The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-03-14
Sclcttea Miscellanp.
From d" Once Week.
THE LAST LOVE.
EPISODE LN,THE LIFE OF PHILOSOPHERS.

The Independence of the United
States Of America had been conclusively
. acknowledged and ratified by the Treaty
Of Peace of September 3, 17S3 and,
under the able direction of Benjamin
Franklin, ambassador from the new Re
public to the Court of Versailles, the
diplomatic aud commercial relations of
the United States with France, had
been successfully established by Treaty,
in cousonauce with the views and wish.
es of Congress,
Philadelphia ardcntly desired the re-
turn Of her famed iellow>citizen who
had displayed 50 much prudence and
skill in cficctiug the great objects of
his mission. He, no less anxious to re,
turn to America, never wholly free from
the fear that his declining health might
detaiu him in France, perhaps to close
his life there, and, withal, that his most
ardent prayer was to be spared to end
his days in his native land among his
tellow-citizens, and surrounded by his
grandchildren-he yet seemed to seek
pleasurablo excuse for the delay of his
departure, under the influence of SEN
timent which had less concern in the
settlement of such collateral details as
yet remained for adjustment, than the
American Philosopher had, perhaps,
deemed possible, or cared even to ac'
knowledge to himself all til at period of
life.
During the latter part of his embass 2
to the French Court, he had taken up
his residence at Passy, near Auteuil, in
the environs Of Paris.
In the latter charming village dwelt
the widow Of Helvetius. The relict of
Helyetius was most amiable and gifted
woman. She reckoned among her
friends the most distinguished men Of
letters Of the period, by whom she was
never otherwise designated than as The
good old lady of Auteuil
Although she had past that term of
female life which has been so arbitrarily
assigned as the climac,eric to the fasci.
mating powers OF the fair sex, the widow
Of LIelvctius was another exception ia
that questionable rule; and still more
fascinating both by the grace of her
manners and the attractions Of her per.
son. The gcntleness of her disposition,
the charming versatility of her intellect
together with the prudent department
which had distinguished her throughout
a life Of considerable trial, and had pla,
ced her beyond the reach Of all approach
invested her as it were, with an aurcolC
OF feminine grace and purity, to which
all who came within the atmosphere OF
her course paid homage Of admiration
and respect.
Strange as it may ut first appear,
when the then respective ages of the
"gool lady Of Auteuil" and of Benjamin
franklin are considered, the American
philosopher found the charm Of her So
cicty too irresistible not to make per
manent alliance with her a serious sub
jcct Of his thoughts and insomuch, at
lengththat he believed it desirable for his
happiness.
On her part, the amiable widow had
not the most remote presentiment oi
such design; and always received
Franklin as friend who entertained nc
other sentiments towards her than those
he had expressed, and as one in whose
near society she would have esteemed
herself happy to live.
Between Passy and Auteuil, FIRE
quent Intercourse of visits had for some
time been established Once in every
week Madame Helyetius dined at Frank
Inns house, in company with the Abbey
de Laroche, the phisician Cabanis, whc
resided under her roof, and Morrelet
another esteemed friend, but less fre
queut guest, Franklin on the othe
hand diued much more frequently a
the house Of the charming widow, wher,
he often passed the whole evening, bu
had never yet paid her morning visit
The intercourse with Franklin wa
most cordial on both sides. The sym
plieity of his manners, his noble sens
orneAt and duty, which revealed itsel
in the most trivial things; his afability
the purity OF bis soul, his cheerlulness