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and economic； which he saw around him。 M。 de Lamartine； in his
brilliant little life of Fenelon； does not hesitate to trace to the influence of
〃Telemaque；〃 the Utopias which produced the revolutions of 1793 and
1848。 〃The saintly poet was；〃 he says； 〃without knowing it； the first
Radical and the first communist of his century。〃 But it is something to
have preached to princes doctrines till then unknown； or at least forgotten
for many a generationfree trade； peace； international arbitration； and the
〃carriere ouverte aux talents〃 for all ranks。 It is something to have
warned his generation of the dangerous overgrowth of the metropolis； to
have prophesied； as an old Hebrew might have done； that the despotism
which he saw around him would end in a violent revolution。 It is
something to have combined the highest Christian morality with a hearty
appreciation of old Greek life； of its reverence for bodily health and
prowess； its joyous and simple country society； its sacrificial feasts；
dances； games； its respect for the gods； its belief that they helped； guided；
inspired the sons of men。 It is something to have himself believed in
God； in a living God； who； both in this life and in all lives to come；
rewarded the good and punished the evil by inevitable laws。 It is
something to have warned a young prince； in an age of doctrinal bigotry
and practical atheism； that a living God still existed； and that his laws were
still in force； to have shown him Tartarus crowded with the souls of
wicked monarchs； while a few of kingly race rested in Elysium； and
among them old pagansInachus； Cecrops； Erichthon； Triptolemus； and
Sesostrisrewarded for ever for having done their duty； each according to
his light； to the flocks which the gods had committed to their care。 It is
something to have spoken to a prince； in such an age； without servility；
and without etiquette； of the frailties and the dangers which beset arbitrary
rulers； to have told him that royalty； 〃when assumed to content oneself； is
a monstrous tyranny； when assumed to fulfil its duties； and to conduct an
innumerable people as a father conducts his children； a crushing slavery；
which demands an heroic courage and patience。〃
Let us honour the courtier who dared speak such truths； and still more
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the saintly celibate who had sufficient catholicity of mind to envelop them
in old Grecian dress； and； without playing false for a moment to his own
Christianity； seek in the writings of heathen sages a wider and a healthier
view of humanity than was afforded by an ascetic creed。
No wonder that the appearance of 〃Telemaque；〃 published in Holland
without the permission of Fenelon； delighted throughout Europe that
public which is always delighted with new truths； as long as it is not
required to practise them。 To read 〃Telemaque〃 was the right and the
enjoyment of everyone。 To obey it； the duty only of princes。 No
wonder that； on the other hand； this 〃Vengeance de peuples； lecon des
rois；〃 as M。 de Lamartine calls it； was taken for the bitterest satire by
Louis XIV。； and completed the disgrace of one who had dared to teach the
future king of France that he must show himself； in all things； the opposite
of his grandfather。 No wonder if Madame de Maintenon and the court
looked on its portraits of wicked ministers and courtiers as caricatures of
themselves； portraits too； which； 〃composed thus in the palace of
Versailles； under the auspices of that confidence which the king had placed
in the preceptor of his heir； seemed a domestic treason。〃 No wonder； also；
if the foolish and envious world outside was of the same opinion； and after
enjoying for awhile this exposure of the great ones of the earth； left
〃Telemaque〃 as an Utopia with which private folks had no concern； and
betook themselves to the easier and more practical model of 〃Gil Blas。〃
But there are solid defects in 〃Telemaque〃indicating corresponding
defects in the author's mindwhich would have； in any case； prevented its
doing the good work which Fenelon desired； defects which are natural； as
it seems to me； to his position as a Roman Catholic priest； however saintly
and pure； however humane and liberal。 The king； with him； is to be
always the father of his people； which is tantamount to saying； that the
people are to be always children； and in a condition of tutelage； voluntary；
if possible： if not； of tutelage still。 Of self…government； and education
of human beings into free manhood by the exercise of self… government；
free will； free thoughtof this Fenelon had surely not a glimpse。 A
generation or two passed by； and then the peoples of Europe began to
suspect that they were no longer children； but come to manhood； and
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determined （after the example of Britain and America） to assume the
rights and duties of manhood； at whatever risk of excesses or mistakes：
and then 〃Telemaque〃 was relegated half unjustlyas the slavish and
childish dream of a past age； into the schoolroom； where it still remains。
But there is a defect in 〃Telemaque〃 which is perhaps deeper still。 No
woman in it exercises influence over man； except for evil。 Minerva； the
guiding and inspiring spirit； assumes of course； as Mentor； a male form；
but her speech and thought is essentially masculine； and not feminine。
Antiope is a mere lay…figure； introduced at the end of the book because
Telemachus must needs be allowed to have hope of marrying someone or
other。 Venus plays but the same part as she does in the Tannenhauser
legends of the Middle Age。 Her hatred against Telemachus is an integral
element of the plot。 She； with the other women or nymphs of the
romance； in spite of all Fen