(Education.) [FÉNELON (François)]
Plan des Études de Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne
Depuis l'année 1695 dans laquelle il a fini la 13e année de son age jusqu'à l'année 1700 qu'il aura 18 ans.
Description:
manuscript in ink on paper in a secretarial hand, with one correction in another hand, minor foxing, outer leaves (self-wrappers) a little soiled, ink splash on upper cover,
ff. [20, the last blank], 4to,
stitched with a single blue silk ribbon making one entry towards the top and tied around, good
Publication Details:
[?Versailles:] 1695
Notes: 'The Duc de Beauvilliers, who had been the first to test in his own family the value of [Fénelon's] "Traité de l'education des filles", was in 1689 named governor of the grandchildren of Louis XIV. He hastened to secure Fénelon as tutor to the eldest of these princes, the Duke of Burgundy. It was a most important post, seeing that the formation of the future King of France lay in his hands; but it was not without great difficulties, owing to the violent, haughty character of the pupil. Fénelon brought to his task a whole-hearted zeal and devotion. Everything... was made to serve in the ta...more'The Duc de Beauvilliers, who had been the first to test in his own family the value of [Fénelon's] "Traité de l'education des filles", was in 1689 named governor of the grandchildren of Louis XIV. He hastened to secure Fénelon as tutor to the eldest of these princes, the Duke of Burgundy. It was a most important post, seeing that the formation of the future King of France lay in his hands; but it was not without great difficulties, owing to the violent, haughty character of the pupil. Fénelon brought to his task a whole-hearted zeal and devotion. Everything... was made to serve in the taming of this impetuous spirit... With the same object in view, he wrote his "Fables" and his "Dialogues des Morts", but especially his "Télémaque", in which work, under the guise of pleasant fiction, he taught the young prince lessons of self-control, and all the duties required by his exalted position. The results of this training were wonderful. The historian Saint-Simon, as a rule hostile to Fénelon, says: "De cet abîme sortit un prince, affable, doux, modéré, humain, patient, humble, tout appliqué à ses devoirs"... About 1695 every one who came in contact with the prince was in admiration at the change in him' (Catholic Encyclopedia). This Plan dates from 1695 and epitomises the last stage of the Duke's education. It is formidable. There are three subject headings: Religion, Science, and History - Science comprehending everything not included in the other two, science proper (mathematics), moral philosophy, economics, jurisprudence, &c. The books to be used are specified for each topic. The last subject for Sciences for 1696 is 'parcourir les principes de Descartes.' The sequence of the subjects under which history is to be undertaken is interesting, year by year as follows: England, Germany, Spain, the Orient - Arabs or other Muslims, &c - France. Altogether a fascinating and illuminating document. 'In saving the life of Fenelon, suppose at the moment when he was conceiving the project of his immortal Telemachus, I should be promoting the benefit of thousands who have been cured by the perusal of it of some error, vice and consequent unhappines' (Godwin, Enquiry p. 41). HIDE
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Price: £1,500
Subject: History
Published Date: 1695
Stock Number: 56051
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