The Project Gutenberg EBook of Human Follies, by Jules Noriac This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. Title: Human Follies (La Bêtise Humaine.) Author: Jules Noriac Translator: George Marlow Release Date: October 11, 2015 [EBook #50179] Language: English Character set encoding: UTF-8 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HUMAN FOLLIES *** Produced by Clarity and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from scanned images of public domain material from the Google Books project.) HUMAN FOLLIES. HUMAN FOLLIES. (La Bêtise Humaine.) BY JULES NORIAC. Translated from the sixteenth Paris Edition. BY GEORGE MARLOW. [1] [2] [3] PHILADELPHIA: F REDERI C K LEYP O LDT. New York: F. W. Christern. 1863. CONTENTS HUMAN FOLLIES. CHAPTER I. CHAPTER II. CHAPTER III. CHAPTER IV. CHAPTER V. CHAPTER VI. CHAPTER VII. CHAPTER VIII. CHAPTER IX. CHAPTER X. CHAPTER XI. CHAPTER XII. CHAPTER XIII. CHAPTER XIV. CHAPTER XV. CHAPTER XVI. CHAPTER XVII. CHAPTER XVIII. CHAPTER XIX. CHAPTER XX. CHAPTER XXI. CHAPTER XXII. CHAPTER XXIII. CHAPTER XXIV. CHAPTER XXV. CHAPTER XXVI. CHAPTER XXVII. CHAPTER XXVIII. CHAPTER XXIX. CHAPTER XXX. CHAPTER XXXI. CHAPTER XXXII. CHAPTER XXXIII. CHAPTER XXXIV. CHAPTER XXXV. CHAPTER XXXVI. CHAPTER XXXVII. CHAPTER XXXVIII. CHAPTER XXXIX. CHAPTER XL. CHAPTER XLI. CHAPTER XLII. CHAPTER XLIII. CHAPTER XLIV. [4] CHAPTER XLV. CHAPTER XLVI. CHAPTER XLVII. CHAPTER XLVIII. HUMAN FOLLIES. CHAPTER I. When Eusebe Martin had attained his twenty-first year, his father, who was a man of sense, thus addressed him:— “Eusebe, you are no longer a child: it is time to begin your education. You were but eight years old when you lost your mother, my beloved wife. This was a great misfortune, no doubt; for her heart would have been to you a treasure of affection. However, if we were permitted to believe in compensations in this world, I should think that you had been recompensed for this loss, great as it was. Your mother, had she lived, would have spoiled you, and to-day you would not have been half the man you are. “Remember that I have been to you a father full of solicitude. Since the day of your mother’s death, I have left you as free as the bird that at this moment is singing on the linden-tree at the door. I have clothed you according to the season, —in summer in linen, in winter in wool. My table has always been abundantly supplied. As I never told you that you ate too much, you have never shown a desire to overload your stomach. I have accustomed you to running in the fields and to working with the peasants, which has rendered you strong and vigorous. “Morally, I owed you nothing more. Nevertheless, I have taught you to read and to write. I cannot tell you how thankful I am that you have not a thick head: instead of six months, you would have wearied me two long years,—perhaps more. What use have you made of the little learning I have given you? I have never taken the pains to inquire. I have left my library entirely at your disposal, because I knew that if it contained no good books it also contained no bad ones. Have the books you have read tended to form or deform your judgment? Little do I care; for, since no one can know where falsehood is to be found and where truth is hidden, my reflections would, probably, have been at war with reason.” “Books generally tire me,” interrupted Eusebe. “Up to the present time I have read nothing but the adventures of a sailor named Robinson Crusoe, and of one Telemachus, son of Ulysses.” “So much the better,” replied M. Martin; “or, perhaps, so much the worse. I would rather see you an enthusiastic admirer of Robinson, than of Paul and Virginia, or Faublas. But perhaps I am wrong; for, after all, Paul and Virginia are all tenderness, Faublas all love, and Robinson is egotism personified. However, nothing proves that egotism, which is a fault, is not alone worth as much as tenderness and love, which are considered good qualities. “Now, my son, listen to me. You owe me your existence, for which, if I do not merit your thanks, I should not incur your displeasure. I but fulfilled a natural law. I have provided for your wants: the laws of society made it my duty. I have just paid a sum of money which exempts you from military service. You will, however, be at liberty to become a soldier at any time you may think proper. To-day I have received from my notary your mother’s fortune. Here it is: it is yours. In this belt there are forty-eight pieces of paper of the Bank of France, and one hundred pieces of gold. Each one of these pieces of paper is worth fifty pieces of gold: each piece of gold is worth twenty of those white pieces which I give you on Sunday, when you go to play with the vagabond boys of the village on the church square. In short, you possess fifty thousand francs,—that is, more twenty-sous pieces than we gather apples in ten years. Compared with some, you are rich; with others, you are poor. Do not trouble yourself either about those who are above or about those who are below you. The interest of this money will enable you to live until, after having become acquainted with the world, you decide to choose a vocation. If, however, you do not see fit to take the trouble of investing it, you have only to limit your expenses to ten francs per day, when your patrimony will last five thousand days,—that is, about fourteen years. In all probability, at the expiration of this time I shall be dead, and you will naturally be the possessor of our domain, the Capelette, the revenues of which are three thousand francs a year, in bad times as well as in good. “You are about to set out for Paris, the city par excellence of civilization. Never will you have so good a theatre for studying the world. Profit by it. Go, Eusebe, and do not take the goods of others: you would have no excuse, since you have enough of your own. Never disguise the truth. The play is not worth the candle. Never strike the weak, and be equally careful not to defend them: you would make yourself two enemies. Try to have neither enemies nor friends: there is little to choose between them. And now, good-bye, my boy: here is the coach.” The young man