They may be concealed from our knowledge by celebrity as well as obscurity, if some sort of sympathy does not assist us to penetrate them." He enlarged upon her talent for extemporisation, which did not resemble any thing of that description known in Italy.

"It is not only to the fecundity of her mind that we ought to attribute it;" said he; "but to the deep emotion which every generous thought excites in her.

She cannot pronounce a word that recalls such thoughts without enthusiasm, that inexhaustible source of sentiments and of ideas animating and inspiring her." The Prince Castel-Forte also made his audience sensible of the beauties of a style always pure and harmonious.

"The poetry of Corinne," added he, "is an intellectual melody which can alone express the charm of the most fugitive and delicate impressions." He praised the conversation of his heroine in a manner that easily made it perceived he had experienced its delight.

"Imagination and simplicity, justness and elevation, strength and tenderness, are united," said he, "in the same person to give incessant variety to all the pleasures of the mind: we may apply to her, this charming verse of Petrarch: _Il parlar che nell' anima si sente._[4] and, I believe, in her will be found that grace so much boasted of, that oriental charm which the ancients attributed to Cleopatra.
"The places I have visited with her, the music we have heard together, the pictures she has pointed out to me, the books she has made me comprehend, compose the universe of my imagination.