While the dramatist was writing “Andromaque” he was bitterly attacked by the leader of a sect of religionists for the wretched morality of his play.  He felt the attack keenly, and that it was just, no American will deny, though Frenchmen will.  The poet replied to the attack in a witty and satirical letter.

The “Andromaque” of Racine had a fine success, and one character was so full of passion and was so well represented upon the stage, that it cost the life of the actor who fell dead from excitement.  Then followed in quick succession “Brittonicus” and “Berenice,” which were also successful.  His plays were full of intense passion and eloquence, and it would not give the reader a fair idea of their influence over the French, did we not admit that their representations of human life were such as to undermine the morality of those who listened to them.  The plays of Racine have exerted a prodigious influence over the intelligent classes of Paris, and their wretched morality poisoned the nation.  For my part, when I consider the literature of France—­and no one can judge of a people without knowing its literature—­I do not wonder that a very low morality exists throughout the country, but more especially in Paris.  The great plays of past and modern times are saturated with licentiousness—­the great romances of past and present years, are foul with impurities.  Racine, living in an age of licentiousness, reflects it in his plays, and his plays are admired to-day in Paris, as of yore; hence it follows that those who go and see them acted must be somewhat affected by their immorality.  Madame Rachel has made the characters of Racine familiar to all France, and has revived all his blemishes as well as beauties.

The poet met with much severe criticism after the representation of the last mentioned of his plays.  Madame Sevigne was one of Corneille’s warmest admirers, and did not join the company of Racine worshipers.  A benefice was now given the poet, but soon after it was disputed by a priest; lawsuits began, and finally he relinquished it in disgust.  Racine, Moliere, Boileau, and others were in the habit of meeting and having convivial suppers together, and on such occasions Racine projected new plays, and characters were often suggested to him by his fellow authors.  In one of his after plays, which was not successful, he showed a talent for comedy far above mediocrity.  It was once represented before the king, who laughed so hard that his courtiers were astonished.

Racine was elected member of the Academy in 1673, and made a very modest speech when the honor was conferred upon him.  He brought out one after another, “Bajazet,” “Mithridates,” “Phoedra,” and “Iphigenia,” all of which had an excellent reception.  The day “Phoedra” was brought out, another dramatist brought out a drama with the same title.  He had powerful friends who went so far as to pack his theater, and buy boxes