Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/817

Rh situation, which was at best only a genteel servitude, and formed a resolution of retiring to a convent. The Duchess, to whom she was of the utmost use, opposed this very strongly, and immediately concluded a match between her and Captain Staal, lieutenant of the Swiss-guards, afterwards Marechal de Camp; upon which she was appointed dame d'honneur to the duchess, eat at the same table, and accompanied her illustrious mistress in her coach.

Her memoirs, written by herself, were not published till after her death. The first volume of which, contains an account of Lewis XIVth's reign: the troubles in which the princes of the blood were involved at that monarch's death, &c. Her stile is correct and elegant. Two of her comedies, one entitled L'Engoûment, and the other La Mode, have been held in the highest estimation. She died, 1750.

A lady of great wit, and of high rank, had drawn a portrait of Madame de Staal's person and character, which that lady looked upon to be so full of partiality and flattery, that she did not approve of it, and drew it herself in the following manner.

"Launai is of the middle size, lean, parched, dry, and disagreeable; her mind and character resemble her figure, no deformity or irregularity, but nothing pleasing. Her bad fortune has contributed to make her of value. She very fortunately received a most excellent education, and has most religiously adhered throughout her conduct, to those principles of virtue, which from a long and early practice became natural. Her greatest folly has been, to appear always reasonable; and like simple women, who by pinching up their bodies in stays, think to make their shapes fine; so she, by possessing too much reason, has found it very troublesome. The