THE FRENCH CLASSIC AGE. By N. S. Wilson. (Hachette. 5s.
6d.)—How often does " gloire " occur in Corneille's works ? His age tried to live up to it. The strain was great. Perhaps that was why. " the' little King with his full-bottomed wig and his red-heeled shoes" loved Moliere. That realist had no illusions about humanity (he ran un menage a quatre r) Bored, La Fontaine was not ` sage," and he shocked Mine. de Maintenon and Louis, grown pious. Besides, mirabile dictu, he preferred Blois to Versailles. Racine was more acceptable ; but even he noticed misery under " le roi soleil." And La Bruyere " L'on voit certains animaux farouches, des males et des femelles . . ins se retirent la nuit dans des tanieres, oil ins vivent de pain noir, d'eau et de racines ; ins epargnent aux autres hommes la pains de Berner, de labourer et de recueillir pour vivre, et meritent ainsi de ne pas manquer de ce pain gulls out seine."
They approach, the tumbrils and the red-capped women who knit ! Mr. Wilson makes French classicism live for English readers. It is an achievement.
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