Itisspring—timeinVenice。Theoldbalconiesaregaywithflowers；
thenightingalesstopsingingtolistentotheserenades。
Therearesongstobeheardateverystreetcorner，musicinthewakeofeverygondola。Therearesweetperfumesandlove—sighsintheair。
ThedelightsoftheVenetiannightshadneverbeendescribedlikethis。
Theharmonyof"thethreeelements，water，skyandmarble，"
hadneverbeenbetterexpressed，andthecharmofVenicehadneverbeensuggestedinsosubtleand，penetratingamanner。
Thesecondlettertreatstooofthegondoliers，andoftheirhabitsandcustoms。
Thethirdletter，tellingusaboutthenobilityandthewomenofVenice，completestheimpression。JustasthePyreneeshadmovedGeorgeSand，soItalynowmovedher。Thiswasafreshacquisitionforherpalette。MorethanoncefromhenceforthVenicewastoserveherforthewonderfulsceneryofherstories。
Thisisbynomeansafreshnote，though，inGeorgeSand’swork。
Thereisnoessentialdifference，then，inherinspiration。
Shehadalwaysbeenimpressionable，buthertastewasnowgettingpurer。Musset，themostromanticofFrenchpoets，hadaneminentlyclassicaltaste。Inthe_LettresdeDupuisetCotonet_，hedefinedromanticismasanabuseofadjectives。
HewasofMadamedeLafayette’sopinion，thatawordtakenoutwasworthtwentypennies，andaphrasetakenouttwentyshillings。
Inacopyof_Indiana_hecrossedoutalltheuselessepithets。
Thismusthavemadeaconsiderabledifferencetothelengthofthebook。
GeorgeSandwastoobroad—mindedtobehurtbysuchcriticism，andshewasintelligentenoughtolearnalessonfromit。
Musset’stransformationwassingularlydeeper。WhenhestartedforVenice，hewastheyoungestandmostcharmingofpoets，fancifulandfulloffun。"Monsieurmongamind’Alfred，"
GeorgeSandcalledhimatthattime。Whenhereturnedfromthere，hewasthesaddestofpoets。Forsometimehewas，asitwere，stunned。Hisverysoulseemedtobeboweddownwithhisgrief。
Hewasastonishedatthechangehefeltinhimself，andhedidnotbyanymeanscourtanyfreshinspiration。
_J’aivu，letempsoumajeuxesse_
_Surmeslevresetaitsanscesse_
_Preteachantercommeunoiseau；_
_Maisj’aisouffertundurmartyre_
_Etlemoinsquej’enpourraisdire_，_Sijelessayaissuralyre_，_Labriseraitcommeunroseau_，hewrites。
Inthe_NuitdeMai_，theearliestofthesesongsofdespair，wehavethepoet’ssymbolofthepelicangivingitsentrailsasfoodtoitsstarvingyoung。Theonlysymbolsthatwegetinthispoetryaresymbolsofsadness，andtheseareattimesgiveninmagnificentfulnessofdetail。Wehavesolitudeinthe_Nuitdedecembre_，andthelabourerwhosehousehasbeenburntinthe_LettreaLamartine_。
The_Nuitd’aout_givesproofofawildefforttogivelifeanothertrial，butinthe_Auitd’octobre_angergetsthebetterofhimoncemore。
_Honteatoi，quilapremiereM’asapprislatrahison……！_
ThequestionhasoftenbeenaskedwhetherthepoetrefersheretothewomanhelovedinVenicebutitmatterslittlewhetherhedidornot。
Heonlysawherthroughthepersonagewhofromhenceforthsymbolized"woman"tohimandthesufferingwhichshemaycauseaman。Andyet，asthissufferingbecamelessintense，softenedasitwasbytime，hebegantodiscoverthebenefitofit。Hissoulhadexpanded，sothathewasnowincommunionwithallthatisgreatinNatureandinArt。Theharmonyofthesky，thesilenceofnight，themurmurofflowingwater，Petrarch，MichelAngelo，Shakespeare，allappealedtohim。Thedaycamewhenhecouldwrite：
_Unsouvenirheureuxestpeut—etresurterrePlusvraiquelebonheur_。
Thisistheonlyphilosophyforaconceptionoflifewhichtreatsloveaseverythingforman。Henotonlypardonsnow，butheisgrateful_Jeneveuxriensavoir，nisileschampsfleurissent，Nicequiladviendradi。，simulacrehumain，NisicesvastescieuxeclairerontdemainCequ’ilsensevelissent。heure，encelieu，Jemedisseulement：acetteUnjour，jefusaime，j’aimais，elleetaitbelle，JenfouiscetresordansmonameimmortelleEtjel’emporteaDieu。_
