son for doing so, that the French language was "delectable and more known than any other."*. Two powerful causes contributed to the composition of Romances during the Middle Ages; the love of chivalry on the one hand, and the imitation of Oriental Tales, on the other. To these two causes, the effect of which was still increased by the Crusades, we owe the numerous works of that description which then appeared, and as the most distinguished of which may be *The following few lines will give the reader an idea of the state of the French language at that early period. They form the commencement of a poem, entitled, "Le Combat de Trente Bretons contre Trente Anglais," which was written about the year 1350. A beautiful reprint of this interesting work was published by Crapelet, Paris, 1827. "Seigneurs, or faites paix, Chlrs (a) et barons, Bannerois, bachelers et trestoux (6) nobles hons, (c) Heraulx, menestreelx (d) et tous bons compaignons, (a) Chevaliers, (b) vous tous, (c) hommes, (d) baladins, joueurs d'instrumens, (e) discours, sentences, (f) clercs, savans. mentioned the "Roman de la Rose " commenced by Lerris and continued by Jean de Meun. At this period lived also Froissart, whose fame as an historian has deprived him of that which he enjoyed as a poet; for while every body reads his excellent "Chronicles, " few are aware, in this country at least, that he was one of the best among the early poets of France. Next to Froissart should be mentioned Joinville, who accompanied St. Louis into Palestine, and wrote an account of the reign and actions of his master. His "Mémoires" are a perfect representation of the time at which he lived, and nothing that can be compared to them appeared in France till those of Philippe de Commines, the most profound and most elegant of the historians of that period. Naiveté was the characteristic of Joinville; to please seems to have been the aim of Froissart, while a correct and sound judgment is the quality most prominent in the Memoirs of Philippe de Commines.. During the period of which we have been speaking, a mighty change had taken place in the affairs of Europe, and had, as might naturally be expected, a great influence over its Literature. The fall of the Eastern Empire which had taken place, hastened the revival of learning in Europe, where learned men came from all parts of the East to seek an asylum, for which they paid by works, at once extensive and useful, on the literary treasures they had brought with them in exile. Their presence in Europe excited a fresh spirit of emulation, and this concurrence of talents was productive of many happy results. This age was however that of learning, rather than of taste. To examine, and comment upon the works of antiquity, then brought to light, was the first occupation of European Scholars, but the enthusiasm which their possession excited, caused the cultivation of modern languages to be neglected. Such was the state of Literature at the commencement of the Sixteenth Century, which appeared, enriched by the spoils of the past, young in hopes, and in some measure, freed from the shackles of the Schools, which till then had fettered and impeded the progress of the human mind. Europe then presented a spectacle well deserving our serious attention. Spain, lately relieved from the yoke of the Saracens, owed to the courage and enterprising spirit of Columbus, the discovery of a new world. A love of chivalry, the Eastern traditions, a delightful climate and a sonorous and majestic language combined to impart to her literature a spirit and an energy which unfortunately were not a little repressed by the despotism of her rulers. But the names of Calderon, of Lopez de Vega and of Cervantes, are more than sufficient to give it a high rank in Literature; while the Lusiad of Camoens, entitles Portugal to a place among the Literary nations of the sixteenth century. In Italy, Literature flourishing under the munificent auspices of Leo X. and of the Medicis, owes no small share of its glory to the compositions of Tasso, Aristotle, and Guarini, who lived at that period; as well as to the writings of Bembo, of Guiciardini, and of Fra. Paolo. To the English reader, it will be sufficient to mention the names of Spenser, of Beaumont and Fletcher, of Ben Jonson, but especially of the all-excellent Shakespeare, to bring to his mind one of the most brilliant epochs of the literary history of his country. At this period, France, notwithstanding her political disasters, began to assume a rank among the literary nations of Europe. Her language was as yet far from being pure or correct; but its infantine state (if we may so express ourselves), well suited the playful Muse of Marot, who, in his compositions, appeared: b more desirous of contributing to the amusement of his countrymen, than to the improvement of their language. The chief merit of his poetry is its grace, and the charm of his style, that quality which the French express by the untranslatable word naiveté; both these qualities will be found happily blended in the following Rondeau, which will serve at the same time to shew the state of the French language in the time of Marot Au bon vieux temps, un train d'amour régnoit, Car seulement au cœur on se prenoit, Et si par cas à jouyr on venoit, Sçavez-vous bien comme on s'entretenoit, Vingt ans, trente ans ; cela duroit un monde Or est perdu ce qu'amour ordonnoit, Rien que pleurs feincts, rien que changes on voit Qui voudra donc qu'à aimer je me fonde, Il faut premier que l'amour on refonde, Et qu'on la mène ainsi qu'on la menoit Contemporary with Marot, lived Ronsard, whose endeavours to enrich and improve his native tongue, by infusing into it the richness and spirit of the Greek and Latin languages, |