Note 182 — Chapter IX
Reading edition
Tonton was a snappish little dog belonging to Madame du Deffand, which, when in its mistress's company, must have been extremely objectionable. In January, 1778, the Maréchale de Luxembourg presented her old friend with Tonton's portrait in wax on a gold snuff-box, together with the last six volumes of Madame du Deffand's favourite, Voltaire, adding the following epigram by the Chevalier de Boufflers:—
'Vous les trouvez tous deux charmans, Nous les trouvons tous deux mordans: Voilà la ressemblance; L'un ne mord que ses ennemis, Et l'autre mord tous vos amis: Voilà la différence.'
At Madame du Deffand's death, both dog and box passed to Walpole, the latter finding an honoured place among the treasures of the Tribune. (See A Description of the Villa, etc., 1774, p. 137, Appendix of Additions.)