de la graine, ' seed. Note différence between ^rrame and

grain ( = grain). Note pleonasm again in en de

ses choux.

This Scène III. is, although it borders on farce, a strong pièce of satire on some of the weak spots in démocratie institutions.

Monsieur, 'Themaster.'

quelle drôle d'idée ! ' what an odd idea ! ' This construction is remarkable ; compare ce diable d'homme, quel chien de temps ! ( = what ugly weather), etc. Note that the noun following de governs the gender of drôle, as in un drôle d^homme. Note also that drôle has frequently the meaning of 'scamp,' 'scoundrel,' particularly when used as an ordinary substantive : le drôle a été pris.

Monsieur Poitrinas in this speech begins to announce to the audience that the subject of satire in this scène is the antiquary, by no means a new subject of satire in Uterature,

Notes.

Page. Line.