PREFACE. WHEN an English translation of Madame RQ- Woarniera Memoirs was given to the American public, in 1866, it occasioned the same feeling of disappointment as the original work had previously created in France upon its first publication, in 1869. The cause of this dissatisfaction was obvious, for, though the book was in the highest degree interesting, it failed to give a life-like and satisfactory image of Madame Recmier herself. This was the more disappointing, as few lives have excited a more lively curiosity. If it be true, as CarIyle somewhere says, that were it possible to obtain a faithful record of even the most humble and commonplace life, with all its thoughts aud emotions, hopes and fears, if would be more thrilling than the most startling romance, how much greater the interest such a life as...