Thislovepoem，runningthroughallhewrotefromthe_NuitdeMai_
tothe_Souvenir_，isundoubtedlythemostbeautifulandthemostprofoundlyhumanofanythingintheFrenchlanguage。Thecharmingpoethadbecomeagreatpoet。Thatshockhadoccurredwithinhimwhichisfeltbythehumanbeingtotheverydepthsofhissoul，andmakesofhimanewcreature。Itisinthissensethatthetheoryoftheromanticists，withregardtotheeducativevirtuesofsuffering，istrue。Butitisnotonlysufferinginconnectionwithourloveaffairswhichhasthisspecialprivilege。Aftersomemisfortunewhichuproots，asitwere，ourlife，aftersomedisappointmentwhichdestroysourmoraledifice，theworldappearschangedtous。
Thewholenetworkofacceptedideasandofconventionalopinionsisbrokenasunder。Wefindourselvesindirectcontactwithreality，andtheshockmakesourtruenaturecometothefront……SuchwasthecrisisthroughwhichMussethadjustpassed。Themancameoutofitcrushedandbruised，butthepoetcamethroughittriumphant。
IthasbeeninsistedontoomuchthatGeorgeSandwasonlythereflectionofthemenwhohadapproachedher。InthecaseofMussetitwasthecontrary。Mussetowedhermorethansheowedtohim。
Shetransformedhimbytheforceofherstrongindividuality。
She，onthecontrary，onlyfoundinMussetachild，andwhatshewasseekingwasadominator。
Shethoughtshehaddiscoveredhimthisveryyear1835。
Thesixth_Lettred’unvoyageur_wasaddressedtoEverard。
ThisEverardwasconsideredbyhertobeasuperiorman。
HewassomuchabovetheaverageheightthatGeorgeSandadvisedhimtositdownwhenhewaswithothermen，aswhenstandinghewastoomuchabovethem。ShecompareshimtoAtlascarryingtheworld，andtoHerculesinalion’sskin。Butamongallhercomparisons，whensheisseekingtogivethemeasureofhissuperiority，withouteverreallysucceedinginthis，itisevidentthatthecomparisonsheprefersisthatofMariusatMinturnae。Hepersonifiesvirtuea_l’antique：_heistheRoman。
Letusnowconsidertowhomallthisflatterywasaddressed，andwhothisman，worthyofPlutarch’spen，was。HisnamewasMichel，andhewasanadvocateatBourges。Hewasonlythirty—
sevenyearsofage，buthelookedsixty。AfterSandeauandMusset，GeorgeSandhadhadenoughof"adolescents。"ShewasverymuchstruckwithMichel，ashelookedlikeanoldman。
Thesizeofhiscraniumwasremarkable，or，asshesaidofhiscraniums：
"Itseemedasthoughhehadtwocraniums，onejoinedtotheother。"
Shewrote："Thesignsofthesuperiorfacultiesofhismindwereasprominentattheprowofthisstrongvesselasthoseofhisgenerousinstinctsatthestern。"[21]Inordertounderstandthisdefinitionofthe"finephysique"byGeorgeSand，wemustrememberthatshewasverymuchtakenupwithphrenologyatthistime。
Oneofher_Lettresd’unvoyageur_wasentitledSur_LavateretsuruneMaisondeserte_。InalettertoMadamed’Agoult，GeorgeSandtellsthathergardenergavenoticetoleave，and，onaskinghimhisreason，thesimple—mindedmanreplied："Madamehassuchanuglyheadthatmywife，whoisexpecting，mightdieoffright。"
Theheadinquestionwasaskull，ananatomicalonewithcompartmentsallmarkedandnumbered，accordingtothesystemofGallandSpurzheim。
In1837，phrenologywasverymuchinfavour。In1910，itishypnotism，sowehavenorighttojudgetheinfatuationofanotherepoch。
[21]_Histoiredemavie_。
Michel’scraniumwasbald。Hewasshort，slight，hestooped，wasshort—sightedandworeglasses。ItisGeorgeSandwhogivesthesedetailsforhisportrait。Hewasbornofpeasantparents，andwasofJacobinsimplicity。Heworeathick，shapelessinvernessandsabots。Hefeltthecoldverymuch，andusedtoaskpermissiontoputonamufflerindoors。Hewouldthentakethreeorfouroutofhispocketsandputthemonhishead，oneovertheother。
Inthe_Lettred’unvoyageur_GeorgeSandmentionsthiscrownonEverard’shead。Sucharetheillusionsoflove。
ThefirsttimeshemetMichelwasatBourges。Shewentwithhertwofriends，PapetandFleury，tocallonhimatthehotel。
