The Stages of a Frenchwoman's LIfe

From Rousseau's Dog:

Her dealings with Hume went back to March 1761, when she had ken the initiative in writing to him. “I dare only add that in all the products of your pen, you show yourself a perfect philosopher, a statesman, an historian of genius, an enlightened political scientist, a true patriot.” Thus began a correspondence that lasted until his death. In letter eighteen months after opening communication, she offered a description of herself approaching forty.

A great part of my youth is over. Some delicacy in features, mildness and decency in countenance, are the only exterior advantages, I can boast of. And as for interior, common sense, improved a little, by early good reading, are all I possess. [My English is confined but] if I am intitled [sic] to some elegancy I owe it to the repeated readings of your admirable works.

Their correspondence took on a passionate note, though it is possible that Hume misread its significance for her. An editor of Walpole’s letters points out that in prerevolutionary Paris, a woman of fashion passed through well-delineated states. “When young she was galante; in becoming more mature, she became a bel esprit. These were as strictly defined and observed as changes of dress on a particular day of the different seasons. A woman endeavouring to attract lovers after she had
ceased to be a galante would have been not less ridiculous than her wearing velvet when all the rest of the world were in demi-saison.”

So. lively and romantic language, expressions of attachment, could be used in the epoch of bel esprit without any fear of misunderstanding by society or the “loving” partner. Did Hume recognize this where Mme de Boufflers was concerned? Did he imagine that there was more to her sentiments than the regard of an ardent spirit? Walpole appears to have been aware of the convention: in a letter of July 11, 1766, he describes her as “a savante, philosophe, author, bel esprit.” As for Hume’s own response, there is the curious episode of the encounter that did not take place during their burgeoning attachment.