Lifj of Count Rumford. 587 



ditions and circumstances of private life as his means 

 and taste dictated. He hired an estate at Auteuil, 

 about four miles from Paris, which was accessible either 

 by a pleasant walk or by a drive, and by the river. He 

 laid out several thousand francs in arranging, improv- 

 ing, and beautifying the house and grounds. As he was 

 passionately fond of flowers, his garden was enriched 

 by the choicest that he could obtain, and was kept in 

 perfect order. He spent much time in walking and 

 working in it. 



A very interesting history attaches to this dwelling 

 of his, alike before and after his occupancy of it. From 

 1772 to 1800 it was the abode of that celebrated 

 woman, Catherine de Lignville, the wife and widow of 

 Helvetius, where Dr. Franklin was a favored visitor. 

 It was there that the lady, in presence of her circle of 

 savans, is reported to have said to Napoleon Bonaparte, 

 who was among the guests, "Ah, General, if you only 

 knew how to be happy within the bounds of two acres 

 of earth ! " a remark which it is supposed may have 

 been recalled to his mind amid his meditations at St. 

 Helena. The eminent physician, Cabanis, was the next 

 tenant of the house. 



A tragical event has recently made even more famous 

 the house numbered "59 Rue d' Auteuil," near the Bois 

 de Boulogne. It was the abode of Prince Pierre Bona- 

 parte, cousin of the Emperor Louis Napoleon. On 

 Monday, January 10, 1870, Victor Noir (whose- real 

 name was Salmon, or Saloman, a Jew) with a companion, 

 both of them acting as seconds for Grousset, editor of 

 the Marseillaise, called upon the Prince, in behalf of their 

 principal. An altercation ensued, of the particulars of 

 which there are irreconcilable statements. Victor Noir 



