SPECIMENS OF ENGLISH, WRITTEN BY FRENCHMEN[101]
MERIC CASAUBON
The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius (1635)
The chiefest subject of this booke is, the vanity of the world and all
worldly things, as wealth, honour, life, etc., and the end and scope of it,
to teach a man how to submit himselfe wholly to God's providence, and to
live content and thankfull in what estate or calling soever. But the booke,
I doubt not, will sufficiently commend itselfe, to them who shall be able
to read it with any judgement, and to compare it with all others of the
same subject, written either by Christians or Heathens: so that it be
remembered that it was written by a Heathen; that is, one that had no other
knowledge of any God, then such as was grounded upon naturall reasons
meerely; no certaine assurance of the Immortality of the soule; no other
light whereby hee might know what was good or bad, right or wrong, but the
light of nature, and humane reason.... As for the Booke itselfe, to let it
speake for itselfe; In the Author of it two maine things I conceive very
considerable, which because by the knowledge of them, the use and benefit
of the Booke may be much the greater then otherwise it would be, I would
not have any ignorant of. The things are these: first, that he was a very
great man, one that had good experience of what he spake; and secondly,
that he was a very good man, one that lived as he did write, and exactly
(as farre as was possible to a naturall man) performed what he exhorted
others unto.
(_Marcus Aurelius, His Meditations, translated out of
the Originall Greeke, with Notes._ London. 1635.
Preface.)
_On Reason_ (1655)
I think that man that can enjoy his natural wit and reason with sobriety,
and doth affect such raptures and alienations of mind, hath attained to a
good degree of madnesse, without rapture, which makes him so much to
undervalue the highest gift of God, Grace excepted, sound Reason. It made
Aristotle deny that any divination, either by dreams or otherwise, was from
God, because not ignorant only, but wicked men also were observed to have a
greater share in such, then those that were noted for either learning or
piety. And truly I think it is not without some providence of God that it
should be so; that those whom God hath blessed with wisdome, and a
discerning spirit, might the better content themselves with their share,
and be the more heartily thankfull. And in very deed, sound Reason and a
discerning spirit is a perpetual kind of divination: as also it is
somewhere called in the Scriptures.
(_A Treatise concerning Enthusiasme_, London, 1655, pp.
46-47.)
[Born in Geneva, in 1599, Meric Casaubon was educated in Sedan, followed
his father Isaac to the Court of James I. and settled in England where he
became prebendary of Canterbury.]
QUEEN HENRIETTA
_Queen Henrietta of France to Prince Charles (April 15, 1646)_
DEARE CHARLES,--Having reseauved a lettre from the King[102] I have
dispatch this berear, Dudley Wiatt to you, with the copie of the lettre, by
which you may see the King's command to you and to me. I make no doubt that
you will obey it, and suddeyneley; for sertainly your coming hither is the
securitie of the King your father. Therfor make all the hast you can to
showe yourself a dutifull sonne, and a carefull one, to doe all that is in
your power to serve him: otherwise you may ruine the King and yourself.
Now that the King is gonne from Oxford, whether to the Scotch or to Irland,
the Parliament will, with alle ther power, force you to come to them. Ther
is no time to be lost, therfor loose none, but come speedeley. I have writt
more at large to Milord Culpepper, to show it to your Counsell. Ile say no
more to you, hoping to see you shortley. I would have send you Harry Jermin
but he is goinge to the Court with some commands from the King to the
Queen-Regente.
Ile adde no more to this but that I am your most affectionat mother,
HENRIETTE MARIE R.
For me dearest Sonne.[103]
MAUGER
_Extract from Claudius Mauger's French Grammar_ (1662)
Courteous English reader, I need not to commend you this work, having
already received such a general approbation in this noble country that in
eight years of time it hath been printed foure times, and so many thousands
at once. Only I thank you kindly if any of my countrymen, jealous of the
credit that you have given it amongst yourselves, will speak against it, he
doth himselfe more harm than to me, to be alone against the common voice
of such a learned and heroical a Nation. Many think I beg of you. First of
all be pleased to excuse me, if my English phrase do not sound well to your
delicate ears. I am a learner of your tongue, and not a master; what I
undertake 'tis to explain my French expressions; secondly, if any Frenchman
(especially one that professeth to be a master of the Language) dispiseth
it unto you, do not believe him, or if any other critical man will find
faults where there are none, desire him to repair to the author, and you
shall have the sport to see him shamefully convinced for some small errours
of printing (although it is very exactly corrected, that cannot be hope if
there be any, none but ignorants will take any advantage of them). I have
added abundance of new short dialogue concerning for the most part the
Triumphs of England, and a new State of France, as it is now governed,
since Cardinal Mazarin's death, with two sheets, viz. the first and the
last of the most necessary things belonging to the Learner, and so I desire
you to make an acceptance of it. Farewell.
