Author talk:Charles de Saint-Évremond

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The Works of Monsieur de St. Evremond, Made English from the French Original, with the Life of the Author; by Mr. Des Maizeaux, F.R.S. To which are added the Memoirs of the Duchess of Mazarin, &c. The Second Edition, corrected and enlarged. In Three Volumes. London: J. & J. Knapton; 1728.
Google Books: Vol. I (alternate scan), Vol. II, Vol. III

Contents of the Works

Volume I

Dedication to Lord Halifax (11 pages)
Preface pp. 1-26
The Life of Monsieur de St. Evremond pp. i-clxvii
The Duke of Longueville’s Retreat to his Government of Normandy. p. 1.
A Letter to Madam ***. I remember that when I went to the Army, &c. 13
To the same. I thought you had utterly forgot me, &c. 14
A Letter to Madam ***. You are upon the point, &c. 15
The Character of the Countess d'Olonne. 17
A Letter to the Countess d'Olonne, sent with the foregoing Character. 22
A Letter to Madam * * *. How violent soever my Friendship is, &c. 23
A Letter to Madam * * *. As nothing is so honourable as an antient Friendship, &c. 25
Man, who is desirous to know all things, knows not himself. 26
Reflections on the Maxim, That we ought to despise Fortune, and not care for the Court. 31
A Letter to Count d'Olonne. You left me yesterday in a Conversation, &c. 36
A Letter to Monsieur * * *. You acquaint me you are in Love with a Protestant Lady, &c. 40
Of Pleasures. 42
A Judgment on the Sciences to which a Gentleman may apply himself. 49
Reflections on the different Genius of the Roman People, at the different times of the Republick. p. 55
- Chap. I. Of the fabulous Original of the Romans, and of their Genius under the first Kings. ibid.
- Chap. II. Of the Genius of the Romans in the beginning of the Republick. 62
- Chap. III. Of the first Wars of the Romans. 64
- Chap. IV. Against the Opinion of Livy, about the imaginary War in which he engages Alexander against the Romans. 66
- Chap. V. The Genius of the Romans, at the time when Pyrrhus waged war against them. 72
- Chap. VI. Of the first Carthaginian War. 79
- Chap. VII. Of the second Punick War. 83
- Chap. VIII. Of the Genius of the Romans towards the end of the second War of Carthage. 100
- Chap. IX, X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV, XV. 111, 112
- Chap. XVI. Of Augustus, and his Genius. 113
- Chap. XVII. Of Tiberius, his Government, and his Genius. 127
A Judgment upon Cesar and Alexander. 135
Of the Complacency that Women take in their Beauty. 149
A Judgment upon Seneca, Plutarch, and Petronius. 153
The Ephesian Matron. 171
A Conversation between the Mareschal d'Hocquincourt and Father Canaye. 176
A Conversation between my Lord d'Aubigny and M. de Saint Evremond. 186
The Irish Prophet. A Novel. 189
A Letter to the Marquis de Crequi. After having lived in the constraint of Courts, &c. 203
The Idea of a Woman that never was, nor will ever be found. 208
A Letter to Count de Lionne. If I could discharge all the obligations, &c. 214
To the same. If you do me the honour to write to me, &c. 218
To the same. I should have great excuses to make to you, &c. 220
To the same. You are none of those who endeavour, &c. 221
Observations on Sallust and Tacitus. 224
A Dissertation on Racine’s Tragedy, call'd The Great Alexander. 232
A Letter to the Count de Lionne. I know not yet what success your endeavours, &c. 244
To the same. If it were true, as you tell me, &c. 246

