FRENCH CLUB

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 102, 27 October 1931, Page 15

FRENCH CLUB

A LITERARY EVENING

The last reunion of the Circle Francais took the form of a delightful literary evening given by Dr. Carbery. Following on an address given last year on the emergence- of tvoman, he took as his subject "Salons of Salonnieres," and spoke of the succession of brilliant women who, by their salons, influenced the whole literary and social life of Europe. The movement, he said, dated back to the early seventeenth century, when the Marquise de Kainbouillet set the standard of manners and culture for the age that produced tho great masterpieces of French classical literature. Similarly, in England Catherine Fowler, the "matchless Orinda" of her time, and in Sweden Christine de Suede, formed public taste. In the eighteenth century feminine influence was still supreme. To tho salon of Mme. de Tenein came Fontenelle, Marivaux, Montesquieu, and Lord Chesterfield. Mme. de Geoffin, Mme. dv Deffand, Mme. d'Espinasse, and Mme. de Choiseul carried on the tradition of brilliant wit and charming sociability that appreciably influenced the course of French politics. In England at tho same time, Mrs. Montagu presided over her "Salon Chinois," and Mrs. Traill dictated to her coterie of literary men. The English novel might be said to be a heritage of these salons. Dr. Carbery concluded this interesting lecture with a fine selection of lantern slides illustrating his subject. Before the lecture Dr. Henning gave a short talk on modern French poetry. He followed his talk with a reading of some of the ultra-modern poetry of Jeau Coquetot. Mr. Lamb played delightful selections on tho 'cello. Mme. Bengo received the club members. Mr. Miles presided. The conversation class was conducted by Mme. E. Finlayson.