ABSTRACT
Over 1500 of Mme de Sévigné's letters are extant; unfortunately those of her daughter were destroyed by her granddaughter, Pauline de Simiane, who had intended to burn the entire correspondence. Mme de Sévigné's letters are unmatched in style and tone. They provide a vivid and immediate account of aristocratic life during the reign of Louis XIV She wrote in a natural, conversational style, moving easily from subject to subject, infusing life into people and events of the time. There is a sense of immediacy in her writing that holds the reader's interest and transports him or her into her world. Mme de Sévigné was an intelligent, keen observer with a realistic view of life. Without moralizing or merely gossiping, she gave character and depth to the men and women of her acquaintance. She described life at court, lavish fêtes and gruesome executions, wars and love affairs, dreaded illnesses and horrendous medical practices, the dread of growing old, and the agonies of dying. One of the most interesting people found in this vast correspondence is Mme de Sévigné herself. Few historical figures are as well-known as she-her daily routine, her health (very robust), her diet, her friends, her frequent travels, her moods and character, her fears and joys are all revealed in her incomparable style. Her love of reading, her periodic need for solitude, and her appreciation of nature were unusual for women of her class and time. Cultured, witty, friendly, and cheerful, Mme de Sévigné displayed a j'oie de vivre that was only occasionally tinged with melancholy Her attractive personality is one of the reasons for the appeal of her letters. Although she was not a professional writer, she was an accomplished stylist and knew the importance of writing well. She could make anything interesting, even the weather or a walk in her woods. In her letters Mme de Sévigné bequeathed an eternal vitality and vivacity to the momentous and trivial aspects of the Splendid Century.
