第5章

Therewasnowayofgettingwarm。Thestovewasakindofironfurnacewhichgaveoutaterribleodour，anddidnotpreventtheroomsfrombeingsodampthatclothesmildewedwhiletheywerebeingworn。

Therewasnowayofgettingproperfoodeither。Theyhadtoeatthemostindigestiblethings。Therewerefivesortsofmeatcertainly，butthesewerepig，pork，bacon，hamandpickledpork。Thiswasallcookedindripping，pork—dripping，ofcourse，orinrancidoil。

Stillmorethanthis，thenativesrefused，notonlytoservetheunfortunatetravellers，buttosellthemtheactualnecessariesoflife。

Thefactwas，theyhadscandalizedtheMajorcanpeople。AllMajorcawasindignantbecauseSolange，whoatthattimewasnineyearsold，roamedaboutthemountains_disguisedasaman_。Addedtothis，whenthehornsoundedwhichcalledpeopletotheirdevotionsinthechurches，thesestrangeinhabitantsoftheoldValdemosamonasterynevertookanymorenoticethanpagans。Peoplekeptclearofthem。

Chopinsufferedwiththecold，thecookingmadehimsick，andheusedtohavefitsofterrorinthecloisters。Theyhadtoleavehastily。

TheonlysteamboatfromtheislandwasusedtotransportthepigswhicharetheprideandwealthofMajorca。Peoplewereonlytakenasanextra。Itwas，therefore，inthecompanyofthesesquealing，ill—smellingcreaturesthattheinvalidcrossedthewater。WhenhearrivedatBarcelona，helookedlikeaspectreandwasspittingblood。

GeorgeSandwasquiterightinsayingthatthisjourneywasan"awfulfiasco。"

Artandliteraturedidnotgainmucheitherbythisexpedition。

GeorgeSandfinishedhernovelentitled_Spiridion_atValdemosa。

ShehadcommenceditbeforestartingforSpain。Inavolumeon_UnhiveraMajorque_shegavesomefinedescriptions，andalsoaharshaccusationofthemonks，whomsheheldresponsibleforallthemishapsoftheSandcaravan。SheconsideredthattheMajorcanshadbeenbrutalizedandfanaticized，thankstotheirinfluence。AstoChopin，hewasscarcelyinastatetoderiveanybenefitfromsuchajourney，andhecertainlydidnotgetany。Hedidnotthoroughlyappreciatethebeautiesofnature，particularlyofMajorcannature。Inalettertooneofhisfriendshegivesthefollowingdescriptionoftheirhabitation：——

"Betweenrocksandsea，inagreatdesertedmonastery，inacell，thedoorsofwhicharebiggerthanthecarriageentrancestothehousesinParis，youcanimagineme，withoutwhitegloves，andnocurlinmyhair，aspaleasusual。Mycellistheshapeofalarge—sizedbier……"

Thiscertainlydoesnotsoundveryenthusiastic。ThequestioniswhetherhecomposedanythingatallatValdemosa。LisztpresentshimtousimprovisinghisPreludeinBflatminorunderthemostdramaticcircumstances。Wearetoldthatoneday，whenGeorgeSandandherchildrenhadstartedonanexcursion，theyweresurprisedbyathunderstorm。Chopinhadstayedathomeinthemonastery，and，terrifiedatthedangerheforesawforthem，hefainted。

Beforetheyreachedhomehehadimprovisedhis_Prelude_，inwhichhehasputallhisterrorandthenervousnessduetohisdisease。

Itappears，though，thatallthisisalegend，andthatthereisnotasingleechoofthestayatValdemosainChopin’swork。

ThedeplorablejourneytoMajorcadatesfromNovember，1838toMarch，1839。

TheintimacybetweenGeorgeSandandChopincontinuedeightyearsmore。

InthesummerChopinstayeditNohant。EugeneDelacroix，whowaspayingavisittheretoo，describeshispresenceasfollows：

"Attimes，throughthewindowopeningontothegarden，wegetwaftsofChopin’smusic，ashetooisatwork。Itismingledwiththesongsofthenightingalesandwiththeperfumeoftherosetrees。"

ChopindidnotcaremuchforNohant。Inthefirstplace，heonlylikedthecountryforaboutafortnightatatime，whichisverymuchlikenotcaringforitatall。Thenwhatmadehimdetestthecountryweretheinhabitants。HippolyteChatironwasterribleafterhehadbeendrinking。Hewasextremelyeffusiveandcordial。

InthewintertheyfirstlivedintheRuePigalle。GeorgeSandusedtoreceivePierreLeroux，LouisBlanc，EdgarQuinet，EtienneArago，andmanyothermen。Chopin，whowasnotveryintellectual，feltillateaseamongstalltheseliterarymen，thesereformers，arguersandspeechifiers。In1842，theyemigratedtotheSquared’Orleans。Therewasasortoflittlecolonyestablishedthere，consistingofAlexandreDumas，Dantanthecaricaturist，theViardots，Zimmermann，andthewifeoftheSpanishconsul，MadameMarliani，whohadattractedthemallthere。Theytooktheirmealstogether。

Itwasaregularphalinstery，andChopinhadveryeleganttastes！

WemustgiveGeorgeSandcreditforlookingafterhimwithadmirabledevotion。Shecertainlywentonnursingher"invalid，"

orher"dearskeleton，"asshecalledhim，butherinfatuationhadbeenoverforalongtime。Theabsolutecontrastoftwonaturesmaybeattractiveatfirst，buttheattractiondoesnotlast，and，whenthefirstenthusiasmisover，thelogicalconsequenceisthattheybecomedisunited。ThiswaswhatLisztsaidinratheranoddbutenergeticway。Hepointsoutallthattherewas"intolerablyincompatible，diametricallyoppositeandsecretlyantipatheticbetweentwonatureswhichseemedtohavebeenmutuallydrawntoeachotherbyasuddenandsuperficialattraction，forthesakeofrepulsingeachotherlateronwithalltheforceofinexpressiblesorrowandboredom。"IllnesshadembitteredChopin’scharacter。GeorgeSandusedtosaythat"whenhewasangryhewasterrifying。"Hewasveryintelligent，too，anddelightedinquizzingpeopleforwhomhedidnotcare。SolangeandMauricewerenowolder，andthismadethesituationsomewhatdelicate。

Chopin，too，hadamaniaformeddlingwithfamilymatters。

HequarrelledonedaywithMaurice。AnotherdayGeorgeSandwasannoyedwithherson—in—lawClesingerandwithherdaughterSolange，andChopintooktheirside。Thiswasthecauseoftheirquarrel；

itwasthelastdropthatmadethecupofbitternessoverflow。

ThefollowingisafragmentofaletterwhichGeorgeSandsenttoGrzymala，in1847："ForsevenyearsIhavelivedwithhimasavirgin。

Ifanywomanonearthcouldinspirehimwithabsoluteconfidence，Iamcertainlythatwoman，buthehasneverunderstood。Iknow，too，thatmanypeopleaccusemeofhavingwornhimoutwithmyviolentsensuality，andothersaccusemeofhavingdrivenhimtodespairbymyfreaks。

Ibelieveyouknowhowmuchtruththereisinallthis。HehimselfcomplainstomethatIamkillinghimbytheprivationsIinsistupon，andIfeelcertainthatIshouldkillhimbyactingotherwise。"[29]

[29]CommunicatedbyM。Rocheblave。

IthasbeensaidthatwhenChopinwasatNohanthehadavillagegirlthereashismistress。Wedonotcaretodiscussthetruthofthisstatement。

ItisinterestingtoendeavourtocharacterizethenatureofthisepisodeinGeorgeSand’ssentimentallife。Shehelpsusherselfinthis。

Asaromanticwritersheneglectednothingwhichshecouldturnintoliterature。Shethereforemadeananalysisofherowncase，workedoutwiththeutmostcare，andpublisheditinoneofherbookswhichislittlereadnow。Theyearoftherupturewas1847，andbeforetherupturehadreallyoccurred，GeorgeSandbroughtoutanovelentitled_LucreziaFloriani_。InthisbookshetracestheportraitofChopinasPrinceKarol。Shedenied，ofcourse，thatitwasaportrait，butcontemporarieswerenottobedeceived，andLisztgivesseveralpassagesfrom_LucreziaFloriani_inhisbiographyofthemusician。ThedecisiveproofwasthatChopinrecognizedhimself，andthathewasgreatlyannoyed。

Asamatteroffact，therewasnothingdisagreeableaboutthisportrait。

Thefollowingfragmentsaretakenfromit："Gentle，sensitive，exquisiteinallthings，attheageoffifteenhehadallthecharmsofyouth，togetherwiththegravityofariperage。Heremaineddelicateinbodyindmind。Thelackofmusculardevelopmentcausedhimtopreservehisfascinatingbeauty……HewassomethinglikeoneofthoseidealcreatureswhichmediaevalpoetryusedfortheornamentationofChristiantemples。Nothingcouldhavebeenpurerandatthesametimemoreenthusiasticthanhisideas……Hewasalwayslostinhisdreams，andhadnosenseofreality……"Hisexquisitepolitenesswasthendescribed，andtheultraacutenessandnervositywhichresultedinthatpowerofdivinationwhichhepossessed。Foraportraittobeliving，itmusthavesomefaultsaswellasqualities。HisdelineatordoesnotforgettomentiontheattitudeofmysteryinwhichthePrincetookrefugewheneverhisfeelingswerehurt。Shespeaksalsoofhisintensesusceptibility。"Hiswitwasverybrilliant，"

shesays；"itconsistedofakindofsubtlemockingshrewdness，notreallyplayful，butasortofdelicate，banteringgaiety。"

ItmayhavebeentothegloryofPrinceKaroltoresembleChopin，butitwasalsoquitecreditabletoChopintohavebeenthemodelfromwhichthisdistinguishedneurasthenicindividualwastaken。

PrinceKarolmeetsacertainLucreziaFloriani，arichactressandcourtesan。Sheissixyearsolderthanheis，somewhatpastherprime，andnowleadingaquietlife。Shehasdonewithloveandloveaffairs，or，atleast，shethinksso。"Thefifteenyearsofpassionandtorture，whichshehadgonethrough，seemedtohernowsocruelthatshewashopingtohavethemcounteddoublebythesupremeDispenserofourtrials。"Itwas，ofcourse，naturalthatsheshouldacknowledgeGod’sshareinthematter。

Wearetoldthat"implacabledestinywasnotsatisfied，"sothatwhenKarolmakeshisfirstdeclaration，Lucreziayieldstohim，butatthesametimesheputsasuitablecolouringonherfall。

Therearemanywaysofloving，anditissurelynobleanddisinterestedinawomantoloveamanashismother。"Ishalllovehim，"shesays，kissingtheyoungPrince’spalefaceardently，"butitwillbeashismotherlovedhim，justasferventlyandjustasfaithfully。

Thismaternalaffection，etc……"LucreziaFlorianihadawayofintroducingthematernalinstincteverywhere。SheundertooktoencircleherchildrenandPrinceKarolwiththesameaffection，andhernotionsoftherapeuticswerecertainlysomewhatstrangeandventuresome，forshefetchedherchildrentothePrince’sbedside。

"Karolbreathedmorefreely，"wearetold，"whenthechildrenwerethere。Theirpurebreathminglingwiththeirmother’smadetheairmilderandmoregentleforhisfeverishlungs。"Thisweshallnotattempttodispute。Itisthestudyofthesituation，though，thatformsthesubjectof_LucreziaFloriani_。GeorgeSandgivesevidenceofwonderfulclear—sightednessandpenetrationintheartofknowingherself。

Shegivesuswarningthatitis"asadstoryandsorrowfultruth"

thatsheistellingus。Shehasherselfthebetter_role_ofthetwonaturally。Itcouldnothavebeenonthat，accountthatChopin’

wasannoyed。HewasaPole，andthereforedoublychivalrous，sothatsuchanobjectionwouldhavebeenunworthyofalover。

WhatconcernsusisthatGeorgeSandgives，withgreatnicety，the，exactcausesoftherupture。Inthefirstplace，KarolwasjealousofLucrezia’sstormypast；thenhisrefinednatureshrankfromcertainofhercomradesofarougherkind。Theinvalidwasirritatedbyherrobusthealth，andbythepresenceand，wemightalmostsay，therivalryofthechildren。PrinceKarolfindsthemnearlyalwaysinhisway，andhefinallytakesadisliketothem。TherecomesamomentwhenLucreziaseesherselfobligedtochoosebetweenthetwokindsofmaternity，thenaturalkindandthematernityaccordingtotheconventionoflovers。

Thespecialkindofsentiment，then，betweenGeorgeSandandChopin，JustasbetweenLucreziaandPrinceKarol，wasjustthis：

lovewithmaternalaffection。Thisisextremelydifficulttodefine，asindeediseverythingwhichisextremelycomplex。GeorgeSanddeclaresthatherreasonfornotrefusingintimacywithChopinwasthatsheconsideredthisinthelightofadutyandasasafeguard。

"Onedutymore，"shewrites，"inalifealreadysofull，alifeinwhichIwasoverwhelmedwithfatigue，seemedtomeonechancemoreofarrivingatthatausteritytowardswhichIfeltmyselfbeingdrawnwithakindofreligiousenthusiasm。"[30]

[30]_Histoiredeviavie。_

Wecanonlyimaginethatshewasdeceivingherself。Toacceptaloverforthesakeofgivinguploversaltogetherseemsasomewhatheroicmeanstoanend，butalsosomewhatdeceptive。ItiscertainlytruethattherewassomethingmoreinthislovethantheattractionshefeltforMussetandforMichel。Inthevariousformsanddegreesofourfeelings，thereisnothinggainedbyattemptingtoestablishdecideddivisionsandabsolutedemarcationsforthesakeofclassifyingthemall。Amongsentimentswhichareakin，butwhichourlanguagedistinguisheswhendefiningthem，theremaybesomemixtureorsomeconfusionwithregardtotheirorigin。

AlfreddeVignygivesusin_Samson_，astheoriginoflove，eveninman，theremembranceofhismother’scaresses：

_Ilreveratoujoursalachaleurdusein。_

Itseems，therefore，thatwecannotapplythesamereasoning，withregardtolove，whenreferringtotheloveofamanorofawoman。Withthemanthereismoreprideofpossession，andwiththewomanthereismoretenderness，morepity，morecharity。

Allthisleadsustotheconclusionthatmaternalaffectioninloveisnotanunnaturalsentiment，ashassooftenbeensaid，orratheraperversionofsentiment。Itisratherasentimentinwhichtoomuchinstinctandheredityaremingledinaconfusedway。

Theobjectoftheeducationoffeelingistoarriveatdiscerningandeliminatingtheelementswhichinterferewiththeintegrityofit。

RousseaucalledMadamedeWarenshismother，buthewasamanwhowaslackingingoodtaste。GeorgeSandfrequentlyputsintohernovelsthisconceptionoflovewhichweseeherputintopracticeinlife。

Itisimpossiblewhenanalyzingitcloselynottofindsomethingconfusedanddisturbinginitwhichsomewhatoffendsus。

ItnowremainsforustostudywhatinfluenceGeorgeSand’sfriendshipwithsomeofthegreatestartistsofhertimeshadonherworks。

BesideLisztandChopin，sheknewDelacroix，MadameDorval，PaulineViardot，NourritandLablache。Throughthemshewentintoartisticcircles。Someofhernovelsarestoriesofthelifeofartists。

_LesMaitresMosaistes_treatsoftherivalrybetweentwostudios。

_LaderniereAldini_isthestoryofahandsomegondolierwho，asatenor，turnedtheheadsofpatricianwomen。Thefirstpartof_Consuelo_takesusbacktothesingingschoolsandtheatresofVeniceintheeighteenthcentury，andintroducesustoindividualstakenfromlifeandcleverlydrawn。WehaveComteZustiniani，thedilettante，awealthypatronofthefinearts；Porpora，theoldmaster，wholooksuponhisartassomethingsacred；Corilla，theprimadonna，annoyedatseeinganewstarappear；Anzoleto，thetenor，whoisjealousbecausehegetslessapplausethanhisfriend；

andaboveandbeyondalltheothersConsuelo，goodkindConsuelo，thesympatheticsinger。

ThetheatresofVeniceseemtobeverymuchlikethoseofParisandofotherplaces。Wehavethefollowingsketchofthevanityofthecomedian。"Canamanbejealousofawoman’sadvantages？

Canaloverdislikehissweethearttohavesuccess？Amancancertainlybejealousofawoman’sadvantageswhenthatmanisavainartist，andalovermayhatehissweethearttohaveanysuccessiftheybothbelongtothetheatre。Acomedianisnotaman，Consuelo，butawoman。

Helivesonhissicklyvanity；heonlythinksofsatisfyingthatvanity，andheworksforthesakeofintoxicatinghimselfwithvanity。

Awoman’sbeautyisapttotakeattentionfromhimandawoman’stalentmaycausehistalenttobethrowninthebackground。

Awomanishisrival，orratherheistherivalofawoman。

Hehasallthelittlemeannesses，thecaprices，theexigencesandtheweakpointsofacoquette。"Suchisthenoteofthispictureofthingsandpeopleinthetheatricalworld。Howcanwedoubtitsveracity！

Atanyrate，thegeneralideathatGeorgeSandhadoftheartistwasexactlytheideaadoptedbyromanticism。Weallknowwhatabeingsetapartandfreefromallsocialandmorallaws，whata"monster"romanticismmadeoftheartist。Itisoneofitsdogmasthatthenecessitiesofartareincompatiblewiththeconditionsofaregularlife。Anartist，forinstance，cannotbe_bourgeois_，asheistheexactopposite。WehaveKean’sspeechinDumas’drama，entitled_Kean，orDisorderandGenius。_

"Anactor，"hesays，"mustknowallthepassions，sothathemayexpressthemasheshould。Istudytheminmyself。"Andthenheadds：

"Thatiswhatyoucall，orderly！AndwhatistobecomeofgeniuswhileIambeingorderly？"

Allthisisabsurd。Theartistisnotthemanwhohasfeltthemost，butthemanbestgiftedforimaginingthevariousstatesofmindandfeelingandforexpressingthem。Weknow，too，thatanirregularlifeisneithertheoriginnorthestampofextraordinaryintellectualworth。AllthecripplesofBohemianlifeprovetousthatgeniusisnottheoutcomeofthatkindoflife，butthat，onthecontrary，suchlifeisapttoparalyzetalent。

Itisveryconvenient，though，fortheartistandforeveryothervarietyof"superiorbeings"tomakethemselvesbelievethatordinarymoralsarenotforthem。ThebestargumentwecanhaveagainstthistheoryisthecaseofGeorgeSand。Theartist，inhercase，waseminentlyaveryregularandhard—working_bourgeois_woman。

TheartinwhichGeorgeSandgaveevidenceofthesuresttastewasmusic。

Thatisworthyofnotice。Inoneofher_Lettresd’unvoyageur_，shecelebratesLisztattackingthe_Diesirae_ontheFribourgorgan。

ShedevotesanotherlettertothepraiseofMeyer—beer。Shehasanalyzedthedifferentformsofmusicalemotioninseveralofherbooks。

Oneoftheideasdeartoromanticismwasthatoftheunionandfusionofallthearts。Thewritercan，andinacertainwayheought，toproducewithwordsthesameeffectsthatthepainterdoeswithcoloursandthesculptorwithlines。Weallknowhowmuchliteratureromanticpaintersandsculptorshaveputintotheirart。

Theromanticwriterswerelessinclinedtoaccordthesamewelcometomusicastotheplasticarts。TheophileGautierissaidtohaveexclaimedthatmusicwas"themostdisagreeableandthedearestofallthearts。"NeitherLamartine，Hugo，noranyotherofthegreatwritersofthatperiodwasinfluencedbymusic。

Mussetwasthefirstonetobeimpassionedbyit，andthismayhavebeenasmuchthroughhisdandyismasfromconviction。

_Filledeladouleur，Harmonie，Harmonie，Languequefiourl’amourinventsleginie，Quinousviensd’Italie，etquiluivinsdescieux，Doucelangueducoeur，laseuleoulapensiee，Cetteviergecraintiveetd’uneombreofensie，Passeengardantsonvoileetsanscraindreleseux，Quisaitcequ’unenfantpeutentendreetpeutdireDanstessoupirsdivinsnesdel’airqu’ilrespire，Tristescommesoncoeuretdouxcommesavoix？_

GeorgeSand，whoagreedwithMusset，claimedfor"themostbeautifulofallthearts，"thehonourofbeingabletopaint"alltheshadesofsentimentandallthephasesofpassion。""Music，"shesays，"canexpresseverything。Fordescribingscenesofnatureithasidealcoloursandlines，neitherexactnoryettoominute，butwhichareallthemorevaguelyanddelightfullypoetical。"[31]