If anybody be pleased to find me out, he may enquire at the _Bell_ in St.
Pauls-Church-Yard, or else in Long-acre, at the signe of the _French-armes_
at Mr. l'Anneau.
[Little is known of Claude Mauger, one of the numerous and obscure teachers
of French who took refuge in London in the seventeenth century.]
PETER DU MOULIN
_Peter Du Moulin's Defence of the French Protestants_ (1675)
My angry Antagonist, to make me angry also, giveth many attacks to the
French Protestants ... he saith that they had _Milton's_ Book against our
precious King and Holy Martyr in great veneration. That they will deny. But
it is no extraordinary thing that wicked Books which say with a witty
malice all that can be said for a bad cause, with a fluent and florid
stile, are esteemed even by them that condemn them. Upon those terms
_Milton's_ wicked Book was entertained by Friends and Foes, that were
Lovers of Human Learning, both in _England_ and _France_. I had for my part
such a jealousie to see that Traytour praised for his Language that I writ
against him _Clamor Regii Sanguinis ad Coelum_.
That some of the Regicides were taken in the Congregations of the French
Protestants is no disgrace to them. The Churches doors are open to all
commers; false Brethren and Spies enter into it. But how much they detested
their act, they exprest both in their Conversation and in printed Books, as
much as the English Royalists.
His Lordship supposeth that they had a kindness for _Cromwell_, upon this
ground, that _Cromwell_ had a kindness for them. Had his Lordship had any
ground for that assertion by any act of theirs, he would have been sure to
have told us of it. It is true that _Cromwell_ did them that kindness by
his interest with _Mazarin_ to make them injoy the benefits of the Edicts
made in their favour. He knew that it was the interest of the King of
_England_ (which he would have been) to oblige his Protestant Neighbours,
and to shew himself the Head of the Protestant Cause.
(_A Reply to a Person of Honour_, London, 1675, pp.
39-41.)
[Eldest son to Pierre Du Moulin, pastor at Charenton, Peter Du Moulin
studied at Sedan and Leyden, was tutor to Richard Boyle, took orders, threw
in his lot with the royalists, and became in 1660 prebendary of
Canterbury.]
FRANCOIS DE LA MOTTE
_Letter to Secretary Williamson (July 20, 1676)_
Since I live here[104] on the gracious effects of your liberality I think I
am obliged to give you an account of my behaviour and studies, and I do it
in English, though I am not ignorant you know French better than I do. I do
what lies in me to be not altogether useless in the Church of England. I
have got that tongue already well enough to peruse the English books and to
read prayers which I have done in several churches and I have made three
sermons I am ready to preach in a fortnight. Some scholars I have showed
them to, have found but very few faults in my expressions. I hope to do
better in a short time, for I pronounce English well enough to be
understood by the people, and have a great facility to write it, having
perused to that end many of your best English divines, so I hope in three
months to be able to preach every week. I hope your Lordship will make good
my troubling you with this letter, considering I am in a manner obliged to
do so to acknowledge the exceeding charity you have showed me which makes
me offer every day my humble prayers to God for your prosperity.
[Francois de la Motte, an ex-Carmelite, came over to England, was
befriended by Secretary Williamson, and owing to the latter's patronage
entered the Church. The above letter is printed in _Cal. State Papers,
Dom., 1676-1677_, p. 235. There are still extant a few sermons of this
preacher.]
