A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Graffigny, (Madame de)

GRAFFIGNY, (MADAME DE).

This lady's maiden name was Françoise d'Apponcourt, only daughter to Françoise d'Issembourg, of a noble and ancient German family; she was born in Lorraine, and died at Paris 1758, in the 64th year of her age. To a solid understanding and strength of judgment, she united a susceptible heart, and an amiable disposition; her engaging manners in conversation, charmed all who knew her. The early part of her life was spent in retirement, and in studying the best authors, and she then accompanied Mlle. de Guise to Paris, previous to that lady's marriage with the duke de Richelieu.

Some of her first literary productions were Nouvelle Espagnole, and Les Lettres d'une Peruvienne, (which has been published in England, under the title of The Peruvian Princess); both of which were much admired, but particularly the latter, as it is written with great spirit, and abounds with delicacy of sentiment. The story is simple and interesting, and there is a vein of elegant and gay satire in it, highly amusing. Her theatrical pieces are also much esteemed, particularly Cenie, a comedy in five acts; and another, entitled, La Fille d'Aristide. She also composed many others, in verse and prose; but her Peruvian Letters are her chef-d'œuvre; and, without laying claim to the highest palm of genius, are the pleasing productions of a mind of taste and observation.

Mrs. Thicknesse.