5 Jun 1847 : Henry Eliot to his Mother
23 Rue D'enfer Paris [France]
Saturday [5 Jun 1847]
My dear Mama,
I am going to give you an account of all my proceedings since I left London.
We got to Shoreham at about 1/2 past 8, and the boat started at 11; so we had plenty of time to eat and (for me) to get to bed before we started. We had a short but uncomfortable passage and got to Haura at about 1/2 past 8 next morning, where we saw a small vessel run into by a large merchantman which could not turn or corner quick enough, but it only snapped its foremast. We then, after having been dressed very considerably, set off by the railway and got to the Maison Valin Champs Elysees at 1/3 past 5. After dinner, we walked about the Champs Elysees for an hour to see the preparations for the Fete du Roi. I was rather disappointed with the Fete du Roi, for it was not much more than an English fair on a large scale. Even the fireworks in the evening were nothing very particular. The Champs Elysees were pretty all lighted up.
On Sunday, we went to church, and Mr Loveitt (an Irishman) preached and threw his arms about as if he was swimming and preached very badly extemporary. On Monday, we all went off to Versailles, which was all very well but a great deal too many pictures. On Wednesday, I made acquaintance with the Rue D'enfer and Madame Dupont. Besides Madame, Monsieur, and his brother, there is a Monsieur Graviere (their cousin), and a M[onsieur] Pall (a friend of theirs), and M[onsieur] Snitzehlaer (a German), a daughter of about 17, and a little girl of about six who they have adopted (and spoilt) and is most terribly conceited.
Monday 7 June. On Sunday I went to the Peel's. After that, I did nothing particular till [Sunday], which is our only Holiday. When Mr Carteret Ellis1, a Cornish gentleman who knows Papa, dropped in to see Buller2 (whom he had heard was here) and finding me here too took us both off to his house and has been very kind to us, since he has got me a fencing master and is going to get me a Spanish and an Italian; and he has given each of us a cane – a real Bamboo which we can bend double without breaking, and we go there now about every Sunday and Thursday.
On Whitsunday, we got Monsieur Dupont to give us a holiday, and his brother took us to Menton, and we went in a boat on the river and had dinner; and altogether we spent 19 francs. The next day, Madame Dupont told I and Buller that we had each got to pay 9 francs and 1/2 and, when I proposed that Alfred (Mr Dupont's brother) should pay his share, they all flew into a violent passion and said that it was the greatest insult that could have been offered them, and that Alfred had only gone to take care of us, and that children should not trouble themselves about money, which I think a great shame. I like this place pretty well, but I wish you would write to them about two things. One is they never will let us go out alone, and another is they will not let us bathe [swim] enough. But, if you write to them about going out alone, we can bathe alone, for in the baths you can't be drowned, for there are men on purpose to pick you out if you sink.
I got your letter this morning. I hope Minny will get well soon. You must tell me all about what happened the [undecipherable word] day, and you have not told me half enough about the bazaar [SARAH: see the transcription of the Morning Post 27 May 1847 reporting the Grand Bazaar in aid of the Funds for the Relief of the Distressed Irish, held at the Regent's Park Barracks]. I can't say I like Paris much. I like London better.
Love to all,
I am your affectionate son,
H C Eliot
FOOTNOTES
1. Carteret John William Ellis
2. Later Admiral Sir Alexander Buller
*Original letter is part of the Eliot collection at the Cornwall Record Office.
Catalog reference: EL/B/12/3/2