[31]Eleventh_Lettred’unvoyageur_：ToGiacomoMeyerbeer。

AsexamplesofmusicinliteraturewehaveGeorgeSand’sphrase，morelyricalandmusicalthanpicturesque。Wehave，too，thegentle，soothingstrophesofSullyPrudhommeandthevaguemelodyoftheVerlainesongs："_Delamusiqueavanttoutechose_。"ItwouldbeabsurdtoexaggeratetheinfluenceexercisedbyGeorgeSand，andtoattributetoheranimportancewhichdoesnotbelongtoher，overpoeticalevolution。Itisonlyfairtosay，though，thatmusic，whichwaslookeduponsuspiciouslyforsolongatimebyclassicalwritersofsaneandsuretaste，hascompletelyinvadedourpresentsociety，sothatwearebecomingmoreandmoreimbuedwithit。

GeorgeSand’spredilectionformodernartisanotherfeaturewhichmakesheroneofus，showingthathertendencieswereverymarkedforthingsofthepresentday。

VII

THEHUMANITARIANDREAM

PIERRELEROUX——SOCIALISTICNOVELS

HithertowehaveseenGeorgeSandputintoherworkhersufferings，herprotestsasawoman，andherdreamsasanartist。Butthenineteenth—centurywriterdidnotconfinehisambitionstothismodesttask。HebelongedtoacorporationwhichcountedamongitsmembersVoltaireandRousseau。Theeighteenth—centuryphilosophershadchangedtheobjectofliterature。Insteadofaninstrumentofanalysis，theyhadmadeofitaweaponforcombat，anincomparableweaponforattackinginstitutionsandforoverthrowinggovernments。

Thefactis，thatfromthetimeoftheRestorationweshallscarcelymeetwithasinglewriter，fromthephilosophertothevaudevillist，andfromtheprofessortothesong—maker，whodidnotwishtoactasatorchonthepathofhumanity。Poetsmakerevolutions，andshowPlatohowwronghewasindrivingthemawayfromhisRepublic。

SophocleswasappointedageneralatAthensforhavingwrittenagoodtragedy，andsonovelists，dramatists，criticsandmakersofpunsdevotedthemselvestomakinglaws。GeorgeSandwastoomuchawomanofhertimestokeepalooffromsuchamovement。

Weshallnowhavetostudyherinhersocialistic_role_。

Wecaneasilyimagineonwhatsidehersympathieswere。Shehadalwaysbeenbattlingwithinstitutions，anditseemedtoherthatinstitutionswereundoubtedlyinthewrong。Shehadprovedthattherewasagreatdealofsufferingintheworld，andashumannatureisgoodatbottom，shedecidedthatsocietywasallwrong。

Shewasanovelist，andshethereforeconsideredthatthemostsatisfactorysolutionsarethoseinwhichimaginationandfeelingplayagreatpart。Shealsoconsideredthatthebestpoliticsarethosewhicharethemostlikeanovel。Wemustnowfollowher，stepbystep，alongthevariousroadsleadingtoUtopia。

Thetruthis，thatinthatgreatmanufactoryofsystemsandthatstorehouseofpanaceaswhichtheFranceofLouis—Philippehadbecome，theonlydifficultywastochoosebetweenthemall。

Thefirst，indate，ofthenewgospelswasthatoftheSaint—Simonians。

WhenGeorgeSandarrivedinParis，Saint—Simonismwasoneofthecuriositiesofferedtoastonishedprovincials。Itwasaparodyofreligion，butitwasorganizedinachurchwithaFatherintwopersons，BazardandEnfantin。Theservicetookplaceina_bouis—bouis_。Thecostumewornconsistedofwhitetrousers，aredwaistcoatandabluetunic。OnthedayswhentheFathercamedownfromtheheightsofMenilmontantwithhischildren，therewasgreatdiversionforthepeopleinthestreet。AnimportantthingwaslackingintheorganizationoftheSaint—Simonians。Inordertocompletethe"sacerdotalcouple，"awomanwasneededtotakeherplacenexttheFather。AMotherwasaskedforoverandoveragain。

Itwassaidthatshewouldsoonappear，butshewasneverforthcoming。

Saint—SimonhadtriedtotemptMadamedeStael。

"Iamanextraordinaryman，"hesaidtoher，"andyouarejustasextraordinaryasawoman。YouandItogetherwouldhaveastillmoreextraordinarychild。"MadamedeStaelevidentlydidnotcaretotakepartinthemanufactureofthisprodigy。WhenGeorgeSand’sfirstnovelsappeared，theSaint—Simonianswerefullofhope。

Thiswasthewomantheyhadbeenwaitingfor，thefreewoman，whohavingmeditatedonthelotofhersisterswouldformulatetheDeclarationoftherightsanddutiesofwoman。AdolpheGueroultwassenttoher。Hewastheeditorofthe_Opinionnationale_。

GeorgeSandhadagreatfundofcommonsense，though，andoncemorethelittlesocietyawaitedtheMotherinvain。ItwasfinallydecidedthatsheshouldbesoughtforintheEast。Amissionwasorganized，andmessengerswerearrayedinwhite，asasignofthevowofchastity，withapilgrim’sstaffintheirhand。Theybeggedastheywentalong，andsleptsometimesoutdoors，butmoreoftenatthepolice—station。

GeorgeSandwasnottemptedbythiskindofmaternity，butshekeptintouchwiththeSaint—Simonians。ShewaspresentatoneoftheirmeetingsatMenilmontant。Herpublished_Corrspondance_containsaletteraddressedbyhertotheSaint—SimonianfamilyinParis。

Asamatteroffact，shehadreceivedfromit，onthe1stofJanuary，1836，alargecollectionofpresents。Therewereinallnolessthanfifty—ninearticles，amongwhichwerethefollowing：

adress—box，apairofboots，athermometer，acarbine—carrier，apairoftrousersandacorset。

Saint—Simonismwasuniversallyjeeredat，butitisquiteamistaketothinkthatridiculeisdetrimentalinFrance。Onthecontrary，itisanexcellentmeansofgettinganythingknownandofspreadingtheknowledgeofitabroad；itisinrealityaforce。

Saint—Simonismisattherootofmanyofthehumanitariandoctrineswhichweretospringupfromitsashes。Oneofitsessentialdoctrineswasthediffusionofthesoulthroughoutallhumanity，andanotherthatofbeingbornanew。Enfantinsaid："IcanfeelSt。Paulwithinme。Heliveswithinme。"Stillanotherofitsdoctrineswasthatoftherehabilitationoftheflesh。

Saint—Simonismproclaimedtheequalityofmanandwoman，thatofindustryandartandscience，andthenecessityofafreshrepartitionofwealthandofamodificationofthelawsconcerningproperty。

ItalsoadvocatedincreasingtheattributionsoftheStateconsiderably。

Itwas，infact，thefirstofthedoctrinesofferingtothelowerclasses，bywayofhelpingthemtobeartheirwretchedmisery，theidealofhappinessherebelow，lendingafalsesemblanceofreligiontothedesireformaterialwell—being。GeorgeSandhadonevulnerablepoint，andthatwashergenerosity。Bymakingherbelievethatshewasworkingfortheoutcastsofhumanity，shecouldbeledanywhere，andthiswaswhathappened。

