Andherememberedthathehaddaredtomurmur！
Often，inthemiddleofthenight，herosetolistentothegratefulsongofthoseinnocentcreaturesweigheddownwithseverities，andthebloodrancoldinhisveinsatthethoughtthatthosewhowerejustlychastisedraisedtheirvoicesheavenwardonlyinblasphemy，andthathe，wretchthathewas，hadshakenhisfistatGod。
Therewasonestrikingthingwhichcausedhimtomeditatedeeply，likeawarningwhisperfromProvidenceitself:thescalingofthatwall，thepassingofthosebarriers，theadventureacceptedevenattheriskofdeath，thepainfulanddifficultascent，allthoseeffortseven，whichhehadmadetoescapefromthatotherplaceofexpiation，hehadmadeinordertogainentranceintothisone。Wasthisasymbolofhisdestiny？Thishousewasaprisonlikewiseandboreamelancholyresemblancetothatotheronewhencehehadfled，andyethehadneverconceivedanideaofanythingsimilar。
Againhebeheldgratings，bolts，ironbars——toguardwhom？Angels。
Theseloftywallswhichhehadseenaroundtigers，henowbeheldoncemorearoundlambs。
Thiswasaplaceofexpiation，andnotofpunishment；andyet，itwasstillmoreaustere，moregloomy，andmorepitilessthantheother。
Thesevirginswereevenmoreheavilyburdenedthantheconvicts。
Acold，harshwind，thatwindwhichhadchilledhisyouth，traversedthebarredandpadlockedgratingofthevultures；astillharsherandmorebitingbreezeblewinthecageofthesedoves。
Why？
Whenhethoughtonthesethings，allthatwaswithinhimwaslostinamazementbeforethismysteryofsublimity。
Inthesemeditations，hispridevanished。Hescrutinizedhisownheartinallmannerofways；hefelthispettiness，andmanyatimehewept。AllthathadenteredintohislifeforthelastsixmonthshadledhimbacktowardstheBishop’sholyinjunctions；
Cosettethroughlove，theconventthroughhumility。
Sometimesateventide，inthetwilight，atanhourwhenthegardenwasdeserted，hecouldbeseenonhiskneesinthemiddleofthewalkwhichskirtedthechapel，infrontofthewindowthroughwhichhehadgazedonthenightofhisarrival，andturnedtowardsthespotwhere，asheknew，thesisterwasmakingreparation，prostratedinprayer。
Thusheprayedashekneltbeforethesister。
ItseemedasthoughhedarednotkneeldirectlybeforeGod。
Everythingthatsurroundedhim，thatpeacefulgarden，thosefragrantflowers，thosechildrenwhoutteredjoyouscries，thosegraveandsimplewomen，thatsilentcloister，slowlypermeatedhim，andlittlebylittle，hissoulbecamecompoundedofsilencelikethecloister，ofperfumeliketheflowers，ofsimplicitylikethewomen，ofjoylikethechildren。AndthenhereflectedthatthesehadbeentwohousesofGodwhichhadreceivedhiminsuccessionattwocriticalmomentsinhislife:thefirst，whenalldoorswereclosedandwhenhumansocietyrejectedhim；
thesecond，atamomentwhenhumansocietyhadagainsetoutinpursuitofhim，andwhenthegalleyswereagainyawning；andthat，haditnotbeenforthefirst，heshouldhaverelapsedintocrime，andhaditnotbeenforthesecond，intotorment。
Hiswholeheartmeltedingratitude，andhelovedmoreandmore。
Manyyearspassedinthismanner；Cosettewasgrowingup。
[TheendofVolumeII。"Cosette"]
VOLUMEIIIMARIUS。
BOOKFIRST。——PARISSTUDIEDINITSATOM
CHAPTERI
PARVULUS
Parishasachild，andtheforesthasabird；thebirdiscalledthesparrow；thechildiscalledthegamin。
Couplethesetwoideaswhichcontain，theoneallthefurnace，theotherallthedawn；strikethesetwosparkstogether，Paris，childhood；
thereleapsoutfromthemalittlebeing。Homuncio，Plautuswouldsay。
Thislittlebeingisjoyous。Hehasnotfoodeveryday，andhegoestotheplayeveryevening，ifheseesgood。Hehasnoshirtonhisbody，noshoesonhisfeet，noroofoverhishead；
heislikethefliesofheaven，whohavenoneofthesethings。
Heisfromseventothirteenyearsofage，helivesinbands，roamsthestreets，lodgesintheopenair，wearsanoldpairoftrousersofhisfather’s，whichdescendbelowhisheels，anoldhatofsomeotherfather，whichdescendsbelowhisears，asinglesuspenderofyellowlisting；heruns，liesinwait，rummagesabout，wastestime，blackenspipes，swearslikeaconvict，hauntsthewine—shop，knowsthieves，callsgaywomenthou，talksslang，singsobscenesongs，andhasnoevilinhisheart。
Thisisbecausehehasinhisheartapearl，innocence；andpearlsarenottobedissolvedinmud。Solongasmanisinhischildhood，Godwillsthatheshallbeinnocent。
Ifoneweretoaskthatenormouscity:"Whatisthis？"shewouldreply:
"Itismylittleone。"
CHAPTERII
SOMEOFHISPARTICULARCHARACTERISTICS
Thegamin——thestreetArab——ofParisisthedwarfofthegiant。
Letusnotexaggerate，thischeruboftheguttersometimeshasashirt，but，inthatcase，heownsbutone；hesometimeshasshoes，butthentheyhavenosoles；hesometimeshasalodging，andhelovesit，forhefindshismotherthere；butheprefersthestreet，becausetherehefindsliberty。Hehashisowngames，hisownbitsofmischief，whosefoundationconsistsofhatredforthebourgeois；
hispeculiarmetaphors:tobedeadistoeatdandelionsbytheroot；
hisownoccupations，callinghackney—coaches，lettingdowncarriage—steps，establishingmeansoftransitbetweenthetwosidesofastreetinheavyrains，whichhecallsmakingthebridgeofarts，cryingdiscoursespronouncedbytheauthoritiesinfavoroftheFrenchpeople，cleaningoutthecracksinthepavement；
hehashisowncoinage，whichiscomposedofallthelittlemorselsofworkedcopperwhicharefoundonthepublicstreets。
Thiscuriousmoney，whichreceivesthenameofloques——rags——hasaninvariableandwell—regulatedcurrencyinthislittleBohemiaofchildren。
Lastly，hehashisownfauna，whichheobservesattentivelyinthecorners；thelady—bird，thedeath’s—headplant—louse，thedaddy—long—legs，"thedevil，"ablackinsect，whichmenacesbytwistingaboutitstailarmedwithtwohorns。Hehashisfabulousmonster，whichhasscalesunderitsbelly，butisnotalizard，whichhaspustulesonitsback，butisnotatoad，whichinhabitsthenooksofoldlime—kilnsandwellsthathaverundry，whichisblack，hairy，sticky，whichcrawlssometimesslowly，sometimesrapidly，whichhasnocry，butwhichhasalook，andissoterriblethatnoonehaseverbeheldit；hecallsthismonster"thedeafthing。"Thesearchforthese"deafthings"
amongthestonesisajoyofformidablenature。Anotherpleasureconsistsinsuddenlypryingupapaving—stone，andtakingalookatthewood—lice。EachregionofParisiscelebratedfortheinterestingtreasureswhicharetobefoundthere。Thereareear—wigsinthetimber—yardsoftheUrsulines，therearemillepedsinthePantheon，therearetadpolesintheditchesoftheChamps—de—Mars。
Asfarassayingsareconcerned，thischildhasasmanyofthemasTalleyrand。Heisnolesscynical，butheismorehonest。
Heisendowedwithacertainindescribable，unexpectedjoviality；
heupsetsthecomposureoftheshopkeeperwithhiswildlaughter。
Herangesboldlyfromhighcomedytofarce。
Afuneralpassesby。Amongthosewhoaccompanythedeadthereisadoctor。"Heythere！"shoutssomestreetArab，"howlonghasitbeencustomaryfordoctorstocarryhometheirownwork？"
Anotherisinacrowd。Agraveman，adornedwithspectaclesandtrinkets，turnsroundindignantly:"Yougood—for—nothing，youhaveseizedmywife’swaist！"——"I，sir？Searchme！"
CHAPTERIII
HEISAGREEABLE
Intheevening，thankstoafewsous，whichhealwaysfindsmeanstoprocure，thehomuncioentersatheatre。Oncrossingthatmagicthreshold，hebecomestransfigured；hewasthestreetArab，hebecomesthetiti。[18]Theatresareasortofshipturnedupsidedownwiththekeelintheair。Itisinthatkeelthatthetitihuddletogether。Thetitiistothegaminwhatthemothistothelarva；thesamebeingendowedwithwingsandsoaring。
