Putnam patriot., 1921-07-29

In the literary world Of the French
nation they now refer to AnatoIs
France A. the Last u the Titans.
Politically. the nation in general i
not 80 extrayagant ia lis estimation
Of the greatest living French author
and the last Of the outstanding liter
AIRY figures Of the nineteenth century
school Of the Academy, for France
/ the man. is an idealistic Socialist
whose freely spoken opinions are none
too much 20 the liking Of France, the
nation. that odd melange Of democrat
lc and monarehical tradition known
a. the Third Republic II was be-
cause Of this Reputation Of the politi-
cal views Of the "Master''-as they
please 70 call him in Touraine-that
We found him living in semi-retire-
ment on his little country estate at st.
lyr, nigh on the east bank Of the
Loire
We had come out from Tours by
automobile. across the +Pont Wilson,
50 PANIED enthusiastically Immediately
after the Armistice though il. had
borne the name Of "Pont de Pierre =
during the Two centuries since is
splendid arches were flung across the
wide stretch Of shallow water and
quicksand which mark the Loire at
this point. Then We had turned TO the
north. pas the crowded buildings Of
those little villages which had been
the haven II 50 many thousands OF
conyaIesceut wounded during the
war. and finally we had mounted a
steep hill and had come 70 a halt be
fore a high IRON gate.
We had letters Of Introduction
from an eminent lady q Tours who
mad duly instructed Us as 70 the Ell
auette Of our visit. We were told to
take with Us certain little gifts for
the author. to address MIN always as
"Maitre," and 10 be prepared for
frank and startling opinions on mat
tiers religious end political. Il is true
that Madame disapproved Of lie Nal
ire" She had known him long and
intimately. but when The Revolt Of
the Angels" had appeared. she had
cut his acquaintance as she felt all
good Catholics should But, VOLTA.
France was great man. master Of
French. an intellectual giant and she
understood the curiosity and the in
terest which prompted her American
friends to desire 20 see him m the
flesh.
When the high ron gate swung
back the man servant VINO appeared
quite frankly demanded The offerings
which We had brought At the behest Of
Madame. and with her letter, leaving
Us outside the pale. he departed car
rving the coneratulatory verses Of
Young poet Of cur party. "a copy Of !
recent American hook Of essays ~
French authors which numbered
scholarly compliment to France MIN
self. and finally an old edition #
Baudelaire translation Of Poe whic
one Of us had dug from the reeesse
Of mustY bookshop at Blois
Evidently the offerings were TO th
liking Of the recipient. fer after a fe'
! moments We were invited 70 enter an
found ourselves in the formal garde
before an exquisite petit cha
teau' set upon the very brink Of tn
/ hillside. Within We found just tn
setting which one might have picture
for Anatole Franee-elegance an
luxury combined with objects d'ai
I 49,. 1911 d, hott - an annrqriativf II
= timacy. Ii was the home of Frenc
man Of wealth, culture and taste.
Again we waited Then there wa
. quick step on the stair and lie Ma
tire entered. great rugged MAJ
with eyes that light a face that