Part 1
# Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 06 ### By Unknown
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LIBRARY OF THE
WORLD'S BEST LITERATURE
ANCIENT AND MODERN
CHARLES DUDLEY WARNER
EDITOR
HAMILTON WRIGHT MABIE LUCIA GILBERT RUNKLE GEORGE HENRY WARNER
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Connoisseur Edition
VOL. VI.
THE ADVISORY COUNCIL
* * * * *
CRAWFORD H. TOY, A.M., LL.D., Professor of Hebrew, HARVARD UNIVERSITY, Cambridge, Mass.
THOMAS R. LOUNSBURY, LL.D., L.H.D., Professor of English in the Sheffield Scientific School of YALE UNIVERSITY, New Haven, Conn.
WILLIAM M. SLOANE, PH.D., L.H.D., Professor of History and Political Science, PRINCETON UNIVERSITY, Princeton, N.J.
BRANDER MATTHEWS, A.M., LL.B., Professor of Literature, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, New York City.
JAMES B. ANGELL, LL.D., President of the UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, Ann Arbor, Mich.
WILLARD FISKE, A.M., PH.D., Late Professor of the Germanic and Scandinavian Languages and Literatures, CORNELL UNIVERSITY, Ithaca, N.Y.
EDWARD S. HOLDEN, A.M., LL.D., Director of the Lick Observatory, and Astronomer, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, Berkeley, Cal.
ALCÉE FORTIER, LIT.D., Professor of the Romance Languages, TULANE UNIVERSITY, New Orleans, La.
WILLIAM P. TRENT, M.A., Dean of the Department of Arts and Sciences, and Professor of English and History, UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH, Sewanee, Tenn.
PAUL SHOREY, PH.D., Professor of Greek and Latin Literature, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, Chicago, Ill.
WILLIAM T. HARRIS, LL.D., United States Commissioner of Education, BUREAU OF EDUCATION, Washington, D.C.
MAURICE FRANCIS EGAN, A.M., LL.D., Professor of Literature in the CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA, Washington, D.C.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
VOL. VI
LIVED PAGE
THE ABBÉ DE BRANTÔME (Pierre de Bourdeille) 1527-1614 2319 The Dancing of Royalty ('Lives of Notable Women') The Shadow of a Tomb ('Lives of Courtly Women') M. le Constable Anne de Montmorency ('Lives of Distinguished Men and Great Captains') Two Famous Entertainments ('Lives of Courtly Women')
FREDRIKA BREMER 1801-1865 2328 A Home-Coming ('The Neighbors') The Landed Proprietor ('The Home') A Family Picture (same)
CLEMENS BRENTANO 1778-1842 2343 The Nurse's Watch The Castle in Austria
ELISABETH BRENTANO (Bettina von Arnim) 1785-1859 2348 Dedication: To Goethe ('Goethe's Correspondence with a Child') Letter to Goethe Bettina's Last Meeting with Goethe (Letter to Her Niece) In Goethe's Garden
JOHN BRIGHT 1811-1889 2354 From Speech on the Corn Laws (1843) From Speech on Incendiarism in Ireland (1844) From Speech on Non-Recognition of the Southern Confederacy (1861) From Speech on the State of Ireland (1866) From Speech on the Irish Established Church (1868)
BRILLAT-SAVARIN 1755-1826 2365
From 'Physiology of Taste': The Privations; On the Love of Good Living; On People Fond of Good Living
CHARLOTTE BRONTÉ AND HER SISTERS 1816-1855 2381 Jane Eyre's Wedding-Day ('Jane Eyre') Madame Beck ('Villette') A Yorkshire Landscape ('Shirley') The End of Heathcliff (Emily Bronté's 'Wuthering Heights')
PHILLIPS BROOKS 1835-1893 2417 O Little Town of Bethlehem Personal Character ('Essays and Addresses') The Courage of Opinions (same) Literature and Life (same)
CHARLES BROCKDEN BROWN 1771-1810 2425 Wieland's Statement ('Wieland')
JOHN BROWN 1810-1882 2437 Marjorie Fleming ('Spare Hours') Death of Thackeray (same)
CHARLES FARRAR BROWNE (Artemus Ward) 1834-1867 2461 BY CHARLES F. JOHNSON Edwin Forrest as Othello High-Handed Outrage at Utica Affairs Round the Village Green Mr. Pepper ('Artemus Ward: His Travels') Horace Greeley's Ride to Placerville (same)
SIR THOMAS BROWNE 1605-1682 2473 BY FRANCIS BACON From the 'Religio Medici' From 'Christian Morals' From 'Hydriotaphia, or Urn-Burial' From 'A Fragment on Mummies' From 'A Letter to a Friend' Some Relations Whose Truth We Fear ('Pseudoxia Epidemica')
