With Americans of Past and Present Days

The book is a series of reflections by a French ambassador who arrived in Washington when the United States was still in its adolescence, its president the youngest ever to hold the office. He recounts his first impressions of a broad‑minded, vigorous nation, recalling the illustrated papers of his childhood and the stories of frontier heroes that shaped his early view of America. The voice is warm and observant, noting how the streets of Paris once named for royalty became avenues of republican pride, mirroring the young republic across the ocean.

Spanning thirteen years, the collection gathers speeches delivered on a wide range of subjects—from the origins of the Revolutionary War to modern concerns such as reforestation, infant mortality, and the rapid growth of industry and technology. Through anecdotes about artists, scientists, and everyday citizens, the narrator paints a portrait of a country that has added new states, expanded its navy, and embraced inventions like the automobile and the airplane. His remarks reveal a deepening friendship between two republics that share history and common challenges.

Reading these addresses offers listeners a vivid snapshot of early‑20th‑century America seen through diplomatic eyes, blending personal observation with broader cultural insight. The work invites anyone interested in the enduring ties between France and the United States to hear a voice that celebrates shared progress while acknowledging the work that still lies ahead.