The daughter’s comment on this letter is: ‘It seems there had been an acquaintance between these parties of four years before marriage. It might be thought a long space of time enough for perfect acquaintance. But, ah Providence! thy ways are past finding out.’ Dr. Ellis, the biographer of Rumford, says: An interval, though a very brief one, of cheerfulness and satisfaction, was enjoyed by the Count after his marriage. There were but two letters to his daughter recognising this state of content and pleasant anticipation. He informed her that he left Munich under the pleasantest relations with the Bavarian sovereign and his friends at that Court. He had received a letter from Maximilian, congratulating him on his marriage and approving of his settling himself in France, and at the same time adding four thousand florins a year to his pay. One letter was dated from Paris, December 20, 1805, two months after his marriage: I gave up my lodgings on quitting Munich, and managed so as to settle all concerns of business. I flatter myself I am settled down here for life, far removed from wars and all arduous duties, as a recompense for past services, with plenty to live upon and at liberty to pursue my own natural propensities, such as have occupied me through life--a life, as I try to fancy, that may come under the denomination of a benefit to mankind. Next spring we are going to travel into Italy and the south of France, to be gone two years, so you must patiently stay where you are for the present. You will wish to know what sort of a place we live in. The house is rather an old-fashioned concern, but in a plot of over two acres of land, in the very centre and finest part of Paris, near the Champs Elysées and the Tuileries and principal boulevards. I have already made great alterations in our place, and shall do a vast deal more. When these are done I think Madame de Rumford will find it in a very different condition from that in which it was, that being very pitiful with all her riches. Our style of living is really magnificent. Madame is exceedingly fond of company, and makes a splendid figure in it herself. But she seldom goes out, keeping open doors; that is to say, to all the great and worthy, such as the philosophers, members of the Institute, ladies of celebrity, &c. On Mondays we have eight or ten of the most noted of our associates to dinner. Thursdays are devoted to evening company, of ladies and gentlemen, without regard to numbers. Tea and fruits are given, the guests continuing till twelve or after. Often superb concerts are given, with the finest vocal and instrumental performers. At this time Sir C. Blagden wrote to Sir Joseph Banks: