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French quotations were very widespread in the past three centuries and only really fell out of vogue during the middle of the 20th century. They are found in Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Joyce, and pretty much anyone else who was reasonably educated. The reason for this was that during these centuries French was considered the international language that all educated people were expected to know, much in the same way that English is today.
Before this, Latin and Greek were the languages of the elite. But as they continued to decline and become relegated to the status of dead languages, French took their place since Paris had now become the defacto center of Western culture. Even the most cursory glance at period films will tell you that French fashion, cuisine, language, and art ruled the Western world for the majority of the colonial period.
The one primary exception to this cultural dominance was in the realm of currency. Here the Spanish ruled because of the enormous wealth they had plundered from their American colonies and their money was used and accepted by almost every nation on Earth. Indeed, even the American dollar was patterned after Spanish currency to lend it an air of legitamacy, even thought the American colonies were British in origin. (The word "Dollar" is an adaption of a Spanish word. Unfotunately the exact root escapes me at the moment.)
To illustrate how prolific these two influences were you only have to look again to your favorite period films. Ever notice how pirate captains always seem obssessed with Spanish doublons and pieces of eight, yet wear French frock coats and dress like French noblemen? That is not a product of Hollywood make believe, but the direct product of research.
Oz
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