No, my dear friend, Adelaide does not yet read any of the books you mention. Although she has as much sense and reason as is possible at her age, yet there requires a great deal more to make her feel the merits of the good authors of the age of Lewis XIV. As yet she has read very little but what I have composed for her. But now we are going into longer and more instructive lessons. She has begun Rollin's Ancient History; which will be succeded by those of Rome and France; then the Age of Lewis XIV and some English historians; and this will finish our course of history, containing in all fifty volumes. As to works of amusement, we are at present reading some plays. In three years we shall have read Campistron, Lagrange, Chancel, Lachaussee, Destouches, Marivaux, Les Poesies de Fontenelle, de Pavillon, de Desmahis, &c. All these pleasing, but second-rate authors, will amuse her, till an age in which her taste will be sufficiently formed to read, with transport, books of true genius. We last night finished the tragedy of Andronicus; and, in spite of my commentaries and criticisms, Adelaide was drowned in tears, and asked me if it was possible to form a more interesting and affecting piece. – Yes, doubtless, replied I, you yourself will be convinced of that when you come to read those immortal authors, Corneille, Racine, Voltaire, Crebillon, & c. who are at present known to you only by name. -But, mamma, since a moderate performance makes such an impression on me, what pleasure would a tragedy of Corneille's give me! and why deprive me of it?-It is precisely the transports and admiration you profess for Andronicus, which proves you not yet worthy to read Cinna. Was you sensible of the faults of Andronicus, you would be scarcely affected by what has made you shed so many tears; and for the same reason Cinna would not move you, because you could not feel his sublime beauties.