18th-century French literature classic example is "Histoire de Gil Blas de Santillane" by Alain-René Lesage (1715). The novel of the imagination pictured life centuries in the future; "L'An 2440, rêve s'il en fut jamais" (The year 2440 - dream of all dreams) by Mercier (1771); or stories of fantasy "le Diable amoureux" (The Devil in Love) of Jacques Cazotte (1772). The libertine, or erotic novel, featured eroticism, seduction, manipulation, and social intrigue. Classic examples are "Les Liaisons dangereuses" ("Dangerous Liaisons") by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos (1782); ("Justine ou les Malheurs de la vertu" ("Justine or the misfortunes of virtue") by Donatien Alphonse François
Irish Hospitality, or, Virtue Rewarded Irish Hospitality, or, Virtue Rewarded Irish Hospitality, or, Virtue Rewarded is one of the lesser-known works of the inconspicuous playwright Charles Shadwell, son of the far more renowned playwright and poet laureate Thomas Shadwell. It was published in his "Five New Plays" in 1720, and it is not known if it was ever acted. There are no extremes of virtue or vice in this play, which rather celebrates the 18th-century concept of "good nature", personified by the middle-aged squire Sir Patrick Worthy. Spirited young women are commended and the Irish squirarchy's lumpish obsession with creature comforts is upbraided. Sir Patrick