The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-03
No. 1913.
origin OF Frois.art,. Chronicre.

Among foreign writer's whose works have beer
most read and esteemed in England, none hav,
ranked higher than Froissart, the historian. Re
Gently his Chronicles have been repubshed will
illustrations obtained and copied from rare manu-.
scripts existing in England and France withou,
regard to expense and the success OF the pubica
ton hos proved that the popularity of the French
chroncler in this country remains undirninished
His admirers will therefore be surprised and inter
ested TO learn, that Nj. Polain, the keeper of the
archives at Liege, has proved that Frossart copied
a large portion OF bis Chronicles from the writings
Of Jehan le Bel, an author of his own time--whoss
manuscript has been recently discovered by Nj
Polain in the Belgian libraries.
In the introduction to his Chronicles, Frossar
acknowledged his obligation to lie Bel in the fol-
lowing passage: $40 me veui fonder ct ordon
ner, eur lc vraye chronique jadis fate ct rassem
blee par venerable hommc ct discreet Seigneur
Monseigneur Lc Bel. chanoine de st. Lambert O
Llege, que grant cure ct toutc bonnc diligence mi
en- ceste matiere, ct moult lu conta la gurre ct
Pavoir." This reference to the chronicle of the
Belgian author has induced many English, French
and Belgian literati to search diligently for val
liable work. but their Investigations have hitherto
proved fruitess. The discovery of the Chronicle
has often been announced; and recently one Of the
most learned mon in France, M. Paulin Pares, sup
posed that he had discovered, in unpublished
manuscript OF the Flemish chronicles the original
writings of Jehan lie Bel, and publicly announced
the important fact Nearly at the same moment
however, M. Polain found at Liege. and in the
royal library at Brussels, the uscripts contain
hidden from the lovers of medieval literature.
Frossart, in the first fifty chapters of his work
has literally copied the words Of the learned ca
non, to which he thus refers: "Jc NY METRE
nj otter, oublier nj corrompre, nj abreger lhstoire
ell rien; mais la veux mutiplier ct accroitre ce
que Je pourrai." In fact, there appears real
difference in the two chronicles until after the s. til
chapter OF the first book ofFrossnrt.
NJ Polain has performed, with much iudg-
men, the delicate tack of editing hitherto un
published work, which deprivesa popular and long
acknowledged historian Of much Of his high repu-
tation for originality and graphic description.
The chronicle OF lie Bel extends from the year
1925 to l3i0-a period OF great historical interest
II records the most eventful passages in the hsto-
ries of Edward III. of England, and Philip oI
France; in most of which LIE Bel participated
either actor by his association with others
who were Immediately engaged in them. His OBJ
servations are recorded. as il were, at the moment
and on the spot, whereas Frois5art at the time
child, and relates events only at second hand. II
is much to be regretted that work of so much in
tcrest will not be published for general reading.
Only one hundred and twenty five copies have been
printed for distribution to select number Of histo
rical sauans.
In closing this brief notice it may be well to re-
mark that there was another historian in Liege,
bearing the name of Jean 10 Bel, and whose works
relate to periods OF interest in English history. At
the end Of Buchans fret edition Of Froissart pub
lished in 1925. the editor has given chronicle OF
Richard the Second, by Jean lie Beau, Canon of St.
Lambert, at Liege, the events narrated in which
extend from the year 1877 to 1899, and are consc-
quenty posterior to the period in which the friend
and guide Of Froissart lived, precluding the sup
position that he the author of the work in ques
ton. We think it would be rendering an essential
service to historical literature if abstract Of the
Chronicle OF lie Bel were published by some of the
historical societies; still more, if translation of
the entire work were gwen for general reading
by some gentleman familiar with French and Fle-
mish literature. The preface and notes appended
to nj. Poains book very interesting, and attest
the and study which he has devoted to this
publication. London Athsneun