threw his arms around his father’s neck and embraced him affectionately. M. Martin was moved by this unexpected outburst of feeling. In a trembling voice, he said,— “Farewell, my son! farewell!” [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] The young man started. His father, having placed himself at the window a moment afterwards, looked at him as he hurried towards the road. “Eusebe!” cried he: “come here a moment, and tell me what put it into your head to embrace me, and who taught you to make this demonstration of affection.” “Father,” replied the young man, “ten years ago M. Jaucourt, the curate, who died last year, seeing me divide a piece of bread with a poor idiot, embraced me as I just embraced you when you divided your fortune with me.” At this moment the diligence passed. With one bound, Eusebe seated himself beside the postilion. M. Martin closed the window, and, as he with a large plaid handkerchief wiped away a tear that was ready to fall, said, — “Plague on the curates! they are always sticking their noses where they have no business!” CHAPTER II. M. Martin was neither a wicked man nor a fool, but he was a confirmed skeptic. For forty years (he was now sixty) he had been disappointed in all the events of his life. When it became necessary for him to marry, he had to choose between two of his cousins, who were equally accomplished and equally beautiful. He preferred the one who pleased him least, because she was of a more robust constitution than her sister. Nine years afterwards she died, while the delicate sister was still living. Martin was half ruined by a friend of his youth, for whom he would have given his life. One day, when he was from home, one of his outbuildings caught fire, and the flames would have communicated to his dwelling but for a man, who, at the risk of his life, succeeded in arresting them. This man was his only enemy! Well informed for a man of his condition, and endowed with a fair share of sense, he was looked up to by his neighbors with a certain degree of deference. He studied hard in order to strengthen a reputation of which he was proud; but in so doing he was not slow to discover that he knew nothing. His first visit to Paris was still fresh in his memory. It was in September, 1832. One morning he went to breathe the fresh air in the garden of the Tuileries, when a man of a noble and friendly mien, wearing a gray hat, commenced conversation with him. “You are a stranger in Paris?” “I am from Limousin,” replied Martin. “You are a manufacturer, perhaps?” “No: I am a farmer.” “I am not acquainted with your section of the country, but I have heard it highly spoken of.” “We have, indeed, a beautiful country,” replied the countryman,—“rich and picturesque, industrious and patriotic: we are in want of but one thing,—a river.” “But you have the Vienna.” “The Vienna is not navigable.” “Could it not be made so?” “It is the dream of the entire population of Limousin.” “Monsieur, what is your name?” “Martin.” “Very well, Monsieur Martin: when you return home, tell your neighbors that in less than three years their river will be navigable.” “Who are you,” asked Martin, “who speak with so much authority?” A bland smile lighted up the features of the man with the gray hat, as he replied, with simplicity,— “I am the King of the French.” It seemed as if the crowd which had gathered around the two promenaders had only waited for this announcement. Cries of “Vive le Roi!” many times repeated, burst forth. The people surrounded the king, who smiled at some, offered his hand to others, and had a kind word for all. “There is a great king and a great people,” thought Martin, who returned to the Capelette to narrate his royal adventure and acquaint the whole department with the king’s promises. Seventeen years wore away. Martin, tired of the monotony of the country, and living alone with his son, who was still a [10] [11] [12] [13] child, resolved to go once more to Paris. Scarcely had he arrived at a hotel, when he hurried to dress himself in his best, saying that, although the king had not kept his promise, he owed him the first visit. “I shall see him in his garden,” said he: “he will be less embarrassed than if I were to call at his palace.” He found the entrances to the Tuileries blocked up, and motley crowds, who were loud in their cries, surrounded the palace. “What excellent people!—what love for their sovereign!” thought honest Martin. Multitudes of ragged boys were running through the streets, singing,— “Mourir pour la patrie, C’est le sort le plus beau, Le plus digne d’envie: C’est le sort * * * *” “What youths! What noble youths!” cried honest Martin, with tears in his eyes. Seeing that he could not approach the garden from the side of the Rue de Rivoli, he went round to the Place de la Concorde. Just as he arrived at the quay, a small half-hidden gate in the wall opened before him, from which issued an old man, wearing a blue blouse, leaning on the arm of another man scarcely less aged than himself. “Monsieur Martin,” said he, “help me, I pray you, to get into this cab.” “Who are you? I do not recollect you,” said the astonished rustic. “An hour ago I was King of the French,” replied the old man. “Ah! sire,” cried Martin, preoccupied by the one idea, “the Vienna is not yet navigable.” “It is true: I failed to keep my promise, and I am cruelly punished.” The cab drove rapidly away, while Martin remained fixed to the spot, unable to comprehend the meaning of this royal apparition. He was, however, soon roused from his revery by a noisy crowd that issued from the little gate. “The brigand has escaped us,” cried they. “We will have him before he gets far.” “So much the better.” “Unfortunate king! deluded people!” murmured the countryman; and he took the road to the Capelette, where he lived in solitude. His mind became more and more wavering. Having no one with whom to engage in discussion, he had contracted the habit of controverting his ideas himself, and the consequence was, that he had become a skeptic in every thing. This was the reason why he had brought up his son as he had done, or, rather, the reason why he had not brought him up