[Paris—Wednesday, 12 October 1859]
Wednesday 12. Raining a little bit, just the day for the Louvre. Went on the way to see Dr and Mrs Sharpe’s splendid bronzes but spent the rest of the sight seeing day among the wonders of the Louvre. The great Murillo and the Venus de Milo are the gems but all the world of Art is there. There were many touching memorials of Napoleon 1st. Such a superb Bacchante as we saw here, one brought by Napoleon from the treasures of the East. Such fullness of life and wealth of expression as if the universe which was hers to enjoy was as freely bestowed on all. It is fitted into the wall as if it had smiled forever here and no decay could touch it. Such an all conquering, overwhelming expression dwells upon the features.
Dined with Mr and Mrs Wales and Prof. Child’s.