Itsufficesforhimtobethere，withhisradianceofhappiness，withhispowerofenthusiasmandjoy，withhishand—clapping，whichresemblesaclappingofwings，toconferonthatnarrow，dark，fetid，sordid，unhealthy，hideous，abominablekeel，thenameofParadise。
[18]Chicken:slangallusiontothenoisemadeincallingpoultry。
Bestowonanindividualtheuselessanddeprivehimofthenecessary，andyouhavethegamin。
Thegaminisnotdevoidofliteraryintuition。Histendency，andwesayitwiththeproperamountofregret，wouldnotconstituteclassictaste。Heisnotveryacademicbynature。Thus，togiveanexample，thepopularityofMademoiselleMarsamongthatlittleaudienceofstormychildrenwasseasonedwithatouchofirony。
ThegamincalledherMademoiselleMuche——"hideyourself。"
Thisbeingbawlsandscoffsandridiculesandfights，hasragslikeababyandtatterslikeaphilosopher，fishesinthesewer，huntsinthecesspool，extractsmirthfromfoulness，whipsupthesquareswithhiswit，grinsandbites，whistlesandsings，shouts，andshrieks，tempersAlleluiawithMatantur—lurette，chantseveryrhythmfromtheDeProfundistotheJack—pudding，findswithoutseeking，knowswhatheisignorantof，isaSpartantothepointofthieving，ismadtowisdom，islyricaltofilth，wouldcrouchdownonOlympus，wallowsinthedunghillandemergesfromitcoveredwithstars。
ThegaminofParisisRabelaisinthisyouth。
Heisnotcontentwithhistrousersunlesstheyhaveawatch—pocket。
Heisnoteasilyastonished，heisstilllesseasilyterrified，hemakessongsonsuperstitions，hetakesthewindoutofexaggerations，hetwitsmysteries，hethrustsouthistongueatghosts，hetakesthepoetryoutofstiltedthings，heintroducescaricatureintoepicextravaganzas。Itisnotthatheisprosaic；farfromthat；
buthereplacesthesolemnvisionbythefarcicalphantasmagoria。
IfAdamastorweretoappeartohim，thestreetArabwouldsay:
"Hithere！Thebugaboo！"
CHAPTERIV
HEMAYBEOFUSE
ParisbeginswiththeloungerandendswiththestreetArab，twobeingsofwhichnoothercityiscapable；thepassiveacceptance，whichcontentsitselfwithgazing，andtheinexhaustibleinitiative；
PrudhommeandFouillou。Parisalonehasthisinitsnaturalhistory。
Thewholeofthemonarchyiscontainedinthelounger；thewholeofanarchyinthegamin。
ThispalechildoftheParisianfaubourgslivesanddevelops，makesconnections，"growssupple"insuffering，inthepresenceofsocialrealitiesandofhumanthings，athoughtfulwitness。
Hethinkshimselfheedless；andheisnot。Helooksandisonthevergeoflaughter；heisonthevergeofsomethingelsealso。
Whoeveryoumaybe，ifyournameisPrejudice，Abuse，Ignorance，Oppression，Iniquity，Despotism，Injustice，Fanaticism，Tyranny，bewareofthegapinggamin。
Thelittlefellowwillgrowup。
Ofwhatclayishemade？Ofthefirstmudthatcomestohand。
Ahandfulofdirt，abreath，andbeholdAdam。ItsufficesforaGodtopassby。AGodhasalwayspassedoverthestreetArab。
Fortunelaborsatthistinybeing。Bytheword"fortune"wemeanchance，tosomeextent。Thatpigmykneadedoutofcommonearth，ignorant，unlettered，giddy，vulgar，low。WillthatbecomeanIonianoraBoeotian？Wait，curritrota，theSpiritofParis，thatdemonwhichcreatesthechildrenofchanceandthemenofdestiny，reversingtheprocessoftheLatinpotter，makesofajuganamphora。
CHAPTERV
HISFRONTIERS
Thegaminlovesthecity，healsolovessolitude，sincehehassomethingofthesageinhim。Urbisamator，likeFuscus；
rurisamator，likeFlaccus。
Toroamthoughtfullyabout，thatistosay，tolounge，isafineemploymentoftimeintheeyesofthephilosopher；particularlyinthatratherillegitimatespeciesofcampaign，whichistolerablyuglybutoddandcomposedoftwonatures，whichsurroundscertaingreatcities，notablyParis。Tostudythesuburbsistostudytheamphibiousanimal。Endofthetrees，beginningoftheroofs；
endofthegrass，beginningofthepavements；endofthefurrows，beginningoftheshops，endofthewheel—ruts，beginningofthepassions；endofthedivinemurmur，beginningofthehumanuproar；
henceanextraordinaryinterest。
Hence，inthesenotveryattractiveplaces，indeliblystampedbythepassingstrollerwiththeepithet:melancholy，theapparentlyobjectlesspromenadesofthedreamer。
HewhowritestheselineshaslongbeenaprowleraboutthebarriersofParis，anditisforhimasourceofprofoundsouvenirs。
Thatclose—shaventurf，thosepebblypaths，thatchalk，thosepools，thoseharshmonotoniesofwasteandfallowlands，theplantsofearlymarket—gardensuddenlyspringingintosightinabottom，thatmixtureofthesavageandthecitizen，thosevastdesertnookswherethegarrisondrumspractisenoisily，andproduceasortoflispingofbattle，thosehermitsbydayandcut—throatsbynight，thatclumsymillwhichturnsinthewind，thehoisting—wheelsofthequarries，thetea—gardensatthecornersofthecemeteries；
themysteriouscharmofgreat，sombrewallssquarelyintersectingimmense，vaguestretchesoflandinundatedwithsunshineandfullofbutterflies，——allthisattractedhim。
Thereishardlyanyoneonearthwhoisnotacquaintedwiththosesingularspots，theGlaciere，theCunette，thehideouswallofGrenelleallspeckledwithballs，Mont—Parnasse，theFosse—aux—Loups，AubiersonthebankoftheMarne，Mont—Souris，theTombe—Issoire，thePierre—PlatedeChatillon，wherethereisanold，exhaustedquarrywhichnolongerservesanypurposeexcepttoraisemushrooms，andwhichisclosed，onalevelwiththeground，byatrap—doorofrottenplanks。
ThecampagnaofRomeisoneidea，thebanlieueofParisisanother；
tobeholdnothingbutfields，houses，ortreesinwhatastretchofcountryoffersus，istoremainonthesurface；allaspectsofthingsarethoughtsofGod。Thespotwhereaplaineffectsitsjunctionwithacityisalwaysstampedwithacertainpiercingmelancholy。
Natureandhumanitybothappealtoyouatthesametimethere。
Localoriginalitiestheremaketheirappearance。
Anyonewho，likeourselves，haswanderedaboutinthesesolitudescontiguoustoourfaubourgs，whichmaybedesignatedasthelimbosofParis，hasseenhereandthere，inthemostdesertspot，atthemostunexpectedmoment，behindameagrehedge，orinthecornerofalugubriouswall，childrengroupedtumultuously，fetid，muddy，dusty，ragged，dishevelled，playinghide—and—seek，andcrownedwithcorn—flowers。Allofthemarelittleoneswhohavemadetheirescapefrompoorfamilies。Theouterboulevardistheirbreathingspace；
thesuburbsbelongtothem。Theretheyareeternallyplayingtruant。
Theretheyinnocentlysingtheirrepertoryofdirtysongs。
Theretheyare，orrather，theretheyexist，farfromeveryeye，inthesweetlightofMayorJune，kneelingroundaholeintheground，snappingmarbleswiththeirthumbs，quarrellingoverhalf—farthings，irresponsible，volatile，freeandhappy；and，nosoonerdotheycatchsightofyouthantheyrecollectthattheyhaveanindustry，andthattheymustearntheirliving，andtheyoffertosellyouanoldwoollenstockingfilledwithcockchafers，orabunchoflilacs。
TheseencounterswithstrangechildrenareoneofthecharmingandatthesametimepoignantgracesoftheenvironsofParis。
Sometimestherearelittlegirlsamongthethrongofboys，——
aretheytheirsisters？——whoarealmostyoungmaidens，thin，feverish，withsunburnthands，coveredwithfreckles，crownedwithpoppiesandearsofrye，gay，haggard，barefooted。Theycanbeseendevouringcherriesamongthewheat。Intheeveningtheycanbeheardlaughing。
Thesegroups，warmlyilluminatedbythefullglowofmidday，orindistinctlyseeninthetwilight，occupythethoughtfulmanforaverylongtime，andthesevisionsminglewithhisdreams。
Paris，centre，banlieue，circumference；thisconstitutesalltheearthtothosechildren。Theyneverventurebeyondthis。
