ROCHEFOUCAULD.

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bombast of the school of Scuderi; madame de Sevigne ,whose style is the most delightful and easy in the world;Rochefoucauld , who, first among moderns, concentratedhis ideas, and, abjuring the diffuseness that still reignedin literature, aimed at expressing his thoughts in as fewwords as possible, had all been frequenters and favouritesat the Hotel de Rambouillet. It would seem that intel-lectual indolence is the mind’s greatest foe; and, onceincited to think, persons of talent can easily afterwardsrenounce a bad school. Platonic gallantries, metaphoricalconceits, and ridiculous phraseology, were not the onlyaccomplishments prized by the Precieuses. Learningand wit flourished among them; and when Moliere , withhappy ridicule, had dissolved the charm that had steepedthem in folly, these remained, and shone forth brightlyin the persons already named, and others scarcely lesscelebrated—Menage, Balzac, Voiture, Bourdaloue , &c.

To return to Rochefoucauld himself. His best anddearest friend was madame de la Fayette , the authoressof “ La Princesse de Cleves, ” and other works thatmark her excellent taste and distinguished talents.Madame de la Fayette was, in her youth, a pupil ofMenage and Rapin. She learned Latin under their tui-tion, and rose above her masters in the quickness ofher comprehension. In general society she carefullyconcealed her acquirements. “ She understood Latin, ”Segrais writes, but she never allowed her knowledgeto appear; so not to excite the jealousy of other women.”She was intimately allied to all the clever men of thetime, and respected and loved by them. She was awoman of a strong mind; witty and discerning, frank,kindhearted, and true. Rochefoucauld owed much toher, while she had obligations to him. Their friendshipwas of mutual benefit. “ He gave me intellect,” shesaid, “ and I reformed his heart.”

This heart might well need reform and cure fromall of evil it had communicated with during long yearsof intrigde and adventure. The easiness of his temper,his turn for gallantry, the mobile nature of his mind,a 3