The French at Home

In lively and witty prose, Albert Rhodes describes in The French at Home the allures and foibles of the Gallic race. Early in American history, before certain prejudices had set in, this diplomat living in France shows the varied facets of French life, in an age when traditional ideas still predominated. Using many charming examples, Rhodes addresses such subjects as chivalry, speech, epigrams, dress, food - all the things that make the French so distinctive. Rhodes had many opportunities to observe European life during a lengthy foreign residence in the consular and diplomatic service; and the results of his observations are presented here in a form that could be considered both brilliant and instructive. Rhodes not only conveys the ordinary activities he observed as a resident in France, but he also attempts to look deeply into the French character, into a nation's "personality," to perceive what makes them better or worse than Americans. The French at Home is a long neglected book that brings to life the manners and customs of the French at a time when the codes of gallantry were still in force, and art and culture were held in high esteem. Americans have always made rather interesting appraisals of the French. On the one hand, the citizens of the New World have criticized their European counterparts for their social instability, their love of monarchy, their preoccupation with finery, their lack of interest in industrialism; yet at the same time, they have admired their elegance, traditions, art, music and great international influence. Rhodes was well aware of his young nation's uncertain, and at times unreasonable, assessments of this old European country, and his theories about the origins of these views make for fascinating reading. The French at Home is a uniquely rewarding work for both Americans and Frenchmen who desire to understand the cultural factors that shape current international public opinions. Albert Rhodes was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1840. He held many important government positions, representing America abroad. During the administration of President Johnson, he was United States consul at Jerusalem, and under President Grant, he was consul at Rotterdam and charge d'affaires at the Hague. He was also consul at Rouen, France, and at Elberfeld, Germany, from 1877 to 1885. Rhodes frequently contributed to American, French, and British periodicals, largely on the characteristics of life and people on the European continent. Among his books are Jerusalem as it Is (London, 1867); and Monsieur at Home (London, 1886). Paul Dennis Sporer has edited other important works that describe and examine uniquely American social and psychological issues, such as An Incident of Travel, by Arthur Jerome Eddy, End of an Era, by John Sergeant Wise, and Newer Ideals of Peace by Jane Addams.