omething essential or characteristic.

M. Lanson has ventured to trace French literature to the present
moment. I have thought it wiser to close my survey with the decline
of the romantic movement. With the rise of naturalism a new period
opens. The literature of recent years is rather a subject for current
criticism than for historical study.

I cannot say how often I have been indebted to the writings of M.
Brunetiere, M. Faguet, M. Larroumet, M. Paul Stapfer, and other living
critics: to each of the volumes of _Les Grands Ecrivains Francais_,
and to many of the volumes of the _Classiques Populaires_. M.
Lintilhac's edition of Merlet's _Etudes Litteraires_ has also often
served me. But to name my aids to study would be to fill some pages.

While not unmindful of historical and social influences, I desire
especially to fix my reader's attention on great individuals, their
ideas, their feelings, and their art. The general history of ideas
should, in the first instance, be discerned by the student of
literature through his observation of individual minds.

That errors must occur where so many statements are made, I am aware
from past experience; but I have taken no slight pains to attain
accuracy. It must not be hastily assumed that dates here recorded
are incorrect because they sometimes differ from those given in other
books. For my errors I must myself bear the responsibility; but by
the editorial care of Mr. Gosse, in reading the proof-sheets of this
book, the number of such errors has been reduced.

EDWARD DOWDEN.

DUBLIN, _June_ 1897.

CONTENTS

_BOOK THE FIRST_--_THE MIDDLE AGES_

CHAPTER PAGE
I. NARRATIVE RELIGIOUS POETRY--THE NATIONAL EPIC--THE EPIC OF
ANTIQUITY--ROMANCES OF LOVE AND COURTESY . . . . . . . . 3

II. LYRICAL POETRY--FABLES, AND RENARD THE FOX--FABLIAUX--THE
ROMANCE OF THE ROSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

III. DIDACTIC LITERATURE--SERMONS--HISTORY . . . . . . . . . . 40

IV. LATEST MEDIAEVAL POETS--THE DRAMA . . . . . . . . . . . . .
58

_BOOK THE SECOND_--_THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY_

I. RENAISSANCE AND REFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

II. FROM THE PLEIADE TO MONTAIGNE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

_BOOK THE THIRD_--_THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY_

I. LITERARY FREEDOM AND LITERARY ORDER .