AmongothergreatmindsaffectedbytheinfluenceofSaint—Simonism，itisscarcelysurprisingtofindLamennais。WhenGeorgeSandfirstknewhim，hewasfifty—threeyearsofage。HehadbrokenwithRome，andwastheapocalypticauthorof_Parolesd’uncroyant_。Heputintohisrevolutionaryfaithallthefervourofhislovingsoul，asoulthathadbeencreatedforapostleship，andtowhichthequalificationof"adisaffectedcathedral"certainlyapplied。

Afterthefamoustrial，LiszttookhimtocallonGeorgeSandinherattic。Thiswasin1835。Shegivesusthefollowingportraitofhim："MonsieurdeLamennaisisshort，thin，andlooksill。

Heseemstohaveonlythefeeblestbreathoflifeinhisbody，buthowhisfacebeams。Hisnoseistooprominentforhissmallfigureandforhisnarrowface。Ifitwerenotforthisnoseoutofallproportion，hewouldbehandsome。Hewasveryeasilyentertained。

Amerenothingmadehimlaugh，andhowheartilyhelaughed。"[32]

Itwasthegaietyoftheseminarist，forMonsieurFelialwaysremainedthe_Abbe_deLamennais。GeorgeSandhadapassionateadmirationforhim。Shetookhissideagainstanyonewhoattackedhiminherthird_Lettred’unvoyageur_，inher_LettreaLerminier_，andinherarticleon_AmshaspandsetDarvands_。

ThisisthetitleofabookbyLamennais。TheextraordinarynamesrefertothespiritsofgoodandevilinthemythologyofZoroaster。

GeorgeSandproposedtopronouncethem_ChenapansetPedants_。

Althoughshehadahorrorofjournalism，sheagreedtowriteinLamennais’paper，_LeMonde。_

[32]_Histoiredemavie。_

"HeissogoodandIlikehimsomuch，"shewrites，"thatIwouldgivehimasmuchofmybloodandofmyinkashewants。"[33]Shedidnothavetogivehimanyofherblood，andhedidnotacceptmuchofherink。Shecommencedpublishinghercelebrated_LettresaMarcie_in_LeMonde_。Wehavealreadyspokenoftheseletters，inordertoshowhowGeorgeSandgraduallyattenuatedtheharshnessofherearlyfeminism。

[33]_Correspondance_：ToJulesJanin，February15，1837。

TheselettersalarmedLamennais，nevertheless，andshewasobligedtodiscontinuethem。Feminismwasthegermoftheirdisagreement。

Lamennaissaid："ShedoesnotforgiveSt。Paulforhavingsaid：

`Wives，obeyyourhusbands。’"Shecontinuedtoacknowledgehimas"oneofoursaints，"but"thefatherofournewChurch"

graduallybrokeawayfromherandherfriends，andexpressedhisopinionaboutherwithaseverityandharshnesswhichareworthyofnote。

Lamennais’letterstoBarondeVitrollescontainmanyallusionstoGeorgeSand，andtheyaremostuncomplimentary。

"IhearnomoreaboutCarlotta"（MadameMarliani），hewrites，"noraboutGeorgeSandandMadamed’Agoult。Iknowtherehasbeenagreatdealofquarrellingamongthem。TheyareasfondofeachotherasLesage’stwo_diables_，oneofwhomsaid：

`Thatreconciledus，wekissedeachother，andeversincethenwehavebeenmortalenemies。’"Healsotellsthatthereisareportthatinhernovel，entitled_Horace_，shehasgivenasunflatteringaportraitaspossibleofherdear，sweet，excellentfriend，Madamed’Agoult，the_Arabella_ofthe_Lettresd’unvoyageur_。

"Theportraitscontinue，"hewrites，"alltruetolife，withoutbeinglikeeachother。"Inthesamebook，_Horace_，thereisaportraitofMallefille，whowasbeloved"duringonequarterofthemoon，"

andabhorredafterwards。Heconcludestheletterwiththefollowingwords："Ah，howfortunateIamtobeforgottenbythosepeople！

Iamnotafraidoftheirindifference，butIshouldbeafraidoftheirattentions……Saywhatyoulike，mydearfriend，thosepeopledonottemptmeatall。Futilityandspitefulnessdissolvedinagreatdealof_ennui_，isabadkindofmedicine。"

Hethengoesontomakefun，intermsthatitisdifficulttoquote，ofthesillyenthusiasmofawomanlikeMarliani，andevenofGeorgeSand，forthetheoriesofPierreLeroux，ofwhichtheydidnotunderstandthefirstletter，butwhichhadtakentheirfancy。

GeorgeSandmayhavelookeduponLamennaisasamaster，butitisveryevidentthatshewasnothisfavoureddisciple。

ItwasduetohisteachingthatGeorgeSandobtainedherdefiniteideasaboutCatholicism，orratheragainstit。Shewasdecidedlyitsadversary，becausesheheldthattheChurchhadstifledthespiritofliberty，thatithadthrownaveiloverthewordsofChrist，andthatitwastheobstacleinthewayofholyequality。

Whatsheowedspecially，though，toLamennaiswasanotherlesson，ofquiteanothercharacter。Lamennaiswasthemanofthenineteenthcenturywhowagedthefinestbattleagainstindividualism，against"thescandaloftheadorationofmanbyman。"[34]

[34]CompareBrunetiere，_Evolutiondelapoesielyrique_，vol。i。p。310。

Underhisinfluence，GeorgeSandbegantoattachlessimportancetothepersonalpointofview，sheceasedapplyingeverythingtoherself，andshediscoveredtheimportanceofthelifeofothers。

Ifwestudythisattentively，weshallseethatanewphasenowcommencedinthehistoryofherideas。Lamennaiswastheoriginofthistransformation，althoughitispersonifiedinanotherman，andthatotherman，wasnamedPierreLeroux。

Whatastrangemysteryitis，amongsomanyothermysteries，thatofonemindtakingpossessionofanothermind。Wehavecomeintocontactwithgreatmindswhichhavemadenoimpressiononus，whilstotherminds，ofsecondaryintelligence，perhaps，anditmaybeinferiortoourown，havegovernedus。

BythesideofaLamennais，thisPierreLerouxwasaverypunypersonage。Hehadbeenacompositorinaprintingworks，beforefoundingthe_Globe_。Thispaper，inhishands，wastobecomeanorganofSaint—Simonism。Hebelongedneithertothe_bourgeois_nortotheworking—class。HewasClumsy，notwellbuilt，andhadanenormousshockofhair，whichwasthejoyofcaricaturists。Hewasshyandawkward，inadditiontoallthis。

Heneverthelessappearedinvarious_salons_，andwasnaturallymoreorlessridiculous。InJanuary，1840，Berangerwrites：

"Youmustknowthatourmetaphysicianhassurroundedhimselfwithwomen，attheheadofwhomareGeorgeSandandMarliani，andthat，ingildeddrawing—rooms，underthelightofchandeliers，heexposeshisreligiousprinciplesandhismuddyboots。"GeorgeSandherselfmadefunofthisoccasionally。InalettertoMadamed’Agoult，shewrites：

"Heisveryamusingwhenhedescribesmakinghisappearanceinyourdrawing—roomoftheRueLaffitte。Hesays：`Iwasallmuddy，andquiteashamedofmyself。Iwaskeepingoutofsightasmuchaspossibleinacorner。_Thislady_cametomeandtalkedinthekindestwaypossible。Sheisverybeautiful。’"[35]

