Life and Correspondence of David Hume, Volume 2

David Hume · en
Your book also teaches how the best of things are liable to
     abuse; and the reflections which are made on this subject
     ought to augment our caution and distrust of ourselves. It
     animates with a noble emulation; it inspires love of liberty;
     and teaches, at the same time, submission to the government
     under which we are obliged to live. In a word, it is a _terra
     fecunda_ of morals and instruction, presented in colours so
     bright, that we believe we see them for the first time.

     The clearness, the majesty, the touching simplicity of your
     style delight me. Its beauties are so striking, that,
     notwithstanding my ignorance of the English language, they
     cannot escape me. You are, sir, an admirable painter: your
     pictures have a grace, a nature, an energy, which surpass even
     what the imagination can portray.

     But how shall I be able to express the effect produced upon me
     by your divine impartiality? I would that I had, on this
     occasion, your own eloquence in which to express my thought!
     In truth, I believed I had before my eyes the work of some
     celestial being, free from the passions of humanity, who, for
     the benefit of the human race, has deigned to write the events
     of these latter times.

     I dare only add, that in all which issues from your pen, you
     show yourself a perfect philosopher, a statesman, a historian
     full of genius, an enlightened politician, a genuine patriot.
     All these sublime qualities are so far above the understanding
     of a woman, that it is fitting I should say little on the
     subject; and I have already great need of your indulgence for
     the faults I have committed against discretion and decorum, by
     the excess of my veneration for your merit. I entreat this of
     you, sir, and, at the same time, the greatest secrecy. The
     step I have taken is rather extraordinary. I fear it may
     attract blame: and I would be grieved if the sentiment which
     has constrained me to it should be misunderstood.

     I have the honour to be, sir, your very humble and very
     obedient servant,

                 HYPPOLYTE DE SAUJON, COMTESSE DE BOUFFLERS.

     They tell me, sir, you have some idea of coming to France--to
     Paris. I earnestly wish you would execute this resolution,
     and that I may be able to assist in rendering your sojourn
     agreeable.

     PARIS, _15th March, 1761_.[97:1]

Hume must have been the more than mortal being which his new friend
describes, if he had resisted such an appeal; and he thus wrote in
answer:--


HUME _to the_ COMTESSE DE BOUFFLERS.

     _Edinburgh, 15th May, 1761._