Saturday, 6 September 1879

A promenade in the Bois paler than yesterday's. Amiability from Hecht and a visit from Da Costa. Blanc comes in the evening and savages the republic. My God, he is right, the ministers and the Chamber are most mediocre, but eminent men will emerge from one day to the next.
The first moment of alarm passed, the needs of those who contributed to building the government satisfied, one will choose one's men... besides do not torment yourself. I told you somewhere that Cassagnac or another man could make me hold any opinion whatever although at bottom I am always a republican, but what does the bottom of my thought matter to you since I am ready to change if I am invited to do so in one way or another.