[35]_Correspondance_：ToMadamed’Agoult，October16，1837/。

Therearetwofeaturesabouthim，then，whichseemtostrikeeveryone，hisunkemptnessandhisshyness。Heexpressedhisideas，whichwerealreadyobscure，inaformwhichseemedtomakethemevenmoreobscure。Ithasbeensaidwittilythatwhendiggingouthisideas，heburiedhimselfinthem。[36]Lateron，whenhespokeatpublicmeetings，hewasnotedforthenonsensehetalkedinhisinterminableandunintelligibleharangues。

[36]P。Thureau—Dangin，_HistoiredelaMonarchiedeJuillet。_

Andyet，inspiteofallthis，thesmokefromthismindattractedGeorgeSand，andbecameherpillaroflightmovingonbeforeher。

Hishazyphilosophyseemedtoherasclearasdaylight，itappealedtoherheartandtohermind，solvedherdoubts，andgavehertranquillity，strength，faith，hopeandapatientandperseveringloveofhumanity。

Itseemsasthough，withthatmarvellousfacultythatshehadforidealizingalways，shemanufacturedaPierreLerouxofherown，whowasfinerthantherealone。Hewasneedy，butpovertybecomesthemanwhohasideas。Hewasawkward，butthecontemplativeman，oncomingdownfromtheregionofthoughtontoourearthoncemore，onlygropesalong。Hewasnotclear，butVoltairetellsusthatwhenamandoesnotunderstandhisownwords，heistalkingmetaphysics。

Chopinhadpersonifiedtheartistforher；PierreLeroux，withhiswordsasentangledashishair，figurednowtoherasthephilosopher。

Shesawinhimthechiefandthemaster。_Tuducaetumaestro_。

InFebruary，1844，shewrotethefollowingextraordinarylines：

"ImusttellyouthatGeorgeSandisonlyapalereflectionofPierreLeroux，afanaticaldiscipleofthesameideal，butadisciplemuteandfascinatedwhenlisteningtohiswords，andquitepreparedtothrowallherownworksintothefire，inordertowrite，talk，think，prayandactunderhisinspiration。

Iammerelythepopularizer，withareadypenandanimpressionablemind，andItrytotranslate，inmynovels，thephilosophyofthemaster。"

Themostextraordinarypartabouttheselinesisthattheywereabsolutelytrue。ThewholesecretoftheproductionsofGeorgeSandforthenexttenyearsiscontainedinthesewords。

WithPierreLerouxandLouisViardotshenowfoundedareview，_LaRevueindependante_，inwhichshecouldpublish，notonlynovels（beginningwith_Horace_，whichBulozhadrefused），butarticlesbywhichphilosophical—socialisticideascouldhaveafreecourse。

Betterstillthanthis，thenovelistcouldtakethewatchwordfromthesociologist。justasMascarillaputRomanhistoryintomadrigals，shewasabletoputPierreLeroux’sphilosophyintonovels。

ItwouldbeinterestingtoknowwhatshesawinPierreLeroux，andwhichofhisideassheapprovedandpreferred。OneoftheideasdeartoPierreLerouxwasthatofimmortality，butanimmortalitywhichhadverylittleincommonwithChristianity。Accordingtoit，weshouldliveagainafterdeath，butinhumanityandinanotherworld。

Theideaofmetempsychosiswasverymuchinvogueatthisepoch。

AccordingtoJeanRcynaudandLamennais，soulstravelledfromstartostar，butPierreLerouxbelievedinmetempsychosisonearth。

"Wearenotonlythechildrenandtheposterityofthosewhohavealreadylived，butweare，atbottom，theanteriorgenerationsthemselves。Wehavegonethroughformerexistenceswhichwedonotremember，butitmaybethatattimeswehavefragmentaryreminiscencesofthem。"

GeorgeSandmusthavebeenverydeeplyimpressedbythisidea。

Itinspiredherwith_Septcordesdelalyre_，_Spiridion_，_Consuelo_andthe_ComtessedeRudolstadt_，thewholecycleofherphilosophicalnovels。

The_Septcordesdelalyre_isadramaticpoemafterthemannerof_Faust_。MaitreAlbertusistheolddoctorconversingwithMephistocles。Hehasaward，namedHelene，andalyre。

Aspiritlivesinthislyre。Itisallinvainthatthepainter，the_maestro_，thepoet，thecriticendeavourtomakethecordsvibrate。

Thelyreremainsdumb。Helene，evenwithoutputtingherhandsonit，candrawfromitmagnificentharmony；Heleneismad。Allthismayseemveryincomprehensibletoyou，andImustconfessthatitissotome。Albertushimselfdeclares："Thishasapoeticalsenseofaveryhighorderperhaps，butitseemsvaguetome。"

Personally，IamofthesameopinionasAlbertus。Withalittleeffort，Imight，likeanyoneelse，beabletogiveyouaninterpretationofthislogogriph，whichmightappeartohavesomethinginit。

IprefertellingyoufranklythatIdonotunderstandit。

Theauthor，perhaps，didnotunderstanditmuchbettersothatitmayhavebeenmetaphysics。

Iwouldcallyourattention，though，tothatpictureofHelene，withthemagiclyreinherhand，riskingherlife，byclimbingtothespireofthesteepleandutteringherinspiringspeechfromthere。

IsnotthissomethinglikeSolness，thebuilder，fromthetopofhistower？LikeTolstoi，IbsenhadevidentlyreadGeorgeSandandhadnotforgottenher。

_Spiridion_introducesusintoastrangeconvent，inwhichweseetheportraitscomeoutoftheirframesandroamaboutthecloisters。

Thefounderoftheconvent，Hebronius，livesagaininthepersonofFatherAlexis，whoisnootherthanLeroux。

In_Consuelo_wehavethesameimagination。Wehavealreadyconsideredthefirstpartofthisnovel，thatwhichtakesplaceatVenice，intheschoolsofmusicandinthetheatresofsong。

Whowouldhavethoughtthatthecharmingdiva，thepupilofPorpora，wastohavesuchstrangeadventures？ShearrivesinBohemia，attheChateauofRudolstadt。Shehasbeenwarnedthatextraordinarythingstakeplacethere。ComteAlbertdeRudolstadtissubjecttonervousfitsandtogreatlethargy。Hedisappearsfromthechateauandthenreappears，withoutanyoneseeinghimgoinorout。

HebelievesthathehasbeenJeanZiska，andthisisprobablytrue。

Hehasbeenpresentateventswhichtookplacethreehundredyearspreviously，andhedescribesthem。ConsuelodiscoversAlbert’sretreat。Itisacavernhollowedoutofamountaininthevicinity，whichcommunicates，bymeansofawell，withhisrooms。

TheChateauofRudolstadtisbuiltonthesamearchitecturalplanasAnneRadcliffe’schateau。Afterstayingforsometimeinthisbewilderingplace，Consuelosetsforthoncemore。ShenowmeetsHaydn，goesthroughtheBohmerWaldwithhim，arrivesinVenice，isintroducedtoMariaTheresa，andisengagedattheImperialTheatre。SheisnowrecalledtotheChateauofRudolstadt。Albertisonhisdeathbed，andhemarriesher_inextremis_，aftertellingherthatheisgoingtoleaveherforatime，butthatheshallreturntoheronearthbyanewbirth。He，too，hadevidentlyreadPierreLeroux，anditwasperhapsthatwhichhadcausedhisillness。