LOUIS DU MOULIN
_Apology for the Congregational Churches_ (1680)
I think myself here obliged to add an Apology as to my own Account, for
what I have said as to the Independant Churches. I do imagine I shall be
accused at first for having made the description of the Congregational way,
not according as it is in effect, but in that manner as Xenophon did the
_Cyropaedia_ to be the perfect model of a Prince. They will say that any
other interest than that of the inward knowledge I have of the goodness,
truth, and holiness of the Congregational way, ought to have excited me to
commend it as I have done. That I commend what I do not approve in the
bottome of my heart, since I do not joyn my self to it.... To which, I
answer that though I should joyn my self to their Assemblies, it would be
no argument that I should approve of all the things they did, and all they
believed, as they cannot conclude by my not joyning to their Congregations,
that I have not the Congregational way in greater and higher esteem than
any other. As I am a _Frenchman_, and by the grace of God of the Reformed
Church, I joyn to the Church of my own Nation, to which I am so much the
more strongly invited by the holiness of the Doctrines, and lives of our
excellent Pastors, _Monsieur Mussard_ and _Monsieur Primerose_, and because
they administer the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper in the same manner as
_Jesus Christ_ did it with His Disciples; not having anything to give me
offence in their conduct, unless that they are not absolutely undeceived of
the practice of our Pastors in _France_, of excommunicating in the name and
authority of _Jesus Christ_, and of interposing the same sacred Name, and
the same sacred Authority to excommunicate as _St. Paul_ made use of to
deliver the _Incestuous_ person over to Satan....
(_Conformity of the Discipline and Government of the
Independants to that of the Primitive Church_, London,
1680, p. 54.)
[Second son to Pierre Du Moulin, Louis Du Moulin came to England with his
father, and followed the fortunes of the Independents. He was seventy-four
when he published the above work. He died three years after, at
Westminster, confessing his errors, according to Bishop Burnet, whose zeal
in this case got the better of his discretion.]
PIERRE DRELINCOURT
_Speech to the Duke of Ormond_ (1680)
I should not presume to take up any part of that time, which your Grace so
happily employs in the Government and Conservation of a whole Nation; nor
to divert the rest of this honourable Board from those important Affairs,
which usually call your Lordships hither; were I not under an Obligation
both of Gratitude and Duty, to be an Interpreter for those poor
Protestants, lately come out of _France_, to take Sanctuary with you: and
to express for them and in their names, as they have earnestly desired me,
a part of that grateful sense, which they have, and will for ever preserve,
of your Lordships' Christian Charity and Generosity towards them: This they
have often, I assure you, acknowledg'd to Heav'n in their Pray'rs, but
cou'd not be satisfied, till they had made their solemn and publick
Acknowledgments to their Noble Benefactors.
(_A Speech made to His Grace the Duke of Ormond,
Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, and to the Lords of the
Privy Council_, Dublin.)
[Pierre Drelincourt was the sixth son of Charles Drelincourt, the author of
the famous _Consolations_, translated into English 1675, and to a later
edition of which Defoe was to append the story of the ghost of Mrs. Veal.
Pierre studied in Geneva, went over to England, took Orders and became Dean
of Armagh. The Doctor Drelincourt of whom Coste speaks (see Chapter X.) was
Pierre's brother.]
DE LUZANCY
_Letter to Pepys_ (Jan. 18, 1688-89)
Sir,--I have bin desired by your friends to send you the inclos'd paper, by
which you may easily be made sensible how we are overrun with pride, heat,
and faction; and unjust to ourselves of the greatest honor and advantage
which we could ever attain to, in the choice of so great and so good a man
as you are. Had reason had the least place amongst us, or any love for
ourselves, we had certainly carried it for you. Yet, if we are not by this
late defection altogether become unworthy of you, I dare almost be
confident, that an earlier application of the appearing of yourself or Sir
Anthony Deane, will put the thing out of doubt against the next Parlement.
A conventicle set up here since this unhappy Liberty of Conscience has bin
the cause of all this. In the meantime, my poor endeavours shall not be
wanting, and though my stedfastness to your interests these ten years has
almost ruined me, yet I shall continue as long as I live,
Your most humble and most obedient Servant,
DE LUZANCY, _Minister of Harwich_.
(_Corr. of Samuel Pepys_, p. 740.)
[De Luzancy, an ex-monk, came over to England and became minister to the
French congregation in Harwich. The above letter refers to an election at
Harwich, when Pepys was not returned.]
