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Apphia Peach, George Lord Lyttelton, and The Correspondents Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 July 2025
From the Scots Magazine 30 (June 1768): 281–82 (see above, n147).
A short account of the Bishop of Lucon and Madame de Rouvraie; two of the most celebrated instances of Platonic love in France, or, perhaps, any other country.
The bishoprick of Lucon is near Rochfort, and one of those which, being distant from the metropolis, may be called a rich one; as, in proportion to the revenue, all provisions are so amazingly cheap. I take the liberty to mention this as my reason why his Lordship was able to do such munificent acts in his lifetime, almost superior to royalty.
From his taking the gown he had a sincere affection for Madame de Rouvraie, who was of a very noble family; but one, among the almost innumerable instances in France, of high blood, without the proper means to support it.
The Abbé, though with no income at first but what his genius and abilities, joined to uncommon industry, could produce, ever supported her as a gentlewoman. He taught music, to sing, to paint in crayons, and water colours, besides giving lectures in different sciences; and all to replenish the purse of Madame de Rouvraie.
He now got advanced in the church; she of course advanced with him: but he took care to board her always in such pious and regular families, that envy itself (and that quickest of all, the envy of her own sex) never could fix a stain on his, or her character.
By the various great offers in marriage, which she often refused, it is visible she preferred the Abbé, and his celestial qualities, to all earthly ones; and she would give it for a reason why she did not engage in that state, that there was but one Didoyard in the world, and he was married to Christ: “Find me a second not so engaged,” said she, “and I will enter into matrimony with him immediately.”
His merits, now, being promulgated, he was made a chanoine of the cathedral church of Anjou, capital of the province of Anjou; and, from thence, dean of Nantz; from whence he was removed to the bishoprick of Lucon. Grown now independent, and having early declared that he was an enemy to translations, he set himself down quietly on this provision; and Madame de Rouvraie now appeared with that rank and lustre her merits so well deserved.
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