1621-1695.
1621. Birth of Jean de la Fontaine 150
His Father a Keeper of the Royal Domains in his District 150
La Fontaine enters the Oratoire, a religious Order 151
He throws off the fetters of a monastic Life, and marries Marie
d'Héricart 151
The Keepership of the Royal Domain is devolved on him 151
La Fontaine reads an Ode by Malherbe, and commences Poet 152
He studies the Classics 153
His Style simple, unaffected, and something antiquated 153
His Study of the great Italian Writers, of Rabelais, and of Clement
Marot 154
Writes "Adonis" in Heroic Verse 155
Is jealous of M. Poignan, a military Man, and fights him 156
His Wife's Temper 157
His own Forgetfulness, and Anecdotes explanatory of its
intensity 157
The Duchess de Bouillon notices him 158
His Appointment in the Duke of Bouillon's House 159
The Duchess takes him to Paris 159
Account of the Mancinis, Duchesses of Mazarin, and of
Bouillon 159
La Fontaine's Parisian friends, Molière, Racine, and Boileau 160
His Distractions, or Absences of Mind 160
Forgets home and his Wife 161
His Journeys to Château Thierry 161
Receives a Pension from Fouquet 162
Elegance of his fugitive Poetry 162
Fouquet disgraced 162
La Fontaine endeavours to soften Louis XIV. towards this
unfortunate Minister 162
"Contes et Merveilles, en Vers," of La Fontaine 163
His "Psyche and Cupid" 163
His Fables 164
"Joconde," his most popular Tale 165
He lives under the Roof of Madame de la Sablière 165
La Fontaine writes "Daphne," an Opera, for Lulli, and takes
just Offence at that Musician 166
He is elected of the French Academy 167
After some hesitation, Louis XIV. confirms his Election 167
The Abbé Furetière, and Academic Disputes 168
Anecdotes illustrative of La Fontaine's Mind and Simplicity, of
Conduct 169
Account of Madame de la Sablière and her Concerns 171
La Fontaine invited to England, declines the Journey 172
He resides with Madame d'Hervart, wife of a Financier 172
Sickness of this celebrated Poet and Fabulist 173
He is taxed as to his Indifference in Religion 173
The Clergy exact a Reparation, or Testimony of his Penitence 173
His Submissiveness 174
Recovers from Illness, and publishes a few more Tales 176
1695. His Death 176
Criticism on his Works 177
Beauty of his "Adonis" 177
Nature of his Tale of "Psyche and Cupid" 177
La Fontaine's Dramatic Pieces 178
His Fables and Tales 178
Comparison with Gay 179
His Conversation and Habits 181