at all. CHAPTER III. On the evening of the day on which he left home, Eusebe arrived at the railroad-depot. He approached the ticket- office, and said to the agent,— “I want to go to Paris.” “Which class car do you wish, sir?” “The best.” “Fifty-four francs,” replied the agent. Eusebe handed him three louis, and received six francs in return. “There,” thought Eusebe, “is a clever fellow: it did not take him a minute to tell how much was coming to me.” “And now,” he asked, “could you tell me, sir, where I will find the carriage?” “The train, you mean.” “I don’t know. Is that the name of the vehicle that is to transport me to Paris?” asked Eusebe, timidly. “Vehicle!” cried the man. “What do you call a vehicle? Your jesting is ill timed, sir. Here is your car: another time try to be a little more polite.” “This man,” said Eusebe to himself, “is not so clever, after all: he is a fool,—an ignoramus!” Eusebe’s journey was without incident. Alone in a first-class coupé, he made himself a couch, on the floor, of the cushions, and, placing his valise under his head for a pillow, he slept quietly until daylight. When he awoke, he had passed Orleans. His eyes, half open, glanced at the country, and a cry of admiration escaped him. “Oh, what splendid farms! what beautiful fields!” cried he: “how admirably the land is cultivated! what care, what labor, [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] is bestowed on it! My father was right: civilization has not penetrated into the departments of the interior. Fifteen hours ago, I left the Capelette. What a difference! Why is the soil so fertile here and so sterile with us? The soil is the same, but the cultivation is not. Here there are no immense forests, no uncultivated fields: the country is as populous as our cities. Laborers abound, and agricultural implements are brought to the highest state of perfection. What abundance! what riches! Everybody seems to be happy and contented. How beautiful and grand all this is!” At the moment he made these reflections, the train began to slacken its speed. They approached a station. Eusebe watched attentively the groups of people who were waiting behind a barrier for the train to pass, in order that they might, in their turn, pass also. The noise of the locomotive frightened a cart-horse tied to a post near by. The poor animal, trembling with fear, snorted and reared up on his hind legs, when a man, armed with a whip, came out of an inn and began to strike the beast with all his might. The more he struck, the more the horse reared and pranced. Finally, breaking his halter, the animal sprang furiously against the barrier, which he struck with his head and fell dead. The man cursed like a carter, which he was. “Surely,” said Eusebe to himself, “this is a very bad business. The fault is the man’s, and not the beast’s. If the man had not left the horse, the horse would not have been frightened. If the horse had not been frightened, the man would not have struck him; and if the man had not struck the horse, the animal would not be dead. This man is perhaps a savage, recently arrived among civilized people. That, however, I think scarcely probable, since he speaks with tolerable correctness. Is my father right in saying that extremes touch, and that the last word of civilization is perhaps the first of barbarism?” Eusebe had arrived at this point in his reflections, when two travellers entered the coupé he occupied. Although it was still early in September, the two new-comers wore fur caps and overshoes and thick woollen cloaks, while their faces were half concealed by immense woollen comforters. “Upon my word,” said one of them, “the winter is already setting in: this northwest wind is any thing but agreeable. What do you say to taking a puff? It will give us an appetite.” On hearing these words, Eusebe was a prey to the most lively curiosity. The singular costume of his travelling- companions made him suspect he had in them two subjects for study, coming from some distant clime. To judge from their furs, they must have first seen the light at Moscow. On hearing them talk about “taking a puff,” he expected to see something new and extraordinary, and prepared himself to be all eyes and ears, in order to become acquainted with the customs of the strangers whom chance had thrown in his way. To the great disappointment of the young man, the traveller took some cigars out of his pocket and lighted one, after having offered them to his companion and then to Eusebe, who had refused. “You do not smoke, young man?” “No, sir.” “Bah! How old are you, then?” “Twenty-one.” “Twenty-one years old, and you do not smoke! Where the devil do you come from, my young friend?” “I come from the Capelette, a domain near Saint-Brice, in Limousin; I am going to Paris to see the world; and I cannot be your friend, since I never met you until this morning.” “Do not get angry, young man. It was not my intention to be rude.” “I know that,” said Eusebe. “On the contrary, you offered me your rolls of tobacco, for which I am obliged.” “Ah! you are from Monsieur de Pourceaugnac’s neighborhood,” said the other, who until now had remained silent. “I do not know the gentleman,” replied Eusebe: “my father and I live a very retired life.” “Naïve, upon my word!” cried the smoker. “He ought to be framed. What, young man! you do not know the gayest of Molière’s heroes?” “I have never been away from the Capelette, sir, and my condition does not allow me to become acquainted with heroes. I do not even know where Molière is situated.” The two travellers burst into a hearty laugh. “Gentlemen,” said Eusebe, when the hilarity of his neighbors had ceased, “you amuse yourselves at my expense, because I am ignorant, which, I think, is any thing but kind of you. You indiscreetly questioned me; I answered: I might have remained silent. Recollect, I beg of you, that you meddled with my affairs, and that I have not concerned myself about yours. I have not asked you whence you come, where you are going, or who you are. When you laughed at me, I might have thrown you out of the window; but I did not do it, and you ought to be thankful.” “Out of the