On the more serious subject of industry, I cannot help remarking that here is another marked dissimilarity. We English value industry, and regard the resources and time which are perforce expended in the defence of our country as a distraction—albeit a most necessary one—from the pursuit of industry. Commerce and industry are regarded by us as the most efficient means of improving the condition of the labouring class, and, as such, is conceived as a general good; the prosperity generated by improved methods in manufacturing and agriculture are employed for the advantage of all Englishmen. I believe that the rise of a Buonaparte was possible because of the French view that industry has no purpose other than the expedient of war. It seems hardly possible, but I cannot imagine that the lowest classes of France are materially better off than under the Ancien Régime; to-day they have neither bread nor cake, viz., I do not believe the present poverty and misery of the poor of France to be the consequence of the fall of the Empire. If misery and want did not rise with the accumulated riches and opulence of L’Emporeur, the condition of the French people certainly did not improve as a consequence. I do not mean to set myself up as a scholar, having read only the usual fare of the British school-boy, but from all that I have read and heard, if there exist conditions in England as I see in all but the most prosperous of cities in France, we would deserve the censure of the World.

We depart this day toward Geneva, where I look forward to the pleasure of sending you descriptions of their customs as regards above,

Yr. svt.,

FITZWILLIAM DARCY

P.S. My wife notes that I have not sent our respects and compliments to Mrs. Parker, and so—by her express desire—do so, with my apologies.