his widow of Scarron, who was nearly Queen of France, was born
minister of public instruction." She powerfully upheld the cause of
morality, was a liberal patroness of education and learning, and all
aspiring geniuses were encouraged and financially aided by her. It was
she who impressed upon Louis XIV. the truth of the existence of a God
to whom he was accountable for his acts--a teaching which contributed
no little to the general purification of morals at court.

The writings of Mme. de Maintenon occupy a very high place in the
history of French literature; in fact, her letters have often been
compared with those of Mme. de Sevigne, although, unlike the latter,
she never wrote merely to please, but to instruct, to convert, and to
console. In her works there was no pretension to literary style; they
were sermons on morals, characterized by discretion and simplicity,
dignity and persuasiveness, seriousness and earnestness; Napoleon
placed her letters above those of Mme. de Sevigne. M. Saint-Amand
says of her writings: "More reflection than vivacity, more wisdom
than passion, more gravity than charm, more authority than grace,
more solidity than brilliancy--such are the characteristics of a
correspondence which might justify the expression, the style is the
woman."

He gives, also, the following discriminating comparison between the
two writers: "Enjoyment, Gallic animation, good-tempered gayety,
fall to the lot of Mme. de Sevigne; what marks Mme. de Maintenon is
experience, reason, profundity. The one laughs from ear to ear--the
other barely smiles. The one has pleasant illusions about everything,
admiration which borders on _naivete_, ecstasies when in the presence
of the royal sun: the other never permits herself to be fascinated by
either the king or the court, by men, women, or things. She has seen
human grandeur too close at hand not to understand its nothingness,
and her conclusions bear the imprint of a profound sadness. At times
Mme. de Sevigne, also, has attacks of melancholy, but the cloud
passes quickly and she is again in the sunshine. Gayety--frank,
communicative, radiant gayety--is the basis of the character of this
woman who is more witty, seductive, and amusing than is any other.
Mme. de Sevigne shines by imagination--Mme. de Maintenon by judgment.
The one permits herself to be dazzled, intoxicated--the other always
preserves her indifference. The one exaggerates the splendors of
the court--the other s