Balzac, whom it would have been a happiness even to look at, was dead.

Lamartine promised a visit, but for a time his coming was delayed.

By a mischance Alfred de Musset failed to appear when Browning, expecting to meet him, was the guest of M.Buloz.But Beranger was to be seen "in his white hat wandering along the asphalte." The blind historian Thierry begged Browning and his wife to call upon him.

At the house of Ary Scheffer, the painter, they heard Mme.

Viardot sing; and receptions given by Lady Elgin and Mme.