Volume II Part 21 (2/2)
”Why is it called a bed of justice?”
”I do not know, unless it is because justice is asleep during the proceedings”
I afterwardsportrait of that e, now plenipotentiary of the emperor at the court of Saxony
The Abbe de Voisenon introduced e A fine wit, an amiable and learned man, celebrated for his quick repartees, Fontenelle could not pay a co kindness and wit into it I told him that I had come from Italy on purpose to see him
”Confess, sir,” he said toti and critical at the same time, and pointed out in a delicate and witty manner the untruth of my compliment He made me a present of his works, and asked me if I liked the French plays; I told him that I had seen 'Thetis et Pelee' at the opera That play was his own composition, and when I had praised it, he told me that it was a 'tete pelee'
”I was at the Theatre Francais last night,” I said, ”and saw Athalie”
”It is theto ram, the author of which has never been known, and which ends with two very poor lines:
”Pour avoir fait pis qu'Esther, Comment diable as-to pu faire”
I have been told that M de Fontenelle had been the tender friend of Mada of their intimacy, and that Le Rond had only been his foster-father I knew d'Alereat philosopher had the talent of never appearing to be a learned man when he was in the co or the sciences, and he always seeence those who conversed with him
When I went to Paris for the second tihted at the idea of seeing again the aht afterof the year 1757
When I paidmy days in that capital, I reckoned upon the friendshi+p of M d'Aleht after my arrival, towards the end of 1783 Now I feel that I have seen Paris and France for the last tiusted me, and I am too old to hope to see the end of it
Count de Looz, Polish ambassador at the French court, invited me in 1751 to translate into Italian a French opera susceptible of great transforrand ballet annexed to the subject of the opera itself I chose 'Zoroastre', by M de Cahusac I had to adapt words to the music of the choruses, always a difficult task The music remained very beautiful, of course, but enerous sovereign sent old snuff-box, and I thus contrived at the sahly
It was about that time that Mdlle Vesian arrived in Paris with her brother She was quite young, well educated, beautiful, most amiable, and a novice; her brother accompanied her Her father, formerly an officer in the French army, had died at Parma, his native city Left an orphan without any iven by her friends; she sold the furniture left by her father, with the intention of going to Versailles to obtain fro a sot out of the diligence, she took a coach, and desired to be taken to soreatest chance she was brought to the Hotel de Bourgogne, where I was then stayingI was told that there were two young Italians, brother and sister, who did not appear very wealthy, in the next roo, poor and newly arrived, my curiosity was excited I went to the door of their rooyou to excuse me, sir,” he said to me, ”if I receive you in such a state”
”I have to ask your pardon myself I only cohbour”
Ain a recess and hid by curtains ed of her to excusewhether she was up
She answered without seeing reatly tried her she had slept a little later than usual, but that she would get up immediately if I would excuse her for a short ti to my room, mademoiselle, and I will come back when you send for me; my room is next door to your own”
A quarter of an hour after, instead of being sent for, I saw a young and beautiful person enterthat she had come herself to return my visit, and that her brother would follow her ied her to be seated, and I expressed all the interest I felt for her Her gratitude shewed itself more by the tone of her voice than by her words, and her confidence being already captivated she told nity, her short history or rather her situation, and she concluded by these words:
”I , for I only possess six francs”
I asked her whether she had any letters of recommendation, and she drew out of her pocket a parcel of papers containing seven or eight testiood conduct and honesty, and a passport
”Is this all you have, my dear countrywoman?”