Volume II

Conversation between M. de St. Evremond and the Duke of Candale. p. 1
A Letter to the Count de Lionne. 24
A Letter from M. Corneille to M. de St. Evremond; to return him thanks for the Praises he had bestow’d upon him, in the Dissertation on Racine’s Alexander. 26
M. de St. Evremond’s Answer to M. Corneille. 28
A Letter to the Count de Lionne; Your impatience for my Return, &c. 30
To the same; Nothing is so agreeable to Friendship, &c. 32
Interest in Persons altogether corrupted. 34
The too rigid Virtue. 38
The Sense of an honest experienced Courtier, upon rigid Virtue, and base Interest. 42
A Letter to the Count de Lionne; Perhaps you are not at Paris, &c. 48
To the same; I received just now the Letter, &c. 49
To the same; If I consulted nothing but Discretion, &c. p. 51
To the same; Altho I should not regret M. de Lionne, &c. 52
To the Mareschal de Crequi, who asked the temper of my Mind, and my Thoughts of all things in my old Age. 53
- Of Reading, and the Choice of Books. 58
- Of Poetry. 60
- Of some Spanish, Italian and French Books. 62
- Of Conversation. 66
- Of Literature and the Civil Law. 70
- Of Ingratitude. 76
- Of Religion. 80
A Problem in imitation of the Spaniards : To Madam de Queroualle. 91
A Letter to Count d’Olonne; As soon as I heard of your Disgrace, &c. 94
Of Ancient and Modern Tragedy. 101
On the Characters of Tragedies. 112
To an Author who ask’d my Opinion of a Play, where the Heroine does nothing but lament her self. 121
A Letter to Count de Lionne; As irksome and heavy as my Disgraces are, &c. 1 24
A Discourse upon the French Historians. 126
Reflections upon the French Translators. 144
Upon Tragedies. 154
Upon our Comedies, except these of Moliere, in which the true spirit of Comedy is found; and upon the Spanish Comedy. 150
Of the Italian Comedy. 163
Of the English Comedy. 168
Upon Operas. 172
A Dissertation upon the word Vast. 182
Upon Friendship. 202
A Letter to the Earl of St. Albans; No Company is so agreeable, &c. 212
A Letter to the Dutchess of Mazarin; I have resolved, &c. p. 215
For Madam de Beverweert. 220
A Letter to Madam de Beverweert. 225
A Defence of some Dramatick Pieces of M. Corneille. 227
A Letter to the Dutchess of Mazarin; If you find any Extravagances, &c. 236
A Letter to the Earl of St. Albans; I have been at Death’s door, &c. 239
A Letter to the Duke of Buckingham. 243
A Letter to the Dutchess of Mazarin; with a Discourse upon Religion. 246
The Character of the Dutchess of Mazarin. 250
A Letter to the Dutchess of Mazarin; I read just now the Copy of Verses, &c. 254
A Letter to Count d’Olonne; I know not why you shou’d admire my Verses, &c. 258
Friendship without Friendship. To the Earl of St. Albans. 261
A Letter to M. Justel; I am overjoy’d to see you in England, &c. 271
Thoughts, Reflections and Maxims. 281
- Upon Health. ibid.
- Upon Love. 282