window! Not so fast, my dear sir.” “I could certainly have done it,” said Eusebe, with simplicity. “Pardon me,” said the second traveller. “We do not wish to make ourselves disagreeable. You are too quick to take offence. I am in the habit of travelling a great deal. During the last ten years, my friend and I have been almost always en route. Whenever we find ourselves in company, we ask how it happens, where our companions come from, and [19] [20] [21] [22] where they are going. That helps to while away the time, and injures no one.” “And is that all you travel for?” asked Eusebe. “What an idea! We are travelling clerks: we represent two of the first houses in Paris.” “However great my simplicity may be,” replied Eusebe, “I think there are no first houses in Paris, and, what is more, that there can be none, since the first on arriving from the north are the last when one comes from the south.” They arrived at Paris, and Martin, junior, got out of the car. With his valise in his hand, Eusebe stepped out of the depot, when a cabman cried out to him,— “Here you are, sir! Where shall I drive you to, sir?” “I don’t know,” replied Eusebe. “It’s not me that’ll tell you, then.” “I have not asked you.” “Eh! do you hear that? Here is a gentleman that don’t know where he is going.” “Mind your own business.” “Bah! you lubber! you haven’t a sou.” The provincial was about to reply, when the cabman, to whom a traveller had just made a sign, hurried away. “These people do not seem to be very familiar with the laws of hospitality,” thought Eusebe: “they call you to insult you. What does all this mean?” CHAPTER IV. Paris is the dream of all provincialists. Rich and poor want to come here, at least once,—the first to enjoy life, the second to try to make their fortunes. No one can imagine the disappointment of these visitors, since each one has had his own peculiar ideas of the metropolis. For some, Paris is an immense succession of palaces; for others, the houses are built of gold and precious stones. Paris never comes up to the ideas strangers have formed of it. In order to love and admire this great city, one must become acquainted with it. The inhabitants of the South, particularly, are greatly disappointed on arriving at the capital. Their imagination, more lively than that of the people of the North, embellishes the metropolis in a thousand different ways. As if to punish them for their imaginary castles, accident has always made them enter the city at its homeliest point. Before the railroad was built, the people of the South arrived at the Barrière d’Enfer. To them Paris presented a sorry aspect; to those who arrive now it presents no aspect at all. Eusebe, on leaving the depot, walked straight ahead, valise in hand. He saw the Seine, which he thought narrow. Then he came to a bridge, which he thought shabby. But all at once his face brightened up with an expression of delight: he was opposite the garden of the Museum. “At last,” said he, “here is something worth looking at. What a beautiful, what an immense, garden! How admirably it is cultivated! It is unfortunate that a sentinel is placed at the gate to keep people from entering: it is ridiculous. But it is said there are a great many thieves in this immense city.” Eusebe approached the soldier who guarded the entrance to the garden, and said,— “Be so kind as to tell me the name of this magnificent enclosure.” “Enclosure!” repeated the soldier: “don’t know.” “I ask you the name of this enclosure.” “Enclosure! Not known to the regiment.” “I beg your pardon,” said Eusebe, mildly: “I simply want to know the name of this garden that you guard so well.” “Ah! ah!” replied the son of Mars. “Should express yourself categorically, young man. That is called the Garden of Plants.” (Jardin des Plantes.) “Thank you,” said Eusebe; but, as he turned to go, he made this reflection, which seemed to him sensible:— “Garden of Plants: that is not a name. All gardens have plants; gardens give birth to plants, and a garden without plants would not be a garden. This soldier has evidently deceived me.” Seeing an old man sitting on a bench enjoying the autumn sun, Eusebe, approaching him, took off his hat respectfully, and said,— “I am a stranger, sir. Excuse me for troubling you, but I should like to know the name of this superb park.” [23] [24] [25] [26] “I am glad, sir,” said the old man, kindly, “that I am able to tell you. The grounds that you see yonder are the garden of the king.” “Of the emperor, you mean to say.” “I mean to say what I say; and believe me, sir, it is not very becoming in a youth of your age to amuse himself at the expense of an old man like me. If it was for that you stopped, you would have done better to have kept on your way.” Eusebe, not knowing what to reply, passed on, thinking himself really unfortunate. Since he left the Capelette, he had fallen from Charybdis into Scylla. The railroad agent had bullied him; the two travellers had laughed at him; the cabman had insulted him; the soldier had deceived him; and the old man had abused him. He began to think he would have to undergo a great deal in becoming acquainted with the world, and that the Parisians were not so highly civilized as they were generally supposed to be. At this moment he was interrupted in his reflections by the cries of a woman. The people gathered around her, and he followed their example. “What is the matter with this woman?” he asked of his neighbor. “Her husband,” replied the spectator, “was a native of Auvergnat, a tradesman, who rented this shop six months ago. Business has not been good with him. His wife is a shrew, and his landlord an unfeeling Jew, who wanted to make him leave the premises. The poor man was unable to endure so many misfortunes, and has just hung himself. From where I stand you could see him hanging at the end of a cord. They have gone to inform the authorities.” Eusebe stretched out his arms, thrust the crowd aside, and, with one bound, entered the shop, knife in hand. “Stop!” cried the spectators. “Stop, young man! You will get into trouble. Wait for the officers. The law forbids you to touch persons who hang themselves. You will wish you