court circle entered into conversation
with us without restraint, and were
greatly delighted with the little General.
King Louis Philippe was minute in his
inquiries about my country and talked
freely about his experiences when he
wandered as an exile in America. He
playfully alluded to the time when he
earned his living as a tutor, and said he
had roughed it generally and had even
slept in Indian wigwams. General Tom
Thumb then went through with his
various performances to the manifest
pleasure of all who were present, and
at the close the King presented to
him a large emerald brooch set with
diamonds. The General expressed his
gratitude, and the King, turning to me,
said: "you may put it on the General, if
you please," which I did, to the evident
gratification of the King as well as the
General.
King Louis Philippe was so
condescending
and
courteous
that I felt quite at home in the royal
presence, and ventured upon a bit
of diplomacy. The Longchamps
celebration was coming—a day once
devoted to religious ceremony, but now
conspicuous for the display of court
HYLAND
