ROUSSEAU. 165

( the instigation of a man who sought to establish an| intimate friendship with their author.

Rousseau now established himself at Paris . Severalpersons have detailed their recollections of him duringthis latter part of his life; and there is somethingtouching in the mixture of friendliness and distrust, ofgloom and gaiety, of frugality and hospitality, which the■ various details record. Every word we read stamps the. “Confessions” with truth, and animates them withalivingimage; for when we find how eloquent, agreeable, andwarm-hearted he was, even when oppressed by long| physical suffering and heavy mental disquietudes, we; may believe that he was fascinating in his younger days.

- He lived in Paris , in Rue Platiere, in a fourth story.

His one room was furnished with mere necessaries —

I two little beds, a chest of drawers, a table, a spinnet,i and some chairs ; and he was triumphantly happy when,having paid for these few things, he could call them hisown. Some boxes and pots filled with plants stood in hiswindow, where he often scattered crumbs for the spar-rows : all was neat and clean ; and the simplicity andpeace that reigned in the little chamber imparted themost agreeable impressions. He occupied himself bycopying music, which he did with exquisite neatness andl correctness: the only use he made of his celebrity was, to ask rather a high price for his work. Many personsemployed him, so to find a pretence for intruding onhis solitude and staring at him. He did not scruple tobe rude to those whom he saw were attracted by mereimpertinent curiosity — to all others he was civil ifnot complaisant. The sole real blot on his house-hold was Therese, whom every one mentions with dis-like and disrepect.

The prince de Ligne describes the visit he paid : hewent under the pretence of seeking a M. Rousseau ofThoulouse, and contrived, while excusing himself for themistake, to slide into conversation. Rousseau submittedj to be drawn out by an utter and unnamed stranger,

: without the slightest appearance of distrust. Them 3