If France were to send them an ambassador who failed to show them the white paw, the ambassador of France would not get inside the doors of the aristocratic _salons_.

If Horace Vernet were named director of the Academy, neither his name nor his office would open to him certain houses where he was received as a friend previously to 1830.

And why?
Because Horace Vernet was one of the public men of the Revolution of July.
Do not imagine, however, that paying respect to Cardinals involves paying respect to religion, or that it is necessary to attend Mass in order to get invited to balls.

What is absolutely indispensable is, to believe that everything at Rome is good, to regard the Papacy as an arch, the Cardinals as so many saints, abuses as principles, and to applaud the march of the Government, even though it stand still.

It is considered good taste to praise the virtues of the lower orders, their simple faith, and their indifference as to political affairs, and to despise that middle-class which is destined to bring about the next revolution.
I conversed much with some of the foreigners who live in Rome, and who mix with its best society.