Fables Volume 1 - Softcover

Fontaine, Jean De La

Softcover

ISBN 10: 021720984X ISBN 13: 9780217209847

Publisher: RareBooksClub.com, 2012

Synopsis

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1860 edition. Excerpt: ...Fables are, indeed, as it were, the law of nature in action. Virtue is represented by him in her most engaging form, as the offspring of sentiment; and the way to her temple, instead of the customary " steep and thorny road," appears like a " primrose path." In his exposure of vice there is no ill-nature, no rancor, no bitterness of satire--he is not one of those who " ridet et Odit." The perusal of his Fables soothes and composes the mind, producing the same sort of refreshment which arises from a quiet stroll in the country--from which we return with those kindly feelings toward human nature, and that tranquil spirit of resignation to the will of Providence, which are shown in an indulgent forbearance to the failings of others, and a patient endurance of our own misfortunes;--and what better lessons than those can we learn from philosophy 1 And next for his naivete", that engaging charm which seems to result from the union of two things which we fear are seldom found in conjunction--innocence of heart, and cleverness of bead. It is to this mixture of shrewdness and simplicity, archness and unconsciousness, that we owe those charming contrasts between the thought and the expression, which, like a delicate figure in a russet gown, render both more attractive, and constitute "la grace de la soudainete" of which he himself speaks. And it is the happy compound of these ingredients that forms "la grace encore plus belle que la beaute," which is the distinguishing quality of his muse. How prettily, for example, does he talk of love--" ce mal qui peut-etre est un bien." There is, indeed, something in his style which may truly be called delicious. He writes as a man might be supposed to write who has just been loosened from the apron-strings of nature....

About this edition

• Publisher: RareBooksClub.com
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 021720984X
• ISBN 13: 9780217209847
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 64