Besant.
—STUDIES IN EARLY FRENCH POETRY. By Walter Besant, M.A. Crown. 8vo. 8s. 6d.
A sort of impression rests on most minds that French literature begins with the "siecle de Louis Quatorze;" any previous literature being for the most part unknown or ignored. Few know anything of the enormous literary activity that began in the thirteenth century, was carried on by Rulebeuf, Marie de France, Gaston de Foix, Thibault de Champagne, and Lorris; was fostered by Charles of Orleans, by Margaret of Valois, by Francis the First; that gave a crowd of versifiers to France, enriched, strengthened, developed, and fixed the French language, and prepared the way for Corneille and for Racine. The present work aims to afford information and direction touching the early efforts of France in poetical literature.
"In one moderately sized volume he has contrived to introduce us to the very best, if not to all of the early French poets."—Athenæum.