- Upon Devotion. 283
- On Death. 284
A Letter to the Dutchess of Mazarin; On her design of retiring into a Convent. 285
To the same : On the Death of her Lover. 294
To the same : On her design of leaving England. 298
To the same : On the same subject. 301
Some Observations upon the Taste and Judgment of the French. 303
A Letter to Mr. ***, who cou’d not endure that the Earl of St. Albans should be in love in his old Age. 308
A funeral Oration on the Dutchess of Mazarin. p. 310
A Letter to the Count de Grammont; I am informed, &c. 327
A Letter to young Dery. 331
Reflections upon Religion. 333
That Devotion is our last Love. 337
A Letter to a Lady, who design’d to turn Devout. 240
Of the Poems of the Antients. 344
Of the Wonderful that is found in the Poems of the Antients. 352
An Elucidation on what I said of the Italian Musick. 358
A Letter to the Dutchess of Mazarin; I am not so vain, &c. 360
On the Morals of Epicurus. 363
Of Retirement. 370
A Letter of M. de la Fontaine to the Dutchess of Bouillon. 379
An Answer of M. de St. Evremond to the Letter of M. de la Fontaine to the Dutchess of Bouillon. 387
M. de la Fontaine’s Answer to M. de St. Evremond. 394
A Judgment on the three Accounts of Siam; and on Confucius’s Book. 403
A Letter to M. Justel; Altho you have made a Resolution, &c, 405
A Letter to M. de la Bastide. 407
A Letter to Monsieur***, in the name of the Dutchess of Mazarin; I am not considerable enough in the World, &c. 409
A Letter to Monsieur * * *, in the name of the Dutchess of Mazarin; I don’t wonder that Monsieur Mazarin, &c. 41 2
A Letter to Monsieur***, in the name of the Dutchess of Mazarin; No body can have a deeper Sense, &c. 41 4
A Letter to the Dutchess of Nevers, in the name of the Dutchess of Mazarin; I never doubted of your having all the Concern, &c. 415
A Letter to Monsieur ***, in the Name of the Dutchess of Mazarin; I always believed that you were so kind, &c. 416
A Judgment upon some French Authors. 417
A Letter to the Dutchess of Mazarin; I hope you will be so good as to excuse me, &c. 419
A Letter from Madam de L’Enclos. de St. Evremond; M. de Charleval is just dead, &c. 421
A Letter from the same to M. de St. Evremond; I was all alone in my Chamber, &c. 422
M. de St. Evremond’s Answer to Madam de L’Enclos; Monsieur Turretin, &c. 424
A Billet to the Dutchess of Mazarin; I beg of you to tell the Dutchess of Bouillon, &c. 425
A Letter to the Dutchess of Bouillon, in the name of the Dutchess of Mazarin; I think I have explained myself so often, &c. 426
A Billet to the Dutchess of Mazarin; If you have a mind to understand, &c. 427
A Letter to the same; No Letter had ever given me more Pleasure, &c. 428
To the same; The fine Air of Chelsea, &c. 429
A Fragment upon the discovery of a Conspiracy against the King in 1696. 430
A Letter to Madam de L’Enclos; I have received the second Letter, &c. 431

