I have in old days given to a few novels (though, of course, only when they richly deserved it) what is called a "slating"--an _ereintement_--as I once had the honour of translating that word in conversation, at the request of a distinguished English novelist, for the benefit of a distinguished French one. Perhaps an example of the process is not utterly out of place in a _History_ of the novel itself. But I have long given up reviewing fiction, and I do not remember any book of which I shall have to speak as I have just spoken. So _hic caestus_, etc.--though I am not such a coxcomb as to include _victor_ in the quotation. FOOTNOTES: [1] For the opposite or corresponding reasons, it has seemed unnecessary to dwell on such persons, a hundred and more years later, as Voisenon and La Morliere, who are merely "corrupt followers" of Crebillon _fils_; or, between the two groups, on the numerous failures of the quasi-historical kind which derived partly from Mlle. de Scudery and partly from Mme. de la Fayette. [2] That of the minor "Sensibility" novelists in the last chapter. [3] I have once more to thank Professors Ker, Elton, and Gregory Smith for their kindness in reading my proofs and making most valuable suggestions; as well as Professor Fitzmaurice-Kelly and the Rev. William Hunt for information on particular points. CONTENTS CHAPTER I PAGE INTRODUCTORY 1 The early history of prose fiction--The late classical stage--A _nexus_ of Greek and French romance?--the facts about the matter--The power and influence of the "Saint's Life"--The Legend of St. Eulalia--The _St. Alexis_. CHAPTER II THE MATTERS OF FRANCE, ROME, AND BRITAIN 9 The _Chanson de Geste_--The proportions of history and fiction in them--The part played by language, prosody, and manners--Some drawbacks--But a fair balance of actual story merit--Some instances of this--The classical borrowings: Troy and Alexander--_Troilus_--_Alexander_--The Arthurian Legend--Chrestien de Troyes and the theories about him--His unquestioned work--Comparison of the _Chevalier a la Charette_ and the prose _Lancelot_--The constitution of the Arthuriad--Its approximation to the novel proper--Especially in the characters and relations of Lancelot and Guinevere--Lancelot--Guinevere--Some minor points--Illustrative extracts translated from the "Vulgate": the youth of Lancelot--The first meeting of Lancelot and Guinevere--The scene of the kiss--Some further remarks on the novel-character of the story--And the personages--Books. CHAPTER III ROMANS D'AVENTURES 55 Variety of the present group--Different views held of it--_Partenopeus of Blois_ selected for analysis and translation. CHAPTER IV THE BEGINNINGS OF PROSE FICTION 73