FRANCE. 349 



were also paid the expenses of worship, the religious and the poor. 

 All monastic establishments were suppressed ; but the friars and 

 nuns were allowed to observe their vows, and nuns optionally to re- 

 main in their convents, or retire upon pensions. By subsequent con- 

 stitutions, it was declared that there is no predominant religion in 

 France, and that none is patronized or paid by the state ; but that all 

 sects and modes of worship shall enjoy equal toleration. 



But since the administration of the government has been vested in 

 Bonaparte, he has concluded a concordat or convention with the pope, 

 by which the catholic religion is declared the religion of the great 

 majority of the French citizens, and the government engages to 

 make a suitable provision for the bishops and ministers. No bull or 

 brief, however, of the court of Rome can have any effect in France 

 without the consent of the government ; and none of the clergy are 

 to give the nuptial benediction, except to those who have been mar- 

 ried by the civil officers. The concordat bears date, Sept. 10, 1801. 



The protestant religion, as professed by the different reformed 

 churches, is also tolerated, and the maintenance of the ministers* 

 when necessary, provided for in like manner by the state. 



Before the revolution there were in France nineteen archbishoprics, 

 and 118 bishoprics: by the concordat there are 10 archbishoprics - 

 Paris, Maines, Besancon, Lyons, Aix, Toulouse, Bourdeaux, Bour- 

 ges, Tours, and Rouen ; and 50 bishoprics. 



Literature. ...The French, like the other nations of Europe, were 

 for many centuries immersed in barbarity. The first learning they 

 began to acquire, was not of that kind which improves the under- 

 standing, corrects the taste, or regulates the affections. It consisted 

 in a subtle and quibbling logic, which was more adapted to pervert. 

 than to improve the faculties. But the study of the Greek and Ro- 

 man writers, which first arose in Italy, diffused itself among the 

 French, and gave a new turn to their literary pursuits. This, to- 

 gether with the encouragement which the polite and learned Francis 

 I, gave to all men of merit, was extremely beneficial to French litera- 

 ture. During this reign, many learned men appeared in France, who 

 greatly distinguished themselves by their writings ; among whom 

 were Budaeus, Clement Marot, Peter du Chatel, Rabelais, and Peter 

 Ramus. The names of Henry and Robert Stephens are also men- 

 tioned by every real scholar with respect. It was not, however, till 

 the seventeenth century, that the French began to write with elegance 

 in their own language. The Academie Francoise was formed for this 

 purpose ; and though their labours, considered as a body, were not 

 so successful as might have been expected, some particular academi- 

 cians have done great service to letters. In fact, literary copartner- 

 ships are seldom very successful. Of this we have a remarkable 

 example in the present case. The academy published a dictionary 

 for improving the French language, which was universally despised ; 

 Furetieres, a single academician, published another, that met with 

 universal approbation. 



Lewis XIV was the Augustus of France. The protection he gave 

 to letters, and the pensions he bestowed on learned men, both at 

 home and abroad, which, by calculation, did not amount to above 

 12.000/. per annum, have gained him more glory than all the military 

 enterprises upon which he expended so many millions. The learned 

 men who appeared in France during this reign are too numerous to 

 be mentioned. The tragic poets, Racine and Corncille, have.desev- 



