New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-13

HISTORY OF FRENCH LITERATURE By HrSPI VAN
LAM. Vol /. svc ~. 342 G T. PuinamS sons
The author of this work is favOrably known
IN English letters by his studies and TRANSACTIONS in var
Oils DEPARTMENTS French literature, and especially by
us translation Of NJ. Taines celebrated History OF
English Literature" His views of literary history are
naturally neurod with the spirit OF the eminent french
man. " ho may REGARDED in some sense as his master
although he is as greatly his aierior in pi0sOphle COLD
urcbenson originality Of thought and vrilty OF expires
sion as he SURPRISES hin in sObety Of Judgment sound
ness cf criticism, and practical common sense MI van
lam irrs that NJ Tsinc has made contributions 10 the
history OF literature. and more particularly 10 that OF
English literature, which have not been cquaied by any
previous writer but ne Insists at the same tlne that be
mas not dOne adequate justice TO the political and
social influence which is eXerted by generation
upon m nrthor aud hs works and he has passed over
100 lightly the reciprocal influences of literary produc-
lions on political and social history These influences
are vast and mutual and large extent they balance
and compensate each other. book is tie offspring OF
the aggregate intellect of humanity. But IN its turn it
becomes productive cause, and stamps an impression
OF fHlure ases. Ii gives back to the world OF thought
vbat IL took from the Facts and the his
tory OF facts thus welded TO thought and from their
nnon resb Of facts and thoughts is added TO the
grand total Of human knowledge. From this point OF de-
pature Mr. Van Lsun has engaged in the composition OF
Tho work Of which present volume forms the first i'll
salment No history similar plan exists in the Eng
liz l,.r1g. Ii j. intended TO the whole ground
of French literary cultivation from its origin among the
early Celd races 10 the current developments OF the
,nos recent date In this volume the Work is brought
down to tie commencement Of the Renaissance in the
fifteenth century, presenting critical sketch OF Kabe-
las Montague other prominent writer's Of the pc
Rod and closing with notices of John Calvin and his fei-
lowaborers in the OF the Protestant Reformation
I'm France. Mr. Van Launs estimate OF CALVIN
affords fair specimen Of his judgments and
methods. The Genevan theolOgian is presented in
n parallel with MazziD which is certainly orig
final and ingenious, II not conclusive. Both says
tl,e author were irebrands by temperament and In
elinaton Both fought for cause which they consid-
AIRED the highest and noblest in the wordthe one for
religious liberty and other for civil liberty. Both
were compelled TO work in exile Both appealed TO the
sword in behalf Of popular freedom In bOth zeal outran
discretion Mazzini did not die. Ike Calvin, in exile,
but Calvin had found his Garbald lie might have died
on his Dative soil happier man than the great agltator
of the Italian Revolution. Calvin was cold, mor0se,
stern impaeabe. In his hands, even ralley became
cruel weapon for injury Of his foes Satire without
sme was the approach TO feeling that was ever
detected In the somber cOnOcast But the influence OF
Calvin on the literary development OF France cannot be
Soo highly estimated With him French prose attained
tts manhood What was used before staff or toy,
vas used by him as flaming sword The force ana the
Sre were the measure of the man. His language was
vehement, because be was vehement lts power was