Russia in 1839 -Empire of the Czar: A Journey Through Eternal Russia

self up in her studio for several hours. The world she loved not — it frightened, wearied, and disgusted her; she had seen it, in its depths, too early; nevertheless, she was born with, and had ever preserved, that generosity which is the virtue of more prosperous lives.

Her timidity in society was proverbial among her family ; her brother used to observe that she had more fear of a salon than of the scaffold.

During the whole period of the empire, she and her friends sided with the opposition. After the death of the Due d'Enghien, she never visited Malinaîson, nor did she ever again see Madame Bonaparte.

In 1811 she made, with me, the tour of Switzerland and Italy. On this occasion she accompanied me every where, and, either on horseback or on foot, crossed the most dangerous passages of the Alps.

We passed the winter at Rome, in a most agreeable society. My mother was no longer young; yet the classic grace of her features made a strong impression on Canova, whose ingenuous character she much admired. One day I said to her, ¢¢ With your romantic mind, I should not wonder at your marrying Canova."

<¢ Do not be afraid," she replied. <¢ If he were not Marquis d' Ischia, I might be tempted."

I had the happiness of having her life preserved to me until the 13th of July, 1826. She died of the same disease that proved fatal to Bonaparte. This malady, of which the germ had long existed, was accelerated by grief, caused by the death of my wife and only child.

It was in honour of my mother that Madame de