Lives of the most eminent literary and scientific men of France, Vol. 1 (of 2)Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft
Science
Lives of the most eminent literary and scientific men of France, Vol. 1 (of 2)
Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft
Authors, French -- Biography
[Footnote 90: Citeaux was a famous abbey of Bernardins situated in
Burgundy. The monks of Citeaux had not conformed to the reform lately
introduced into other houses of their order, which caused Boileau to
represent Indolence as domiciled among them.]
[Footnote 91: The speech of Indolence breaks off suddenly and
characteristically,--
"La Mollesse, oppressée,
Dans sa bouche à ce mot sent sa langue glassée,
Et lasse de parler, succombant sous l'effort,
Soupire, étend les bras, ferme l'œil, et s'endort."
This last line, so expressive of the lassitude it describes, charmed the
brilliant but unfortunate Henrietta of England, duchess of Orleans. One
day, in the chapel at Versailles, while waiting the arrival of the king,
she perceived Boileau, and, beckoning him to approach, whispered:
"Soupire, étend les bras, ferme l'œil, et s'endort."]
[Footnote 92: Charles Perrault was a man of merit and imagination,
though his want of learning led him into such deplorable literary
errors. It was through his representations that Colbert founded the
academies of painting, sculpture, and architecture; and he always
exerted his influence in favour of the improvement of science and art.
The work by which he has, however, obtained immortality, is his "Mother
Goose's Tales." Perhaps he would have disdained a fame thus founded;
but, while the fancy is the portion of the human mind, shared in common
by young and old, which receives the greatest pleasure from works of
intellect; while (in spite of Rousseau's doctrine) children are
singularly quick in discerning the difference between a lie and a fable,
and that to interest their imaginations is the best method of enlarging
their minds and cultivating their affections'; Perrault's name will be
remembered with gratitude, and "Mother Goose's Tales" remain the classic
work of a child's library.]
[Footnote 93: Racine's Letters.]
[Footnote 94: Lettres à Racine.]
[Footnote 95: There is humour, certainly, in the description of the
bishop, in the "Lutrin," escaping from his enemies by forcing them to
receive his blessing.]
RACINE
1639-1699
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account