WILLIAM BROWNE 1591-1643 2511 Circe's Charm ('Inner Temple Masque') The Hunted Squirrel ('Britannia's Pastorals') As Careful Merchants Do Expecting Stand (same) Song of the Sirens ('Inner Temple Masque') An Epistle on Parting Sonnets to Cælia
HENRY HOWARD BROWNELL 1820-1872 2519 Annus Memorabilis Words for the 'Hallelujah Chorus' Coming Psychaura Suspiria Noctis
ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING 1809-1861 2523 A Musical Instrument My Heart and I From 'Catarina to Camoens' The Sleep The Cry of the Children Mother and Poet A Court Lady The Prospect De Profundis The Cry of the Human Romance of the Swan's Nest The Best Thing in the World Sonnets from the Portuguese A False Step A Child's Thought of God Cheerfulness Taught by Reason
ROBERT BROWNING 1812-1889 2557 BY E. L. BURLINGAME Andrea del Sarto A Toccata of Galuppi's Confessions Love among the Ruins A Grammarian's Funeral My Last Duchess Up at a Villa--Down in the City In Three Days In a Year Evelyn Hope Prospice The Patriot One Word More
ORESTES AUGUSTUS BROWNSON 1803-1876 2594 Saint-Simonism ('The Convert')
FERDINAND BRUNETIÈRE 1849- 2603 BY ADOLPHE COHN Taine and Prince Napoleon The Literatures of France, England, and Germany
GIORDANO BRUNO 1548-1600 2613 A Discourse of Poets ('The Heroic Enthusiasts') Canticle of the Shining Ones: A Tribute to English Women ('The Nolan') Song of the Nine Singers Of Immensity Life Well Lost Parnassus Within Compensation Life for Song
WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT 1794-1878 2623 BY GEORGE PARSONS LATHROP Thanatopsis The Crowded Street Death of the Flowers The Conqueror's Grave The Battle-Field To a Water-fowl Robert of Lincoln June To the Fringed Gentian The Future Life To the Past
JAMES BRYCE 1838- 2643 Position of Women in the United States ('The American Commonwealth') Ascent of Ararat ('Trans-Caucasia and Ararat') The Work of the Roman Empire ('The Holy Roman Empire')
FRANCIS TREVELYAN BUCKLAND 1826-1880 2661 A Hunt in a Horse-Pond ('Curiosities of Natural History') On Rats (same) Snakes and their Poison (same) My Monkey Jacko (same)
HENRY THOMAS BUCKLE 1821-1862 2673 Moral versus Intellectual Principles in Human Progress ('History of Civilization in England') Mythical Origin of History (same)
GEORGE LOUIS LE CLERC BUFFON 1707-1788 2689 BY SPENCER TROTTER Nature ('Natural History') The Humming-Bird (same)
EDWARD BULWER-LYTTON 1803-1873 2697 BY JULIAN HAWTHORNE The Amphitheatre ('The Last Days of Pompeii') Kenelm and Lily ('Kenelm Chillingly')
FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS
VOLUME VI
PAGE
"Les Satyres" (Colored Plate) Frontispiece Charlotte Bronté (Portrait) 2382 Phillips Brooks (Portrait) 2418 "The Holy Child of Bethlehem" (Photogravure) 2420 "Circe" (Photogravure) 2514 Robert Browning (Portrait) 2558 William Cullen Bryant (Portrait) 2624 Edward Bulwer-Lytton (Portrait) 2698 "In the Arena" (Photogravure) 2718 "Nydia" (Photogravure) 2720
VIGNETTE PORTRAITS
Abbé de Brantôme Fredrika Bremer Elisabeth Brentano John Bright Brillat-Savarin Charles Brockden Brown John Brown Charles Farrar Browne Sir Thomas Browne Elizabeth Barrett Browning Orestes Augustus Brownson Ferdinand Brunetière James Bryce George Louis le Clere Buffon
THE ABBÉ DE BRANTÔME
(PIERRE DE BOURDEILLE)
(1527-1614)
Every historian of the Valois period is indebted to Brantôme for preserving the atmosphere and detail of the brilliant life in which he moved as a dashing courtier, a military adventurer, and a gallant gentleman of high degree. He was not a professional scribe, nor a student; but he took notes unconsciously, and in the evening of his life turned back the pages of his memory to record the scenes through which he had passed and the characters which he had known. He has been termed the "valet de chambre" of history; nevertheless the anecdotes scattered through his works will ever be treasured by all students and historians of that age of luxury and magnificence, art and beauty, beneath which lay the fermentation of great religious and political movements, culminating in the struggle between the Huguenots and Catholics.