Fromseveno’clockuntilmidnightheneverceasedtalking。Itwasamagnificentnight，andheproposedawalkinthetownatmidnight。
Whentheycamebacktohisdoorheinsistedontakingthemhome，andsotheycontinuedwalkingbackwardsandforwardsuntilfourinthemorning。Hemusthavebeenaninveteratechatterertohaveclungtothispublicofthreepersonsatanhourwhenthegreatbuildings，withthemoonthrowingitswhitelightoverthemandeverythingaround，musthavesuggestedthemajestyofsilence。Topeoplewhowereamazedatthisirrepressibleeloquence，Michelansweredingenuously：
"Talkingisthinkingaloud。BythinkingaloudinthiswayIadvancemorequicklythanifIthoughtquietlybymyself。"ThiswasNumaRoumestan’sidea。"Asforme，"hesaid，"whenIamnottalking，Iamnotthinking。"Asamatteroffact，Michel，likeNuma，wasanativeofProvence。InParistherewasarepetitionofthisnocturnalandrovingscene。MichelandhisfriendshadcometoastandstillontheSaints—Peresbridge。TheycaughtsightoftheTuilerieslightedupforaball。Michelbecameexcited，and，strikingtheinnocentbridgeanditsparapetwithhisstick，heexclaimed："Itellyouthatifyouaretofreshenandrenewyourcorruptsociety，thisbeautifulriverwillfirsthavetoberedwithblood，thataccursedpalacewillhavetobereducedtoashes，andthehugecityyouarenowlookingatwillhavetobeabarestrandwherethefamilyofthepoormancanusetheploughandbuildacottagehome。"
Thiswasafinephraseforapublicmeeting，butperhapstoofineforaconversationbetweenfriendsontheSaints—Peresbridge。
Thiswasin1835，atthemostbrilliantmomentofMichel’scareer。
ItwaswhenhewastakingpartinthetrialoftheaccusedmenofApril。AftertheinsurrectionsoftheprecedingyearatLyonsandParis，agreattrialhadcommencedbeforetheChamberofPeers。
Wearetoldthat："TheRepublicanpartywasdeterminedtomakeuseofthecross—questioningoftheprisonersforaccusingtheGovernmentandforpreachingRepublicanismandSocialism。
TheideawastoinviteahundredandfiftynotedRepublicanstoParisfromallpartsofFrance。Intheirqualityofdefenders，theywouldbetheoratorsofthisgreatmanifestation。"
Barb’es，Blanqui，Flocon，Marie，Raspail，TrelatandMichelofBourgeswereamongtheseRepublicans。"Onthe11thofMay，therevolutionarynewspaperspublishedamanifestoinwhichthecommitteeforthedefencecongratulatedandencouragedtheaccusedmen。
Onehundredandtensignatureswereaffixedtothisdocument，whichwasaforgery。Ithadbeendrawnupbyafewoftheupholdersofthescheme，and，inordertomakeitappearmoreimportant，theyhadaffixedthenamesoftheircolleagueswithouttheirauthorization。
Thosewhohaddonethisthentookfright，andattemptedtogetoutofthedangerousadventurebyapublicavowal。Inordertosavethesituation，twooftheguiltyparty，TrelatandMichelofBourges，tooktheresponsibilityofthedrawingupofthemanifestoandtheappositionofthesignaturesuponthemselves。
TheyweresentencedbytheCourtofPeers，TrelattofouryearsofprisonandMicheltoamonth。"[22]Thiswasthemostshockinginequality，andMichelcouldnotforgiveTrelatforgettingsuchafinesentence。
[22]ThureauDangin，_HistoiredelaMonarchiedeJuillet_，II。297。
Whatgoodwasonemonthofprison？Michel’scareercertainlyhadbeenaveryordinaryone。Hehesitatedandtackedabout。
Inaword，hewasjustapolitician。GeorgeSandtellsusthathewasobliged"toaccept，intheory，whathecalledthenecessitiesofpurepolitics，ruse，charlatanismandevenuntruth，concessionsthatwerenotsincere，alliancesinwhichhedidnotbelieve，andvainpromises。"Weshouldsaythathewasaradicalopportunist。
Tobemerelyanopportunist，though，isnotenoughforensuringsuccess。
Therearedifferentwaysofbeinganopportunist。MichelhadbeenelectedaDeputy，buthehadno_role_toplay。In1848，hecouldnotcompetewiththebrilliancyofRaspail，norhadhetheprestigeofFlocon。Hewentintotheshadecompletelyafterthe_coupd’etat_。
