The  student  of  history  can  find  no  more  suggestive
relics  of  mediaeval  Paris  than  the  still  existing  towers
Vol.  I.— i.  i


THE   STONES  OF  PARIS


and  fragments  of  the  wall  of  Philippe-Auguste,  which
shall  be  shown  to  him ;  for  us,  these  stones  must  be
made  to  speak,  not  so  essentially  of  their  mighty
builder  as  of  the  common  people,  who  moved  about
within  that  enclosure  and  gave  it  character.  In  like
manner,  the  walls,  which  have  sheltered  soldiers,  states-
men, preachers,  teachers,  workers  in  art  and  letters,
illustrious  men  and  women  of  all  sorts  and  conditions,
will  take  on  the  personality  of  these  impressive  pres-
ences. When  we  stand  beneath  the  roof  of  that  favorite
personage  in  history,  that  spoiled  child  of  romance,  who
happens  to  be  dear  to  each  one  of  us,  we  are  brought
into  touch  with  him  as  with  a  living  fellow-creature.
The  streets  of  Paris  are  alive  with  these  sympathetic
companions,  who  become  abiding  friends,  as  we  stroll
with  them ;  and  allow  none  of  the  ache,  confessed  to  be
felt  in  such  scenes,  despite  her  reasoning,  by  Madame
de  Sevigne.  Nor  do  they  invite,  here,  any  critical  re-
view of  their  work  in  life,  but  consent  to  scrutiny  of
their  lineaments  alone,  and  to  an  appreciation  of  their
personal  impress  on  their  contemporaries  and  on  us.
So  that  essays  on  themes,  historic,  literary,  artistic,  can
find  no  place  in  this  record.  Indeed,  labor  and  time
have  been  expended  "  in  hindering  it  from  being  .  ..
