One week after my recovery began, there was a loud knocking my door. As it would take me considerable time to get into my wheelchair and get to the door, I yelled out, “Enter.”

The door opened and in walked a grinning Lafayette and a valet.

“Time to get dressed. We are going to Paris. You have seen it from the sky, now you shall see it from the ground. I have already woken, Andelbert.”

The valet helped me get dressed and wheeled me out of the room. Andelbert was waiting in the hall. We made our way outside of the palace gates to a wagon and driver, and two horses. My chair and I were loaded onto the wagon, and Andelbert and Lafayette mounted the horses. We made our way down to the Seine, where a small ship was waiting. We boarded the boat and started our trip to Paris.

“What will we see in Paris?” I asked Lafayette.

“I thought, since you are an inventor, we must visit the Louvre. The Louvre was once a fortress and later a royal palace. But it has increasingly become a museum and workshop for the arts and sciences. The French Academy of Sciences is located there. It is the center of scientific knowledge and study in Paris. Most days, several inventors are there working in their laboratories. I am sure you will find it fascinating.”

“That sounds wonderful,” I replied.

“The rest will be a surprise.”

“I am sure it will all be grand.”

“Paris is a mixed basket. There is great beauty alongside horrible squalor. The nobility lives in luxury, while the poor live in filthy slums and bathe in the Seine. The King is making continual improvements, but there is much to be done before Paris rivals Ancient Rome. Still, I believe it will.”

Once we arrived in Paris, we docked near the Louvre. It was spectacular. My estate pales in comparison. One wing of the building, called the Grand Galerie, stretched an incredible distance along the river.

Lafayette escorted us to the scientific section of the Louvre and gave us a tour. As I rolled through the rooms and laboratories, Lafayette explained what was happening. There was ongoing scientific study in chemistry, mathematics, astronomy, mechanics, anatomy, botany, physics, natural history, and mineralogy. I scarcely knew what half of them were, but they fascinated me none the less. Andelbert seemed overwhelmed with curiosity. We had to drag him from room to room as he wanted to investigate everything in detail.

In the chemistry laboratory, we met Antoine Lavoisier. A noted scientist studying chemistry. Lafayette told him of my invention of the silent horseshoe. He listened with great interest as I explained how I mixed sulfur with rubber and then heated it to create my substance.

Lavoisier took us outside, where he had constructed a huge wooden contraption on wheels with enormous circular panes of glass. One pane was taller than a man. He explained that the lens focused the light of the sun to a point to create combustion. He also told us of two new elements he had discovered, called oxygen and hydrogen. Although it was too advanced for my blacksmith’s brain, Andelbert seemed to have a better grasp of what he was saying.

Afterward, Lafayette took us through the art galleries. The walls were lined with masterpieces from past masters, and we saw many artists creating incredible works of art. I am not a cultured man, but I was impressed by how realistic some of the paintings and sculptures were.

Soon the morning had slipped away and we all were becoming hungry. “We must visit the Café Procope. There we can find food, and also the latest news and political debate,” Lafayette said.

We entered the café and found a table. The café was full of men drinking and engaging in spirited debates.

“You must try the sorbet, it is a frozen dessert unlike anything you have ever experienced,” Lafayette said. “And the coffee. A drink from the New World that gives you extra energy.”

A loud voice rang out, “Is that you, Lafayette? I wasn’t aware you were allowed out of Versaille.” It was François-Marie Arouet, better known to all as Voltaire.

“And I see you are between exiles, my friend. I hope it will not delay your next book.”

Both men laughed.

“Come join us at our table. I have been debating government with a new friend from the American Colonies, Monsieur Benjamin Franklin.”

We moved to Voltaire’s table, and everyone exchanged greetings.

“This is a special treat for me, Monsieur Franklin, as I am sympathetic with the Colonies desire for independence,” Lafayette said as he shook Franklin’s hand.

“Then we must discuss it further in detail. I am greatly interested to know more of your thoughts,” Franklin said.

The discussion about the Colonies and a citizen-run government went on for quite some time. During which we sampled coffee, which I found quite bitter and not to my liking. And sorbet, which was cold and had a fruity flavor I did enjoy.

Suddenly, Lafayette said, “Forgive me, my companions. I am quite rude. I have been rambling on about politics and completely forgot to mention that Baron Britpop is an inventor. He invented the silent horseshoe.”

“Fascinating,” Franklin said. “I am a bit of a tinkerer myself.”

“I would love to hear about your inventions,” I said.

“Very well, I am always pleased to brag on myself. I do it so well.”

We all laughed.

“I invented a metal rod that attaches to a house to protect it from lightning strikes. A stove that heats a room more efficiently than a fireplace. A musical instrument that uses glass to play melodies, I call the Armonica. And if you look closely at my eyeglasses, you will see that they are actually two lenses. A lens for far vision and a lens for close vision. I call them double spectacles. Plus, a few other trivial inventions I will not bore you with.”

“That is most impressive,” I said. “I happened onto my invention by pure chance.”

“Are chance and inspiration not close cousins?” Voltaire said.

“Well put, Sir,” Franklin added.

We all agreed.

“I should very much like to see your silent horseshoes, Baron. If it could be arranged.”

“Then you must visit us in Versailles,” Lafayette said.

“I would be honored. And if possible, I am quite eager to speak with your King regarding an alliance.”

“I shall arrange it,” Lafayette replied.