“My travels so far have been limited to journeys to Lausanne and Coppet, where I often stay three or four days.  The life there suits me perfectly; the company is even more to my taste.  I like Constant’s wit, Schlegel’s learning, Sabran’s amiability, Sismondi’s talent and character, the simple truthful disposition and just intellectual perceptions of Auguste,[64] the wit and sweetness of Albertine[65]—­I was forgetting Bonstetten, an excellent fellow, full of knowledge of all sorts, ready in wit, adaptable in character—­in every way inspiring one’s respect and confidence.

“Your sublime friend looks and gives life to everything.  She imparts intelligence to those around her.  In every corner of the house some one is engaged in composing a great work....  Corinne is writing her delightful letters about Germany, which will, no doubt, prove to be the best thing she has ever done.

“The ‘Shunamitish Widow,’ an Oriental melodrama which she has just finished, will be played in October; it is charming.  Coppet will be flooded with tears.  Constant and Auguste are both composing tragedies; Sabran is writing a comic opera, and Sismondi a history; Schlegel is translating something; Bonstetten is busy with philosophy, and I am busy with my letter to Juliette.”

Then, a month later: 

“Since my last letter, Madame de Stael has read us several chapters of her work.  Everywhere it bears the marks of her talent.  I wish I could persuade her to cut out everything in it connected with politics, and all the metaphors which interfere with its clarity, simplicity, and accuracy.  What she needs to demonstrate is not her republicanism, but her wisdom.  Mlle. Jenner played in one of Werner’s tragedies which was given, last Friday, before an audience of twenty.  She, Werner, and Schlegel played perfectly....

“The arrival in Switzerland of M. Cuvier has been a happy distraction for Madame de Stael; they spent two days together at Geneva, and were well pleased with each other.  On her return to Coppet she found Middleton there, and in receiving his confidences forgot her troubles.  Yesterday she resumed her work.

“The poet whose mystical and somber genius has caused us such profound emotions starts, in a few days’ time, for Italy.

“I accompanied Corinne to Massot’s.  To alleviate the tedium of the sitting, a Mlle. Romilly played pleasantly on the harp, and the studio was a veritable temple of the Muses....

“Bonstetten gave us two readings of a Memoir on the Northern Alps.  It began very well, but afterward it bored us.  Madame de Stael resumed her reading, and there was no longer any question of being bored.  It is marvelous how much she must have read and thought over to be able to find the opportunity of saying so many good things.  One may differ from her, but one can not help delighting in her talent....

“And now here we are at Geneva, trying to reproduce Coppet at the Hotel des Balances.  I am delightfully situated with a wide view over the Valley of Savoy, between the Alps and the Jura.