The Life of Molière, Vol. 3

ISBN: 9781330471753 出版年：2018 页码：600 Henry M Trollope Forgotten Books

Thus, all my authorities are French. I know that within the last twenty years some English writers have made a study of Moliere, and have brought out editions with notes of the chief of his plays. But as the greater part of my work was done out of England, where I had not access to these books, it is not altogether my fault that I have not been able to apply to them for assistance. I acknowledge very gladly my obligations to many French authors, for they have taught me much; and it is only natural to suppose that to some extent my thoughts have followed theirs. But I wish to say that I have not knowingly stolen their ideas and given them as my own. It is generally easy to quote the source of authority when dealing with facts, and I believe I have done so sufficiently. I trust I shall not be trespassing too far on the goodwill of French writers on Moliere if I assume that literary courtesy is willing to allow fair borrowing of facts and details when due acknowledgment is made of the loan. But literary courtesy does not extend its hospitality to robbery of ideas with silence about the theft. I hope I have not sinned in that respect.