May a humble creature like me flatter himself
with the hope of finding in you the same generous
support? for when the god Mars is no longer
to be found, what can be more natural than to
seek the aid of Pallas, the goddess of the line arts?
Will she refuse to protect with her aegis the
most humble of her adorers?
"Permit me, madam, to avail myself of this
opportunity to lay at your feet the assurance
of my most respectful devotion. I dare not
give utterance to all my prayers in your behalf,
because I am open to a charge of infidelity
from some, yet none shall ever detect me
unfaithful in my present professions; at my
age, 'tis time our choice was made, and our
affections fixed. Be assured, lovely countess,
that I shall ever remain your attached friend;
and that no day will pass without my teaching
the echoes of the Alps to repeat your
much-esteemed name.
"I have the honour to remain, malady, yours, etc., etc."
You may be quite sure, my friend, that I did not allow so singular
an epistle to remain long unanswered. I replied to it in the
following words:--
"SIR,--The perusal of your agreeable letter made me
almost grieve for the disgrace of the duc de
Choiseul. Be assured, that to his own conduct,
and that of his family, may be alone attributed
the misfortune you deplore.
"The regrets you so feelingly express for the
calamity which has befallen your late protector
do honour to your generous heart; but
recollect that your old friends were not the
only persons who could
appreciate and value your fine talents; to
be esteemed worthy the honourable appellation
of your patron is a glory which the proudest
might envy; and, although I cannot boast of
being a Minerva, who, after all, was possibly
no wiser than the rest of us, I shall always
feel proud and happy to serve you with my
utmost credit and influence.
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