had let him alone.” Without listening to any of these remonstrances, the young man had cut the cord and placed the poor shopkeeper on a chair. With a motion of the hand he had kept back the crowd, that intercepted the air, and, on his knees before the Auvergnat, he watched anxiously for some signs of returning life. All at once a murmur was heard in the crowd. “Here comes the commissary! Here is M. Bézieux. Make way for the commissary.” The magistrate advanced quietly. There was a pleasing benevolence in his expression, as his mild but piercing eyes ran over the group. The representative of the law arrived slowly, and without any appearance of being annoyed, to verify the sinister event that had just been announced to him. “Where is the suicide?” demanded the magistrate. For an instant the group was still, appearing to hesitate between anxiety to speak and silence. The bad instincts, however, soon got the ascendency, and, pointing to Eusebe, three or four persons cried out,— “It was this young man who cut the cord: it was impossible for us to stop him.” “He did perfectly right,” said the magistrate. “Although younger than any one of you, he greatly surpasses you all in good sense. You ought to know that the idea is absurd that it is dangerous to assist an individual who attempts to commit suicide, or has been assassinated, before the arrival of the officers of justice. The magistrates come simply to take cognizance of the fact. It is the duty of every good citizen to save the lives of his fellow-men by every means in his power. The stupid tradition which makes the vulgar suppose one ought not to assist a man in danger, is not, however, without foundation. It unfortunately happened in the Middle Ages, and even before and after that period, that some individuals, who, at the risk of their lives, ventured to assist persons attacked by assassins, were arrested under the supposition that they were themselves the murderers, and as such they were executed; but in the enlightened age in which we live, with the means for ascertaining the truth at our command, justice cannot be mistaken.” “I would not trust to it,—not I,” murmured a ragpicker, who had been a calm spectator of the drama of which the shop had been the scene. “I don’t pretend to say that justice can be mistaken, but I would not trust to it: I, for my part, prefer keeping on the safe side. There are a great many strange things now-a-days.” “Sir,” said the commissary to Eusebe, who was anxiously watching the convulsive movements of the Auvergnat, “your conduct in this affair merits the highest commendation.” “Not at all,” replied the young man, timidly. “I beg your pardon,” rejoined the magistrate, who had misinterpreted Eusebe’s reply: “a man, whoever he may be, is still a man, and as such is a member of the great family which we call humanity.” “Certainly, sir; you are perfectly right,” said the young man, who sought in vain for profundity in the good-natured officer’s reply. He then added, “This man, sir, was driven to this unnatural deed by poverty. I wish to assist him.” “This desire does you honor.” “Here,” continued Eusebe, “is a paper of the Bank of France, which is worth fifty louis, and each louis, as you doubtless know, is worth twenty twenty-sous pieces. Be so kind as to give it to him, if he will promise not to make another attempt to commit suicide until his money is gone. It is probable that by that time Providence, who has preserved him to-day, will make provision for his future welfare.” [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] The magistrate looked at Eusebe attentively. His dress, which was more than plain, his manner of expressing himself, his timidity, his gestures, and even the belt that contained his treasure, puzzled the functionary in a manner which he did not try to conceal. This honorable magistrate, who by years of experience in his profession had learned to form a tolerably correct opinion of men at a glance, was at a loss to know what to think of the singular being he had before him. The clerk, who imagined what was passing in the brain of the commissary, was as much perplexed as his superior. Nevertheless, as a murmur of applause and some words in favor of the young stranger ran through the circle, the worthy functionary thought the time propitious for ventilating his ideas in a short discourse. Addressing himself now to the crowd, and now to Eusebe, he was thus delivered:— “If it is beautiful and rare to find presence of mind and reason united in youth, it is certainly not less honorable to add to these qualities philanthropy. Not only did you wish to save this man (and you have saved him), but you now desire to assure the existence he owes you. This I call sublime. Such acts, sir, do so great honor to their author that our thanks would be out of place: he finds his reward in his heart. What recompense is to be compared to the consciousness of having been a benefactor? Allow me, sir, to ask your name, in order that I may send it in to the Administration, which knows how to appreciate such disinterestedness.” “My name is Eusebe Martin.” “Are you a relation of M. Martin, of the Tribunal of Commerce?” “I think not. I have just arrived from Limousin. I know no one in Paris.” “You are quite young.” “Twenty-one.” “I am glad of it; for were you not of age I could not accept your gift.” “I don’t know,” said Eusebe. The commissary looked at the clerk with astonishment. “You have a trade?” “No. I came to Paris to admire civilization and study life.” “Study life!” said the clerk, who was inclined to be humorous. “He is not a physician.” The magistrate was lost in conjectures. “What is your father’s business?” he inquired. “My father, sir, lives at the Capelette. His chief employment is to seek where truth and falsehood are to be found.” “Be so kind as to accompany me,” said the functionary, dryly, making a sign to the crowd to stand aside and let them pass. Eusebe bowed without replying, and walked along beside the commissary, which allowed him to hear the clerk say to his superior,— “The poor fellow is stark mad.” To which the magistrate replied,— “That is very evident.” Eusebe felt the