10/30 In the last century the Italians were first in doctrine and politesse. The present century is for France what the last was for Italy: "We have all the esprit and all the science, all other countries are barbarous in comparison" (p. But, as we shall see, he had been anticipated by Hakewill, whose work was unknown to Rigault.] The general atmosphere in France, in the reign of Louis XIV., was propitious to the cause of the Moderns. |