L E T T E R S

212Letter Nr. 4[To Talabot]London, December 14, Tuesday, 1830Dear Talabot!I will send a very rhapsodic letter. Yesterday when I wrote thepreceding lines one of my compatriots came to see me and prevented me fromcontinuing it. I went out with him to come to an understanding with the otherson what we should do. I came back to the house only when it was too late tosend the letter. I should perhaps begin it again out of respect for you, but onthe other hand to save time and to be sure of finishing it today, and finally toshow myself serious to you, such as it is I am going to finish it just what Ibegan yesterday and Saturday.I told you just now that I conferred with the others of my country onwhat we should, in the circumstances in which our country presently is.I am a little ashamed of the emotional impact that this event made onme. All the same, I remember that all that news can still be twisted as so manyothers by the journalists. Or it may not have any serious side. But in spite of allthat I can assure you, dear father, that even in that little council I was speakingas I should like a St. Simonist as much as possible I can assure you. If I saidwhat we must do I don't think other than as a St. Simonist, but I had a lot incommon with the thinking of the others.In spite of my own opinion, given to you yesterday, that this news madea big impression on me and that I would not like to be inactive, I can assureyou that the unique principle according to which I wish to act is to actaccording to your orders. You can be sure then that all I said before I wantedto say to the profit of the doctrine. For that is precisely what constitutes thegreat progress in religion or what is part of that progress which I believe Imade since I left Paris - and of that progress of which I spoke before.