inciples of a monarchical and prejudiced
old man, because you are discreet. Here I hold my tongue in the
midst of worthy people, who the more they fail the more they
believe in progress; but I suffer deeply at the irreparable evils
already inflicted on our dear country.

I have replied to the enclosed letter, telling my young man that a
worthy task awaits him. He will go to see you, and though his
letter will enable you to judge of him, you had better study him
still further before committing yourself,--though you women
understand many things from the mere look of a man. However, all
the men whom you employ, even the most insignificant, ought to be
thoroughly satisfactory to you. If you don't like him don't take
him; but if he suits you, my dear child, I beg you to cure him of
his ill-disguised ambition. Make him take to a peaceful, happy,
rural life, where true beneficence is perpetually exercised; where
the capacities of great and strong souls find continual exercise,
and they themselves discover daily fresh sources of admiration in
the works of Nature, and in real ameliorations, real progress, an
occupation worthy of any man.

I am not oblivious of the fact that great ideas give birth to
great actions; but as those ideas are necessarily few and far
between, I think it may be said that usually things are more
useful than ideas. He who fertilizes a corner of the earth, who
brings to perfection a fruit-tree, who makes a turf on a thankless
soil, is far more useful in his generation than he who seeks new
theories for humanity. How, I ask you, has Newton's science
changed the condition of the country districts? Oh! my dear, I
have always loved you; but to-day I, who fully understand what you
are about to attempt, I adore you.

No one at Limoges forgets you; we all admire your grand resolution
to benefit Montegnac. Be a little grateful to us for having soul
enough to admire a noble action, and do not forget that the first
of your admirers is also your first friend.

F. Grossetete.

The enclosed letter was as follows:--

To Monsieur Grossetete:

Monsieur,--You have been to me a father when you might have been
only a mere protector, and therefore I venture to make you a
rather sad confidence. It is to you alone, you who have made me
what I am, that I can tell my troubles.

I am afflicted with a terrible malady, a cruel moral malady. In