[Illustration: ABBÉ DE BRANTÔME]
Brantôme was the third son of the Vicomte de Bourdeille, a Périgord nobleman, whose family had lived long in Guienne, and whose aristocratic lineage was lost in myth. Upon the estate stood the Abbey of Brantôme, founded by Charlemagne, and this Henry II. gave to young Pierre de Bourdeille in recognition of the military deeds of his brother, Jean de Bourdeille, who lost his life in service. Thereafter the lad was to sign his name as the Reverend Father in God, Messire Pierre de Bourdeille, Abbé de Brantôme. Born in the old château in 1527, he was destined for the church, but abandoned this career for arms. At an early age he was sent to court as page to Marguerite, sister of Francis I. and Queen of Navarre; after her death in 1549, he went to Paris to study at the University. His title of Abbé being merely honorary, he served in the army under François de Guise, Duke of Lorraine, and became Gentleman of the Chamber to Charles IX. His career extended through the reigns of Henry II., Francis II., Charles IX., Henry III., and Henry IV., to that of Louis XIII. With the exception of diplomatic missions, service on the battle-field, and voyages for pleasure, he spent his life at court.
About 1594 he retired to his estate, where until his death on July 15th, 1614, he passed his days in contentions with the monks of Brantôme, in lawsuits with his neighbors, and in writing his books: 'Lives of the Illustrious Men and Great Captains of France'; 'Lives of Illustrious Ladies'; 'Lives of Women of Gallantry'; 'Memoirs, containing anecdotes connected with the Court of France'; 'Spanish Rodomontades'; a 'Life' of his father, François de Bourdeille; a 'Funeral Oration' on his sister in-law; and a dialogue in verse, entitled 'The Tomb of Madame de Bourdeille.' These were not published until long after his death, first appearing in Leyden about 1665, at the Hague in 1740, and in Paris in 1787. The best editions are by Fourcault (7 vols., Paris, 1822); by Lacour and Mérimée (3 vols., 1859); and Lalande (10 vols., 1865-'81).
What Brantôme thought of himself may be seen by glancing at that portion of the "testament mystique" which relates to his writings:--
"I will and expressly charge my heirs that they cause to be printed the books which I have composed by my talent and invention. These books will be found covered with velvet, either black, green or blue, and one larger volume, which is that of the Rodomontades, covered with velvet, gilt outside and curiously bound. All have been carefully corrected. There will be found in these books excellent things, such as stories, histories, discourses, and witty sayings, which I flatter myself the world will not disdain to read when once it has had a sight of them. I direct that a sum of money be taken from my estate sufficient to pay for the printing thereof, which certainly cannot be much; for I have known many printers who would have given money rather than charged any for the right of printing them. They print many things without charge which are not at all equal to mine. I will also that the said impression shall be in large type, in order to make the better appearance, and that they should appear with the Royal Privilege, which the King will readily grant. Also care must be taken that the printers do not put on the title-page any supposititious name instead of mine. Otherwise, I should be defrauded of the glory which is my due."
The old man delighted in complimenting himself and talking about his "grandeur d'âme." This greatness of soul may be measured from the command he gave his heirs to annoy a man who had refused to swear homage to him, "it not being reasonable to leave at rest this little wretch, who descends from a low family, and whose grandfather was nothing but a notary." He also commands his nieces and nephews to take the same vengeance upon his enemies "as I should have done in my green and vigorous youth, during which I may boast, and I thank God for it, that I never received an injury without being revenged on the author of it."
