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Tocqueville, Alexis de, 1805-1859

"Conversations of Alexis de Tocqueville with Nassau William Senior from 1834 to 1859, Volume 2"


I shall probably arrive in Paris, with my wife, at about the same time as
you will, that is to say, about the 19th of next month. I should have
gone earlier if I were not occupied in planting and sowing, for I am
doing a little farming to my great amusement.
I am delighted that you intend again to take up your quarters at the
Hotel Bedford, as I intend also to stay there if I can find apartments.
I hope that we shall be good neighbours and see each other as frequently
as such old friends ought to do. _A bientot!_
A. DE TOCQUEVILLE.
[Mr. Senior ran over to England for a few weeks instead of remaining in
Paris. The meeting between the two friends did not, therefore, take place
till April.--ED.]

CONVERSATIONS.
_Paris, Saturday, April_ 17, 1858.--We had a discussion at the Institut
to-day as to a bust to fill a niche in the anteroom. Rossi was proposed.
His political merits were admitted, but he was placed low as to his
literary claims as an economist and a jurist. Dupin suggested Talleyrand,
which was received with a universal groan, and failed for want of a
seconder. Ultimately the choice fell on Dumont.
'Nothing that is published of Talleyrand's,' said Tocqueville to me as we
walked home, 'has very great merit, nor indeed is much of it his own.


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