affairs, and feminine caprices--all these serve the
world as pleasing material for anecdotes. The
Princess was fond of the theatre, and fonder still
of a première when the play was written by one
of her intimate circle. She was surrounded by
a distinguished group of poets, painters, drama-
tists, novelists, and diplomats. De Morny called
her "the man of the family." She was good
to gaze upon, and she had intellect. After the
death of Sainte-Beuve, the publication of her
correspondence with that celebrated critic gave
us a portrait of his friend. It occurs in Lettres
de la Princesse:--

"The Princess has a high, noble forehead, and
her light golden hair, leaving uncovered on each
side broad, pure temples, is bound in wavy
masses on the full, finely shaped neck. Her
eyes, which are well set, are expressive rather
than large, gleam with the affection of the thought
of the momen, and are not of those which can
either feign or conceal. The whole face indicates
nobleness and dignity, and, as soon as it lights
up, grace united to power, frankness; and good-
ness; sometimes, also, it expresses fire and ardour.
The head, so finely poised and carried with such
dignity, rises from a dazzling and magnificent
bust, and is joined to shoulders of statuesque
smoothness and perfection."

That description should cover a multitude of
indiscretions, such as the publication of the
letters. She had already given Taine his congé
for his criticism of Napoleon in the Revue des

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