Burney's reading group reading two books - 'the last voyage of Captain Cook and the letters of Madame de Sevigne. She makes little progress with Cook because of her fascination with Sevigne, a 'siren' who 'seduces me from all other reading'; she feels such an intense response to the letters that it is as if Sevigne 'were alive and even now in my room and permitting me to run into her arms.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Frances Burney Print: Book
'Have you read Mad. Sevigne's Letters from the [French]? Fine passages and Sentiments there are in it, & a notion given of the French manner tho' written in the middle reign of Louis XIV. What are the Two volumes called the History of Man from the French also. There is a volume which is not chaste enough to be recommended to your Ladiship. It is truly French. Its language good. But for the knowledge of the hearts of people given up to what is called Gallantry, particularly French Gallantry, I have not seen its equal. It is called Letters of Ninon de Lenclos to the marquis of Sevigne. Son of the above-named Lady, and her contemporary. It will not offend the Ear. But I would not by any means recommend it to a very young Lady'.
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Samuel Richardson Print: Book
From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. 'March 1837'. Transcription of various of Madame de Sévigné's letters.
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: anon Print: Book
From the 1806-1840 Commonplace book of an unknown reader. 'Of M. De Glessir, Tutor to the young Marquis Grignan (Admirable advice!), "The Chevalier is of more use to the dear boy, than can easily be imagined; he is continually striking the full chords of honour and respectability, and takes an interest in his affairs, for which you cannot sufficiently thank him, he enters into everything, attends to every thing, and wishes the Marquis to regulate his own accounts, and incur no necessary expenses..." M. de Sevigne to Mad de Grignan Letter DCCCXXII. Vol. VL.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: anon Print: Book
Catherine Talbot to Elizabeth Carter, from Cuddesdon, 21 July 1753, in account of a day excursion in the local countryside (around Oxford):
'Yesterday we set off soon after four [...] Our road lay through a most pleasant country. In the coach we amused ourselves with some of the seventh volume of Mad. de Sevigne's Letters, and some of Mrs Fielding's. 'Tis vexatious in the last-named book to find such a mixture of refinement a perte de vue proceeding from her inclination to support, I fancy, a false system [...] But where she writes naturally one loves and honours her extremely; there is a goodness of heart and a delicacy of sentiment that makes me think you happy in her acquaintance.'
Century: 1700-1799 Reader/Listener/Group: Catherine Talbot and family Print: Book
'I am also reading an English translation of Mme de Sevigne and like it very much.'
Century: 1800-1849 Reader/Listener/Group: Charles Darwin Print: Book
