. Following the
old Polish custom, he permits his beard to grow, and this gives him a
very grave appearance.

They say he has composed some very fine tragedies. We also called upon
Madame Bruehl, who received us most politely. Her husband, the king's
favorite minister, is not much esteemed, but they are visited for the
sake of etiquette, and likewise for that of Madame Bruehl, who is very
amiable.

We saw too Madame Soltyk, Castellane of Sandomir; she is a widow, but
still young and beautiful. Her son is nine years old; he is a charming
child, already possessing all the manners of the best society. As we
entered, he offered me a chair, and made me, at the same time, a very
graceful compliment; the castellane was kind enough to say that he was a
great admirer of pretty faces and black eyes. The Bishop of Cracow is
this child's uncle; he was anxious to have the charge of him, but his
mother was not willing to part with him.

Of all the persons whom I saw, I was the most pleased with Madame
Moszynska, the widow of the grand-treasurer of the crown. She received
me most affectionately, and I feel a strong attraction toward her. She
expressed much admiration for me; but indeed, I received commendation
everywhere, and everywhere did I hear that I was beautiful. Perhaps I
owe a great part of these praises to my costume; I was so well
dressed! ... much better than at Barbara's wedding! I wore a white silk
dress with gauze flounces, and my hair was dressed with pearls.

If I had seen the Duke of Courland, I should have been perfectly
satisfied; but I met him in none of the houses to which I went. They say
he is so happy to be once more with his family that he devotes all his
time to them. This feeling seems very natural to me, for when I was at
boarding school, I was very melancholy whenever I thought of my parents,
and I felt an imperative desire to see them, surpassing anything I had
before experienced.

The carnival will soon begin; every one says it will be very brilliant,
and that there will be many balls; it is impossible that I should not
somewhere meet the Duke of Courland.

Wednesday, _January 1st, 1750_.

All my desires have been gratified, and far beyond my hopes; I have seen
the prince royal! I have seen and spoken to him! ... I must indeed be
dreaming; my mind is filled with the most lively impressions, strange
and wild fancies surge through my brain, and I feel at once exalted and
depressed, transported w