blood mount to his cheeks, not from fear, but from shame. He thought they took him for a fool because he was so ignorant. This unexpected departure was interpreted in different ways by the curious, who had not heard the dialogue. “They are going to give him the cross,” (of the Legion of Honor,) said a naïve policeman. “The cross! Oh, very likely, since it is the police that gives the cross now-a-days!” replied a wag, in a white blouse. “Why not?” “Because it is not in their power.” “They have power enough to put you where the dogs won’t bite you, you blackguard!” “Hear! hear!” “Did you hear?” said a woman with a handkerchief over her head; “did you hear? He began by saying the young man did right in cutting the rope, and still he has arrested him all the same.” “Just as though he was obliged to go!” A quarter of an hour later, a physician hurried through the crowd, crying,— “Where is the patient?” The unfortunate shopkeeper was in one corner, studying how he could possess himself of the thousand francs without letting his wife know it, while she had followed the commissary, hoping to get the money without the knowledge of her husband. [32] [33] [34] [35] CHAPTER V. At the door of the commissary’s office, the clerk politely begged Eusebe to enter first, introducing him into a room divided into two parts by a screen of green lustring. The dilapidated walls were covered with black designs executed by offenders, who had whiled away the tedium of waiting by cultivating the fine arts. The rays of the sun, struggling to enter at a window that looked into the court, shone feebly on an old black desk, upon which a quantity of stamped papers, that seemed to have the jaundice, were lying. Two clerks, whose appearance was in keeping with the place, were scribbling away mechanically. Eusebe, who thought the adjective shabby the proper word with which to qualify the ensemble, said to the clerk,— “Is this, sir, what is called the formidable appareil of the courts of justice?” The magistrate’s drudge smiled, and, regarding the young provincialist with a look of benevolence mingled with compassion, replied,— “No, sir: the courts of justice are held at the Palace: this may be considered as being one of the laboratories that supply them with materials.” “I don’t understand you,” said the youth. “No matter,” replied the clerk. “It is to be hoped you will understand better by-and-by. Here comes the commissary. Be seated, and answer the questions he asks you.” “You told me that your name was Eusebe Martin,” said the commissary. “Yes, sir.” “How did you leave your father’s house?” “By taking the Pénicault coach as far as Vierzon.” The commissary and his clerk exchanged significant glances. “Write the replies,” said M. Bézieux to the clerk. “Have you a passport?” “I don’t know what it is.” “Write this reply also.” “What did you say you came to Paris for?” “I told you I came to Paris to study civilization.” “To what purpose?” “Why, to be——civilized.” “Ah! very well. Have you, besides this thousand francs, the means of existence?” “By limiting my expenses to ten francs per day, with what I have, I shall be able to live five thousand days,—about fourteen years. Here is my money——” “Very well. Do you know any one in Paris?” “Yes, four persons: a coachman who insulted me, a soldier who amused himself at my expense, an old man who abused me, and the shopkeeper whose life I saved.” “That is sufficient,” said the magistrate. “Your age, the incoherence of your replies, and the large sum of money in your possession make it my duty to detain you until I have more ample information. You need not give yourself any uneasiness, for you will be well treated, and very soon, I trust, you will be set at liberty and restored to your family.” “I am in no hurry. You can take your own time.” For the last half-minute the commissary had been making a fruitless search in all his pockets. “I have lost my handkerchief,” said he to his clerk. “When you go home, call at the house where we have been, and see if it is not there.” “That will be useless,” said Eusebe: “I saw a child take it out of your pocket and run away.” “And you did not tell me!” cried M. Bézieux. “Unless it be an affair of more than ordinary importance, I trouble myself as little as possible about other people’s business. Allow me to offer you another.” Without waiting for a reply, the young man opened his valise and took out a handkerchief, which he politely handed to the commissary, who refused it. “Thank you,” said he: “I will send for one. What is this paper that has just fallen out of your valise?” “My port d’armes.” [36] [37] [38] [39] “Your license to hunt! You have a license to hunt? Why did you not tell me so before? Let me see it.” “Because you did not ask me for it.” M. Bézieux read and reread the paper, and examined the description closely. As Eusebe had two black spots on his left cheek, it was not difficult to discover that the license was his. “My young friend,” said the magistrate, “a thousand pardons for my questions. It was my duty to do as I have done. You are en règle: I have nothing more to say to you. You are at liberty to go. With your inexperience, you will, sooner or later, certainly be duped. Should you get into trouble, remember that you have in me a friend.” “Sir,” said Eusebe, “you are very kind, and I am greatly obliged.” He took his valise, and, bowing, retired slowly. On the stairs he stopped an instant, then, in a loud voice, as though some one were listening, he said,— “This is certainly a very singular—a most incomprehensible—affair! This man, who calls himself a minister of justice, sees me do two good deeds and arrests me, saying that I am either a fool or a madman, and it is only on seeing my license to hunt that he is convinced of his error. Now, the license ought, on the contrary, to have confirmed him in his opinion, and made him believe that I was really insane; for I did a very stupid thing the day I gave the Mayor of Moustier twenty-five francs for the permission to kill birds that were none of his.” CHAPTER VI. Eusebe, absorbed in his reflections, walked nearly two hours, gazing to the right and left, without seeing