The  chain  [which  was]  found  on  the  shores  of  the  Irtich
is  a  new  proof  of  the  antiquity  of  civilization  in  Her  empire.
The  north,  according  to16  my  Epoques,  is  also  the  cradle17
of  the  greatest  things1*  which  nature  in  its  primeval  strength
was  able  to  produce,  and  my  wish  is20  to  see  this  beautiful
nature  and  the  arts  come  down  a  second  time  from  the
North  to  the  South21  under  the  standard  of  such  a  powerful
genius.  The  bust  on  which  M.  Houdon  is  at  work22  will
never  express  in23  the  eyes  of  my  great  Empress  the  keen24
and  deep  feelings  which  fill  my  heart;  seventy-four  years
stamped  on  this  marble  cannot  but25  make  it  colder  still.26
I  beg27  leave  to  send  along  with  it2S  a  living  effigy;  my  only29
son,  [a]  young  officer  in30  the  guards,  will  bring31  it  to  the
feet  of  her  august  Majesty.
Buffon.
60b.  Reply  from  Catherine  II

Count32  Buffon,  I  hasten33  to  announce  by  a  courrier  the
arrival  of  your  son  in  Petersburg.  I  shall  receive  him  as
the  child  of  a  celebrated34  man,  that  is  to  say,35  without
ceremony.  To-night,37  he  will  take36  supper  tête-à-tête  with
me.
IDIOMATIC   FRENCH   COMPOSITION  9 1

60c.  Notes  et  Eclaircissements

Par  Nadault  de  Buffon

A  Buffon  ne  revient  pas  l'honneur  d'avoir  le  premier
découvert  l'identité  de  la  foudre  et  de  l'électricité;  mais
ce  fut  lui  qui,  le  premier,  tenta  l'expérience  du  paratonnerre.
