560 Life of Count Rumford. 



things getting better they become worse every day. We are 

 more violent and more open, and more public, as may really be 

 said, in our quarrels. If she does not mind publicity, for a cer- 

 tainty I shall not. As I write the uncouth word quarrels, I will 

 give you an idea of one of them. 



44 In the first place, be it known that this estate is a joint 

 concern. I have as good a right to it as Madame, she 

 having paid rather more in the beginning, but I an immen- 

 sity of money in repairs and alterations, &c., &c., besides a 

 great deal of my own time and care spent while we have been 

 here. 



"I am almost afraid to tell you the story, my good child, lest 

 in future you should not be good ; lest what I am about relating 

 should set you a bad example, make you passionate, and so on. 

 But I had been made very angry. A large party had been 

 invited I neither liked nor approved of, and invited for the sole 

 purpose of vexing me. Our house being in the centre of the 

 garden, walled around, with iron gates, I put on my hat, walked 

 down to the porter's lodge and gave him orders, on his peril, 

 not to let any one in. Besides, I took away the keys. Madame 

 went down, and when the company arrived she talked with 

 them, she on one side, they on the other, of the high brick 

 wall. After that she goes and pours boiling water on some of 

 my beautiful flowers." 



Six months more of this infelicitous experience is 

 summed up in the following extract : 



"PARIS, Rue d'Anjou, St. Honore, No. 39, April ia'. h , 1808. 



" After what you know, my Dear Sally, of my domestic 

 troubles, you will naturally be anxious to learn the present state 

 of things. There are no alterations for the better. On the 

 contrary, much worse. I have suffered more than you can 

 imagine for the last four weeks ; but my rights are incontestible, 

 and I am determined to maintain them. I have the misfor- 

 tune to be married to one of the most imperious, tyrannical, 

 unfeeling women that ever existed, and whose perseverance 



