recalls its sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, its profound, passionate strength, its inventive excellency, almost with disbelief. One must, however, maintain this verdict of historical justice in a determined manner, and defend it against present prejudices and appearances: the European NOBLESSE — of sentiment, taste, and manners, taking the word in every high sense — is the work and invention of FRANCE; the European ignobleness, the plebeianism of modern ideas — is ENGLAND’S work and invention.

254. Even at present France is still the seat of the most intellectual and refined culture of Europe, it is still the high school of taste; but one must know how to find this “France of taste.” He who belongs to it keeps himself well concealed: — they may be a small number in whom it