Maria Edgeworth

“ Trees of superb growth, beech and fir, beautifully mixed, grew on the sides of the mountains. On the road here we had the finest lightning I ever saw flashing from the horizon. Berne is chiefly built of a whitish stone, like Bath stone, and has flagged walks arched over, like Chester. A clear rivulet runs through the middle of each street: there are delightful public walks. On Sunday we saw the peasants in their holiday costume, very pretty, etc.
I have kept to the last that M. de Staël and Miss Randall spoke in the most gratifying terms of praise of my father's life. ”

“ All the rooms once inhabited by Madame de Staël we could not think of as common rooms—they have a classical power over the mind, and this was much heightened by the strong attachment and respect for her memory shown in every word and look, and silence by her son and by her friend, Miss Randall. He is correcting for the press Les dix Années d'Exil. M. de Staël after breakfast took us a delightful walk through the grounds, which he is improving with good taste and judgment. ”

“ Je conçois qu'un fils doit toujours faire la defense de sa mère, mais enfin, si Monsieur veut écrire des libelles, il faut aller en Angleterre. Ou bien, s'il cherche la gloire, c'est en Angleterre qu'il faut aller. C'est l'Angleterre, ou la France—il n'y a que ces deux pays en Europe—dans le monde."
Before any one else at Paris, Miss Randall told me, had the MS. de Sainte-Hélène, a copy had been sent to the Duke of Wellington, who lent it to Madame de Staël ”