The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1891-03-19
FRENCH LITERATURE.
(RepOrt for Glass b.

1 have selected four French writers whose
moral social and religious characters differ widely,
and in whom we see illustrated that reciprocal in
fluence of French literature upon the nation. re-
fected back and forth as mentioned by our au.
thor.
Froissart, (Frwa-sar) the historian of feudal
times is pre-eminently called the literary painter
of the character and manners of his age. From
childhood his life almost entirely spent
amongst the nobility. In his writings we see the
social influence of the nation upon the man. but
very little of that influence is reflected by his
chronicles back upon the nation, and as a matter
of fact he cannot be considered reliable histo.
rian but artess and lively chron icler of the
spirit of chivalry, he stands among the foremost.
Following Froissart comes Rabelas (Ra-bla)
the humorist. In his writings the man who
is almost utterly devoid of all sense of morality;
one who invents monstrous lie made up of coars-
est buffoonery. The reader must search deeply
his literary productions to find anything that is
elevatng. yet he was great writer in that he
gave force and terseness to the French language.
In the man see one who gave himself wholly to
the enjoyment of animal gayeties. In his literary
productions illustrated the low state of the
morality of the nation.
Turning from Rabelais to Montague (Mon.tan)
the essayest. who should more properly have been
styled the prince of cyclists. we meet writer Of
unquestioned ability. one who like Rabelais gave
force and terseness to the language, and in whom
is found moral philosopher. but of temporal mo-
rality only. His practical wisdom is undisputed
far as worldly matters are concerned. Placed
in contradistinction with Rabelais his writings
are as the sweet honeysuckle to the decayng offal
pile. Unlike Rabelais. Montaigne exercised an in
fuence on the morality of the nation, but only to
a limited degree.
To illustrate the combined moral, social and
religious influence of literature upon the nation.
let turn to Pascal (Pas-ka). In his writings we
see the Christians view of the great questions Of
human experiences. Rabelais, who ever
ready to sacrifice his religious principles in order
to give vent to his coarse wit, is striking con-
trast to Pascal who inflicted bodily torture upon
him self in order to be constantly reminded of his
danger Of falling into sim Both were extremists,
but who does not turn in admiration to Pascal in
stead of Rabelais? Montague. to my mind. is
best constrasted with Pascal by the thought ex-
emplifed in recent sermon by our chaplain.
Both of these writer's advocated higher sense OF
morality, temporal and spiritual, but Montaigne,
by lack of moral courage to practice what he
preached failed to reach the high standard of Pas.
cal who certainly was endowed with that rare gift
The natural result was, that Pascars "Provincal
Letters and his Thoughts" exerted an influence
upon the moral social. and religious character OF
the nation. that Montaigne's never could bring
and his epstles teeming with that quiet, smooth
but effective irony, and his soft, persuasive style
of prose has been handed down to every nation
and their moral influence has never ceased to ex
ist ]. ]. B.