THIS book easily fulfils what it sets about to do,
and more, for in dealing with the various aspects of French life and literature in the seventeenth century it probes into the historical roots of French society in a way which makes of the work a good general introduction to what is usually described as French civilisation. It should be a very useful text book for grammar school pupils and university students, a book necessary to any approach to France, and what a sympathetic approach it is! It bears the imprint of urbanity, wisdom and sound knowledge. People who find French politicg difficult to understand—and they are numer- ous—should read this book, which traces in France's remote past the roots of so much mistrust between various parties or between government and people; they will see that the tug-of-war between tax-collectors and peasants is old, and they will understand better the part played by women in French life, or the influence of the court and Parisian society on French literature. The book hoS excellent illustrations, and all in all it it, worth very warm commendation.
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