"The junction of the French and English
intellects, which, looking at the immense chain
of its effects, is by far the most important fact
in the history of the eighteenth century," ¹ is
also the most significant and far-reaching move-
ment in the history of French literature. Until
that time, England had often looked to France
for intellectual leadership, more especially after
the Norman Conquest, during the Renaissance,
and after the Restoration, while France had
ignored the thought and art of her northern
neighbor: but in the eighteenth century, Eng-
land became the leader, the masters became the
disciples, and the message they received and
interpreted was heard by all nations.

This great intellectual revolution has received

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