Cambridge Modern History: vol. v., chap. iv.
Guizot: History of France: vol. iv., chap. xlvii. Jervis: History of the
Church in France. Sainte-Beuve: Causeries du Lundi (many are
translated).

As Louis seldom went to Paris, the chapel in the palace at Versailles
became the scene of the most important ecclesiastical functions, and
hence is of special interest. A description of its interior should be
given, and photographs of it should be shown. A supplementary paper
should take up Madame de Maintenon and her relation to the king and the
Church. Lady Blennerhasset's book will be found of value in this
connection.

IX--THE STORY OF PORT-ROYAL

1. _The Convent_--Its location, origin, and early history. Fashionable
patronage and relaxation of the rules. Angelique Arnauld. The Paris
House, now the Musee de Cluny.

2. _Educational System_--The lay brothers in the original house. Antoine
Arnauld, the De Sacys, Nicole. Their text-books: grammars, geometry,
logic. Place in the history of education.

3. _The Jansenist Movement_--Story of Jansen and his famous book.
Notable people who were influenced by it. How it made trouble for
Port-Royal. Antagonism of the Jesuits, reason of it, development of the
feud.

4. _Suppression of the Institution_--Reasons for the hostility of Louis
XIV. Story of the dispersion of the nuns, described at length by
Schimmelpenninck. Destruction of the beautiful buildings.

BOOKS TO CONSULT--Charles Beard: Port-Royal. Ethel Duncan Romanes: The
Story of Port-Royal. Felix Cadet: Port-Royal Education. Sainte-Beuve:
Port-Royal. (In French, not translated.)

Prepare a supplementary paper on the Puritan Spirit in Human Nature.
This constantly reappears in history (see the Stoics), and is
represented in France in this period by this Jansenist movement. An
interesting paper might be written on Jacqueline Pascal, the sister of
the great philosopher, and the celebrated episode of her healing, which
had far-reaching consequences.

X--FAMOUS MEMOIRS OF THE TIME

1. _Cardinal de Retz_--Story of his adventurous life: description of his
appearance and personal characteristics. Relation to the Fronde.
Richelieu's opinion of him and relation to him.

2. _The Duc de Saint-Simon_--Personal history. Relation to the King and
the court. Reason for writing: the servile tone of the memoirs of the
Marquis de Dangeau. Saint-Simon's independence and frankness of
criticism. "The Tacitus of French History." Compare