The long list of French authors who flourished during the
reign of Louis includes Molière, the greatest of French dramatists, La
Fontaine, whose fables are still popular, Perrault, now remembered for his
fairy tales, and Madame de Sévigné, whose letters are regarded as
models of French prose. Probably the most famous work composed at this time is
the Memoirs of Saint-Simon. It presents an intimate and not very
flattering picture of the "Grand Monarch" and his court.
LEARNING UNDER LOUIS XIV
Louis and his ministers believed that the government
should encourage research and the diffusion of knowledge. Richelieu founded and
Colbert fostered the French Academy. Its forty members, sometimes called the
"Immortals," are chosen for their eminent contributions to language
and literature. The great dictionary of the French language, on which they have
labored for more than two centuries, is still unfinished. The academy now forms
a section of the Institute of France. The patronage of Colbert also did much to
enrich the National Library at Paris. It contains the largest collection of
books in the world.
THE AGE OF LOUIS XIV
The brilliant reign of the French king cast its spell upon
the rest of Europe. Kings and princes looked to Louis as the model of what a
king should be and set themselves to imitate the splendor of his court. During
this period the French language, manners, dress, art, literature, and science
became the accepted standards of good society in all civilized lands. France
still retains in large measure the preeminent position which she secured under
the "Grand Monarch."