Foralongtimehehadreallypreferredbusinesstopolitics，andachoicemustbemadewhenoneisnotamemberoftheGovernment。
ItiseasytoseewhatcharmedGeorgeSandinMichel。Hewasasectarian，andshetookhimforanapostle。Hewasbrutal，andshethoughthimenergetic。Hehadbeenbadlybroughtup，butshethoughthimsimplyaustere。Hewasatyrant，butsheonlysawinhimamaster。
Hehadtoldherthathewouldhaveherguillotinedatthefirstpossibleopportunity。Thiswasanincontestableproofofsuperiority。
Shewassincereherself，andwascon—
sequentlynotonherguardagainstvainboasting。Hehadalarmedher，andsheadmiredhimforthis，andatonceincarnatedinhimthatstoicalidealofwhichshehadbeendreamingforyearsandhadnotyetbeenabletoattributetoanyoneelse。
ThisishowsheexplainedtoMichelherreasonsforlovinghim。
"Iloveyou，"shesays，"becausewheneverIfiguretomyselfgrandeur，wisdom，strengthandbeauty，yourimagerisesupbeforeme。
Noothermanhaseverexercisedanymoralinfluenceoverme。
Mymind，whichhasalwaysbeenwildandunfettered，hasneveracceptedanyguidance……Youcame，andyouhavetaughtme。"
Thenagainshesays："ItisyouwhomIlove，whomIhavelovedeversinceIwasborn，andthroughallthephantomsinwhomIthought，foramoment，thatIhadfoundyou。"Accordingtothis，itwasMichelshelovedthroughMusset。Letushopethatshewasmistaken。
AwholecorrespondenceexistsbetweenGeorgeSandandMichelofBourges。
Partofitwaspublishednotlongagointhe_Revueillustree_underthetitleof_Lettresdelemmze_。NoneofGeorgeSand’sletterssurpasstheseepistlestoMichelforferventpassion，beautyofform，andakindofsuperb_impudeur_。Letustake，forinstance，thiscalltoherbeloved。GeorgeSand，afteranightofwork，complainsoffatigue，hungerandcold："Oh，mylover，"shecries，"appear，and，liketheearthonthereturnoftheMaysunshine，Ishouldbereanimated，andwouldflingoffmyshroudoficeandthrillwithlove。Thewrinklesofsufferingwoulddisappearfrommybrow，andIshouldseembeautifulandyoungtoyou，forIshouldleapwithjoyintoyourironstrongarms。Come，come，andIshallhavestrength，health，youth，gaiety，hope……Iwillgoforthtomeetyoulikethebrideofthesong，`toherwell—beloved。’"
TheWell—belovedtowhomthisShulamitewouldhastenwasabald—headedprovinciallawyerwhoworespectaclesandthreemufflers。Butitappearsthathis"beauty，veiledandunintelligibletothevulgar，revealeditself，likethatofJupiterhiddenunderhumanform，tothewomenwhomheloved。"
Wemustnotsmileatthesemythologicalcomparisons。GeorgeSandhad，asitwere，restoredforherselfthatconditionofsoultowhichtheancientmythsaredue。Agreatcurrentofnaturalistpoetrycirculatesthroughthesepages。InTheocritusandinRousardtherearecertaindescriptivepassages。ThereisananalogybetweenthemandthatimageofthehorsewhichcarriesGeorgeSandalongonherimpetuouscourse。
"Assoonashecatchessightofme，hebeginstopawthegroundandrearimpatiently。Ihavetrainedhimtoclearahundredfathomsasecond。Theskyandthegrounddisappearwhenhebearsmealongunderthoselongvaultsformedbytheapple—treesinblossom……
Theleastsoundofmyvoicemakeshimboundlikeaball；thesmallestbirdmakeshimshudderandhurryalonglikeachildwithnoexperience。
Heisscarcelyfiveyearsold，andheistimidandrestive。
Hisblackcruppershinesinthesunshinelikearaven’swing。"
Thisdescriptionhasallthereliefofanantiquefigure。
Anothertime，GeorgeSandtellshowshehasseenPhoebusthrowoffherrobeofcloudsandrushalongradiantintothepuresky。
Thefollowingdayshewrites："Shewaseatenbytheevilspirits。
ThedarkspritesfromErebus，ridingonsombre—lookingclouds，threwthemselvesonher，anditwasinvainthatshestruggled。"
