Nobles Who Pursue Literature

There once was a time in France when the polite arts were cultivated by persons of the highest rank in the state. The courtiers particularly were conversant in them, although indolence, a taste for trifles, and a passion for intrigue, were the divinities of the country. The Court methinks at this time seems to have given into a taste quite opposite to that of polite literature, but perhaps the mode of thinking may be revived in a little time. The French are of so flexible a disposition, may be moulded into such a variety of shapes, that the monarch needs but command and he is immediately obeyed. The English generally think, and learning is had in greater honour among them than in our country—an advantage that results naturally from the form of their government. There are about eight hundred persons in England who have a right to speak in public, and to support the interest of the kingdom; and near five or six thousand may in their turns aspire to the same honour. The whole nation set themselves up as judges over these, and every man has the liberty of publishing his thoughts with regard to public affairs, which shows that all the people in general are indispensably obliged to cultivate their understandings. In England the governments of Greece and Rome are the subject of every conversation, so that every man is under a necessity of perusing such authors as treat of them, how disagreeable soever it may be to him; and this study leads naturally to that of polite literature. Mankind in general speak well in their respective professions. What is the reason why our magistrates, our lawyers, our physicians, and a great number of the clergy, are abler scholars, have a finer taste, and more wit, than persons of all other professions? The reason is, because their condition of life requires a cultivated and enlightened mind, in the same manner as a merchant is obliged to be acquainted with his traffic. Not long since an English nobleman, who was very young, came to see me at Paris on his return from Italy. He had written a poetical description of that country, which, for delicacy and politeness, may vie with anything we meet with in the Earl of Rochester, or in our Chaulieu, our Sarrasin, or Chapelle. The translation I have given of it is so inexpressive of the strength and delicate humour of the original, that I am obliged seriously to ask pardon of the author and of all who understand English. However, as this is the only method I have to make his lordship’s verses known, I shall here present you with them in our tongue:—

There was once a time in France when people of the highest rank cultivated the arts and literature. Courtiers in particular knew them well, although laziness, a taste for trifles, and a passion for intrigue were the country’s gods. The Court now seems to me to have adopted a taste quite opposed to literature. But perhaps the old outlook may return before long. The French are so adaptable and can be shaped in so many ways that the monarch need only command. He is immediately obeyed. The English generally think for themselves, and learning is more highly respected among them than in our country. This advantage comes naturally from their form of government. About eight hundred people in England have the right to speak in public and defend the kingdom’s interests. Another five or six thousand may aspire to the same honour in their turn. The whole nation claims the right to judge these people. And everyone is free to publish their thoughts on public affairs. This freedom shows that all the people are under an absolute obligation to develop their minds. In England, the governments of Greece and Rome come up in every conversation. So everyone must read authors who discuss those governments, however unpleasant they may find the task. And this study leads naturally to the study of literature. People generally speak well about their own professions. Why are our magistrates, lawyers, physicians, and many clergy better scholars, with finer taste and more wit, than people in all other professions? Because their position in life requires an educated and enlightened mind, just as merchants must understand their trade. Not long ago, a very young English nobleman visited me in Paris on his return from Italy. He had written a poetic description of Italy. In delicacy and elegance, his poem can rival anything by the Earl of Rochester, or our Chaulieu, Sarrasin, or Chapelle. My translation conveys so little of the original’s power and subtle humour that I must sincerely ask forgiveness. I ask it of the author and of everyone who understands English. However, translation is my only way to make his lordship’s verses known. So I present them here in our language: