334 MADAME GEQFFRIN. 



predominant qualities of her mind were fimplicify, 

 rectitude, delicacy, tafte, and elegance. This juftnefs 

 of her perceptions was difplayed in her judgements, 

 and in the caution with which fhe paffed them ; for 

 never did Hie fpeak of any thing that fhe did not un- 

 derload . It was likewife apparent in the regularity 

 fhe obferved in her houfekeeping, in her affairs, ^and 

 in the whole fyftem of her conducl. All that faW 

 her were at once convinced that every thing in and 

 about her was in its place and at reft. She had dis- 

 cernment, but merely the difcernment of the firft in- 

 ftant; for her character, and her uncommon applica- 

 tion, would not allow of a ItricTt and continued atten- 

 tion. Neither did fhe conceal this fort of indolence 

 of mind. Ci It is with my mind, fhe ufed to fay, as 

 with my legs; I like to take a walk on even ground, 

 but I never chufe to clamber up mountains for the 

 pleafure of having it to fay, when I am at top, that 

 I have climbed fueh or fuch a mountain;" She could 

 never endure to fee children who were wife beyond 

 their years, and of whom a great wonderment is made ; 

 but often when they are grown up, turn out but in- 

 different fort of people. It occafloned her, fhe faid, 

 a very difagreeable fenfation, when fhe conhdered, 

 ■how much pains and drudgery it muff have colt the 

 poor child, thus to force himfelf above the natural 

 reach of his age. Knowing fo well as fhe did how to 

 appreciate her talents, fhe never once had the conceit 

 • of becoming an authorefs. Once, when fhe was ear- 

 . neftly follicited by fome of her friends to publifh an 

 account of her life, fhe promifed at laft to cornply 

 . . with 



