[327] Preface to "Artamenes, or the Grand Cyrus," London, 1653-1654, five vols. fol.
[328] "Astrea ... translated by a person of quality," i.e., J. D[avies?], London, 1657-8, 3 vols. fol.; prefaces to vols. i and ii. Dramas with their plots taken from "Astrée" were written in England and in France, such as "Tragi-comédie pastorale ou les amours d'Astrée ... par le Sieur de Rayssiguier," Paris, 1632, 8vo; "Astrea, or true love's mirrour, a pastoral," by Leonard Willan. London, 1651, 8vo.
[329] "The Grand Scipio ... by Monsieur de Vaumoriere, rendered into English by G. H.," London, 1660, fol.
[330] "Loveday's letters, domestick and foreign," seventh impression. London, 1684, 8vo, p. 146 (first edition 1659).
[331] By Scudéry, translated by J. Philips, London, 1677, fol. part ii. bk. ii. p. 166. Books entirely made up of "conversations" were published by Mdlle. de Scudéry, treating of pleasures, of passions, of the knowledge of others and of ourselves, &c. They read very much like dialogued essays; and it is interesting to compare them with Addison's essays which treat sometimes of the same subjects. They were received with great applause; Madame de Sévigné highly praises them. They were translated into English: "Conversations upon several subjects, ... done into English by F. Spence," London, 1683, 2 vol. 12mo.
[332] About this curious little society see Mr. Gosse's "Seventeenth Century Studies," 1883, pp. 205 et seq.
[333] "Cathos: Le nom de Polixène que ma cousine a choisi et celui d'Aminte que je me suis donné ont une grâce dont il faut que vous demeuriez d'accord" ("Précieuses Ridicules," sc. v.).
[334] "Natures pictures," London, 1656, fol., preface No. 2.
[335] Her "Playes," 1662, are preceded by two dedications, one prologue, and eleven prefaces.
[336] "CCXI. Sociable Letters," London, 1664, fol.