GUY MIEGE
_On England and the English_ (1691)
As the country is temperate and moist, so the English have naturally the
advantages of a clear complexion; not sindged as in hot climates, nor
weather-beaten as in cold regions. The generality, of a comely stature,
graceful countenance, well-featured, gray-eyed, and brown-haired. But for
talness and strength the Western people exceed all the rest.
The women generally more handsome than in other places, and without
sophistications, sufficiently indowed with natural beauties. In an absolute
woman, say the Italians, are required the parts of a Dutch woman from the
waste downwards, of a French woman from the waste up to the shoulders; and
over them an English face.
In short there is no country in Europe where youth is generally so
charming, men so proper and well proportioned, and women so beautiful.
The truth is, this happiness is not only to be attributed to the clemency
of the air. Their easy life under the best of governments, which saves them
from the drudgery and hardships of other nations, has a great hand in it.
For merchandizing and navigation, no people can compare with them but the
Hollanders. For literature, especially since the Reformation, there is no
nation in the world so generally knowing. And, as experimental philosophy,
so divinity, both scholastick and practical, has been improved here beyond
all other places. Which makes foreign divines, and the best sort of them,
so conversant with the learned works of those famous lights of the Church,
our best English divines.
In short, the English genius is for close speaking and writing, and always
to the point.... The gawdy part and pomp of Rhetorick, so much affected by
the French, is slighted by the English; who, like men of reason, stick
chiefly to Logick.
(_State of England_, London, 1691, Part II., pp. 3-12.)
[Little is known of Guy Miege, a refugee who continued, under William III.,
Chamberlayne's _Angliae Notitia_.]
PIERRE ALLIX
_Against the Unitarians_ (1699)
I cannot but admire that they who within these few years have in this
kingdom embraced Socinus his opinions, should consider no better how
little success they have had elsewhere against the truth, and that upon the
score of their divisions, which will unavoidably follow, till they can
agree in unanimously rejecting the authority of Scripture. Neither doth it
avail them anything to use quibbles and evasions, and weak conjectures,
since they are often unanswerably confuted even by some of their brethren,
who are more dexterous than they in expounding of Scriptures.
But being resolved by all means to defend their tenents, some chief men
amongst them have undertaken to set aside the authority of Scriptures,
which is so troublesome to them: and the author of a late book, intitled
_Considerations_, maintains that the Gospels have been corrupted by the
Orthodox party, and suspects that of _St. John_ to be the work of
_Cerinthus_.
It is no very easy task to dispute against men whose principles are so
uncertain, and who in a manner have no regard to the authority of
Scripture. It was much less difficult to undertake Socinus himself, because
he owned however the authority of Scripture, and that it had not been
corrupted. But one knows not how to deal with his disciples, who in their
opinion seem to be so contrary to him, and one another.
(_The Judgment of the Ancient Jewish Church against the
Unitarians_, London, 1699, Preface.)
[Pierre Allix, born in Alencon in 1641, died in London in 1717. He was
pastor at Charenton up to 1685, when he fled to England and became Canon of
Salisbury. He contemplated writing a history of the Councils in seven
volumes. A special Act of Parliament (11 & 12 Will. III., c. 3) was
obtained, providing that the paper for the entire work should be imported
duty free.]
ABEL BOYER
_Upon History_ (1702)
Some writers barely relate the actions of men, without speaking of their
motives, and, like gazeteers, are contented to acquaint us with matter of
fact, without tracing it to its spring and cause; others, on the contrary,
are so full of politicks and finesse, that they find cunning and design in
the most natural and innocent actions. Some, to make their court to the
powerful, debase the dignity of history, by cringing and adulation; whilst
others, to serve a party, or faction, or merely to gratify their
ill-nature, rake up all the scandal of men's lives, give a malicious turn
to every thing, and libel every body, even without respecting the sacred
Majesty of Princes. Another sort moralize upon every petty accident, and
seem to set up for philosophers, instead of historians. And lastly, others
are peremptory in their decisions, and impose on the world their
conjectures for real truths.
