If Mme de Riccoboni's novels were widely known to the reading public of the eighteenth century, her best and most original productions were reserved for the privileged few who received her letters. Mme de Riccoboni led a secluded life; she had no enemies and very few close friends. Her opinions tend to be disinterested and objective, unmotivated by spite or personal animosity. Her judgements on literary works, people and events were, however,...