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PREFACE
THE close political and
social ties that bound Scotland to France form a very striking feature
in the history of both countries, especially in that of the former. The
Ancient League, traditionally dating from the days of King Achaius and
the Emperor Charlemagne, became in the fourteenth century an undoubted
fact, when both countries had a common interest in resisting the
ambition of the Plantagenet kings. The frequent royal alliances, the
steady intercourse, and the consequent mutual change of ideas between
the two kingdoms during the Stuart era, could not fail to leave
recognisable marks upon both nations. On Scotland, as the more backward
of the two countries, French influence made a deep impression. Scottish
early civilisation was cast mainly in a French mould ; its Universities
drew their constitution almost wholly from French sources ; its
municipal institutions were largely copied from French examples ; its
religion at the Reformation elected to be guided by French rather than
by German rites ; its language, its social customs, its business, its
pastimes,—were all more or less modified by the French conviction. To
thoroughly understand Scottish civilisation, we must seek for most of
its more important germs in French sources. We must recall the steady
tide of intercourse flowing between the two countries; the crowds of
Scotsmen flocking to France for study or for military service, and
coming back to imbue their students and their tenants with their own
experience; the French courtiers and men-at-arms who came to Scotland in
the train of each royal alliance; the scholars of the Reformation who
strove to introduce the principles and forms of the Huguenots; the
Jacobite emissary of a later century full of French sympathies and
French ideas; and the French followers who often accompanied the "Scot
abroad" back to his own country.
The present volume is an
attempt to illustrate the extent to which this French influence pervaded
the life of the Scottish people. Exception may be taken to some of the
lines on which our research has proceeded, and some of our conclusions
will perhaps prove subject of controversy. For this we are prepared. Our
object is achieved when we have shown the part that French influence
exercised in Scottish progress finding its way into every rank and into
every walk of life. The book is not set forth as a complete exposition,
but rather as an opening up of a question of much general interest in
the history of British culture. Such as it is, it is now after much
labour submitted to the learned of the two countries that have always
shown such goodwill to each other. It is now high time to gratefully
acknowledge a debt which has been running on for upwards of two years.
The Rev. Walter Gregor, minister of Pitsligo,—one of those scholars
whose learning cannot be confined within the quiet bounds of a Scottish
manse, and whose abilities are perhaps better known to savants in other
countries than his own, — has given me assistance without which the book
could not have been what It is. In suggesting, revising, correcting,
modifying views, and supplying Illustrations, Mr Gregor has Indeed been
Indefatigable and gratitude Is due from the public as well as from
myself to him for his arduous labours.
The author cannot close
without acknowledging with thanks the zeal and talent evinced by Messrs
William Blackwood & Sons during the progress of this book through the
press.
FRANCISQUE - MICHEL.
Paris, 13 Rue de l'Ancienne Comedie,
January 1882.
Contents
Introduction
Chapter I - Architecture
Chapter II - Furniture
Chapter III - Banquting and Vivers
Chapter IV - Clothing
Chapter V - Fine Arts
Chapter VI - Money
Chapter VII - Animals
Chapter VIII - Education, Terms relating to it.
Chapter IX - Medicine
Chapter X - Law
Chapter XI - Rogues and Vagabonds - Punishments
Chapter XII - War - Military Terms
Chapter XIII - Sea Terms
Chapter XIV - Music and Musical Instruments
Chapter XV - Dances
Chapter XVI - Games and Amusements
Chapter XVII - Words expressing Abstract Ideas
Chapter XVIII - Sundries - Phrases derived from the French
Appendix I
Appendix II
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