X INTRODUCTION

Mme. de La Fayette's first' published work was La Princesse de Montpensier in 1660 or 1662. This was folio wed by Zaïde^ in 1670, which bore the name of Segrais, but which is by Mme. de La Fayette. The latter of thèse (for we confess not to hâve read the former) has indeed some merit, though written in the style of the old heroic romance, " with its abductions, its shipwrecks, its pirates, its gloomy solitudes, where flawless lovers breathe forth their sighs in palaces adorned with allegorical paintings.''

La Princesse de Clèves was published in 1677 from the house of Claude Barbin. It was in four volumes, and bore no name. The little work (for it is scarcely longer than our own Vicar of Wakefield) at once took its place among the immortal productions of French literature. It is needless for us to discuss the unprofitable question of why Mme. de La Fayette withheld her name from the titlepage, and would never own to the authorship. That La Princesse de Clèves was written by her, and her alone, the world is well agreed ; and this is enough for us to know. It is interesting, however, to read a letter of hers touching this point, for it shows, apart from other things, what opinion her contemporaries had of her masterpiece. This letter, bearing the date April i3th, 1678, we translate in part :

** A little book \La Princesse de Montpensier^ which had some vogue fîfteen years ago, and which the public was pleased to ascribe to me, has earned me the title of author of La Princesse de Clèves ; but I assure you that I hâve had no part in it, and that M. de Rochefoucauld, who has also been mentioned, has had as little as I. He dénies it so strenuously that it is impossible not to believe him, especially in a matter which can be confessed without shame. As for me, I am flattered at being suspected, and I think I should acknowledge the book if I were sure that the author would never claim it of me. I find it very agreeable, well written, without being extremely polished, full

INTRODUCTION, xi

of very délicate touches, and well worth more than a single reading ; and what .1 especially notice is an exact représentation of the persons composing the court and of their manner of life. It is without romanticism and exaggeration, and so it is not a romance ; it is more like a book of memoirs, — and I hear this was the first title of the book, — but it was changed. There you hâve my opinion of the La Princesse de Cleves; let me ask you for yours, for people hâve almost come to blows over it. Many blâme what others praise, so, whatever you say, you will not find yourself alone in your views."

With La Princesse de Clèves, Mme. de La Fayette created a new kind of fiction, — " substituting," says Saintsbury, "for mère romance of adventure on the one hand, and stilted heroic work on the other, fiction in which the display of character is held of chief account." The very briefness of the work, its sober language and simple incident, contrasted with the appalling length, the mighty catastrophes, and grand phrases of the old romances, may hâve indeed contributed much to its immédiate popularity, but its abiding interest rests upon the truthfulness with which character is drawn, and émotions and motives are analyzed. The old order of fiction had indeed already fallen into contempt; Boileau and others had dealt it fatal blows, but the finishing stroke was justly due to Mme. de La Fayette. And the world has ever gladly owned • its debt to her.

La Princesse de Clèves is an historical romance. The historical interest is, however, the least of its charms. The scène purports to be laid in the Court of Henry II. ; but the manners — and the personages, apart from their names — are ail those of the Court of Louis XIV. Certain critics hâve endeavored to trace the character of Mme. de La Fayette in that of the Princess of Clèves, of M. de La Rochefoucauld in that of M. de Nemours ; but too strict an autobiographical interprétation destroys the charm of the story. The little book should be

xn INTRODUCTIOX.

read for îts intrinsic worth, — its delightful style, its laithful delineation of character, and its eamestness of moral puqx>se. Mme. de La Fayette died in 1693. During her last years ill health and sorrow had forced upon ber an almost absolute seclusion, and she died forgotten by ail except a few faitbful friends. The place of her burial is unknown.

The editors return their thanks to Professor van Daell for helpful suggestions, and to Drs. James W. Tupper and George C. Keidel of the Johns Hopkins University, Professor James A. Harrison of the University of Virginia, and Professor F. M. Warren of Adelbert Collège, for aid generously given.