"It is çoisRenépossible that I may retire to Neuchâtel, in Switzerland; should that happen, ask His Prussian Majesty beforehand for his protection and favours for me; present my respects to Count Bernstorff, my kind regards to M. Ancillon, and my compliments to all your secretaries[231]. You, monsieur, I beg to believe in my devotion and in my most sincere attachment.
THE VICOMTE DE CHATEAUBRIAND TO THE MARQUIS DE CARAMAN[232]
"I have received, monsieur le marquis, your letters of the 11th of this month. Others than I will tell you the road which you will henceforth have to follow; if it is conformable to what you have heard, it will carry you far. It is probable that my dismissal will give M. de Metternich great pleasure, for a fortnight or so.
"Receive, monsieur le marquis, my adieus and the renewed assurance of my devotion and of my high regard.
THE VICOMTE DE CHATEAUBRIAND TO THE BARON HYDE DE NEUVILLE[233]
"You will doubtless have heard of my dismissal. It remains for me only to tell you how happy I have been to have with you the relations that have now been broken off. Continue, monsieur and old friend, to render services to your country, but do not reckon too much on gratitude, nor believe that your successes will be a reason for maintaining you in the post where you are doing yourself so much honour.
"I wish you, monsieur, all the happiness that you deserve, and I embrace you.
"_P.S._--I have this minute received your letter of the 5th of this month, in which you inform me of M. de Mérona's[234] arrival. I thank you for your good friendship; be sure that I have looked for nothing else in your letters.
THE VICOMTE DE CHATEAUBRIAND TO THE COMTE DE SERRE[236]
"My dismissal, monsieur le comte, will have proved to you my inability to serve you; it but remains for me to express the wish to see you where your talents call you. I am retiring, happy to have contributed towards restoring to France her military and political independence, and to have introduced septenniality into her electoral system; it is not what I wanted it to be; the change of age was a necessary consequence of it; but at last the principle is laid down; time will do the rest, if, however, it do not undo it. I venture to flatter myself, monsieur le comte, that you have had no cause to complain of our relations; and I shall always congratulate myself on having met in business a man of your merit.