Brantôme writes like a "gentleman of the sword," with dash and _élan_, and as one, to use his own words, who has been "toujours trottant, traversant, et vagabondant le monde" (always trotting, traversing, and tramping the world). Not in the habit of a vagabond, however, for the balls, banquets, tournaments, masques, ballets, and wedding-feasts which he describes so vividly were occasions for the display of sumptuous costumes; and Messire Pierre de Bourdeille doubtless appeared as elegant as any other gallant in silken hose, jeweled doublet, flowing cape, and long rapier. What we value most are his paintings of these festive scenes, and the vivid portraits which he has left of the Valois women, who were largely responsible for the luxuries and the crimes of the period: women who could step without a tremor from a court-masque to a massacre; who could toy with a gallant's ribbons and direct the blow of an assassin; and who could poison a rival with a delicately perfumed gift. Such a court Brantôme calls the "true paradise of the world, school of all honesty and virtue, ornament of France." We like to hear about Catherine de' Medici riding with her famous "squadron of Venus": "You should have seen forty or fifty dames and demoiselles following her, mounted on beautifully accoutred hackneys, their hats adorned with feathers which increased their charm, so well did the flying plumes represent the demand for love or war. Virgil, who undertook to describe the fine apparel of Queen Dido when she went out hunting, has by no means equaled that of our Queen and her ladies."
Charming, too, are such descriptions as "the most beautiful ballet that ever was, composed of sixteen of the fairest and best-trained dames and demoiselles, who appeared in a silvered rock where they were seated in niches, shut in on every side. The sixteen ladies represented the sixteen provinces of France. After having made the round of the hall for parade as in a camp, they all descended, and ranging themselves in the form of a little oddly contrived battalion, some thirty violins began a very pleasant warlike air, to which they danced their ballet." After an hour the ladies presented the King, the Queen-Mother, and others with golden plaques, on which were engraved "the fruits and singularities of each province," the wheat of Champagne, the vines of Burgundy, the lemons and oranges of Provence, etc. He shows us Catherine de' Medici, the elegant, cunning Florentine; her beautiful daughters, Elizabeth of Spain and Marguerite de Valois; Diana of Poitiers, the woman of eternal youth and beauty; Jeanne d'Albret, the mother of Henry IV.; Louise de Vaudemont; the Duchesse d'Étampes; Marie Touchet; and all their satellites,--as they enjoyed their lives.
Very valuable are the data regarding Mary Stuart's departure from France in 1561. Brantôme was one of her suite, and describes her grief when the shores of France faded away, and her arrival in Scotland, where on the first night she was serenaded by Psalm-tunes with a most villainous accompaniment of Scotch music. "Hé! quelle musique!" he exclaims, "et quel repos pour la nuit!"
But of all the gay ladies Brantôme loves to dwell upon, his favorites are the two Marguerites: Marguerite of Angoulême, Queen of Navarre, the sister of Francis I., and Marguerite, daughter of Catherine de' Medici and wife of Henry IV. Of the latter, called familiarly "La Reine Margot," he is always writing. "To speak of the beauty of this rare princess," he says, "I think that all that are, or will be, or have ever been near her are ugly."
Brantôme has been a puzzle to many critics, who cannot explain his "contradictions." He had none. He extolled wicked and immoral characters because he recognized only two merits,--aristocratic birth and hatred of the Huguenots. He is well described by M. de Barante, who says:--"Brantôme expresses the entire character of his country and of his profession. Careless of the difference between good and evil; a courtier who has no idea that anything can be blameworthy in the great, but who sees and narrates their vices and their crimes all the more frankly in that he is not very sure whether what he tells be good or bad; as indifferent to the honor of women as he is to the morality of men; relating scandalous things with no consciousness that they are such, and almost leading his reader into accepting them as the simplest things in the world, so little importance does he attach to them; terming Louis XI., who poisoned his brother, the _good_ King Louis, calling women whose adventures could hardly have been written by any pen save his own, _honnêtes dames_."
Brantôme must therefore not be regarded as a chronicler who revels in scandals, although his pages reek with them; but as the true mirror of the Valois court and the Valois period.
* * * * *
THE DANCING OF ROYALTY
From 'Lives of Notable Women'
Ah! how the times have changed since I saw them together in the ball-room, expressing the very spirit of the dance! The King always opened the grand ball by leading out his sister, and each equaled the other in majesty and grace. I have often seen them dancing the Pavane d'Espagne, which must be performed with the utmost majesty and grace. The eyes of the entire court were riveted upon them, ravished by this lovely scene; for the measures were so well danced, the steps so intelligently placed, the sudden pauses timed so accurately and making so elegant an effect, that one did not know what to admire most,--the beautiful manner of moving, or the majesty of the halts, now expressing excessive gayety, now a beautiful and haughty disdain. Who could dance with such elegance and grace as the royal brother and sister? None, I believe; and I have watched the King dancing with the Queen of Spain and the Queen of Scotland, each of whom was an excellent dancer.
