2 66 LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEN.

sensitiveness in which he had no right to indulge, gota decree of parliament to prevent its representation.Many years after, when Boileau was at the baths ofBourbon for his health, and Boursault was receveurdes termes at Mont Luyon, a town not far distant,Boileau writes to Racine, “ M. Boursault, whom Ithought dead, came to see me five or six days ago, andmade his appearance again unexpectedly this evening.He told me he had come three long leagues out of his wayto Mont Lu^on, whither he was bound, and where helives, to have the pleasure of calling on me. He offeredme all sorts of things — money, horses, &e. I repliedby similar civilities, and wished to keep him tillto-morrow to dinner; hut he said he was obliged to goaway early in the morning, and we separated the bestpossible friends.” Racine says, in reply, “ I am pleasedby the civilities you have received from Boursault; youare advancing towards perfection at a prodigious pace;how many people you have pardoned.” Boileau replies,“ I laughed heartily at the joke you make of the peopleI have pardoned; but do you know that I have moremerit than you imagine, if the Italian proverb be true,chi offende non perdona.” About this time Pradon andBonnecorse attacked him ; and he took occasion, in a newedition of his works, to substitute their names for thoseof the persons with whom he was now reconciled.

To return to his younger days : wit, high and con-vivial spirits, and his acknowledged and popular talents,gained him the favour of the great. The great Condewas his especial protector; and he changed many ex-pressions in his poems, and even altered them mate-rially, at his suggestion. The great Conde oftenassembled literary men at Chantilly ; and he liked thissociety far better than that of people of rank. One day,when Racine and Boileau were with him, the arrival ofsome bishop was announced, as having come to view hispalace and grounds. “ Show him every thing,” said theprince impatiently, “ except myself.” This prince oftendiscussed literary topics with his guests. When he was