any thing. Finally, he found himself, by accident, on the Place de la Bastille. Great was his astonishment when his eyes rested on the July Column. He could not imagine the utility of this immense tower of bronze. He would gladly have asked some questions of the passers-by, but his former experience deterred him. He approached the column and examined the inscriptions minutely. “This is very singular,” thought he. “Here is a monument erected to the memory of citizens who died for liberty. Is it possible that in 1830, at so recent a period, there were in France, the centre of civilization, persons who were opposed to liberty? This would seem to me improbable, if it were not engraved here. Are there, too, those who are so abandoned as to think of depriving us of our liberty, the greatest of blessings? This was a remarkable event, about which I shall know more so soon as I am able to read the historians of that period.” Hunger put a stop to Eusebe’s reflections on the liberties of the people. He walked on, glancing eagerly about, and hoping to see a signboard swinging in the wind and bearing that fallacious legend, “Here they give something to eat and drink,” such as he had seen on the rural roads. He had commenced to despair of finding what he sought, however, when the magic word “dinner” greeted his eyes. On closer inspection of the establishment where this promise was held out, he read,— Restaurant Brochons. Dîners à 2 francs; déjeuners à 1 franc 25. Eusebe fairly sprang towards the door, but entered the place in a humble manner, and took a seat at the table nearest to the window, so that he might satisfy at the same time his stomach and his curiosity. “What will you have, monsieur?” inquired a waiter. “Whatever you please,” replied Eusebe. “Having been raised in the country, I am not difficult to please.” “After the soup, will monsieur have a beefsteak?” “As it pleases you.” “Oh, it is all the same to me. Would you prefer a kidney?” “I have no preference.” “A calf’s liver?” “It is a matter of indifference to me.” “To me also. We have, besides, cutlets, collops, fricasseed chicken, rabbits, partridges, roast chicken, mutton——” Eusebe caught the word cutlets, as the waiter ran rapidly through the bill of fare, and eagerly interrupted him with,— “Give me a cutlet.” “How will you have it?” And the waiter again went into a catalogue of which Eusebe understood only the word “broiled.” “I will have it broiled,” he exclaimed. “Cutlet broiled! One!” exclaimed the waiter to the cook. [40] [41] [42] [43] “Here is a queer servant,” said the young provincial, solus. Having obtained the cutlet, he devoted himself to it with an appetite sharpened by abstinence and exercise. After the dish had been finished, the waiter again began to run over his bill of fare; but Eusebe interrupted him with,— “Give me another cutlet.” “Would you not prefer fish of some kind,—salmon, river trout, or——” “I prefer another cutlet.” “Very well, monsieur. Chef, another cutlet—one!” “The chef of this establishment is certainly deaf,” thought Eusebe; “and that is a disagreeable infirmity both for himself and for other people.” After the second cutlet, Eusebe demanded a third, and then a piece of cheese. While he was eating his last piece of bread and drinking a glass of water, there was a sudden commotion in the room, and several persons ran to the windows. The provincial thought something extraordinary was in progress, and was all eyes and ears for the time. He could see nothing, at first, but the usual throng of vehicles and pedestrians. Then a tightly closed wagon, escorted by four gendarmes, attracted his attention. The wagon passed on; the persons in the restaurant returned to their seats, and the conversation became animated. “It is unfortunate, beyond doubt,” said a large man with a white cravat, “but we cannot punish too severely those who are trying to bring about anarchy and disorder.” “Poor fellows!” said a young woman: “they have sisters and mothers who weep for them.” “Yes, and mistresses too,” added a man whose features were marked by the ravages of the smallpox. The young woman turned towards the speaker, and, after looking at him fixedly, responded,— “Yes, monsieur, they have mistresses.” “Poor fellows! they may never see their country again.” “Life is long.” “While they live there is hope.” Eusebe was exceedingly curious. He did not comprehend a word of this conversation, and dared not question anybody. His neighbor, however, a man of rough and swarthy aspect, came to his relief, saying,— “These people indulge in very absurd reflections.” “I know not what they have said,” responded the provincial. “They alluded to the men who have just passed: they are condemned to transportation.” “May I venture to ask what they mean by transportation?” “Sending men into exile.” “For what reason?” “Because they wished to fight for liberty,” whispered the swarthy man, who then took his hat, and, casting a glance of defiance at the throng, departed. Eusebe followed. As he passed out of the door, he heard the waiter exclaim,— “There goes a verdant one.” Eusebe thought this was intended as an insult, but he was not sure of the sense of the term verdant, and, therefore, gave himself no trouble about it. He took a seat on one of the benches of the Boulevard du Temple, and seemed absorbed in reflection. What he thought, it is impossible for us to say; but when he arose, he might have been heard to murmur,— “They raise monuments to the memory of citizens who have died for liberty, and they banish others who wish to fight for it. This does not appear consistent,—unless there are two kinds of liberty, one good and the other bad.” CHAPTER VII. Night had come on, which, however, did not disturb Eusebe. He had heard that in Paris night was turned into day,— that Paris was more brilliant at midnight than at noon,—and many other absurdities. While observing the rapid illumination of myriads of gas-lamps, he had begun to think that his provincial anticipations were about to be realized. But when the poor youth, who had spent two hours in hunting a restaurant, wished to find a shelter, he perceived that gaslight fell far short of