only we cannot reign in public opinion. There are names
made for history; yours will one day rouse its admiration.
When I fill myself with that thought the interest with which
you inspire me is a little moderated. Adieu.
Monday, May 24, 1773.
What say you to this folly ? Scarcely can I flatter myself that you will read me when I overwhelm you with letters ! But you said the other day that we should write at length to friends, to those who please us, to those we would like to talk with. If you spoke truly, you are obliged not only to read me with interest, but with indulgence.
I have just re-read my long letter; mon Dieu, how tiresome I found it! but if I write it over again it will be no better. I feel myself predestined to be tiresome in more ways than one. I am sad and dull; what can one do with that? But I have questions to put to you ; answer them, and you will be very amiable. Have you received a letter from Diderot? He expects to leave the 6th of June; thus you will see him in Russia. Why did you not start on Wednesday? Was it to yourself or to some one else that you gave those twenty-four hours? Have you carried away with you that book of M. Thomas ? I hope so ; it has almost the tone of your soul; it is noble, strong, and virtuous. There are, no doubt, a few defects ; he has corrected what was turgid and exaggerated in his style; but there is too much analysis and enumeration, which fatigue a little — especially when it costs us much to separate from an object which fills our thoughts. I have been obliged to stop reading it for several days.[1] It is the postman who decides, twice a week, all the actions of my life; yesterday he made reading impossible to me. I sought only
- ↑ "Essay on the Character, Manners, Morals, and Mind of Women in the different Ages," by Antoine-Leonard Thomas, of the French Academy. Paris, 1772.
