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LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC 3IEN.

“ M. de la Rochefoucauld died this night. My head isso full of this misfortune, and of the extreme afflictionof my poor friend, that I must write about it. OnSaturday, yesterday, the remedies had done wonders;victory was proclaimed ; his fever had diminished. Inthis state, yesterday, at six o’clock, he turned to death :fever recurred ; and, in a word, gout treacherously stran-gled him: and, although he was still strong, and had notbeen weakened by losing blood, five or six hours sufficedto carry him off. At midnight he expired in the arms ofM.de Condom (Bossuet ). M. de Marsillac never quittedhim for a moment: he is plunged in inexpressible afflic-tion. Yet he will return to his former life ; find the kingand the court as they were ; and his family will still bearound him. But where willmadame de la Fayette findsuch a friend, such society; a similar kindness, resource,and reliance, or equal consideration for herself and herson ? She is infirm ; she is always at home, and cannotrun about town. M. de la Rochefoucauld was sedentary.This state rendered them necessary to each other ; andnothing could equal their mutual confidence, and thecharm of their friendship.” This grief, this friendship,is the most honourable monument a man can receive:who would not desire thus to be sepultured in the heartof one loved and valued? One might regret the pain felt;but,as madame de la Sevigne so beautifully observes, thispain is the proof of the truth and warmth of the affectionthat united them, and the pleasure they mutually im-parted and received. In successive letters there are tracesof the inconsolable affliction of madame de la Fayette.“ She has fallen from the clouds : every moment sheperceives the loss she has suffered and again, “ Poormadame de la Fayette knows not what to do with her-self. The loss of M. de la Rochefoucauld makes soterrible a void in her life that she feels more sensiblythe value of so delightful an intimacy. Every one willbe consoled at last, except her.” A sadder testimonialof her affection is contained in a short passage, saying,“ I saw madame de la Fayette. I found her in tears: