We had been talking vaguely all winter of doing something at La Ferte-Milon to feter the bicentenaire of Racine.  They were making preparations at Paris, also at Port Royal, and it seemed hard to do nothing in his native place.  His statue in the Grande Rue is one of the glories of La Ferte.

Jean Racine was born in La Ferte in 1639.  He lost both father and mother young, and was brought up by his grandparents.  He was sent first to school at Beauvais, later, while still quite a youth, to Port Royal.  His stay there influenced considerably his character and his writings; and though he separated himself entirely from the “Solitaires” during the years of his brilliant career as poet and courtier, there remained always in his heart a latent tenderness for the quiet green valley of the Chevreuse, where he had passed all his years of adolescence, listening to the good Fathers, and imbibing their doctrines of the necessity of divine grace to complete the character.  His masters were horrified and distressed when his talent developed into plays, which brought him into contact with actors and actresses, and made him an habitue of a frivolous Court.

There is a pretty letter from one of his aunts, a religieuse de Port Royal, begging him to keep away from “des frequentations abominables,” and to return to a Christian life.

His career was rapid and brilliant.  He was named to the Academie Francaise in 1673, and when he retired from the theatre was a welcome and honoured guest at the most brilliant court of the world.  He was made private historian to the King and accompanied him on various campaigns.  There are amusing mentions of the poets-historians (Boileau was also royal historian) in the writings of their contemporaries, “les messieurs du sublime,” much embarrassed with their military accoutrements and much fatigued by the unwonted exercise and long days on horseback.  The King showed Racine every favour.  He was lodged at Versailles and at Marly and was called upon to amuse and distract the monarch when the cares of state and increasing years made all diversions pall upon him.  He saw the decline and disgrace of Madame de Montespan, the marvellous good fortune of Madame de Maintenon.  His famous tragedies of Esther and Athalie were written at Madame de Maintenon’s request for her special institution of St. Cyr, and the performances were honoured by the presence of the King.  Racine himself directed the rehearsals and the music was composed by Jean Baptiste Moreau, organist of St. Cyr.  The youthful actresses showed wonderful aptitude in interpreting the passionate, tender verses of the poet.  Young imaginations worked and jealousies and rivalries ran high.  After a certain number of representations Mme. de Maintenon was obliged to suspend the performances in public, with costumes and music.  The plays were only given in private at the Maison de St. Cyr; the young scholars playing in the dress of the establishment.