sunshine. Notwithstanding all the attention he devoted to the multitude of signs, he could nowhere discover the word auberge. His anxiety was great. He noticed a clock, the hands of which marked the hour of half-past ten. He had never before remained out of bed so late. [44] [45] [46] [47] He had a strong inclination to ask the pedestrians who passed him where he could find a bed; but his mishaps of the morning were vividly remembered. At length he realized that there was no other course to take, and decided to question the first female who passed him. “A woman,” thought Eusebe, “will be milder and more accessible than a man.” And as, at this moment, a lady emerged from a neighboring mansion, the provincial ventured to say,— “Permit me, madame, as a stranger who is very much embarrassed, to ask you for some information.” The lady passed on without condescending to make any reply. “I have an awkward address,” said the provincial. “That person is certainly a great and haughty lady. I had better speak to this one, who has the air of a working-woman.” “Madame,” said Eusebe to a female who brushed past him, “a little information, I pray you.” “This is a well-chosen hour for asking questions, truly. What do you want?” “Inform me, if you please, of a place where I can sleep to-night.” “Pass on your way, you insolent scamp! For whom do you take me, you low-bred fellow? Cease to disturb me, or I will have you arrested.” This cut was too much for the poor Limousin. He felt as if his legs would give way under him. He sank upon a stone step, and, in a despairing tone, asked himself what would become of him. He was endowed with a strong, healthy constitution. No ordinary peril could frighten him; but this solitude in the midst of a crowd gave him strange sensations: he felt his heart swell, while the tears started. “Are you sick, monsieur?” inquired a man who was engaged in closing a store. “No,” responded Eusebe, “but I am not much better off.” “Are you hungry?” “No.” “Do you want money?” “No.” “Then what is the matter?” Eusebe arose, revived by the sympathetic curiosity of the man, and replied,— “I arrived in Paris, this morning, from my native province, and already a coachman has insulted me, a soldier has mocked me, an old man has deceived me, a commissary of police has desired to arrest me, as he thought me crazy, because I had saved a man’s life, a waiter in a restaurant has called me green, a great lady has refused to answer me, and a working-woman has heaped epithets upon me because I asked her to direct me to an auberge. Really, I might inquire whether I am crazy, or whether, instead of coming into a civilized region, I have not fallen among a horde of savages.” The merchant—for such the man evidently was—rejoined,— “There is, perhaps, some truth in the latter supposition. Come in and take a seat for a moment, and I will aid you.” “Generous man! Blessings on you! God, I am sure, will take account of your good action; and if ever you or your son should visit distant shores, he will prepare for you shelter in a hospitable tent.” CHAPTER VIII. “I am not married,” said the merchant, “and, therefore, have no son. If I had one, I would not let him travel. For myself, I will never go farther than Versailles, where I am going to retire. I shall be sure to find a hospitable tent there, for I have an income of ten thousand francs. Finally, I am not a generous man: I am a dealer in porcelain.” “It is not a dull trade,” observed Eusebe, sententiously. “I invited you to come in,” continued the merchant, “because I knew by your accent that you were a compatriot. I am from Rochechouart. My name is Lansade.” Eusebe thereupon gave an account of his journey, and detailed the motives for the undertaking,—which, however, the merchant did not comprehend. “What I can see clearly in all this is, that M. Martin, your father,—I know him well,—wishes you to see the world. It is quite natural. A young man ought to know something of life.” “Such is, indeed, his wish.” “But,” continued Lansade, “he should have given you letters of introduction to some friends, who would take pleasure in [48] [49] [50] [51] [52] piloting you through Paris.” “My father has no friends.” “As times go, that is perhaps as well. But one must have acquaintances: one cannot live like a bear.” “My father lives like a philosopher.” “It is the same thing,” said Lansade. “Now, since your good star has conducted you to my door, I wish to be useful to you. First, take these cards, which have my address. Do not lose them. I will close my store, and then conduct you to Madame Morin, a lady who rents chambers. She is a fine woman, who will take care of you. I am not sorry to take her a tenant. I shall thereby render service to two persons.” “You are very good, monsieur,” said Eusebe: “I cannot tell you how much I am obliged to you.” “It is not worth mentioning. As soon as I have closed my store, we will set out.” “Shall I assist you?” inquired Eusebe. “I have only three shutters to put up. For twenty-five years I have put them up at night and taken them down in the morning. You may presume that I have learned my task.” So saying, the merchant set about closing his shop. Eusebe was quite another man: his anxiety had vanished. After waiting a few moments, he went to the door. Lansade had made no progress. He stood looking at the shutters, and seemed puzzled. “Well, this is a nice piece of business!” exclaimed the merchant. “Ah, Pierichou, to-morrow you shall hear from me.” “What is the matter?” asked Eusebe. “My porter is a lazy rascal whom I rescued from misery. Two weeks ago, I decided to have the front of my store painted. The painter forgot to number the shutters. Then I told Pierichou to number them with ink. The scamp has numbered them with Spanish white; and now one of the figures is effaced.” “Well, what is the consequence?” “The consequence is, that I don’t know how to put them up. If I put the first in the second place, they cannot be fastened.” “Excuse me, monsieur, but will you permit me to suggest——” “What?” “There is but one number effaced.” “That is quite enough.” “See which numbers remain, and you will know the one you want.” “Pre...