_Consuelo_isanovelofadventuresafterthestyleof_GilBlas_，the_ViedeMarianne_，and_WilkelmMeister_。Itisahistoricalnovel，forwhichwehaveJosephHaydn，MariaTheresa，BaronTrenk，andthewholehistoryoftheHussites。Itisafantasticalstorywithdigressionsonmusicandonpopularsongs，butrunningthroughitall，withthepersistencyofafixedidea，aredivagationsonthesubjectofearthlymetempsychosis。Such，then，isthisincongruousstory，oddandexaggerated，butwithgleamsoflightandofgreatbeauty，thereadingofwhichisapttoleaveonewearyanddisturbed。

WemeetwithConsueloagaininanotherbook。Inthosedays，itwasnotenoughforanoveltoconsistofseveralvolumes。

Peoplelikedasequelalso。_Vingtansapres_wasthesequelto_TroisMousquetaires_，andthe_VicomtedeBragelonne_wasasequeltothatsequel。Ourgrandparentswerecapableofallowingthemselvestobeboredtoadegreewhichmakesusashamedofourfrivolity。

The_ComtessedeRudolstadt_wasthesequelto_Consuelo_。Astimewenton，PierreLerouxcalledGeorgeSand’sattentiontothestudyoffreemasonry。In1843，shedeclaredthatshewasplungedinit，andthatitwasagulfofnonsenseanduncertainties，inwhich"shewasdabblingcourageously。"

"Iamuptomyearsinfreemasonry，"shewrites。"Icannotgetawayfromthekaddosh，theRoseCroixandtheSublimeScotchman。

Theresultofallthiswillbeamysteriousnovel。"Themysteriousnovelwasthe_ComtessedeRudolstadt_。Consuelo，whothroughhermarriagewithAlbertisnowComtessedeRudolstadt，continuesherEuropeantour。ShereachesBerlin，andwefindherattheCourtofFrederickII。WenowhaveVoltaire，LaMettrie，theSans—Soucisuppers，Cagliostro，Saint—Germainandtheoccultsciences。

FrederickIIsendsConsuelotoprison。Thereappearstobenoreasonforthis，unlessitbethatinordertoescapeshemustfirsthavebeenimprisoned。SomemysteriousrescuerstakeagreatinterestinConsuelo，andtransporthertoastrangedwelling，whereshehasawholeseriesofsurprises。Itis，infact，asortofPalaceofIllusions。Sheisfirstinadarkroom，andshethenfindsherselfsuddenlyinaroomofdazzlinglight。"Atthefarendofthisroom，thewholeaspectofwhichisveryforbidding，shedistinguishessevenpersonages，wrappedinredcloaksandwearingmasksofsuchlividwhitenessthattheylookedlikecorpses。

Theywereallseatedbehindatableofblackmarble。Justinfrontofthetable，andonalowerseat，wasaneighthspectre。

Hewasdressedinblack，andhe，too，woreawhitemask。Bythewall，oneachsideoftheroom，wereabouttwentymeninblackcloaksandmasks。Therewasthemostprofoundsilence。Consueloturnedroundandsawthattherewerealsoblackphantomsbehindher。

Ateachdoorthereweretwoofthemstandingup，eachholdingahuge，brightsword。"[37]

[37]_ComtessedeRudolstadt。_

Shewonderedwhethershehadreachedtheinfernalregions，butshediscoveredthatshewasinthemidstofasecretsociety，styledtheInvisibles。Consueloistogothroughallthevariousstagesoftheinitiation。Shefirstputsonthebridaldress，andafterthisthewidow’sweeds。Sheundergoesallthevarioustrials，andhastowitnessthedifferentspectaclesprovidedforheredification，includingcoffins，funeralpalls，spectresandsimulatedtortures。

Thedescriptionofallthevariousceremoniestakesupabouthalfofthebook。GeorgeSand’sobjectwastoshowupthismovementofsecretsocieties，whichwassuchafeatureoftheeighteenthcentury，andwhichwasdirectedbothagainstmonarchicalpowerandagainsttheChurch。ItcontributedtopreparethewayfortheRevolution，andgavetothisthatinternationalcharacterandthatmysticallurewhichwouldotherwisehavebeenincomprehensible。

From_Spiridion_tothe_ComtessedeRudolstadt_，then，wehavethisseriesoffantasticalnovelswithghosts，subterraneanpassages，secrethiding—places，hallucinationsandapparitions。Theunfortunatepartisthatatpresentwescarcelyknowtowhatcategoryofreaderstheywouldappeal。Asregardsgrown—uppeople，weallprefersomethingwithavestigeoftruthinitnow—a—days。Astoourchildren，theywouldprefer_Monte—Cristo_to_Consuelo_，and_TomThumb_

to_Spiridion_。Atthetimethattheywerewritten，inspiteofthefactthatBulozprotestedagainstallthisphilosophy，thesenovelswerequiteinaccordancewiththepublictaste。

Amaniaforanythingfantastichadtakenpossessionofthemostseriouspeople。Ballanchewrotehis_LaPalingenesie_，andEdgarQuinet_Ahasverus_。Thingstookplacethroughtheages，andthereadertravelledthroughtheimmensityofthecenturies，justasthoughWellshadalreadyinventedhismachineforexploringtime。

InacountrylikeFrance，whereclear—mindednessandmatter—of—factintelligenceareappreciated，allthisseemssurprising。Itwasnodoubttheresultofinfiltrationswhichhadcomefromabroad。

Therewassomethingwrongwithusjustthen，"somethingrotteninthekingdomofFrance。"Weseethisbythatfeverofsocialisticdoctrineswhichburstforthamongusabouttheyear1840。

Wehavethe_Phalanstere_byFourier，_LaPhalange_byConsiderant，the_Icarie_byCabet，andhisfamous_Voyage_，whichappearedthatveryyear。WewerealwaystobedevouredbytheState，accompaniedbywhateversaucewepreferred。TheStatewasalwaystofindusshelter，todressus，togovernusandtotyrannizeoverus。

TherewastheStateasemployer，theStateasgeneralstorekeeper，theStatetofeedus；allthiswasadreamofbliss。Buonarotti，formerlyBabeuf’saccomplice，preachedCommunism。LouisBlancpublishedhis_Organisationdutravail_，inwhichhecallstohisaidapoliticalrevolution，foretasteofasocialrevolution。

Proudhonpublishedhis_Memoiresurlapropriete_，containingthecelebratedphrase："Propertymeanstheft。"Hedeclaredhimselfananarchist，andasamatteroffactanarchywasalreadyeverywhere。

Afreshevilhadsuddenlymadeitsappearance，and，byacruelirony，itwasthelogicalconsequenceofthatindustrialdevelopmentofwhichthecenturywassoproud。Theresultofallthatwealthhadbeentocreateanewformofmisery，anenvious，jealousformofmisery，muchmorecruelthantheformerone，foritfilledtheheartwithafermentofhatred，apassionfordestruction。

