Scott probably knew de Stael, he was certainly acquainted with her work, friends, lifestyle etc. Here is a brief excerpt: '...the tendency of the last of her productions, which, as a posthumous work, connects itself most immedately with her memory, is for the most part as excellent as its execution is brilliant and masterly. To speak first of its style: we cannot refrain from noticing the rarer occurrence of that appearance of straining after eloquence and philosophy which defaced ....'