TheycannomoreescapefromtheParisianatmospherethanfishcanescapefromthewater。Forthem，nothingexiststwoleaguesbeyondthebarriers:Ivry，Gentilly，Arcueil，Belleville，Aubervilliers，Menilmontant，Choisy—le—Roi，Billancourt，Mendon，Issy，Vanvre，Sevres，Puteaux，Neuilly，Gennevilliers，Colombes，Romainville，Chatou，Asnieres，Bougival，Nanterre，Enghien，Noisy—le—Sec，Nogent，Gournay，Drancy，Gonesse；theuniverseendsthere。
CHAPTERVI
ABITOFHISTORY
Attheepoch，nearlycontemporarybytheway，whentheactionofthisbooktakesplace，therewasnot，asthereisto—day，apolicemanatthecornerofeverystreet（abenefitwhichthereisnotimetodiscusshere）；straychildrenaboundedinParis。
Thestatisticsgiveanaverageoftwohundredandsixtyhomelesschildrenpickedupannuallyatthatperiod，bythepolicepatrols，inunenclosedlands，inhousesinprocessofconstruction，andunderthearchesofthebridges。Oneofthesenests，whichhasbecomefamous，produced"theswallowsofthebridgeofArcola。"
Thisis，moreover，themostdisastrousofsocialsymptoms。
Allcrimesofthemanbegininthevagabondageofthechild。
LetusmakeanexceptioninfavorofParis，nevertheless。Inarelativemeasure，andinspiteofthesouvenirwhichwehavejustrecalled，theexceptionisjust。Whileinanyothergreatcitythevagabondchildisalostman，whilenearlyeverywherethechildlefttoitselfis，insomesort，sacrificedandabandonedtoakindoffatalimmersioninthepublicviceswhichdevourinhimhonestyandconscience，thestreetboyofParis，weinsistonthispoint，howeverdefacedandinjuredonthesurface，isalmostintactontheinterior。Itisamagnificentthingtoputonrecord，andonewhichshinesforthinthesplendidprobityofourpopularrevolutions，thatacertainincorruptibilityresultsfromtheideawhichexistsintheairofParis，assaltexistsinthewateroftheocean。
TobreatheParispreservesthesoul。
Whatwehavejustsaidtakesawaynothingoftheanguishofheartwhichoneexperienceseverytimethatonemeetsoneofthesechildrenaroundwhomonefanciesthathebeholdsfloatingthethreadsofabrokenfamily。Inthecivilizationofthepresentday，incompleteasitstillis，itisnotaveryabnormalthingtobeholdthesefracturedfamiliespouringthemselvesoutintothedarkness，notknowingclearlywhathasbecomeoftheirchildren，andallowingtheirownentrailstofallonthepublichighway。
Hencetheseobscuredestinies。Thisiscalled，forthissadthinghasgivenrisetoanexpression，"tobecastonthepavementsofParis。"
Letitbesaidbytheway，thatthisabandonmentofchildrenwasnotdiscouragedbytheancientmonarchy。AlittleofEgyptandBohemiainthelowerregionssuitedtheupperspheres，andcompassedtheaimsofthepowerful。Thehatredofinstructionforthechildrenofthepeoplewasadogma。Whatistheuseof"half—lights"？Suchwasthecountersign。Now，theerringchildisthecorollaryoftheignorantchild。
Besidesthis，themonarchysometimeswasinneedofchildren，andinthatcaseitskimmedthestreets。
UnderLouisXIV。，nottogoanyfurtherback，thekingrightlydesiredtocreateafleet。Theideawasagoodone。Butletusconsiderthemeans。Therecanbenofleet，if，besidethesailingship，thatplaythingofthewinds，andforthepurposeoftowingit，incaseofnecessity，thereisnotthevesselwhichgoeswhereitpleases，eitherbymeansofoarsorofsteam；thegalleyswerethentothemarinewhatsteamersareto—day。Therefore，galleyswerenecessary；butthegalleyismovedonlybythegalley—slave；
hence，galley—slaveswererequired。Colberthadthecommissionersofprovincesandtheparliamentsmakeasmanyconvictsaspossible。
Themagistracyshowedagreatdealofcomplaisanceinthematter。
Amankepthishatoninthepresenceofaprocession——itwasaHuguenotattitude；hewassenttothegalleys。Achildwasencounteredinthestreets；providedthathewasfifteenyearsofageanddidnotknowwherehewastosleep，hewassenttothegalleys。
Grandreign；grandcentury。
UnderLouisXV。childrendisappearedinParis；thepolicecarriedthemoff，forwhatmysteriouspurposenooneknew。
Peoplewhisperedwithterrormonstrousconjecturesastotheking’sbathsofpurple。Barbierspeaksingenuouslyofthesethings。
Itsometimeshappenedthattheexemptsoftheguard，whentheyranshortofchildren，tookthosewhohadfathers。Thefathers，indespair，attackedtheexempts。Inthatcase，theparliamentintervenedandhadsomeonehung。Who？Theexempts？No，thefathers。
CHAPTERVII
THEGAMINSHOULDHAVEHISPLACEINTHECLASSIFICATIONSOFINDIA
ThebodyofstreetArabsinParisalmostconstitutesacaste。
Onemightalmostsay:Noteveryonewhowishestobelongtoitcandoso。
Thiswordgaminwasprintedforthefirsttime，andreachedpopularspeechthroughtheliterarytongue，in1834。ItisinalittleworkentitledClaudeGueuxthatthiswordmadeitsappearance。
Thehorrorwaslively。Thewordpassedintocirculation。
Theelementswhichconstitutetheconsiderationofthegaminsforeachotherareveryvarious。WehaveknownandassociatedwithonewhowasgreatlyrespectedandvastlyadmiredbecausehehadseenamanfallfromthetopofthetowerofNotre—Dame；
another，becausehehadsucceededinmakinghiswayintotherearcourtyardwherethestatuesofthedomeoftheInvalideshadbeentemporarilydeposited，andhad"prigged"someleadfromthem；athird，becausehehadseenadiligencetipover；stillanother，becausehe"knew"asoldierwhocamenearputtingouttheeyeofacitizen。
ThisexplainsthatfamousexclamationofaParisiangamin，aprofoundepiphonema，whichthevulgarherdlaughsatwithoutcomprehending，——DieudeDieu！Whatill—luckIdohave！tothinkthatIhaveneveryetseenanybodytumblefromafifth—storywindow！
（IhavepronouncedI’aveandfifthpronouncedfift’。）
Surely，thissayingofapeasantisafineone:"FatherSo—and—So，yourwifehasdiedofhermalady；whydidyounotsendforthedoctor？"
"Whatwouldyouhave，sir，wepoorfolksdieofourselves。"
Butifthepeasant’swholepassivityliesinthissaying，thewholeofthefree—thinkinganarchyofthebratofthefaubourgsis，assuredly，containedinthisothersaying。Amancondemnedtodeathislisteningtohisconfessorinthetumbrel。ThechildofParisexclaims:
"Heistalkingtohisblackcap！Oh，thesneak！"
Acertainaudacityonmattersofreligionsetsoffthegamin。
Tobestrong—mindedisanimportantitem。
Tobepresentatexecutionsconstitutesaduty。Heshowshimselfattheguillotine，andhelaughs。Hecallsitbyallsortsofpetnames:
TheEndoftheSoup，TheGrowler，TheMotherintheBlue（thesky），TheLastMouthful，etc。，etc。Inordernottoloseanythingoftheaffair，hescalesthewalls，hehoistshimselftobalconies，heascendstrees，hesuspendshimselftogratings，heclingsfasttochimneys。Thegaminisbornatilerasheisbornamariner。
Aroofinspireshimwithnomorefearthanamast。ThereisnofestivalwhichcomesuptoanexecutiononthePlacedeGreve。
SamsonandtheAbbeMontesarethetrulypopularnames。Theyhootatthevictiminordertoencouragehim。Theysometimesadmirehim。
Lacenaire，whenagamin，onseeingthehideousDautindiebravely，utteredthesewordswhichcontainafuture:"Iwasjealousofhim。"
InthebrotherhoodofgaminsVoltaireisnotknown，butPapavoineis。
"Politicians"areconfusedwithassassinsinthesamelegend。
Theyhaveatraditionastoeverybody’slastgarment。ItisknownthatTolleronhadafireman’scap，Avrilanottercap，Losvelaroundhat，thatoldDelaportewasbaldandbare—headed，thatCastaingwasallruddyandveryhandsome，thatBorieshadaromanticsmallbeard，thatJeanMartinkeptonhissuspenders，thatLecouffeandhismotherquarrelled。"Don’treproacheachotherforyourbasket，"shoutedagamintothem。Another，inordertogetalookatDebackerashepassed，andbeingtoosmallinthecrowd，caughtsightofthelanternonthequayandclimbedit。Agendarmestationedoppositefrowned。"Letmeclimbup，m’sieulegendarme，"
saidthegamin。And，tosoftentheheartoftheauthoritiesheadded:
"Iwillnotfall。""Idon’tcareifyoudo，"retortedthegendarme。
Inthebrotherhoodofgamins，amemorableaccidentcountsforagreatdeal。Onereachestheheightofconsiderationifonechancestocutone’sselfverydeeply，"totheverybone。"
Thefistisnomediocreelementofrespect。Oneofthethingsthatthegaminisfondestofsayingis:"Iamfineandstrong，comenow！"Tobeleft—handedrendersyouveryenviable。Asquintishighlyesteemed。
CHAPTERVIII
INWHICHTHEREADERWILLFINDACHARMINGSAYINGOFTHELASTKING
Insummer，hemetamorphoseshimselfintoafrog；andintheevening，whennightisfalling，infrontofthebridgesofAusterlitzandJena，fromthetopsofcoalwagons，andthewasherwomen’sboats，hehurlshimselfheadlongintotheSeine，andintoallpossibleinfractionsofthelawsofmodestyandofthepolice。Neverthelessthepolicekeepaneyeonhim，andtheresultisahighlydramaticsituationwhichoncegaverisetoafraternalandmemorablecry；
thatcrywhichwascelebratedabout1830，isastrategicwarningfromgamintogamin；itscanslikeaversefromHomer，withanotationasinexpressibleastheeleusiacchantofthePanathenaea，andinitoneencountersagaintheancientEvohe。Hereitis:
"Ohe，Titi，oheee！Herecomesthebobby，herecomesthep’lice，pickupyourdudsandbeoff，throughthesewerwithyou！"
Sometimesthisgnat——thatiswhathecallshimself——knowshowtoread；
sometimesheknowshowtowrite；healwaysknowshowtodaub。
Hedoesnothesitatetoacquire，bynooneknowswhatmysteriousmutualinstruction，allthetalentswhichcanbeofusetothepublic；
from1815to1830，heimitatedthecryoftheturkey；from1830
to1848，hescrawledpearsonthewalls。Onesummerevening，whenLouisPhilippewasreturninghomeonfoot，hesawalittlefellow，nohigherthanhisknee，perspiringandclimbinguptodrawagiganticpearincharcoalononeofthepillarsofthegateofNeuilly；
theKing，withthatgood—naturewhichcametohimfromHenryIV。，helpedthegamin，finishedthepear，andgavethechildalouis，saying:"Thepearisonthatalso。"[19]Thegaminlovesuproar。
Acertainstateofviolencepleaseshim。Heexecrates"thecures。"
Oneday，intheRuedel’Universite，oneofthesescampswasputtinghisthumbtohisnoseatthecarriagegateofNo。69。"Whyareyoudoingthatatthegate？"apasser—byasked。Theboyreplied:
"Thereisacurethere。"Itwasthere，infact，thatthePapalNunciolived。
[19]LouisXVIII。isrepresentedincomicpicturesofthatdayashavingapear—shapedhead。
Nevertheless，whatevermaybetheVoltairianismofthesmallgamin，iftheoccasiontobecomeachoristerpresentsitself，itisquitepossiblethathewillaccept，andinthatcaseheservesthemasscivilly。TherearetwothingstowhichheplaysTantalus，andwhichhealwaysdesireswithouteverattainingthem:
tooverthrowthegovernment，andtogethistrouserssewedupagain。
ThegamininhisperfectstatepossessesallthepolicemenofParis，andcanalwaysputthenametothefaceofanyonewhichhechancestomeet。Hecantellthemoffonthetipsofhisfingers。
Hestudiestheirhabits，andhehasspecialnotesoneachoneofthem。Hereadsthesoulsofthepolicelikeanopenbook。
Hewilltellyoufluentlyandwithoutflinching:"Suchanoneisatraitor；suchanotherisverymalicious；suchanotherisgreat；suchanotherisridiculous。"（Allthesewords:
traitor，malicious，great，ridiculous，haveaparticularmeaninginhismouth。）ThatoneimaginesthatheownsthePont—Neuf，andhepreventspeoplefromwalkingonthecorniceoutsidetheparapet；
thatotherhasamaniaforpullingperson’sears；etc。，etc。
CHAPTERIX
THEOLDSOULOFGAUL
TherewassomethingofthatboyinPoquelin，thesonofthefish—market；
Beaumarchaishadsomethingofit。GaminerieisashadeoftheGallicspirit。Mingledwithgoodsense，itsometimesaddsforcetothelatter，asalcoholdoestowine。Sometimesitisadefect。
Homerrepeatshimselfeternally，granted；onemaysaythatVoltaireplaysthegamin。CamilleDesmoulinswasanativeofthefaubourgs。Championnet，whotreatedmiraclesbrutally，rosefromthepavementsofParis；hehad，whenasmalllad，inundatedtheporticosofSaint—JeandeBeauvais，andofSaint—EtienneduMont；hehadaddressedtheshrineofSainte—GenevievefamiliarlytogiveorderstothephialofSaintJanuarius。
ThegaminofParisisrespectful，ironical，andinsolent。Hehasvillainousteeth，becauseheisbadlyfedandhisstomachsuffers，andhandsomeeyesbecausehehaswit。IfJehovahhimselfwerepresent，hewouldgohoppingupthestepsofparadiseononefoot。
Heisstrongonboxing。Allbeliefsarepossibletohim。
Heplaysinthegutter，andstraightenshimselfupwitharevolt；
hiseffronterypersistseveninthepresenceofgrape—shot；hewasascapegrace，heisahero；likethelittleTheban，heshakestheskinfromthelion；Barrathedrummer—boywasagaminofParis；heShouts:
"Forward！"asthehorseofScripturesays"Vah！"andinamomenthehaspassedfromthesmallbrattothegiant。
Thischildofthepuddleisalsothechildoftheideal。
MeasurethatspreadofwingswhichreachesfromMolieretoBarra。
Tosumupthewhole，andinoneword，thegaminisabeingwhoamuseshimself，becauseheisunhappy。
CHAPTERX
ECCEPARIS，ECCEHOMO
Tosumitalluponcemore，theParisgaminofto—day，likethegraeculusofRomeindaysgoneby，istheinfantpopulacewiththewrinkleoftheoldworldonhisbrow。
Thegaminisagracetothenation，andatthesametimeadisease；
adiseasewhichmustbecured，how？Bylight。
Lightrendershealthy。
Lightkindles。
Allgeneroussocialirradiationsspringfromscience，letters，arts，education。Makemen，makemen。Givethemlightthattheymaywarmyou。
Soonerorlaterthesplendidquestionofuniversaleducationwillpresentitselfwiththeirresistibleauthorityoftheabsolutetruth；
andthen，thosewhogovernunderthesuperintendenceoftheFrenchideawillhavetomakethischoice；thechildrenofFranceorthegaminsofParis；flamesinthelightorwill—o’—the—wispsinthegloom。
ThegaminexpressesParis，andParisexpressestheworld。
ForParisisatotal。Parisistheceilingofthehumanrace。
Thewholeofthisprodigiouscityisaforeshorteningofdeadmannersandlivingmanners。HewhoseesParisthinksheseesthebottomofallhistorywithheavenandconstellationsintheintervals。Parishasacapital，theTown—Hall，aParthenon，Notre—Dame，aMountAventine，theFaubourgSaint—Antoine，anAsinarium，theSorbonne，aPantheon，thePantheon，aViaSacra，theBoulevarddesItaliens，atempleofthewinds，opinion；anditreplacestheGemoniaebyridicule。
Itsmajoiscalled"faraud，"itsTransteverinisthemanofthefaubourgs，itshammalisthemarket—porter，itslazzaroneisthepegre，itscockneyisthenativeofGhent。EverythingthatexistselsewhereexistsatParis。ThefishwomanofDumarsaiscanretortontheherb—sellerofEuripides，thediscobolsVejanuslivesagainintheForioso，thetight—ropedancer。TherapontigonusMilescouldwalkarminarmwithVadeboncoeurthegrenadier，Damasippusthesecond—handdealerwouldbehappyamongbric—a—bracmerchants，VincennescouldgraspSocratesinitsfistasjustasAgoracouldimprisonDiderot，GrimoddelaReynierediscoveredlardedroastbeef，asCurtillusinventedroasthedgehog，weseethetrapezewhichfiguresinPlautusreappearunderthevaultoftheArcofl’Etoile，thesword—eaterofPoecilusencounteredbyApuleiusisasword—swalloweronthePontNeuf，thenephewofRameauandCurculiotheparasitemakeapair，ErgasiluscouldgethimselfpresentedtoCambaceresbyd’Aigrefeuille；
thefourdandiesofRome:Alcesimarchus，Phoedromus，Diabolus，andArgyrippus，descendfromCourtilleinLabatut’sposting—chaise；
