In George Sand's pastoral novels we have some
of these old words. They come to us from afar, and
are like a supreme blossoming of old traditions.
It is all this which characterises these books, and
assigns to them their place in our literature. We
must not compare them with the rugged studies
of Balzac, nor with the insipid compositions of
the bucolic writer, nor even with Bernardin de
Saint-Pierre's masterpiece, as there are too many
cocoanut trees in that. They prevent us seeing
the French landscapes. Very few people know
the country in France and the humble people
who dwell there. Very few writers have loved
the country well enough to be able to depict its
hidden charms.

La Fontaine has done it in his fables and
Perrault in his tales. George Sand has her place,
in this race of writers, among the French Homers.

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