This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1888 edition. Excerpt: ...in fashion since " The Cid; " and instead of those inequalities of style, those haughty colloquialisms, those coarse touches which were not displeasing to less polished spectators, they required more delicacy of portraiture, colors better blended, more scrupulous correctness, sustained nobility, dignity, ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1888 edition. Excerpt: ...in fashion since " The Cid; " and instead of those inequalities of style, those haughty colloquialisms, those coarse touches which were not displeasing to less polished spectators, they required more delicacy of portraiture, colors better blended, more scrupulous correctness, sustained nobility, dignity, elegance. Moreover, the idiom is no longer quite the same. Were I not reluctant to establish too abrupt divisions in what took place gradually and by insensible transitions, I should say that a very different kind of French then succeeded the French of Descartes and Balzac. Their language seems the work of scholars, is formed on the model of Latin oratory, and has as its special characteristics, copiousness and majesty. The later French, written and spoken in the second half of the century, continually progressing in refinement and grace from Pascal to La Bruyere, and ever becoming nimbler, more animated, and more buoyant, --the language with which the next century armed itself for its battles, --seems rather to have been formed and fashioned in the conversations of men and women of the world. The literary men of this epoch recognize the drawing-room even more as their school of instruction than as their means of diversion. Voiture appears to be only a sort of secretary to the witty people who admit him to their society. " You see," he says, " how well I know how to make use of the fine sayings I hear." Menage relates that M. de Varillas said to him one day that of ten things he knew, he had learned nine in conversation; " and I," adds Menage, "could say about the same thing." These are not merely polite phrases. I think it could be proved by examples that Voiture and Menage told the truth, and that society was very instructive to its votaries. As...
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PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
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Seller's Description:
PLEASE NOTE, WE DO NOT SHIP TO DENMARK. New Book. Shipped from UK in 4 to 14 days. Established seller since 2000. Please note we cannot offer an expedited shipping service from the UK.