AulusGelliuswouldhaltnolongerinfrontofCongriothanwouldCharlesNodierinfrontofPunchinello；Martoisnotatigress，butPardaliscawasnotadragon；PantolabusthewagjeersintheCafeAnglaisatNomentanusthefastliver，HermogenusisatenorintheChamps—Elysees，androundhim，Thraciusthebeggar，cladlikeBobeche，takesupacollection；theborewhostopsyoubythebuttonofyourcoatintheTuileriesmakesyourepeatafteralapseoftwothousandyearsThesprion’sapostrophe:Quisproperantemmeprehenditpallio？
ThewineonSureneisaparodyofthewineofAlba，theredborderofDesaugiersformsabalancetothegreatcuttingofBalatro，PereLachaiseexhalesbeneathnocturnalrainssamegleamsastheEsquiliae，andthegraveofthepoorboughtforfiveyears，iscertainlytheequivalentoftheslave’shivedcoffin。
SeeksomethingthatParishasnot。ThevatofTrophoniuscontainsnothingthatisnotinMesmer’stub；ErgaphilaslivesagaininCagliostro；theBrahminVasaphantabecomeincarnateintheComtedeSaint—Germain；thecemeteryofSaint—MedardworksquiteasgoodmiraclesastheMosqueofOumoumieatDamascus。
ParishasanAEsop—Mayeux，andaCanidia，MademoiselleLenormand。
Itisterrified，likeDelphosatthefulguratingrealitiesofthevision；itmakestablesturnasDodonadidtripods。Itplacesthegrisetteonthethrone，asRomeplacedthecourtesanthere；
and，takingitaltogether，ifLouisXV。isworsethanClaudian，MadameDubarryisbetterthanMessalina。Pariscombinesinanunprecedentedtype，whichhasexistedandwhichwehaveelbowed，Greciannudity，theHebraiculcer，andtheGasconpun。
ItminglesDiogenes，Job，andJack—pudding，dressesupaspectreinoldnumbersoftheConstitutional，andmakesChodrucDuclos。
AlthoughPlutarchsays:thetyrantnevergrowsold，Rome，underSyllaasunderDomitian，resigneditselfandwillinglyputwaterinitswine。TheTiberwasaLethe，iftheratherdoctrinaryeulogiummadeofitbyVarusVibiscusistobecredited:ContraGracchosTiberimhabemus，BibereTiberim，idestseditionemoblivisci。
Parisdrinksamillionlitresofwateraday，butthatdoesnotpreventitfromoccasionallybeatingthegeneralalarmandringingthetocsin。
Withthatexception，Parisisamiable。Itacceptseverythingroyally；
itisnottooparticularaboutitsVenus；itsCallipygeisHottentot；
providedthatitismadetolaugh，itcondones；uglinesscheersit，deformityprovokesittolaughter，vicedivertsit；beeccentricandyoumaybeaneccentric；evenhypocrisy，thatsupremecynicism，doesnotdisgustit；itissoliterarythatitdoesnotholditsnosebeforeBasile，andisnomorescandalizedbytheprayerofTartuffethanHoracewasrepelledbythe"hiccup"ofPriapus。
NotraitoftheuniversalfaceislackingintheprofileofParis。
ThebalMabileisnotthepolymniadanceoftheJaniculum，butthedealerinladies’wearingappareltheredevoursthelorettewithhereyes，exactlyastheprocuressStaphylalayinwaitforthevirginPlanesium。TheBarriereduCombatisnottheColiseum，butpeopleareasferociousthereasthoughCaesarwerelookingon。
TheSyrianhostesshasmoregracethanMotherSaguet，but，ifVirgilhauntedtheRomanwine—shop，Davidd’Angers，BalzacandCharlethavesatatthetablesofParisiantaverns。Parisreigns。
Geniusesflashforththere，theredtailsprosperthere。
Adonaipassesonhischariotwithitstwelvewheelsofthunderandlightning；Silenusmakeshisentrythereonhisass。ForSilenusreadRamponneau。
ParisisthesynonymofCosmos，ParisisAthens，Sybaris，Jerusalem，Pantin。Allcivilizationsarethereinanabridgedform，allbarbarismsalso。Pariswouldgreatlyregretitifithadnotaguillotine。
AlittleofthePlacedeGreveisagoodthing。Whatwouldallthateternalfestivalbewithoutthisseasoning？Ourlawsarewiselyprovided，andthankstothem，thisbladedripsonthisShroveTuesday。
CHAPTERXI
TOSCOFF，TOREIGN
ThereisnolimittoParis。Nocityhashadthatdominationwhichsometimesderidesthosewhomitsubjugates。Topleaseyou，OAthenians！exclaimedAlexander。Parismakesmorethanthelaw，itmakesthefashion；Parissetsmorethanthefashion，itsetstheroutine。Parismaybestupid，ifitseesfit；itsometimesallowsitselfthisluxury；thentheuniverseisstupidincompanywithit；thenParisawakes，rubsitseyes，says:"HowstupidIam！"andburstsoutlaughinginthefaceofthehumanrace。
Whatamarvelissuchacity！itisastrangethingthatthisgrandiosenessandthisburlesqueshouldbeamicableneighbors，thatallthismajestyshouldnotbethrownintodisorderbyallthisparody，andthatthesamemouthcanto—dayblowintothetrumpoftheJudgmentDay，andto—morrowintothereed—flute！Parishasasovereignjoviality。Itsgayetyisofthethunderanditsfarceholdsasceptre。
Itstempestsometimesproceedsfromagrimace。Itsexplosions，itsdays，itsmasterpieces，itsprodigies，itsepics，goforthtotheboundsoftheuniverse，andsoalsodoitscock—and—bullstories。
Itslaughisthemouthofavolcanowhichspattersthewholeearth。
Itsjestsaresparks。Itimposesitscaricaturesaswellasitsidealonpeople；thehighestmonumentsofhumancivilizationacceptitsironiesandlendtheireternitytoitsmischievouspranks。
Itissuperb；ithasaprodigious14thofJuly，whichdeliverstheglobe；itforcesallnationstotaketheoathoftennis；
itsnightofthe4thofAugustdissolvesinthreehoursathousandyearsoffeudalism；itmakesofitslogicthemuscleofunanimouswill；
itmultipliesitselfunderallsortsofformsofthesublime；
itfillswithitslightWashington，Kosciusko，Bolivar，Bozzaris，Riego，Bem，Manin，Lopez，JohnBrown，Garibaldi；itiseverywherewherethefutureisbeinglightedup，atBostonin1779，attheIsledeLeonin1820，atPesthin1848，atPalermoin1860，itwhispersthemightycountersign:Liberty，intheearoftheAmericanabolitionistsgroupedabouttheboatatHarper’sFerry，andintheearofthepatriotsofAnconaassembledintheshadow，totheArchibeforetheGozziinnontheseashore；itcreatesCanaris；
itcreatesQuiroga；itcreatesPisacane；itirradiatesthegreatonearth；itwaswhileproceedingwhitheritsbreathurgethem，thatByronperishedatMissolonghi，andthatMazetdiedatBarcelona；
itisthetribuneunderthefeetofMirabeau，andacraterunderthefeetofRobespierre；itsbooks，itstheatre，itsart，itsscience，itsliterature，itsphilosophy，arethemanualsofthehumanrace；
ithasPascal，Regnier，Corneille，Descartes，Jean—Jacques:Voltaireforallmoments，Moliereforallcenturies；itmakesitslanguagetobetalkedbytheuniversalmouth，andthatlanguagebecomestheword；
itconstructsinallmindstheideaofprogress，theliberatingdogmaswhichitforgesareforthegenerationstrustyfriends，anditiswiththesoulofitsthinkersanditspoetsthatallheroesofallnationshavebeenmadesince1789；thisdoesnotpreventvagabondism，andthatenormousgeniuswhichiscalledParis，whiletransfiguringtheworldbyitslight，sketchesincharcoalBouginier’snoseonthewallofthetempleofTheseusandwritesCredevillethethiefonthePyramids。
Parisisalwaysshowingitsteeth；whenitisnotscoldingitislaughing。
SuchisParis。Thesmokeofitsroofsformstheideasoftheuniverse。
Aheapofmudandstone，ifyouwill，but，aboveall，amoralbeing。
Itismorethangreat，itisimmense。Why？Becauseitisdaring。
Todare；thatisthepriceofprogress。
Allsublimeconquestsare，moreorless，theprizesofdaring。
InorderthattheRevolutionshouldtakeplace，itdoesnotsufficethatMontesquieushouldforeseeit，thatDiderotshouldpreachit，thatBeaumarchaisshouldannounceit，thatCondorcetshouldcalculateit，thatArouetshouldprepareit，thatRousseaushouldpremeditateit；
itisnecessarythatDantonshoulddareit。
Thecry:Audacity！isaFiatlux。Itisnecessary，forthesakeoftheforwardmarchofthehumanrace，thatthereshouldbeproudlessonsofcouragepermanentlyontheheights。Daringdeedsdazzlehistoryandareoneofman’sgreatsourcesoflight。
