nus tout habillés, fashion of wearing tight breeches

4. écrit, between the opening paragraph on fashions and this summary La Bruyère has discussed a number of antiquated words or spellings, dérivations and expressions and how usage, rather than logic, décides in regard to them.

5. Laurent, supposed pseudonym of Robinet, author of poems of circumstance and a society chronicle in rhyme.

6. Desportes, Philippe (i 546-1 606), a graceful poet and translator.

7. Benserade, Isaac de (1612-1691), a minor poet and dramatist.

8. auteur, the two rondeaux which follow were well known. They had been published in 1640 as " Rondeaux antiques," but were probably written not long before that date. Their subjects were Ogier le Danois and Richard sans Peur.

9. Ogier, Olger the Dane, a well known hero of the mediaeval epic.