Thursday, 22 July 1880

I admit the elevation to supreme power of a man, when that man is a hero like Napoleon I; I admit that a sort of dictatorship may be conferred upon a superior and capable being, but his children are nothing. I do not even want power for life; that would show one fears failing one's commitments, on both sides. If the elected leader behaves well, there is no need of an oath for him to remain chief.
I put on a peasant woman's hat from here; it looks very well on me, making me resemble a Greuze. I telegraphed and they are sending me linon dresses for the heat here --- and now it is very cold. I am beginning to see the landscape; until this evening I was irritated by the filthiness of the food, irritated because eating is a vile preoccupation from which one cannot escape.