Thedawndareswhenitrises。Toattempt，tobrave，topersist，topersevere，tobefaithfultoone’sself，tograspfatebodily，toastoundcatastrophebythesmallamountoffearthatitoccasionsus，nowtoaffrontunjustpower，againtoinsultdrunkenvictory，toholdone’sposition，tostandone’sground；thatistheexamplewhichnationsneed，thatisthelightwhichelectrifiesthem。
ThesameformidablelightningproceedsfromthetorchofPrometheustoCambronne’sshortpipe。
CHAPTERXII
THEFUTURELATENTINTHEPEOPLE
AsfortheParisianpopulace，evenwhenamangrown，itisalwaysthestreetArab；topaintthechildistopaintthecity；anditisforthatreasonthatwehavestudiedthiseagleinthisarrantsparrow。
Itisinthefaubourgs，aboveall，wemaintain，thattheParisianraceappears；thereisthepureblood；thereisthetruephysiognomy；
therethispeopletoilsandsuffers，andsufferingandtoilarethetwofacesofman。Thereexistthereimmensenumbersofunknownbeings，amongwhomswarmtypesofthestrangest，fromtheporteroflaRapeetotheknackerofMontfaucon。Fexurbis，exclaimsCicero；
mob，addsBurke，indignantly；rabble，multitude，populace。Thesearewordsandquicklyuttered。Butsobeit。Whatdoesitmatter？
Whatisittomeiftheydogobarefoot！Theydonotknowhowtoread；
somuchtheworse。Wouldyouabandonthemforthat？Wouldyouturntheirdistressintoamalediction？Cannotthelightpenetratethesemasses？Letusreturntothatcry:Light！andletusobstinatelypersisttherein！Light！Light！Whoknowswhethertheseopacitieswillnotbecometransparent？Arenotrevolutionstransfigurations？
Come，philosophers，teach，enlighten，lightup，thinkaloud，speakaloud，hastenjoyouslytothegreatsun，fraternizewiththepublicplace，announcethegoodnews，spendyouralphabetslavishly，proclaimrights，singtheMarseillaises，sowenthusiasms，teargreenboughsfromtheoaks。Makeawhirlwindoftheidea。
Thiscrowdmayberenderedsublime。Letuslearnhowtomakeuseofthatvastconflagrationofprinciplesandvirtues，whichsparkles，burstsforthandquiversatcertainhours。Thesebarefeet，thesebarearms，theserags，theseignorances，theseabjectnesses，thesedarknesses，maybeemployedintheconquestoftheideal。
Gazepastthepeople，andyouwillperceivetruth。Letthatvilesandwhichyoutrampleunderfootbecastintothefurnace，letitmeltandseethethere，itwillbecomeasplendidcrystal，anditisthankstoitthatGalileoandNewtonwilldiscoverstars。
CHAPTERXIII
LITTLEGAVROCHE
Eightornineyearsaftertheeventsnarratedinthesecondpartofthisstory，peoplenoticedontheBoulevardduTemple，andintheregionsoftheChateau—d’Eau，alittleboyelevenortwelveyearsofage，whowouldhaverealizedwithtolerableaccuracythatidealofthegaminsketchedoutabove，if，withthelaughofhisageonhislips，hehadnothadaheartabsolutelysombreandempty。
Thischildwaswellmuffledupinapairofman’strousers，buthedidnotgetthemfromhisfather，andawoman’schemise，buthedidnotgetitfromhismother。Somepeopleorotherhadclothedhiminragsoutofcharity。Still，hehadafatherandamother。
Buthisfatherdidnotthinkofhim，andhismotherdidnotlovehim。
Hewasoneofthosechildrenmostdeservingofpity，amongall，oneofthosewhohavefatherandmother，andwhoareorphansnevertheless。
Thischildneverfeltsowellaswhenhewasinthestreet。
Thepavementswerelesshardtohimthanhismother’sheart。
Hisparentshaddespatchedhimintolifewithakick。
Hesimplytookflight。
Hewasaboisterous，pallid，nimble，wide—awake，jeering，lad，withavivaciousbutsicklyair。Hewentandcame，sang，playedathopscotch，scrapedthegutters，stolealittle，but，likecatsandsparrows，gaylylaughedwhenhewascalledarogue，andgotangrywhencalledathief。Hehadnoshelter，nobread，nofire，nolove；
buthewasmerrybecausehewasfree。
Whenthesepoorcreaturesgrowtobemen，themillstonesofthesocialordermeetthemandcrushthem，butsolongastheyarechildren，theyescapebecauseoftheirsmallness。Thetiniestholesavesthem。
Nevertheless，abandonedasthischildwas，itsometimeshappened，everytwoorthreemonths，thathesaid，"Come，I’llgoandseemamma！"
Thenhequittedtheboulevard，theCirque，thePorteSaint—Martin，descendedtothequays，crossedthebridges，reachedthesuburbs，arrivedattheSalpetriere，andcametoahalt，where？Preciselyatthatdoublenumber50—52withwhichthereaderisacquainted——
attheGorbeauhovel。
Atthatepoch，thehovel50—52generallydesertedandeternallydecoratedwiththeplacard:"Chamberstolet，"chancedtobe，ararething，inhabitedbynumerousindividualswho，however，asisalwaysthecaseinParis，hadnoconnectionwitheachother。
Allbelongedtothatindigentclasswhichbeginstoseparatefromthelowestofpettybourgeoisieinstraitenedcircumstances，andwhichextendsfrommiserytomiseryintothelowestdepthsofsocietydowntothosetwobeingsinwhomallthematerialthingsofcivilizationend，thesewer—manwhosweepsupthemud，andtheragpickerwhocollectsscraps。
The"principallodger"ofJeanValjean’sdaywasdeadandhadbeenreplacedbyanotherexactlylikeher。Iknownotwhatphilosopherhassaid:"Oldwomenareneverlacking。"
ThisnewoldwomanwasnamedMadameBourgon，andhadnothingremarkableaboutherlifeexceptadynastyofthreeparoquets，whohadreignedinsuccessionoverhersoul。
Themostmiserableofthosewhoinhabitedthehovelwereafamilyoffourpersons，consistingoffather，mother，andtwodaughters，alreadywellgrown，allfourofwhomwerelodgedinthesameattic，oneofthecellswhichwehavealreadymentioned。
Atfirstsight，thisfamilypresentednoveryspecialfeatureexceptitsextremedestitution；thefather，whenhehiredthechamber，hadstatedthathisnamewasJondrette。Sometimeafterhismovingin，whichhadborneasingularresemblancetotheentranceofnothingatall，toborrowthememorableexpressionoftheprincipaltenant，thisJondrettehadsaidtothewoman，who，likeherpredecessor，wasatthesametimeportressandstair—sweeper:"MotherSo—and—So，ifanyoneshouldchancetocomeandinquireforaPoleoranItalian，orevenaSpaniard，perchance，itisI。"
Thisfamilywasthatofthemerrybarefootboy。Hearrivedthereandfounddistress，and，whatisstillsadder，nosmile；
acoldhearthandcoldhearts。Whenheentered，hewasasked:
"Whencecomeyou？"Hereplied:"Fromthestreet。"Whenhewentaway，theyaskedhim:"Whitherareyougoing？"Hereplied:
"Intothestreets。"Hismothersaidtohim:"Whatdidyoucomeherefor？"
Thischildlived，inthisabsenceofaffection，likethepaleplantswhichspringupincellars。Itdidnotcausehimsuffering，andheblamednoone。Hedidnotknowexactlyhowafatherandmothershouldbe。
Nevertheless，hismotherlovedhissisters。
Wehaveforgottentomention，thatontheBoulevardduTemplethischildwascalledLittleGavroche。WhywashecalledLittleGavroche？
Probablybecausehisfather’snamewasJondrette。
Itseemstobetheinstinctofcertainwretchedfamiliestobreakthethread。
ThechamberwhichtheJondrettesinhabitedintheGorbeauhovelwasthelastattheendofthecorridor。ThecellnexttoitwasoccupiedbyaverypooryoungmanwhowascalledM。Marius。
LetusexplainwhothisM。Mariuswas。
BOOKSECOND。——THEGREATBOURGEOIS
CHAPTERI
NINETYYEARSANDTHIRTY—TWOTEETH
IntheRueBoucherat，RuedeNormandieandtheRuedeSaintongetherestillexistafewancientinhabitantswhohavepreservedthememoryofaworthymannamedM。Gillenormand，andwhomentionhimwithcomplaisance。Thisgoodmanwasoldwhentheywereyoung。
Thissilhouettehasnotyetentirelydisappeared——forthosewhoregardwithmelancholythatvagueswarmofshadowswhichiscalledthepast——
fromthelabyrinthofstreetsinthevicinityoftheTempletowhich，underLouisXIV。，thenamesofalltheprovincesofFrancewereappendedexactlyasinourday，thestreetsofthenewTivoliquarterhavereceivedthenamesofallthecapitalsofEurope；aprogression，bytheway，inwhichprogressisvisible。