These faults I have endeavoured to avoid. When I relate matters of fact, I
deduce them, as far as my informations permit me, from their true causes,
without making men more politick, or subtle, than nature has made them. I
commend what, in conscience I believe, deserves to be commended, without
any prospect of favour, or private interest; and I censure what I think
deserves to be blam'd, with the liberty that becomes a faithful
unprejudic'd historian, tho' with due regard to persons, whose birth,
dignity and character command the respect, even of those who disapprove
their actions. I am sparing of reflections, unless it be upon those
remarkable events from which they naturally result; and I never biass the
reader's judgment by any conjectural impositions of my own.
Yet after all these precautions, I am not so vain as to expect to please
all: for how were it possible to gain the general approbation, when people
differ so much in opinion about the _Prince_, whose history I have
attempted to write?
(_The History of King William the Third_, London, 1702,
Preface.)
[Born in Castres in 1664, Boyer lived in Switzerland and Holland before
settling in England, where he became a journalist and party-writer. He
edited a French-English and English-French Dictionary which was long a
classic. Swift honoured him once with the appellation of "French dog."]
PIERRE MOTTEUX
_Extract from a Letter to the Spectator_ (1712)
Sir,--Since so many dealers turn authors, and write quaint advertisements
in praise of their wares, one who from an author turn'd dealer may be
allowed for the advancement of trade to turn author again. I will not
however set up like some of 'em, for selling cheaper than the most able
honest tradesman can; nor do I send this to be better known for choice and
cheapness of China and Japan wares, tea, fans, muslins, pictures, arrack,
and other Indian goods. Placed as I am in Leadenhall-street, near the
India-Company, and the centre of that trade, thanks to my fair customers,
my warehouse is graced as well as the benefit days of my Plays and Operas;
and the foreign goods I sell seem no less acceptable than the foreign books
I translated, _Rabelais_ and _Don Quixote_. This the critics allow me, and
while they like my wares, they may dispraise my writing. But as 'tis not so
well known yet that I frequently cross the seas of late, and speaking Dutch
and French, besides other languages, I have the conveniency of buying and
importing rich brocades, Dutch atlasses, with gold and silver, or without,
and other foreign silks of the newest modes and best fabricks, fine
Flanders lace, linnens, and pictures, at the best hand. This my new way of
trade I have fallen into I cannot better publish than by an application to
you. My wares are fit only for such as your traders; and I would beg of you
to print this address in your paper, that those whose minds you adorn may
take the ornaments for their persons and houses from me....[105]
_A Song_
Lovely charmer, dearest creature,
Kind invader of my heart,
Grac'd with every gift of nature,
Rais'd with every grace of art!
Oh! cou'd I but make thee love me,
As thy charms my heart have mov'd,
None cou'd e'er be blest above me,
None cou'd e'er be more belov'd.
(_The Island Princess or the Generous Portuguese_, 1734.)
_To the Audience_
... So will the curse of scribling on you fall;
Egad, these times make poets of us all.
Then do not damn your brothers of the quill;
To be reveng'd, there's hope you'll write as ill.
For ne'er were seen more scribes, yet less good writing,
And there ne'er were more soldiers, yet less fighting.
Both can do nothing if they want supplies,
Then aid us, and our league its neighbouring foes defies;
Tho' they brib'd lately one of our allies.
Sure you'd not have us, for want of due pittance,
Like nincompoops sneak to them for admittance,
No; propt by you, our fears and dangers cease,
Here firm, tho' wealth decay, and foes increase,
We'll bravely tug for liberty and peace.
(_The Loves of Mars and Venus_, Epilogue, 1735.)
[Pierre Antoine Motteux, born at Rouen in 1660, came over to England in
1685, wrote plays and poems, translated Bayle and Montaigne, and
established himself as a trader in Leadenhall street.]
JEAN ABBADIE
_Letter to Desmaizeaux_
Sir,--I sometime ago acquainted my Lord of your readyness to serve his
Lordship in making a Catalogue of his books. His Lordship's new Library
being now near finished the Books cannot be removed thither 'till the
Catalogue be made. If your health will permit you, His Lordship would be
glad to see you here. Mr. Beauvais will deliver you this, and at the same
time will desire you to wait upon my Lord Parker, who will inform you how
you may come; either on Monday next or the next week after, in my Lord's
Coach. I should be very glad to see you, being, Sir, your most humble
servant,
JOHN ABBADIE.
SHIRBURN, _14th Nov._ [17--.]
(Brit. Mus. _Add. MSS._ 4281.)
