LA FONTAINE, JEAN DIE

(1621-95), Fr. poet. When twenty-six, he succeeded his f. as Maitre des Eaux et Foréts at Chateau-Thierry (his birthplace); the study of animal life occupied him more than survey of the royal grounds, which he nominally performed for twenty years. His friend and protector, Fouquet, inaugurated his poetic celebrity, and received dedication of his first works, Epttres and Le Songe de Vaux. When Louis XIV. dismi ed Fouquet, La. BF. wrote the Elegie aux nymphes de Vaua, incurring the king’s displeasure. The Contes, free and licentious, in medic eval manner, but masterpieces of lightne and grace, commenced to appear, 1665; the famous Fables, 12 vol’s, in 1668. He created a new style of fable, vz. a frame into which poetry as well as satire and comedy could fit, the poetry being of the simplest and least pretentious kind. He took subjects from A’sop and old Fr. fabliaux; language, concise and beautiful; uses old words, provincialisms, and even patois when it fits his meaning; reproached with want of respon aa in work and life, but succe ive frien provided him with homes; first Fouquet, and later in life Mme. del a Sabliére for twenty years; at her death, Mme. d’Hervart took in the old poet. He, Racine, -Moliére, and Boileau, his attached friends, formed famous club of Rue du