New-York tribune., 1901-06-16
LIFE in FRANCE.
STUDIES OF CHARACTER AND Gus
TOMS.
fi55NcH LIFE IN TOWN AND COUNTRY. Ri
Sll g Il. Putnams Sons -

Sl q. Il. Putnam's Sons. a. 49,
Miss Lynch has both affection and admiration
Tor the good qualities OF the French, while she
rs fully alive TO the less agreeable side of the
HE and character Of the people II is exoep-
tonally difficult for any foreigner 10 penetrate
Tar enough into the inner realities in France 10
know them; but this writer appears 10 have had
unusual opportunities through her education in
a French convent and her friendships with
French families. Her observations are acute
her descriptions and Characterization clever
though she goes into no very deep psychological
study, She never misses a chance To make a
point, perhaps more often against than in favor
OF French ideals and modes Of living and think
insi but she is always good natured. and many
of her pages are charming in the sympathy ana
insight they display.
She has been permitted TO see many French
homes IN several walks of life and though she
declares that There is no race on the face OF tba
earth whose home life is SO enviabe as that ~
the French. her accounts Of il som, how fan To
arouse much envy. Careful economy and prctty
oourtesies and tendernesses are the TWO feat
Cres Of il that most strike her: hut its dulness
is one that emerges poienantly from her pages
Houses are chill and bare; the lack OF material
comforts and plenty in middle class Fren, n
homes is striking. Few hut the very rich know
the delights Of generous fires Well carpeiea
houses, OF warm, comfortable and luxurious in
teriors." The country life Of The rich seems 10
be particularly depressing:
There are no day or evening amusements
Ladies between meals sit under trees and talk
All topics to-day in France lead To pol
nAcs, and this : fatal Literature is only a
i'lnd discussion on the latest novel. Then There
Is solemn walk with Your hostess about the
grounds, or drive outside. and i'm the evening
after dinner a game of beZique with somebody
oi The pleasure of watching somebody else play
patience, and conversation of not too thril-
ing kind.
Miss Lynch describes the homes of TWO
'hohereaUN" or country squires The family
Of the first spoken Of as exceedingly rich"
but she never met more peasant tyI.e Of coun-
try gentleman; the wife was simple. III man
nered person, who talked chiefly about the
weather. The grounds were lovely, hat the house
was deprtss.nSly plain and unadorncd; and iEe
owners were wholly lacking in the possession ~
beauty. comfort the JOY of living Yet were
without a touch of vulsarity. Thu second family
Was ia striking contrast in some respects. There
the talk was capital-local, but interestiLs; III
women doWdy dense. imperNious and uncuti-
waited, st could hold their own in conversation
and could cap phrase with neatness. The
farmer has larger share Of natural interests
than the squire. but he is more purely animal
without any attachments 10 world uucou-
neoted with the land and far from Trodieal q
tenderness 10 his womankind. whom he expects
TO stand II meals while he and his sons eat.
The rigid economy Of the middle class home
makes il seem cheerless TO the prodigal Anglo
Saxon mind. The sitting room is always closed
except on the reception day; the tea leaves are
changed only every three four days; the
humps OF sugar are couuted dining room fire
IS unheard o. Strange and dun is the life ~
the little bourgeoise of Paris. She Possesses
house, but lives in her bedroom; the comfortable
chair or sofa IS unknown. she never lounges
herself. and has no amusements Of amy sort, ana
this is typical Of the complete absence Of self
indulgence ia her life.
Yet Miss Lynch finds the atmosphere of the
French home. the whole, delishtful, hecause
the family is based on more intelligent under
standing between husband and wife than is any
other family, and the relations between parent
and child are the nearest approach 10 IeGfec-
tion-'if only a higher moral training Wofe
added 10 the tenderness and incessant care
Woman in France rules with eNtraordinar!
discretion equahility and dignity She is lit
oraly the better half Of her people:
Cheerful competent thrifty creature, how
could the land that owns her go 10 the dogs.
"a hatever the decadents and politicians may DO
She is the force Of the country, its stable m
ouence and salvation. The home rests upon her,
and she makes Of il a delicious nest for her chill
dren who NAV eXagEcrate the outward form
If their love for her but who can never eXaE-
cerate the inward devotion they owe her.
NFiss K-ncb knows the little people" Of Paris