When Gilbert Burnet visited Paris in 1685, he was asked on behalf of the Archbishop if he would write in English a memoir of Louis xiv. From which significant fact it may be inferred that in official circles the state of public opinion in England was beginning to be taken into account.[139]
In all these manifestations of gallomania and incipient anglomania, there is ample matter for ridicule. We should gladly give up the imitation of French fashions and French cooking and the passion for English horses and yachts, just to have once more an instance of the noble spirit of rivalry that Spenser showed when, after reading Du Bellay's poems, he exclaimed:—
"France, fruitful of brave wits."
Yet efforts were being made during the whole seventeenth century to bring about an understanding between the two neighbouring nations. Unluckily the methods pursued were calculated to make France most unpopular with the larger section of the English public.
FOOTNOTES:
[106] See on the subject Sir Sidney Lee, French Renaissance in England; Upham, French Influence in English Literature, Charlanne, L'influence française en Angleterre au XVIIe Siècle.
[107] Scornful Lady, Act I. Sc. 1.
[108] Chalmers, English Poets, v. p. 506.
"Et Gallice linguam sonat Britannicam,
Et Gallice omnem, præter unam Gallicam,
Nam Gallicam solam sonat Britannice."
Thomæ Mori Lucubrationes (Basil, 1563), p. 209.