[Jean Abbadie was a French valet. In another letter to Desmaizeaux, written
in French, and dated Aug. 2, 1718, he tells how a noble Lord whom he had
faithfully served dismissed him because he could not play the French horn
"par la raison que je ne say pas sonner du cor de chasse"!]
MAITTAIRE
_Letter to Dr. Charlett_ (March 27, 1718)
Reverend Sir,--I received yours, wherein you demonstrated your friendship
by overlooking all the imperfections of my poor work. I wish I could find
in my style that facility and felicity of language, which your great
goodness flatters me with. To write Latin, is what of all the perfections
of a Scholar I admire most; but I know myself so well, as to be sensible
how much I fall short of it. I have herein inclosed something that will
still try your patience and goodness. 'Tis a poor copy of verses, which
(after a long desuetude) I ventured to make in France, upon the occasion of
presenting my last book to the King's Library; and I met with such friends,
who to shew their civility to me, commanded it to be printed at the Royal
Printing-house, and published their candor at the expense of exposing my
faults. 'Tis ridiculous to turn poet in my old age. But you'll excuse
everything in an old friend. What you mention in your letter concerning
other printers, is what I am now pursuing; the work is already begun; the
name is _Annales Typographici_; it will be three volumes in 4to. And I hope
the first will come out by next midsummer.... I am come to the end of my
paper, and by this time to the end of your patience; having just room
enough to subscribe myself, Worthy Sir, Your most humble and most obedient
Servt.
M. MAITTAIRE.
(Printed by Aubrey, _Letters written by Eminent Persons_, London, 1813, ii.
pp. 37-39.)
[Born in France in 1668, came over to England when a boy, studied in
Westminster School, of which he ultimately became a master. He died in
London in 1747.]
VOLTAIRE
_To Lady Hervey_ (1725?)
Hervey, would you know the passion
You have kindled in my breast?
Trifling is the inclination
That by words can be expressed.
In my silence see the lover:
True love is best by silence known;
In my eyes you'll discover
All the power of your own.
_Letter to Pierre Desmaizeaux_ (1725?)
I hear Prevost hath a mind to bring you a second time as an evidence
against me. He sais I have told you I had given him five and twenty books
for thirty guineas. I remember very well, Sir, I told you at Rainbow's
Coffee-House that I had given him twenty subscription receipts for the
_Henriade_ and received thirty guineas down; but I never meant to have
parted with thirty copies at three guineas each, for thirty-one pounds, I
have agreed with him upon quite another foot; and I am not such a fool
(tho' a writer) to give away all my property to a bookseller.
Therefore I desire you to remember that I never told you of my having made
so silly a bargain. I told, I own, I had thirty pounds or some equivalent
down, but I did not say twas all the bargain, this I insist upon and
beseech you to recollect our conversation: for I am sure I never told a
tale so contrary to truth, to reason, and to my interest. I hope you will
not back the injustice of a bookseller who abuses you against a man of
honour who is your most humble servant. VOLTAIRE.
I beseech you to send me an answer to my lodging without any delay. I shall
be extremely obliged to you.
(British Museum, _Add. MSS._ 4288, fol. 229. Printed by
J. Churton Collins and by Ballantyne.)
_Letter to Joseph Craddock_ (1773)
FERNEY, _October_ 9, 1773.
Sr
Thanks to your muse a foreign copper shines
Turn'd in to gold, and coin'd in sterling lines.
You have done too much honour to an old sick man of eighty.--I am with the
most sincere esteem and gratitude, Sir, your obedient servant,
VOLTAIRE.
(Ballantyne, _Voltaire's Visit to England_, p. 69.)
[With Voltaire these _Specimens_ must end. To quote Pere Le Courayer,
Letourneur, Suard, or Baron D'Holbach would be unduly to prolong an
argument that should stop on the threshold of the eighteenth century.]
FOOTNOTES:
[101] For specimens of French written by Englishmen, see _Anglais et
Francais au XVIIe Siecle_, ch. iv.
[102] Charles I.
[103] _Cal. Clarendon State Papers_, ii., No. 2214. See also Eva Scott,
_King in Exile_, p. 9.
[104] In Oxford.
[105] _Spectator_, No. 288, 30th January 1712.