Life of Count Rumford. 559 



And when it is considered, too, that his partner had had no less 

 liberty of action than himself, it would have been only wonder- 

 ful had the marriage proved as harmonious as under other cir- 

 cumstances it might have been." 



The Count writes under date of 



" PARIS, 24 th October, 1806. 



" MY DEAR CHILD, This being the first year's anniver- 

 sary of my marriage, from what I wrote two months after it 

 you will be curious to know how things stand at present. I am 

 sorry to say that experience only serves to confirm me in the 

 belief that in character and natural propensities Madame de 

 Rumford and myself are totally unlike, and never ought to have 

 thought of marrying. We are, besides, both too independent, 

 both in our sentiments and habits of life, to live peaceably 

 together, she having been mistress all her days of her actions, 

 and I, with no less liberty, leading for the most part the life of 

 a bachelor. Very likely she is as much disaffected towards me 

 as I am towards her. Little it matters with me, but I call her 

 a female Dragon, simply by that gentle name! We have 

 got to the pitch of my insisting on one thing and she on 

 another. 



" It is possible that, had the war ceased raging, and had we 

 gone into Italy, where she is dying to go, and with me too, she 

 having heard me speak much of the delights of that country, 

 she having been very happy, too, in travelling with me in 

 Switzerland, it might have suspended difficulties, but never have 

 effected a cure. That is out of the question. Indeed, I have 

 not the least idea of continuing here, and, if possible, still less 

 the wish, and am only planning in my mind what step I shall 

 take next, to be hoped more to my advantage. Communica- 

 tion with England is prohibited, and it makes me sad." 



Again he writes, a year later : 



" PARIS, Rue d'Anjou, 24 th Octob. 1807. 



" I can do no more, my Dear Sally, than simply give you the 

 anniversary of my marriage, for I am still here, and so far from 



