Literary Rambles in France (Volume 4)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER I Flaubert's Literary Workshop The summer-house or pavilion in which Madame Bovary was written may well be so styled. With a celebrated predecessor Flaubert regarded novelwriting as no less of a trade than the making of watches. But from an artistic standpoint only. Money, popular applause, contemporary fame were not dreamed, of in his philosophy. What he aimed at and what by dint of superhuman laboriousness he achieved, was literary excellence, the high water mark of style. Hence it comes about that Croisset will ever be an interesting literary pilgrimage. We may not find Madame Bovary delectable reading, to some of us the so-called roman necessaire will prove 'thin sown with aught of pleasure or delight.' The author's figure compels homage, the artist enlists general sympathy. Despite his ingrained pessimism, Flaubert's life is a noble lesson. From first to last, struggling against fell disease and a melancholious temperament, manfully he went his way, no obstacle A damping his ardour, no checks, however mortifying, for a single moment detaching him from his purpose. Croisset lies three miles from Rouen and may be pleasantly reached by steamboat. Hurried travellers will prefer to drive and, once off the cobble-stones of the distractingly-paved city, bowl along the quays agreeably enough. We pass an immense stretch of bustling wharfage and warehouses, the river bristling with masts and alive with smaller craft, the new bridge a beautiful object amid much that is unlovely. As we advance on both sides we have more taking scenes. Over against us rise dimpled green slopes, and soon we come within sight of one long wooded islet immediately succeeded by another--chateaux, farm-houses, and chalets peeping between the trees of both. My guide informed me...