The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-11-09
Lamartine ON America.

Mrs. Lewis Paris letter 10 Home Journal.
found Lamartiue in the salon, in sort
of short blue and green plaid dressing gown.
knew his age, and expected to meet gen.
tleman of bent form and cracked voice. l
was happily disappointed. he has the form
and mein Of forty, and a voice yet sweet
and flexible.
Would you not like to 60 to America
and write book of travels? 1t would
bring you fortune" l said, wishing to turn
the subject.
"Go to America !" he replied, looking at
me with establishment. "No, l will never
set my foot on American ground. The
Americans know nothing but the almighty
dollar They stuff their millionaires and
stuff their poets, because they have not the
ability to understand their worth. You did
well to come where you will be appreciated" +"
IL was appreciated in America" re-
piled.
appreciated p' be exclaimed. "There
are not many people in that vast country
who can understand soul like yours"
Il love my country" l added.
"You love in vain," he replied, impa>
tiently.
Il hope not" rejoined.
You hope in vain," he continued.
"When l was able to live like prince,
when was at the head of the State, and
all the world was bowing to me, the Amer
leans were at my feet; but when l was in
need and sent De Place to New York to
get subscriptions for my works, whereby l
might be enabled to pay my debts, they
turned their backs on me. was induced
to send De Place to America at my own
expense by the advice and batteries of
Americans, and be returned without one
subscription. They are deceitful, false"
You have many friends in Amerca," l
said.
Il thought so, mademoiselle, but 1 was
mistaken. 1 thought your great American
publisher, Monsieur Appleton, my friend,
but erred. He is rich, powerful, and could
have aided my plans"
II assure you, Monsieur Lamartine, that
if Monsieur Appleton failed to carry out
your wishes, it was not because be did not
desire to do 80. He is high minded and
honorable gentleman, and feels an interest
in genius beyond dollars and cents" 1 re-
piled.
"J'en doute, the reed broke beneath me
when had most need Of itssupport, he said,
sadly.
IF you would go to New York and give
q course of lectures, you would make enough
to pay you debts" l added.
"Sans do,ae, they would give their twenty
five sous to see me once, as they would give
it to see wild beast then it would end.
They would not come q second time. I'll
not crafty their curiosity" he said, impa-
tiently.
"You would like to meet our poets, am
sure" continued.
"You have no poets. Soul cannot live
and grow there it starves," he retorted.
20, yes, we have poets" | went on
ave have Bryant, Halleck, Longfellow
Willis, Holmes, Morris, Sprague, &C."
"They might have been poets-great
ones if they had had the proper nutriment
Come to see me every day, but don't bring
an American gentleman with you; l Will
not receive him if you do," he said, as rose
to leave.
"You are prejudiced, Monsieur Lamar
tine," rejoined.
"Pas du tout" he replied; the Amerl'
cans hate me because l am poor, and re
turn the compliment most cordially"
You are frank" I added, as lett hln
at the door.