I wish I were as young as you are so as to love you longer, and to give you news of things you would enjoy. At my age, I am not up to date on those things. I know roughly through my children that the new plays are rather poor. Penelope has not had a great success at the Opera despite the Piccinists' [fans of Piccini] applause, at the Théâtre Français, “Les Méprises," and at the Théatre Italien I don't know what. Each of these last two theaters did, however, just make some excellent acquisitions: Mademoiselle Vanohve at the Théâtre Français, 16 or 17 years old, the daughter of the actor of the same name, possesses a beautiful unaffected manner. A month ago she played the lead in the tragedy Iphigenia to Soupire's Agamemnon; it aroused great interest and had an enormous success. At the Théâtre Italien, a young lady of fifteen named Renaud has the most lovely voice, the most supple, and most amazing talent for singing ever heard. She has a little sister who has had overwhelming success in children's roles. Eight days ago, we had a little concert in our home where Miss Renaud swept us away with the tender lightness of her pitch. The father has, I believe, four like that; he has a nest of nightingales to be sure. We will arrange to have all four of them here when you return.

This summer, we had a new summer Wauxhall at the bottom of Mr. Sanson's garden which had a mediocre success. This winter, we have a pantheon set up at the Place du Palais Royal at the corner of Rue St. Thomas du Louvre. All of these silent shows are bound to have little success.

You know that the Duc d'Orléans died and that Madame de Montesson, his widow in fact but not legally, has retreated in the meantime to the convent of the Assumption on the Rue St. Honoré.

That his son, the Duc de Chartres, now d'Orléans, has supposedly inherited two million in guaranteed income after expenses; that he is going to finish his royal palace for which he borrowed 6 million with a subsidy and a sort of tontine in life annuities which were paid up right away and whose 1000 louis notes were worth 30 more three days later.

That poor Grandmont gave up and died in the middle of a conversation; he went easily with no pain and when we least expected it. That good Madame Dutartre did the same two weeks ago.

That La Muette is stripped of furniture and no one knows what will be done with it, for it does not seem that the archbishop is living there.

That some money has been spent in the St. Cloud area where a new road has been laid, beginning at the Point du Jour on the route to Versailles and ending up eventually at the entrance of the St. Cloud bridge.

That Mr. Grand has doubled the size of his building, and that his niece, who had, I believe, a miscarriage before you left, does not look too well.

That Chaumont père has rented, they say, his recessed kitchen garden to a foreigner. I think it is the other one, going for 1200.

That Messrs. de Beaumarchais and de Mirabeau are fighting it out over illegal speculation in Perrier water which made the stock go up for no good reason from 1200 to 4000. And that these gentlemen have given us an idea of the mastiff fighting shows in England.

That the younger Le Veillard may return from Bordeaux to do I don't know what, and that Mademoiselle his sister is still Mademoiselle Le Veillard.

That if I have not written you earlier nor to your friend Chaumont, it is not for lack of desire, but because I had three trials, a very glum conversation with a man whom I made rich, the marriage of my second daughter on October 20, the same day as her sister's, etc., etc.

Please know that I do not love you any less for it and that I will always love you. For your Christmas present, here is something new which will be old for us and new for you when you receive it.

I am going to give everything, a letter for your Papa, and one for Chaumont to Grand the father.

Send me your news and that of good Papa and good Benjamin to whom you should give my regards. We heard about your happy arrival and the wonderful reception you received, and we shared in your joy.

I embrace you, my good friend, and my whole family embraces yours.