" I descended a flight of steps from the Pont-Neuf,
the oldest bridge in Paris, with a fine equestrian
bronze statue of Henri IV, to try one of the many
baths of the Seine. They all consist of a large, open
square, into which every one turns, having little stalls
for clothes. The water was only up to the waist of
the hundred bathers, and was too turbid to suit one
accustomed to ocean freshness. On getting home,
I found a packet of letters. I danced with de-
light.
" In the evening we went to the Cirque Olym-
pique, as there was to be a representation extraordi-
naire, and extremely so it was. The house not be-
ing full, the actors did not attend, and no piece was
played after the first. There was an uproar, in the
midst of which a fellow in the third row sprang upon
the railing, and made a violent speech to the house
upon the indecency of keeping the whole waiting, not
to mention its stupidity and weariness. He finished
his speech by offering his services to supply the place
of the defaulter, who was to have given imitations ; so
saying, he ran down, crossed the pit, climbed the



Paris. 137

stage, and began, to the wonder of the artistes of the
stage, who stared at him from behind the scenes.
