Contes à ma Fille by J. N. Bouilly, Cinquième Édition, adopted for the Maison Impériale d’Écouen, with new engravings, Paris, Chez Rosa, Libraire Grande Cour du Palais Royal, 1814.
Contes à ma Fille is a collection of moral tales written by Jean-Nicolas Bouilly, first published in 1809. The fifth edition, released in 1814, was adopted for the Maison Impériale d’Écouen and featured new engravings. Bouilly, a French writer and dramatist, was renowned for his contributions to children’s literature and his involvement in the theatrical arts.Notably, he authored the libretto for Léonore, ou l’Amour conjugal, which inspired Beethoven’s opera Fidelio.
Hand-colored copies of Jean-Nicolas Bouilly’s Contes à ma Fille are rare, but some have been documented. For instance, a finely illustrated and hand-colored edition is mentioned in The Children’s World of Learning, 1480-1880, highlighting the book’s significance in moral children’s literature.
The Maison Impériale d’Écouen, mentioned on the title page, was an educational institution established during the First French Empire (1804–1815) by Napoleon Bonaparte. It was housed in the Château d’Écouen, a Renaissance château located near Paris. The institution was founded as part of Napoleon’s broader efforts to provide education to the daughters of members of the Légion d’Honneur (a prestigious French order of merit established by Napoleon in 1802).
Purpose and Function
The Maison Impériale d’Écouen served as a boarding school for girls, primarily those from families of officers, soldiers, and other individuals who had distinguished themselves in service to France. It was designed to provide them with a high-quality education, instilling values of patriotism, discipline, and refinement in line with Napoleonic ideals.
Curriculum
The curriculum at the Maison Impériale d’Écouen focused on a mix of:
- Classical education (literature, history, geography)
- Moral instruction (aligned with Napoleonic and civic values)
- Religious studies
- Practical skills (such as sewing, embroidery, and music)
- Languages (particularly French and sometimes Latin)
- Artistic training (drawing and painting)
Connection to Contes à ma Fille
Your reference to Contes à ma Fille by J. N. Bouilly, being adopted for the Maison Impériale d’Écouen, suggests that this book was considered suitable for the moral and literary education of young women at the institution. Bouilly’s works often emphasized virtue, duty, and moral lessons, aligning well with the school’s mission.
Later History
After the fall of Napoleon in 1815, the Maison Impériale d’Écouen was dissolved. Later, under the rule of Louis XVIIIand subsequent monarchs, the Château d’Écouen saw different uses. Today, it houses the Musée National de la Renaissance, showcasing Renaissance art and artifacts.