M。Gillenormand，whowasasmuchaliveaspossiblein1831，wasoneofthosemenwhohadbecomecuriositiestobeviewed，simplybecausetheyhavelivedalongtime，andwhoarestrangebecausetheyformerlyresembledeverybody，andnowresemblenobody。
Hewasapeculiaroldman，andinverytruth，amanofanotherage，thereal，completeandratherhaughtybourgeoisoftheeighteenthcentury，whoworehisgood，oldbourgeoisiewiththeairwithwhichmarquisesweartheirmarquisates。Hewasoverninetyyearsofage，hiswalkwaserect，hetalkedloudly，sawclearly，drankneat，ate，slept，andsnored。Hehadallthirty—twoofhisteeth。
Heonlyworespectacleswhenheread。Hewasofanamorousdisposition，butdeclaredthat，forthelasttenyears，hehadwhollyanddecidedlyrenouncedwomen。Hecouldnolongerplease，hesaid；
hedidnotadd:"Iamtooold，"but:"Iamtoopoor。"Hesaid:
"IfIwerenotruined——Heee！"Allhehadleft，infact，wasanincomeofaboutfifteenthousandfrancs。Hisdreamwastocomeintoaninheritanceandtohaveahundredthousandlivresincomeformistresses。Hedidnotbelong，asthereaderwillperceive，tothatpunyvarietyofoctogenarieswho，likeM。deVoltaire，havebeendyingalltheirlife；hiswasnolongevityofacrackedpot；
thisjovialoldmanhadalwayshadgoodhealth。Hewassuperficial，rapid，easilyangered。Heflewintoapassionateverything，generallyquitecontrarytoallreason。Whencontradicted，heraisedhiscane；hebeatpeopleashehaddoneinthegreatcentury。
Hehadadaughteroverfiftyyearsofage，andunmarried，whomhechastisedseverelywithhistongue，wheninarage，andwhomhewouldhavelikedtowhip。Sheseemedtohimtobeeightyearsold。
Heboxedhisservants’earssoundly，andsaid:"Ah！carogne！"
Oneofhisoathswas:"Bythepantouflocheofthepantouflochade！"
Hehadsingularfreaksoftranquillity；hehadhimselfshavedeverydaybyabarberwhohadbeenmadandwhodetestedhim，beingjealousofM。Gillenormandonaccountofhiswife，aprettyandcoquettishbarberess。M。Gillenormandadmiredhisowndiscernmentinallthings，anddeclaredthathewasextremelysagacious；
hereisoneofhissayings:"Ihave，intruth，somepenetration；
Iamabletosaywhenafleabitesme，fromwhatwomanitcame。"
Thewordswhichheutteredthemostfrequentlywere:thesensibleman，andnature。Hedidnotgivetothislastwordthegrandacceptationwhichourepochhasaccordedtoit，buthemadeitenter，afterhisownfashion，intohislittlechimney—cornersatires:
"Nature，"hesaid，"inorderthatcivilizationmayhavealittleofeverything，givesitevenspecimensofitsamusingbarbarism。
EuropepossessesspecimensofAsiaandAfricaonasmallscale。
Thecatisadrawing—roomtiger，thelizardisapocketcrocodile。
Thedancersattheoperaarepinkfemalesavages。Theydonoteatmen，theycrunchthem；or，magiciansthattheyare，theytransformthemintooystersandswallowthem。TheCaribbeansleaveonlythebones，theyleaveonlytheshell。Suchareourmorals。Wedonotdevour，wegnaw；wedonotexterminate，weclaw。"
CHAPTERII
LIKEMASTER，LIKEHOUSE
HelivedintheMarais，RuedesFilles—du—Calvaire，No。6。
Heownedthehouse。Thishousehassincebeendemolishedandrebuilt，andthenumberhasprobablybeenchangedinthoserevolutionsofnumerationwhichthestreetsofParisundergo。Heoccupiedanancientandvastapartmentonthefirstfloor，betweenstreetandgardens，furnishedtotheveryceilingswithgreatGobelinsandBeauvaistapestriesrepresentingpastoralscenes；thesubjectsoftheceilingsandthepanelswererepeatedinminiatureonthearm—chairs。Heenvelopedhisbedinavast，nine—leavedscreenofCoromandellacquer。Long，fullcurtainshungfromthewindows，andformedgreat，brokenfoldsthatwereverymagnificent。
Thegardensituatedimmediatelyunderhiswindowswasattachedtothatoneofthemwhichformedtheangle，bymeansofastaircasetwelveorfifteenstepslong，whichtheoldgentlemanascendedanddescendedwithgreatagility。Inadditiontoalibraryadjoininghischamber，hehadaboudoirofwhichhethoughtagreatdeal，agallantandelegantretreat，withmagnificenthangingsofstraw，withapatternofflowersandfleurs—de—lysmadeonthegalleysofLouisXIV。andorderedofhisconvictsbyM。deVivonneforhismistress。M。Gillenormandhadinheriteditfromagrimmaternalgreat—aunt，whohaddiedacentenarian。Hehadhadtwowives。
Hismannersweresomethingbetweenthoseofthecourtier，whichhehadneverbeen，andthelawyer，whichhemighthavebeen。
Hewasgay，andcaressingwhenhehadamind。Inhisyouthhehadbeenoneofthosemenwhoarealwaysdeceivedbytheirwivesandneverbytheirmistresses，becausetheyare，atthesametime，themostsullenofhusbandsandthemostcharmingofloversinexistence。Hewasaconnoisseurofpainting。Hehadinhischamberamarvellousportraitofnooneknowswhom，paintedbyJordaens，executedwithgreatdashesofthebrush，withmillionsofdetails，inaconfusedandhap—hazardmanner。M。Gillenormand’sattirewasnotthehabitofLouisXIV。noryetthatofLouisXVI。；
itwasthatoftheIncroyablesoftheDirectory。Hehadthoughthimselfyounguptothatperiodandhadfollowedthefashions。
Hiscoatwasoflight—weightclothwithvoluminousrevers，alongswallow—tailandlargesteelbuttons。Withthisheworeknee—breechesandbuckleshoes。Healwaysthrusthishandsintohisfobs。
Hesaidauthoritatively:"TheFrenchRevolutionisaheapofblackguards。"
CHAPTERIII
LUC—ESPRIT
Attheageofsixteen，oneeveningattheopera，hehadhadthehonortobestaredatthroughopera—glassesbytwobeautiesatthesametime——ripeandcelebratedbeautiesthen，andsungbyVoltaire，theCamargoandtheSalle。Caughtbetweentwofires，hehadbeatenaheroicretreattowardsalittledancer，ayounggirlnamedNahenry，whowassixteenlikehimself，obscureasacat，andwithwhomhewasinlove。Heaboundedinmemories。Hewasaccustomedtoexclaim:
"Howprettyshewas——thatGuimard—Guimardini—Guimardinette，thelasttimeIsawheratLongchamps，herhaircurledinsustainedsentiments，withhercome—and—seeofturquoises，hergownofthecolorofpersonsnewlyarrived，andherlittleagitationmuff！"
HehadworninhisyoungmanhoodawaistcoatofNain—Londrin，whichhewasfondoftalkingabouteffusively。"IwasdressedlikeaTurkoftheLevantLevantin，"saidhe。MadamedeBoufflers，havingseenhimbychancewhenhewastwenty，haddescribedhimas"acharmingfool。"Hewashorrifiedbyallthenameswhichhesawinpoliticsandinpower，regardingthemasvulgarandbourgeois。
Hereadthejournals，thenewspapers，thegazettesashesaid，stiflingoutburstsoflaughterthewhile。"Oh！"hesaid，"whatpeopletheseare！Corbiere！Humann！CasimirPerier！
There’saministerforyou！Icanimaginethisinajournal:
`M。Gillenorman，minister！’thatwouldbeafarce。Well！Theyaresostupidthatitwouldpass"；hemerrilycalledeverythingbyitsname，whetherdecentorindecent，anddidnotrestrainhimselfintheleastbeforeladies。Heutteredcoarsespeeches，obscenities，andfilthwithacertaintranquillityandlackofastonishmentwhichwaselegant。
Itwasinkeepingwiththeunceremoniousnessofhiscentury。
Itistobenotedthattheageofperiphraseinversewastheageofcruditiesinprose。Hisgod—fatherhadpredictedthathewouldturnoutamanofgenius，andhadbestowedonhimthesetwosignificantnames:Luc—Esprit。
CHAPTERIV
ACENTENARIANASPIRANT
HehadtakenprizesinhisboyhoodattheCollegeofMoulins，wherehewasborn，andhehadbeencrownedbythehandoftheDucdeNivernais，whomhecalledtheDucdeNevers。NeithertheConvention，northedeathofLouisXVI。，northeNapoleon，northereturnoftheBourbons，noranythingelsehadbeenabletoeffacethememoryofthiscrowning。
TheDucdeNeverswas，inhiseyes，thegreatfigureofthecentury。
"Whatacharminggrandseigneur，"hesaid，"andwhatafineairhehadwithhisblueribbon！"
