‘My dear Friend,—You said something about
visiting Paris in October, and I therefore cannot help informing you that a few
days ago I saw sixty pictures of the Dutch School taken away, and a hundred and
sixty-five more have since been removed. Yesterday I actually saw two noble
statues removed under the direction of a Prussian officer and a superintendent
of the gallery. Denon told me yesterday
that his heart was broken. It is generally understood that the Emperor of Austria claims all the pictures and
statues belonging to his Italian states; and that the Pope has sent a minister to demand his. Ministers are here from
all parts of Europe to require
| PARIS UNDER THE ALLIES | 201 |
‘It is impossible to give you the faintest conception of the scene now passing before our eyes. Montmartre fortified by the English, who exclude all French from their lines. Three of our regiments encamped in the Champs Elysées. Rufflius, the Prussian Governor of Paris, and Prince Schwartzenberg, live in hotels surrounded by troops. So do the Emperors of Russia and Austria—at Wellington’s door are only two sentinels.
‘Adieu.
‘P.S. I am hourly annoyed by English invitations. You would be covered by cards and notes.’
