turgot praised him.ranklin comments people in france that america's new republic was the ultimate of tination in the march human progress. salons of -- the where the places almighty ideas of these men discussed and debated. four celebrated hostesses during the golden age of salons -- in the 1750's to 1780's. some of you have probably seen the picture. this is another conversation piece. today to show -- to that the the idea salons were a reinforcing ork that made the golden age of the fonts memorable. the best and the brightest paris and france were all connected. the arrows above the heads show to right -- russo, voltaire, turgot. the circles highlight the leading hostesses. this era ended in 1780. the er book, "the women of french salons," found that said of c close with the death deffand in 1780. were of the philosophers also gone. others were past the age of rming fresh ties. notable ferson arrives, led by mme. helvetiur. the widow of s was helvetius. her own tess followed theme. mme. helvetius follo