I have seen them dance the 'Pazzemezzo d'Italie,' walking gravely through the measures, and directing their steps with so graceful and solemn a manner that no other prince nor lady could approach them in dignity. This Queen took great pleasure in performing these grave dances; for she preferred to exhibit dignified grace rather than to express the gayety of the Branle, the Volta, and the Courante. Although she acquired them quickly, she did not think them worthy of her majesty.
I always enjoyed seeing her dance the Branle de la Torche, or du Flambeau. Once, returning from the nuptials of the daughter of the King of Poland, I saw her dance this kind of a Branle at Lyons before the assembled guests from Savoy, Piedmont, Italy, and other places; and every one said he had never seen any sight more captivating than this lovely lady moving with grace of motion and majestic mien, all agreeing that she had no need of the flaming torch which she held in her hand; for the flashing light from her brilliant eyes was sufficient to illuminate the set, and to pierce the dark veil of Night.
* * * * *
THE SHADOW OF A TOMB
From 'Lives of Courtly Women'
Once I had an elder brother who was called Captain Bourdeille, one of the bravest and most valiant soldiers of his time. Although he was my brother, I must praise him, for the record he made in the wars brought him fame. He was the _gentilhomme de France_ who stood first in the science and gallantry of arms. He was killed during the last siege of Hesdin. My brother's parents had destined him for the career of letters, and accordingly sent him at the age of eighteen to study in Italy, where he settled in Ferrara because of Madame Renée de France, Duchess of Ferrara, who ardently loved my mother. He enjoyed life at her court, and soon fell deeply in love with a young French widow,--Mademoiselle de La Roche,--who was in the suite of Madame de Ferrara.
They remained there in the service of love, until my father, seeing that his son was not following literature, ordered him home. She, who loved him, begged him to take her with him to France and to the court of Marguerite of Navarre, whom she had served, and who had given her to Madame Renée when she went to Italy upon her marriage. My brother, who was young, was greatly charmed to have her companionship, and conducted her to Pau. The Queen was glad to welcome her, for the young widow was handsome and accomplished, and indeed considered superior in _esprit_ to the other ladies of the court.
After remaining a few days with my mother and grandmother, who were there, my brother visited his father. In a short time he declared that he was disgusted with letters, and joined the army, serving in the wars of Piedmont and Parma, where he acquired much honor in the space of five or six months; during which time he did not revisit his home. At the end of this period he went to see his mother at Pau. He made his reverence to the Queen of Navarre as she returned from vespers; and she, who was the best princess in the world, received him cordially, and taking his hand, led him about the church for an hour or two. She demanded news regarding the wars of Piedmont and Italy, and many other particulars, to which my brother replied so well that she was greatly pleased with him. He was a very handsome young man of twenty-four years. After talking gravely and engaging him in earnest conversation, walking up and down the church, she directed her steps toward the tomb of Mademoiselle de La Roche, who had been dead for three months. She stopped here, and again took his hand, saying, "My cousin" (thus addressing him because a daughter of D'Albret was married into our family of Bourdeille; but of this I do not boast, for it has not helped me particularly), "do you not feel something move below your feet?"
"No, Madame," he replied.
"But reflect again, my cousin," she insisted.
My brother answered, "Madame, I feel nothing move. I stand upon a solid stone."
"Then I will explain," said the Queen, "without keeping you longer in suspense, that you stand upon the tomb and over the body of your poor dearly-loved Mademoiselle de La Roche, who is interred here; and that our friends may have sentiment for us at our death, render a pious homage here. You cannot doubt that the gentle creature, dying so recently, must have been affected when you approached. In remembrance I beg you to say a paternoster and an Ave Maria and a de profundis, and sprinkle holy water. Thus you will win the name of a very faithful lover and a good Christian."
* * * * *
M. LE CONSTABLE ANNE DE MONTMORENCY
From 'Lives of Distinguished Men and Great Captains'
He never failed to say and keep up his paternosters every morning, whether he remained in the house, or mounted his horse and went out to the field to join the army. It was a common saying among the soldiers that one must "beware the paternosters of the Constable." For as disorders were very frequent, he would say, while mumbling and muttering his paternosters all the time, "Go and fetch that fellow and hang me him up to this tree;" "Out with a file of harquebusiers here before me this instant, for the execution of this man!" "Burn me this village instantly!" "Cut me to pieces at once all these villain peasants, who have dared to hold this church against the king!" All this without ever ceasing from his paternosters till he had finished them--thinking that he would have done very wrong to put them off to another time; so conscientious was he!
* * * * *
TWO FAMOUS ENTERTAINMENTS
From 'Lives of Courtly Women'