The Elm-tree on the Mall

The Elm-Tree on the Mall by Anatole France is a chronicle of our own times translated by M. P. Willcocks. The story revolves around the Cardinal-Archbishop and his interactions with various individuals including the vicar-general M. de Goulet and Abbé Lantaigne head of the high seminary. The Cardinal-Archbishop's salon is described in detail showcasing his love for buildings and art. The narrative delves into the Cardinal-Archbishop's dictation of a pastoral letter and his relationships with different characters such as M. Guitrel a professor of rhetoric at the seminary and Madame Worms-Clavelin a Jewess with a passion for antiquities. The plot thickens as accusations are made against M. Guitrel's doctrine and morals leading to a clash between Abbé Lantaigne and the Cardinal-Archbishop. The story unfolds with themes of power influence and the complexities of religious and secular interactions in a changing society.