s'abîmait, was crumbling down ; coming to pieces

Page 162. — i. COméài^^ play^ theatre.

p. I63-I7».] NOTES 211

Page 168. — V estimer y judging of its worthy merits,

2. Sophocle, Sophocles. Born near Athens, 495 or 496 B. C. Died 406 B. C. One of the three great tragic poets of Greece.

3. Euripide, Euripides. Born probably 480 B. C. Died 406 B. C. Celebrated Athenian tragic poet.

Page 164. — i. il sera bien keureuz . . . parle de lui. Lesage is speaking here of Voltaire only as a dramatic poet, and his judgment, in this respect, although severe, is probably correct; but it should also be said that, since Racine, the only progress made in tragedy is due to Voltairei

Page 165. — i. one riche taille, a fim figure,

2. Lacédémoniennes. The women of Lacedemon passed for the most beautiful of Greece.

3. Charlemagne. Bom 742 or 747, died in Aachen ( Aix-la-Chapelle), 814. A great king of the Franks and emperor of the Romans.

4. Angélique, Angelica^ a beautiful but coquettish princess, daughter of the King of Cathay.