“Everywhere they were porcelain shepherdesses, table clocks made by the famous Leroy, little b

“Everywhere they were porcelain shepherdesses, table clocks made by the famous Leroy, little boxes, roulette toys, fans, and various feminine play things which were invented at the end of the century along with Montgolfier’s balloon and Mesmer’s magnetism.”

–Alexander Pushkin, “The Queen of Spades,” translated by Carl Proffer

I love the emphasis on how old-fashioned the Countess is…