ItwasPierreLeroux，also，wholedGeorgeSandontoSocialism。

Shehadbeenonthewaytoitbyherself。ForalongtimeshehadbeenraisinganaltarinherhearttothatentitycalledthePeople，andshehadbeenadorningitwithallthevirtues。Thefuturebelongedtothepeople，thewholeofthefuture，andfirstofallthatofliterature。

Poetrywasgettingalittlewornout，buttorestoreitsfreshnesstherewerethepoetsofthepeople。CharlesPoncy，ofToulon，abricklayer，publishedavolumeofpoetry，in1842，entitled_Marines_。

GeorgeSandadoptedhim。Hewasthedemonstrationofhertheory，theexamplewhichillustratedherdream。Shecongratulatedhimandencouragedhim。"Youareagreatpoet，"shesaidtohim，andshethereuponspeaksofhimtoallherfriends。"HaveyoureadBaruch？"

sheasksthem。"HaveyoureadPoncy，apoetbricklayeroftwentyyearsofage？"Shetellseveryoneabouthisbook，dwellsonitsbeauties，andaskspeopletospeakofit。

AsafriendofGeorgeSand，IhaveexaminedthepoemsbyPoncyofwhichshespeciallyspeaks。Thefirstoneisentitled_Meditationsurlestoits_。Thepoethasbeenobligedtostayontherooftocompletehiswork，andwhiletherehemeditates。

_"Letravailmeretientbientardsurcestoitures_……"

Hethenbeginstowonderwhathewouldseeif，likeAsmodeeinthe_Diableboiteux_，hecouldhavetherooftakenoff，sothatthevariousroomscouldbeexposedtoview。Alas！hewouldnotalwaysfindtheconcordoftheGoldenAge。

_QuedefoiscontemolantcetamasdemaisonsQuetreignentnosrempartscouronnesdegazons，EtcesfaubourgsnaissantsquelavilletroppleinePoursesenfantsnouveauxelevedanslaplaine。

ImmobilestroufieauxounotreclochergrisSembleunpatreaumilieudesesblanchesbrebis，Jaipenseque，malgrenotreangoisseetnospeines，Souscestoitspaternelsilexistaitdeshaines，EtquedesmursplusfortsquecesmursmitoyensSeparentici—baslescoeursdescitoyens。_

Thiswasanappealtoconcord，andallbrothersofhumanitywereinvitedtorallytothewatchword。

Theintentionwasnodoubtverygood。Then，too，_mursmitoyens_

wasanextremelyrichandunexpectedrhymefor_citoyens_。

Thiswasworthyindeedofamanofthatparty。

AnotherofthepoemsgreatlyadmiredbyGeorgeSandwas_LeForcat_。

_RegarderleforcatsurlapoutreequarriePosersonseinhalequeleremordscarie_……

CertainlyifBanvilleweretolayclaimtohavinginventedrhymesthatarepuns，wecouldonlysaythathewasaplagiaristafterreadingCharlesPoncy。

Inanotherpoemaddressedtotherich，entitled_L’hiver_，thepoetnoticeswithgriefthatthewinter……_quiremplitlessalons，lesWdtres，RemplitaussilaMorgueetlesamphitheatres。_

Heisafraidthatthepeoplewill，intheend，losetheirpatience，andsohegivestothehappymortalsonthisearththefollowingcounsel：

_Riches，avosplaisirsfaitesparticiperL’hommequelesmalheurss’acharnentafrapperOh，faitestravaillerleperedefamille，Pourqu’ilpuissearbiterlapudeurdesafille，Pourqu’auxpetitsenfantsmaigrisparlesdouleursIlrapporte，lesoir，lepainetnondespleurs，Afinquesonepouse，audesespoirenproie，Seranimeasavueetl’embrasseavecjoie，Afinqual’Eternel，al’heuredesamort。

Vousn’offriezpasuncoeurcariederemords_。

Theexpressioncertainlyleavesmuchtobedesiredinthesepoems，buttheyarenotlackingineloquence。Wehadalreadyhadsomethingofthiskind，though，writtenbyapoetwhowasnotabricklayer。

He，too，hadaskedtherichthequestionfollowing：

_Dansvosfetesd’hiver，riches，heureuxdumonde，Quandlebaltournoyantdesesfeuxvousinonde……

Songez—vousqu’ilestla，souslegivreetlaneige，Ceperesanstravailquelafamineassiege？_

Headvisesthemtopractisecharity，thesisterofprayer。

_Donnezafinqu’unjour，avotrederniereheure，ContretousvospechesvousayezlaPriereD’unmendiantpuissantauciel_。"

Wecannot，certainly，expectPoncytobeaVictorHugo。ButaswehadVictorHugo’sverses，ofwhatusewasitforthemtoberewrittenbyPoncy？Myreasonforquotingafewofthefinelinesfrom_Feuillesd’automne_isthatIfeltanurgentneedofclearingawayalltheseplatitudes。Poncywasnottheonlyworking—manpoet。

Othertradesproducedtheirpoetstoo。Thefirstpoemin_Marines_

isaddressedtoDurand，apoetcarpenter，whointroduceshimselfas"_EnfantdelaforetquiceintFontainebleau_。"

Thismanhandledtheplaneandthelyre，justasPoncydidthetrowelandthelyre。

Thispoetryoftheworking—classeswastogiveitsadmirersplentyofdisappointment。GeorgeSandadvisedPoncytotreatthethingsconnectedwithhistrade，inhispoetry。"Donottrytoputonothermen’sclothes，butletusseeyouinliteraturewiththeplasteronyourhandswhichisnaturaltoyouandwhichinterestsus，"

shesaidtohim。

ProudofhissuccesswiththeladiesofParis，Poncywantedtowashhishands，putonacoat，andgointosociety。ItwasallinvainthatGeorgeSandbeseechedPoncytoremainthepoetofhumanity。

Sheexposedtohimthedogmaofimpersonalityinsuchfineterms，thatmorethanone_bourgeois_poetmightprofitbywhatshesaid。

"Anindividual，"shesaid，"whoposesasapoet，asapureartist，asagodlikemostofourgreatmendo，whethertheybe_bourgeois_

oraristocrats，soontiresuswithhispersonality……Menareonlyinterestedinamanwhenthatmanisinterestedinhumanity。"

Thiswasallofnouse，though，forPoncywasmostanxioustotreatothersubjectsrathermorelivelyand——slightlylibertine。

Hisliterarygodmotheradmonishedhim。

"Youarededicatingto_Juanal’Espagnole_andtovariousotherfantasticalbeautiesversesthatIdonotapprove。Areyoua_bourgeois_poetorapoetofthepeople？Iftheformer，youcansinginhonourofallthevoluptuousnessandallthesirensoftheuniverse，withouteverhavingknowneither。Youcansupwiththemostdelicioushourisorwithallthestreet—walkers，inyourpoems，withouteverleavingyourfiresideorhavingseenanygreaterbeautythanthenoseofyourhall—porter。Thesegentlemenwritetheirpoetryinthisway，andtheirrhymingisnonetheworseforit。