PARIS, Wednesday, March 23, 1689.
I shall not retract the praises I have bestowed on the tragedy of
Esther; I shall be delighted with the harmony and novelty of this
spectacle as long as I live; I was in raptures with it; I found in
it a thousand things so just, so well introduced, and so important
to a king, that I entered with uncommon spirit into the pleasure
arising from the utterance, in fiction and song, of the most solid
truths; I was affected with these various beauties, and am very far
from changing my opinion. But I told you that the impression of this
piece has produced its usual effect, and has brought forth a _civil
demur_ against excessive applause. I, who have read it again with
pleasure, suppose that the critics are routed, as M. d’Aiguebonne will
be with his _demur_, if the chevalier has time to press the point. The
victory of the grand council has been brilliant and gratifying, and I
doubt not that it will give you ample satisfaction; I am impatient to
receive your letter upon this subject. M. de Lamoignon told me again
to-day, that this advantage, gained sword in hand, was greater than we
supposed. I told him he was mistaken, as we had felt the pleasure in
its fullest extent. He is very much engaged in the great cause between
mademoiselle, the prince, and the whole house of Lorraine, who have
recourse to law in the same way we have. M. de Lamoignon is to plead on
Thursday, and the affair will be determined upon hearing.
The King of England set sail on the 17th, and arrived in Ireland on the
19th. Little Mailly, who accompanied him to Brest, is returned. Adieu,
my beloved child; I dread an increase of distance from you; it makes
me ill. I swallow this journey like a dose of medicine; but the worst
is, that I have no time to lose; in truth, my reflections are often of
the most melancholy cast; for, though I submit to that Providence which
separates us, what would become of me if I had not the hope of seeing
you again?