5 14 Life of Count Rumford. 



ford in the more private relations of his life, and partic- 

 ularly in those with his daughter. The papers are of 

 the highest authenticity, and have a charming natural- 

 ness as well as variety in their details. So far as they 

 divulge matters of a disagreeable and discreditable char- 

 acter, it is to be remembered that public notoriety and 

 scandal once gave a far more extended and sharpened 

 relation of them than they will find in these pages. 



It is necessary to anticipate in the order of narration 

 to introduce the materials now to be used. 



On returning to his house at Brompton, after the 

 embarkation of his daughter, the Count expressed his 

 feelings on parting with her in a letter which immedi- 

 ately followed her over the seas. 



"BROMPTON Row, 3o'. h Aug., 1799. 



"DEAR SALLY, After giving myself much trouble, I ob- 

 tained the information that your vessel sailed from Gravesend 

 the day after I left you there, with a good wind ; that you were 

 well and in fine spirits, as expressed to me, like a bird let out 

 of a cage. While I was very dull and not well, I could not but 

 be struck with the contrast. But no matter, my dear. I 

 should be sorry to have you unhappy because I am. I dare say 

 you will be glad to see me when I join you in America next 

 year, as I hope to do. Or, if I come not there, you will return 

 here. So I shall make no further comments on the subject ; 

 only repeat my fervent prayer and wishes for your having a 

 prosperous voyage and finding friends well." 



In the interval between the Countess's return to her 

 native country in 1799 and her second visit to her 

 father in 181 1, she received from him, as she enumerates 

 them, one hundred and four letters. Remaining in 

 France and England many years after her father's death, 

 she led an unsettled life from that time. In the year 



