre au mâitre d'hôtel. <13>
Fricandeau aux haricots. <14>
Soufflet
Vin de Volnay.
Café.
Garçon. for 14 Francs.
After the Comedie we had some Sorbet au ., <15> at the Café de Foy. We intend in future to eat nothing but odd names - such as, "Epigramme d'agneau". <16>
I remain, Yr Affte Son
W. H. F. Talbot
Lady Eliz. Feilding
31 Sackville St.
London
Notes:
1. Comédie Française or Théâtre Français, officially established by Louis XIV in 1680.
2. Anne-Francoise Boutet, known as Miss Mars (1779-1847), actress, and Anne Francoise Aimee de Franquetot Coigny, Duchess of Fleury (1769-1820).
3. Sir Robert Thomas Wilson (1777-1849), general and governor of Gibraltar. On 13 January 1816, he was arrested along with Michael Bruce and Captain John-Hely Hutchinson for helping Count Lavalette escape from Paris. On 24 April 1816, they were all sentenced to three months imprisonment.
4. Parisian Law Courts, once the Royal Palace.
5. M. Dupin, probably a lawyer.
6. Michael Bruce (1787-1861).
7. Captain John-Hely Hutchinson, 3rd Earl of Donoughmore (1787-1851).
8. Armed police.
9. Jemima Wilson, née Belford (1777-1823).
10. Palais Royal, built in 1632.
11. Boiled rice mixed with mashed green peas.
12. Probably a shell-shaped dish filled with poultry stuffed with truffles.
13. Potatoes in the maître d'hôtel's style.
14. fricandeau with green beans.
15. Text torn away under seal.
16. Epigram of Lamb.