FLORIAN, JEAN PIERRE CLARIS DE

Next to La Fontaine, we should certainly place Florian as an élégant and agreeable fabulist. M. Sainte-Beuve speaks of "son naturel gracieux, sa diction facile et spirituelle, sa morale aimable et bienveillante, mais qui n'exclut ni la raillerie ni la malice" {Causeries, vol. II.). Florian's Fables appeared in 1 79 2 ; the author was soon after arrested and imprisoned by order of the Revolutionary Government (he had incurred suspicion on account of his having been page to the Duc de Penthièvre, and captain of Dragoons in his régiment). Fortunately, Robespierre fell before the chevalier's tum arrived to go to the guillotine; but the shock had been too violent, and Florian died from the conséquences of it.