Life， thus restricted and circumscribed， was more cheerful then than at the present day； souls， less disturbed and less strained， less exhausted and less burdened with cares， were healthier. The Frenchman， exempt from modern preoccupations， followed amiable and social instincts， inclined to take things easily， and of a playful disposition owing to his natural talent for amusing himself by amusing others， in mutual enjoyment of each other's company and without calculation， through easy and considerate intercourse， smiling or laughing， in short， in a constant flow of inspiration， good-humor and gayety.[15] It is probable that， if the Revolution had not intervened， the great parvenus of the time and of the Empire would， like their forerunners， have submitted to prevailing necessities and readily accommodated themselves to the discipline of the established Régime.
