Duchesse du Maine, and the roués of the Temple, had no feeling for these "elegant trifles." Had they been only elegant trifles they might not have survived the neglect of fashion, or even the satire of the Abbé de Villiers: but the sterling gold that was in them was indestructible, and imparted to them "a charmed life." To quote the words of one of the most popular writers of the present day, "It would be hard to estimate the amount of gentleness and mercy that has made its way among us through these slight channels. Forbearance, courtesy, consideration for the poor and aged, kind treatment of animals, the love of nature, abhorrence of tyranny and brute force,—many such good things have been nourished in the child's heart by this powerful aid. It has greatly helped to keep us ever young, by preserving through our worldly ways one slender track not overgrown with weeds, where we may walk with children, sharing their delights."[1]
Of the four above-mentioned ladies who most successfully followed the lead of Perrault, the Countess d'Aulnoy was the most prolific, and has achieved the greatest popularity. Marie Catherine, daughter of Monsieur le Jumel de Barneville, was born in 1649, and died at Paris in January, 1705. Her father was connected with some of the first families in Normandy.[2] She married François de la Mothe, Comte d'Aulnoy, who was accused of treason by three Normans, imprisoned, and would have lost his head, had not one of his accusers, struck with remorse of conscience, declared the whole charge to be groundless. The Countess herself was at another period compromised through her intimacy with the beautiful Madame Tiquet, who was beheaded on the Place de Grêve, for the murder of her husband. To considerable personal attractions, Madame d'Aulnoy joined much
