The Portland daily press., 1874-11-28
Combien je regrette
Mon bras 81 dodu,
Ma jambe bien faite,

'AA'-' "A Phcuolnena nave natural causes, and
have nothing to do with earthly events and
the fortunes of men. For the Dark Ages
this was almost dazzling light. His fourth
IDEA was to circulate certain principles OF
vague and hesitating republicanism. Auda-
cious and apparently original theories are ad-
yanced regarding the equality of men, the
dignity OF labor, the laws of property, the
rights OF the people. One wonders if these
teachings had anything to 10 with the frantic
reVoits OF the peasantry.
oucn was the contribution of Jean de Meung
to the Romance Of the Rose. On the sap
less trunk OF dying and passionless allegory,
Mr.. Besant tells us he grated living branch
winch bore fruit in the years to come he
caught. the wordless complaint of the poor,
ana gave it utterance. He answered the
strange questions and doubts which perplexed
mems minds,-questions affecting the very
foundations of society. No wonder the au-
thorship OF the book was attributed TO the
Devil, who indeed seems to have been looked
upon as prolific author in the Middle Ages.
and haa the felicity of hearing attributed to
him all the bright things that were written.
The monks were excellent critics, and could
tell his style, varied as it was, the moment
they cast their eyes upon it.
Eustache Deschamps, otherwise called Mo.
rel, who wrote no fewer than ninety thou
sand verses, mostly bad, is the subject of Mr..
Besant's fourth chapter. This voluminous
writer has, however, given about the only DO
etical work of merit of which French literature
in the fourteenth century can boast. 1t is
that powerful satire, "The Mirror of Mar
riage," in which we get graphic account of
the life of the century. Deschamps is great
grumbler, and abuses the government over
and over again, like an opposition leading ar
ticle Of the present day. Corruption reigns
everywhere; there are rascals and scoundres
in every department of the public service. As
we read we almost feel that we are in the
nineteenth century. But we have a stand
ing grievance against Deschamps, grievance
more real than his against the government;
he puts into French, for the first time, that
old stock bugbear of men, the mother-in-law-
Let us curse him for that.
After leaving Deschamps and his corrup-
tion of the age the author takes the reader to
familiar fields, where the names, at least, are
all known to us. Through this most delight
full part Of a delightful. book it would be a
pleasure to follow him. But the ordinary
limits of book review forbid. 1t would be a
labor of love to linger over Mr.. Besant's ac-
count of Rabelais, and the exposition of the
Pantagruelian philosophy; to study again the
quaint, admirable character of Michel de
Montaigne; 10 read once more that master
piece of ironic eulogy, which gave the death.
blow to the Holy League, La Satyre Mer,ip-
pee; to study that Roman satirist in the
laced coat and cured wig OF French court
ier, MathuriE Reguier---the man who added
Macette to the Incompatible gallery of hypo-
critics who figure in French comedy: to
browse here and there in Tie writings of st.
Amant, the first of French "poets of nature,'
and Voiture and Benserade, fathers of les
GERS de societe; to laugh at the Parasites, the
delight of the French mobiles of the seven
teenth century who improved upon the old
plan of keeping fool, and kept scholar; to
review that dull, dead time of Louis XIII
when men yawned in the face of their old
idols---a time which brought forth Scarron,
famous as the founder of modern burlesque
and as the husband OF Francoise D Aubigne,
she who was afterwards de Maintenon: to
look at La Fontaine, that man 'smore Skim
polian than Harold Skimpole,'' from the au-
thor's new point of view; to study Boileau,
pedant and teacher of French to generations to
come: to commune with Moliere and Regnard
and Gresset and Beaumarchais, and Beranger.
kindest-hearted of them all. We miss Glenn
ent Marot and Votaire. But Marot and
some other poets Of the fifteenth century
have been treated of in previous work on
early French poetry. and Voltaire is book
in himself
Mr.. Besant has brought to his task wealth
of learning, and patient research, and thor
ough comprehension of the times and men of
which he treats. He has given in vivacious
translations many examples of the character
and genius of his authors. As illustration
Gressets whimsical poem of Ver-Vert may
be mentioned, which is given nearly in full.
He has pictured the best Of his heroes with a
tender and loving touch, and even in the
worst he has found something to commend; !;
for he is as catholic in his tastes as they.
Authors and commentators. land many read.
ers let us hope as well, ,.--can join in Scribe's
refrain:
Oui depus qu'existe lie monde
Chacun dispute tout propos
Et sur la bruno ct sur la blonde.
Sur lie Champagne ct lie Bordeaux.
A qu0l bon tOutes Querelles?
Je n al jamais davis certains,
Et j'adOre tOutes les bellies
Comme Je bois de tous les wins.
AMERICAN WILu-FowL SHOOTING. By Joseph w,
Long. New York: J. D Ford s. Co. For sale by
Hoyt & Fogg.
This well gotten up book of 300 pages is
devoted to description of the haunts, habits
and methods of shooting wild fowl, particu-
larly those Of the western states of America.
and to instructions concerning guns, blinds,
boats, decoys, the training of water-retrievers
etc. The author has endeavored to Law be-
fore the public, in as concise form as possi-
BILE, full and trustworthy explanations Of the
various practical methods of hunting wild
fowl as followed in the inland portions of our
country. His work has been well done, aud
his book will be found of great interest to all
sportsmen.
The HUNTER AND The TRAPPER IN NORTH
AMERICA, or Romantic Adventures in Field and
Forest. London and New York: T. Nelson 6
Sons. For sale by Loring, Short s. Harmon
This volume is "a translation from the
French of Benedict Reyail, who some years
ago traversed this country, intent upon the
the pursuit of game. He has recorded his
experiences in an animated and entertaining
narrative, and his enthusiasm for natural
scenery makes his book very pleasant read
ing. The details in reference 10 the habits
and characteristics of animals will be found
both interesting and valuable to the young
reader.
The PRACTICAL PRINTER A complete manual of
Photographic Printing. By Charles W. Hearn.
Philadelphia: Benerman and Wilson.
In the preparation of this work it has been
the aim of the author to make it of practical
value to those who are about to begin the
study OF Photographic printing, or those who
desire fo nnrfncf fboD,eoIroe IN, IT, nv,