Volume III

The Character of the Mareschal de Turenne. p. 1
A Parallel between the Prince of Condé and M. de Turenne, as to what relates to War. 11
A Letter to the Marquis of Saissac in the Name of the Dutchess of Mazarin. 15
A Billet to the Dutchess of Mazarin; You commanded me to write, &c. 16
An Answer to the Pleading of Mr. Erard on behalf of the Duke of Mazarin, against the Dutchess his Wife. 17
A Billet to the Dutchess of Mazarin; Three words of your Letter, &c. 36
To the same; I should never be easy, &c. 37
To the same; Old men don’t sleep, &c. 38
A Letter to Madam de L’Enclos; I have been enquiring after you, &c. ibid.
An Answer to the Judgment of the Abbot Renaudot, upon Mr. Bayle’s Historical and Critical Dictionary, 41
A Billet to the Dutchess of Mazarin; If I can be of any service to you, &c. 43
To the same; The pleasure of seeing you, &c. 44
To the same; As all the world gives you fruit, &c. ib.
To the same; There is an Express arrived, &c. ib.
A Letter from Madam de L’Enclos to Monsieur de St. Evremond; I learn with pleasure, &c. 45
A Letter to Madam de L’Enclos; I have a sensible pleasure, &c. 46
Madam de L’Enclos’s Answer to Monsieur de St. Evremond; How could you imagine, &c. 48
A Billet to the Dutchess of Mazarin; You will be so kind, &c. 50
A Letter from Madam de L’Enclos, to Monsieur de St. Evremond; I have sent an Answer, &c. ibid.
A Billet to the Dutchess of Mazarin; My Lord Duke of Devonshire, &c. 52
To the same; My Lord Godolphin, &c. 53
To the same; ’Tis too long, &c. ibid.
A Letter from Madam de L’Enclos, to Monsieur de St. Evremond; The Abbé du Bois, &c. 54
Monsieur de St. Evremond’s Answer to Madam de L’Enclos; I never saw any Letter, &c. 55
A Billet to the Dutchess of Mazarin; The dreadful Retirement, &c. 57
A Letter from Madam de L’Enclos, to Monsieur de St. Evremond; The Count de Clerembaut, &c. 58
A Letter to Dr. Silvestre; The Dutchess of Mazarin is so much indisposed, &c. 59
A Letter from Madam de L’Enclos, to Monsieur de St. Evremond; How great a loss have you sustain’d, &c. 61
A Letter from the same, to Monsieur de St. Evremond; Your Letter hath fill’d me, &c. 62
Monsieur de St. Evremond’s Answer to Madam de L’Enclos; The last Letter I receive, &c. 64
A Letter from Monsieur de St. Evremond, to the Marquis de Canaples; I know not, Sir, &c. 66
A Letter from Madam de L’Enclos, to Monsieur de St. Evremond; Wit is very dangerous in Friendship, &c. 67
A Letter to my Lord Montague; No person can be more sensible, &c. 68
A Billet to Mr. Des Maizeaux; I return you the Book, &c. 69
A Letter to my Lord Gallway. 70
A Billet to Dr. Silvestre; Be satisfy’d, &c. 73
To the same; If my new Infirmities, &c. 74
A Letter to Prince Maurice d’Auvergne. 75
A Letter to Mr. Des Maizeaux; I am sorry, &c. 76
A Letter from Mr. Des Maizeaux, to Monsieur de St. Evremond, concerning the Romance of the Rose. 80
A Billet to Madam de la Perrine; I send to see whether the fatigue, &c. 89
A Letter to Dr. Silvestre; You cannot imagine the joy I was in, &c. 90
A Billet to Madam de la Perrine; I thought, &c. 91
A Billet to Dr. Silvestre; ’Tis about ten years ago, &c. 92
A Billet to Madam de la Perrine; Monsieur Rouvière hath obtain’d, &c. 93
A Letter to Count Magalotti, Counsellor of State to his Royal Highness the Great Duke of *Tuscany; How happy are you, Sir, &c. 93
The Character of Monsieur de St. Evremond, by Dr. Chetwood. 96
The Character of Monsieur de St. Evremond, by Mr. Dryden. 98

A Collection of the best Pieces attributed to Monsieur de St. Evremond.

Memoirs of the Dutchess of Mazarin. 105
- A Letter containing the Picture and Character of the Dutchess of Mazarin. 168
Reflections upon Eloquence, or a Fragment of Petronius. -> 177
- The Ephesian Matron. 197
Of the true Use of Life. 207
- Chap. I. That a man ought diligently to apply himself to the Search of Happinesse, since it is in his power to augment his Pleasures, and lessen his Miseries. ibid.
- Chap. II. Of the Existence of God. 211
- Chap. III. That we ought to restrain the Violence of our Appetites, by considering the true worth of those things we desire. 217
- Chap. IV. Of Reputation. 219
- Chap. V. Of Vexations and Displeasures. 223
- Chap. VI. Of Pleasures. 231
Of the true and false Beauty of ingenious Writings. 239
- Chap. I. Some Rules to write well, and to judge well of the Authors and their Writings. ibid.
- Chap. II. Of the Cleanness of Expression. 248
- Chap. III. Of the Exactness of Reasoning. 257
Of Study and Conversation. 267
Of Friendship. 273
Reflections upon the Doctrine of Epicurus. 279
Maxim, That we ought never to be wanting to our Friends. 324
A Fragment out of the History of Atalanta, out of Ælian’s Var. Hist. l. 13. c. I. 330
Observations on what is necessary to direct a young Man how to enter with advantage upon the Theatre of the World, and there to support himself with Honour. 335
Reflections upon what Measures a man should take to live happy. 343
Of Logick. 346
Of Moral Philosophy. 347
Maxims of Morality. 349
The Character of a Man of Honour. 351
Maxims for the Use of Life. 355
The Charms of Friendship. 360
Thoughts upon several Subjects. 381
Reflections upon the Truth of our Defects. 384
Advice how to regulate our Studies. 385