the women of the french salons-第18章
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one ought； at present； to esteem idleness as the only virtue in the world； since it is that which uproots all the vices。 As I have always had much respect for it； I am glad it has so much merit。〃 But she adds wisely： 〃If I were of the opinion of the author； I would not bring to the light those mysteries which will forever deprive him of all the confidence one might have in him。〃
There is one letter； written by the clever and beautiful Eleonore de Rohan； Abbess de Malnoue； and addressed to the author； which deserves to be read for its fine and just sentiments。 In closing she says：
The maxim upon humility appears to me perfectly beautiful； but I have been so surprised to find it there； that I had the greatest difficulty in recognizing it in the midst of all that precedes and follows it。 It is assuredly to make this virtue practiced among your own sex； that you have written maxims in which their self…love is so little flattered。 I should be very much humiliated on my own part； if I did not say to myself what I have already said to you in this note； that you judge better the hearts of men than those of women； and that perhaps you do not know yourself the true motive which makes you esteem them less。 If you had always met those whose temperament had been submitted to virtue； and in whom the senses were less strong than reason； you would think better of a certain number who distinguish themselves always from the multitude； and it seems to me that Mme。 de La Fayette and myself deserve that you should have a better opinion of the sex in general。
Mme。 de La Fayette writes to the Marquise： 〃All people of good sense are not so persuaded of the general corruption as is M。 de La Rochefoucauld。 I return to you a thousand thanks for all you have done for this gentleman。〃At a later period she said： 〃La Rochefoucauld stimulated my intellect； but I reformed his heart。〃 It is to be regretted that he had not known her sooner。
At his request Mme。 de Sable wrote a review of the maxims； which she submitted to him for approval。 It seems to have been a fair presentation of both sides； but he thought it too severe； and she kindly gave him permission to change it to suit himself。 He took her at her word； dropped the adverse criticisms； retained the eulogies； and published it in the 〃Journal des Savants〃 as he wished it to go to the world。 The diplomatic Marquise saved her conscience and kept her friend。
The maxims of La Rochefoucauld； which are familiar to all； have extended into a literature。 That he generalized from his own point of view； and applied to universal humanity the motives of a class bent upon favor and precedence； is certainly true。 But whatever we may think of his sentiments； which were those of a man of the world whose observations were largely in the atmosphere of courts； we are compelled to admit his unrivaled finish and perfection of form。 Similar theories of human nature run through the maxims of Esprit and Saint Evremond； without the exquisite turn which makes each one of La Rochefoucauld's a gem in itself。 His tone was that of a disappointed courtier； with a vein of sadness only half disguised by cold philosophy and bitter cynicism。 La Bruyere； with a broader outlook upon humanity； had much of the same fine analysis； with less conciseness and elegance of expression。 Vauvenargues and Joubert were his legitimate successors。 But how far removed in spirit！
〃The body has graces；〃 writes Vauvenargues； 〃the mind has talents； has the heart only vices？ And man capable of reason； shall he be incapable of virtue？〃
With a fine and delicate touch； Joubert says： 〃Virtue is the health of the soul。 It gives a flavor to the smallest leaves of life。〃
These sentiments are in the vein of Pascal； who represents the most spiritual element of the little coterie which has left such a legacy of condensed thought to the world。
The crowning act of the life of Mme。 de Sable was her defense of Port Royal。 She united with Mme。 de Longueville in protecting the persecuted Jansenists； Nicole and Arnauld； but she had neither the courage； the heroism； nor the partisan spirit of her more ardent companion。 With all her devotion she was something of a sybarite and liked repose。 She had the tact； during all the troubles which scattered her little circle； to retain her friends； of whatever religious color； though not without a few temporary clouds。 Her diplomatic moderation did not quite please the religieuses of Port Royal； and chilled a little her pleasant relations with d'Andilly。
Toward the close of her life； the Marquise was in the habit of secluding herself for days together； and declining to see even her dearest friends。 The Abbe de la Victoire； piqued at not being received； spoke of her one day as 〃the late Mme。 la Marquise de Sable。〃
La Rochefoucauld writes to her； 〃I know no more inventions for entering your house； I am refused at the door every day。〃 Mme。 de La Fayette declares herself offended； and cites this as a proof of her attachment； saying； 〃There are very few people who could displease me by not wishing to see me。〃 But the friends of the Marquise are disposed to treat her caprices very leniently。 As the years went by and the interests of life receded； Mme。 de Sable became reconciled to the thought that had inspired her with so much dread。 When she died at the advanced age of seventy… nine； the longed…for transition was only the quiet passing from fevered dreams to peaceful sleep。
It is a singular fact that this refined； exclusive； fastidious woman； in whom the artistic nature was always dominant to the extent of weakness； should have left a request to be buried； without ceremony； in the parish cemetery with the people； remote alike from the tombs of her family and the saints of Port Royal。
CHAPTER VI。 MADAME DE SEVIGNE Her GeniusHer YouthHer unworthy HusbandHer impertinent CousinHer love for her DaughterHer LettersHotel de CarnavaletMme。 Duiplessis GuenegaudMme。 de CoulangesThe Curtain Falls
Among the brilliant French women of the seventeenth century； no one is so well…known today as Mme。 de Sevigne。 She has not only been sung by poets and portrayed by historians； but she has left us a complete record of her own life and her own character。 Her letters reflect every shade of her many…sided nature； as well as the events； even the trifling incidents； of the world in which she lived； the lineaments； the experiences； the virtues； and the follies of the people whom she knew。 We catch the changeful tints of her mind that readily takes the complexion of those about her； while retaining its independence； we are made familiar with her small joys and sorrows； we laugh with her at her own harmless weaknesses； we feel the inspiration of her sympathy； we hear the innermost throbbings of her heart。 No one was ever less consciously a woman of letters。 No one would have been more surprised than herself at her own fame。 One is instinctively sure that she would never have seated herself deliberately to write a book of any sort whatever。 While she was planning a form for her thoughts； they would have flown。 She was essentially a woman of the great world； for which she was fitted by her position； her temperament； her esprit； her tastes； and her character。 She loved its variety； its movement； its gaiety； she judged leniently even its faults and its frailties。 If they often furnished a target for her wit； behind her sharpest epigrams one detects an indulgent smile。
The natural outlet for her full mind and heart was in conversation。 When she was alone； they found vent in conversation of another sort。 She talks on paper。 Her letters have the unstudied freedom； the rapidity； the shades； the inflections of spoken words。 She gives her thoughts their own course； 〃with reins upon the neck；〃 as she was fond of saying； and without knowing where they will lead her。 But it is the personal element that inspires her。 Let her heart be piqued； or touched by a profound affection； and her mind is illuminated； her pen flies。 Her nature unveils itself； her emotions chase one another in quick succession； her thoughts crystallize with wonderful brilliancy； and the world is reflected in a thousand varying colors
