WOMAN
VOLUME VII
WOMEN OF MODERN FRANCE
BY
HUGO P. THIEME, Ph.D.
Of the University of Michigan
MARGUERITE D'ANGOULÊME, QUEEN OF NAVARRE,READING THE HEPTAMERON TO HERBROTHER, FRANCIS I.
After the painting by Léon Olivie
In the Heptameron we have an accurate representation of society, itsmanners and style of conversation; in it we find, also remnants of thebrutality and grossness of the Middle Ages, as well as reflections ofthe higher tendencies and aspirations of the later time. In having athorough knowledge of the tricks, deceits, and follies of theprofessional lovers of the day, and of their object in courting women,Marguerite was able to warn her contemporaries and thus guard themagainst immorality and its dangers. In her works she upheld the purityof ideal love, exposing the questionable and selfish designs of theclever professional seducers.
Woman
In all ages and in all countries
VOLUME VII
WOMEN OF MODERN FRANCE
BY
HUGO P. THIEME, Ph.D.
Of the University of Michigan
Illustrated
PHILADELPHIA
GEORGE BARRIE & SONS, PUBLISHERS
PREFACE
Among the Latin races, the French race differs essentially in onecharacteristic which has been the key to the success of Frenchwomen--namely, the social instinct. The whole French nation has alwayslived for the present time, in actuality, deriving from life more ofwhat may be called social pleasure than any other nation. It has beena universal characteristic among French people since the sixteenthcentury to love to please, to make themselves agreeable, to bring joyand happiness to others, and to be loved and admired as well. Withthis instinctive trait French women have always been bountifullyendowed. Highly emotional, they love to charm, and this has becomean art with them; balancing this emotional nature is the mathematicalquality. These two combined have made French women the great leadersin their own country and among women of all races. They have developedthe art of studying themselves; and the art of coquetry, whichhas become a virtue, is a science with them. The singular power ofdiscrimination, constructive ability, calculation, subtle intriguing,a clear and concise manner of expression, a power of conversationunequalled in women of any other country, clear thinking: all thesequalities have been strikingly illustrated in the various great womenof the different periods of the history of France, and according tothese they may by right be judged; for their moral qualities have notalways been in accordance with the standard of other races.
According as these two fundamental qualities, the emotional andmathematical, have been developed in individual women, we meet thedifferent types which have made themselves prominent in history. Thequeens of France, in general, have been submissive and pious, dutifuland virtuous wives, while the mistresses have been bold and frivolous,licentious and self-assertive. The women outside of these sphereseither looked on with indifference or regret at the all-powerfulnessof this latter class, unable to change conditions, or themselvesenjoyed the privilege of the mistress.
It must be