Some more extracts from the description of Eugene’s long journey which show that he was getting irritable at times with the behavior of some people.
The innkeeper, who had engaged his word as postmaster that I would leave, gave me his gig which was driven by M. the conductor of the diligence, whom I took in at my side, and thus we arrived at Cannes where I had to look, before daybreak, for another coach to take me to Antibes. That was yesterday, the day of the dead; you realize that I did not wish to deprive these holy souls from the Mass that I was to offer for them. I no sooner arrived than I went up to the parish, where I was received politely by M. du Rouvet, parish priest, who assailed me with questions, but took care to disappear while I said Mass, seemingly because it was too early in the morning to start the fire at his dwelling and offer me a cup of coffee, which I went to take at the inn.
November 4.
It is now November 4. No news of my hat; I am somewhat resigned to do without it until Turin where I will buy one in the Italian style. But my headpiece [ed. perhaps a skull cap that he wore to keep him warm]! Where can one find anything like it? This fine inheritance from my ancestor leaves me rather regretful over its loss…
I have seen His Excellency the Governor here, who received me quite well and the first President, in whom I have much to praise. I had known them on the occasion of my other journey, as well as General Recanati. As for M. the Consul of France, he smells greasy; he was unmannerly enough not to invite me to the national banquet he gave on the occasion of the King’s feast-day. His politeness would not have cost him much for I had already been invited by the Bishop who deserved preference on all counts.
Letter to Henri Tempier, 3-4 November 1825, EO VI n. 204
“Great events make me quiet and calm; it is only trifles that irritate my nerves.” Queen Victoria
Like yesterday there are no great lessons of life to ponder, simply the ordinary of our lives as humans and it’s a great truth that it is the little things that get to us the most and do us in. The every day. Perhaps that is a great lesson.
Eugene, his schedule has been changed due to traveling and even though the Bishop has invited him to a great event another political ‘bigwig’ has not. He certainly is not in control of his surroundings, or those around him, in fact not even of what he will wear on his head. I do so much see myself in him. And I guess this type of thing can be applied to any part of our lives it certainly can to mine. A couple of changes to my routine, my comfort level and little fears and worries take on huge proportions and become instantly noticeable. I can find myself losing patience or becoming what I will call ‘testy’. I find that I readily see that one person (or many) do not treat me with the same charity that I would accord them. Does it really matter? Not really.
I find myself grateful this morning. Grateful to have this place to come to where it is safe to look at who I am. A mixture of divinity and humanity, all in one. A place where I can share my fears, doubts, joys and truth. A place where I hear the trumpets playing (there is a song by Dan Schutte called ‘Here I Am Lord’ in which the trumpets play and announce the Lord – it is this that I awoke to this morning and find myself now singing). Right now they herald the dawn and a new day beginning. I give thanks.