It was his wish that his gifts should be preserved, that through the memories linked with them he might be often remembered by those to whom they were sent.

He attached the greatest importance, on his side, to all the evidences of their affection for him.

To receive news or some mark of their remembrance, was always a festival for him.
He never shared this pleasure with any one, but it was plainly visible in his conduct.

He took the greatest care of every thing that came from his distant friends, the least of their gifts was precious to him, he never allowed others to make use of them, indeed he was visibly uneasy if they touched them.
Material elegance was as natural to him as mental; this was evinced in the objects with which he surrounded himself, as well as in the aristocratic grace of his manners.

He was passionately fond of flowers.
Without aiming at the brilliant luxury with which, at that epoch, some of the celebrities in Paris decorated their apartments, he knew how to keep upon this point, as well as in his style of dress, the instinctive line of perfect propriety.
Not wishing the course of his life, his thoughts, his time, to be associated or shackled in any way by the pursuits of others, he preferred the society of ladies, as less apt to force him into subsequent relations.