IntheeyesofM。Gillenormand，CatherinetheSecondhadmadereparationforthecrimeofthepartitionofPolandbypurchasing，forthreethousandroubles，thesecretoftheelixirofgold，fromBestucheff。
Hegrewanimatedonthissubject:"Theelixirofgold，"heexclaimed，"theyellowdyeofBestucheff，GeneralLamotte’sdrops，intheeighteenthcentury，——thiswasthegreatremedyforthecatastrophesoflove，thepanaceaagainstVenus，atonelouisthehalf—ouncephial。
LouisXV。senttwohundredphialsofittothePope。"Hewouldhavebeengreatlyirritatedandthrownoffhisbalance，hadanyonetoldhimthattheelixirofgoldisnothingbuttheperchlorideofiron。
M。GillenormandadoredtheBourbons，andhadahorrorof1789；
hewasforevernarratinginwhatmannerhehadsavedhimselfduringtheTerror，andhowhehadbeenobligedtodisplayavastdealofgayetyandclevernessinordertoescapehavinghisheadcutoff。
IfanyyoungmanventuredtopronounceaneulogiumontheRepublicinhispresence，heturnedpurpleandgrewsoangrythathewasonthepointofswooning。Hesometimesalludedtohisninetyyears，andsaid，"IhopethatIshallnotseeninety—threetwice。"
Ontheseoccasions，hehintedtopeoplethathemeanttolivetobeahundred。
CHAPTERV
BASQUEANDNICOLETTE
Hehadtheories。Hereisoneofthem:"Whenamanispassionatelyfondofwomen，andwhenhehashimselfawifeforwhomhecaresbutlittle，whoishomely，cross，legitimate，withplentyofrights，perchedonthecode，andjealousatneed，thereisbutonewayofextricatinghimselffromthequandryandofprocuringpeace，andthatistolethiswifecontrolthepurse—strings。Thisabdicationsetshimfree。Thenhiswifebusiesherself，growspassionatelyfondofhandlingcoin，getsherfingerscoveredwithverdigrisintheprocess，undertakestheeducationofhalf—sharetenantsandthetrainingoffarmers，convokeslawyers，presidesovernotaries，haranguesscriveners，visitslimbsofthelaw，followslawsuits，drawsupleases，dictatescontracts，feelsherselfthesovereign，sells，buys，regulates，promisesandcompromises，bindsfastandannuls，yields，concedesandretrocedes，arranges，disarranges，hoards，lavishes；shecommitsfollies，asupremeandpersonaldelight，andthatconsolesher。Whileherhusbanddisdainsher，shehasthesatisfactionofruiningherhusband。"
ThistheoryM。Gillenormandhadhimselfapplied，andithadbecomehishistory。Hiswife——thesecondone——hadadministeredhisfortuneinsuchamannerthat，onefineday，whenM。Gillenormandfoundhimselfawidower，thereremainedtohimjustsufficienttoliveon，bysinkingnearlythewholeofitinanannuityoffifteenthousandfrancs，three—quartersofwhichwouldexpirewithhim。
Hehadnothesitatedonthispoint，notbeinganxioustoleaveapropertybehindhim。Besides，hehadnoticedthatpatrimoniesaresubjecttoadventures，and，forinstance，becomenationalproperty；
hehadbeenpresentattheavatarsofconsolidatedthreepercents，andhehadnogreatfaithintheGreatBookofthePublicDebt。
"Allthat’stheRueQuincampois！"hesaid。HishouseintheRueFilles—du—Clavairebelongedtohim，aswehavealreadystated。
Hehadtwoservants，"amaleandafemale。"Whenaservantenteredhisestablishment，M。Gillenormandre—baptizedhim。Hebestowedonthementhenameoftheirprovince:Nimois，Comtois，Poitevin，Picard。
Hislastvaletwasabig，foundered，short—windedfellowoffifty—five，whowasincapableofrunningtwentypaces；but，ashehadbeenbornatBayonne，M。GillenormandcalledhimBasque。AllthefemaleservantsinhishousewerecalledNicolette（eventheMagnon，ofwhomweshallhearmorefartheron）。Oneday，ahaughtycook，acordonbleu，oftheloftyraceofporters，presentedherself。
"Howmuchwagesdoyouwantamonth？"askedM。Gillenormand。
"Thirtyfrancs。""Whatisyourname？""Olympie。""Youshallhavefiftyfrancs，andyoushallbecalledNicolette。"
CHAPTERVI
INWHICHMAGNONANDHERTWOCHILDRENARESEEN
WithM。Gillenormand，sorrowwasconvertedintowrath；hewasfuriousatbeingindespair。Hehadallsortsofprejudicesandtookallsortsofliberties。Oneofthefactsofwhichhisexteriorreliefandhisinternalsatisfactionwascomposed，was，aswehavejusthinted，thathehadremainedabriskspark，andthathepassedenergeticallyforsuch。Thishecalledhaving"royalrenown。"
Thisroyalrenownsometimesdrewdownuponhimsingularwindfalls。
Oneday，therewasbroughttohiminabasket，asthoughithadbeenabasketofoysters，astout，newlybornboy，whowasyellinglikethedeuce，anddulywrappedinswaddling—clothes，whichaservant—maid，dismissedsixmonthspreviously，attributedtohim。
M。Gillenormandhad，atthattime，fullycompletedhiseighty—fourthyear。Indignationanduproarintheestablishment。
Andwhomdidthatboldhussythinkshecouldpersuadetobelievethat？
Whataudacity！Whatanabominablecalumny！M。Gillenormandhimselfwasnotatallenraged。Hegazedatthebratwiththeamiablesmileofagoodmanwhoisflatteredbythecalumny，andsaidinanaside:
"Well，whatnow？What’sthematter？Youarefinelytakenaback，andreally，youareexcessivelyignorant。M。leDucd’Angouleme，thebastardofhisMajestyCharlesIX。，marriedasillyjadeoffifteenwhenhewaseighty—five；M。Virginal，Marquisd’Alluye，brothertotheCardinaldeSourdis，ArchbishopofBordeaux，had，attheageofeighty—three，bythemaidofMadamelaPresidenteJacquin，ason，arealchildoflove，whobecameaChevalierofMaltaandacounsellorofstate；oneofthegreatmenofthiscentury，theAbbeTabaraud，isthesonofamanofeighty—seven。Thereisnothingoutoftheordinaryinthesethings。Andthen，theBible！
UponthatIdeclarethatthislittlegentlemanisnoneofmine。
Lethimbetakencareof。Itisnothisfault。"Thismannerofprocedurewasgood—tempered。Thewoman，whosenamewasMagnon，senthimanotherparcelinthefollowingyear。Itwasaboyagain。
Thereupon，M。Gillenormandcapitulated。Hesentthetwobratsbacktotheirmother，promisingtopayeightyfrancsamonthfortheirmaintenance，ontheconditionthatthesaidmotherwouldnotdosoanymore。Headded:"Iinsistuponitthatthemothershalltreatthemwell。Ishallgotoseethemfromtimetotime。"
Andthishedid。Hehadhadabrotherwhowasapriest，andwhohadbeenrectoroftheAcademyofPoitiersforthreeandthirtyyears，andhaddiedatseventy—nine。"Ilosthimyoung，"saidhe。
Thisbrother，ofwhombutlittlememoryremains，wasapeaceablemiser，who，beingapriest，thoughthimselfboundtobestowalmsonthepoorwhomhemet，buthenevergavethemanythingexceptbadordemonetizedsous，therebydiscoveringameansofgoingtohellbywayofparadise。AsforM。Gillenormandtheelder，heneverhaggledoverhisalms—giving，butgavegladlyandnobly。
Hewaskindly，abrupt，charitable，andifhehadbeenrich，histurnofmindwouldhavebeenmagnificent。Hedesiredthatallwhichconcernedhimshouldbedoneinagrandmanner，evenhisrogueries。Oneday，havingbeencheatedbyabusinessmaninamatterofinheritance，inagrossandapparentmanner，heutteredthissolemnexclamation:"Thatwasindecentlydone！
Iamreallyashamedofthispilfering。Everythinghasdegeneratedinthiscentury，eventherascals。Morbleu！thisisnotthewaytorobamanofmystanding。Iamrobbedasthoughinaforest，butbadlyrobbed。Silva，sintconsuledignae！"Hehadhadtwowives，aswehavealreadymentioned；bythefirsthehadhadadaughter，whohadremainedunmarried，andbythesecondanotherdaughter，whohaddiedatabouttheageofthirty，whohadwedded，throughlove，orchance，orotherwise，asoldieroffortunewhohadservedinthearmiesoftheRepublicandoftheEmpire，whohadwonthecrossatAusterlitzandhadbeenmadecolonelatWaterloo。
"Heisthedisgraceofmyfamily，"saidtheoldbourgeois。
Hetookanimmenseamountofsnuff，andhadaparticularlygracefulmannerofpluckingathislacerufflewiththebackofonehand。
HebelievedverylittleinGod。