WemightcomparethesepassageswithaletterofJuly10，1836，inwhichshetellshowshethrowsherself，alldressedassheis，intotheIndre，andthencontinueshercoursethroughthesunnymeadows，andwithwhatvoluptuousnesssherevelsinallthejoysofprimitivelife，andimaginesherselflivinginthebeautifultimesofancientGreece。TherearedaysandpageswhenGeorgeSand，undertheaffluxofphysicallife，ispagan。Hergeniusthenisthatofthegreenwooddivinities，who，atcertaintimesoftheyear，wereintoxicatedbytheodourofthemeadowsandthesapofthewoods。
Ifsomedayweweretohavehercompletecorrespondencegiventous，IshouldnotbesurprisedifmanypeoplepreferredittoherletterstoMusset。Inthefirstplace，itisnotspoiledbythatpreoccupationwhichtheVenicelovershad，ofwritingliterature。
Mingledwiththeaccentsofsincerepassion，wedonotfindextraordinaryconceptionsofparadoxicalmetaphysics。ItisNaturewhichspeaksintheseletters，andforthatveryreasontheyarenonethelesssorrowful。They，too，tellusofaveritablemartyrdom。
WecaneasilyimaginefromthemthatMichelwascoarse，despotic，faithlessandjealous。Weknow，too，thatmorethanonceGeorgeSandcameverynearlosingallpatiencewithhim，sothatwecansympathizewithherwhenshewrotetoMadamed’AgoultinJuly，1836：
"Ihavehad，myfillofgreatmen（excusetheexpression）……
IprefertoseethemallinPlutarch，astheywouldnotthencausemeanysufferingonthehumanside。Maytheyallbecarvedinmarbleorcastinbronze，butmayIhearnomoreaboutthem！"_Amen_。
WhatdisgustedGeorgeSandwithherMichelwashisvanityandhiscravingforadulation。InJuly，1837，shehadcometotheendofherpatience，asshewrotetoGirerd。Itwasoneofherpeculiaritiestoalwaystakeathirdpersonintoherconfidence。
AtthetimeofSandeau，thisthirdpersonwasEmileRegnault；
atthetimeofMusset，Sainte—Beuve，andnowitwasGirerd。
"Iamtiredoutwithmyowndevotion，andIhavefoughtagainstmypridewithallthestrengthofmylove。Ihavehadnothingbutingratitudeandhardnessasmyrecompense。Ihavefeltmylovedyingawayandmysoulbeingcrushed，butIamcuredatlast……"
Ifonlyshehadhadallthissufferingforthesakeofagreatman，butthistimeitwasonlyinimaginarygreatman。
Theinfluence，though，thathehadhadoverherthoughtwasreal，andinacertainwaybeneficial。
AtthebeginningshewasfarfromsharingMichel’sideas，andforsomeofthemshefeltanaversionwhichamountedtohorror。
Thedogmaofabsoluteequalityseemedanabsurditytoher。
TheRepublic，orratherthevariousrepublicstheningestation，appearedtoherasortofUtopia，andasshesaweachofherfriendsmaking"hisownlittleRepublic"forhimself，shehadnotmuchfaithinthevirtueofthatformofgovernmentforunitingallFrenchpeople。
OnepointshockedheraboveallothersinMichel’stheories。
Thispoliticiandidnotlikeartists。JustastheRevolutiondidnotfindchemistsnecessary，heconsideredthattheRepublicdidnotneedwriters，paintersandmusicians。Thesewerealluselessindividuals，andtheRepublicwouldgivethemalittlesurprisebyputtingalabourer’sspadeorashoemaker’sawlintotheirhands。GeorgeSandconsideredthisideanotonlybarbarous，butsilly。
Timeworkswonders，forwehaveanindisputableproofthatcertainofhisopinionssoonbecamehers。ThisproofistheRepublicancatechismcontainedinherletterstohersonMaurice，whowasthentwelveyearsofage。HewasattheLyceeHenriIV，inthesameclassastheprincesofOrleans。Itisinterestingtoreadwhathismothersaystohimconcerningthefatherofhisyoungschoolfriends。
Inaletter，writteninDecember，1835，shesays："ItiscertainlytruethatLouis—Philippeistheenemyofhumanity……"Nothinglessthanthat！Alittlelater，theenemyofhumanityinvitestheyoungfriendsofhissonMontpensiertohis_chateau_forthecarnivalholiday。
Mauriceisallowedtoaccepttheinvitation，ashewishesto，butheistoavoidshowingthatgratitudewhichdestroysindependence。
"TheentertainmentsthatMontpensieroffersyouarefavours，"
writesthismotheroftheGracchiquitegravely。Ifheisaskedabouthisopinions，thechildistoreplythatheisrathertooyoungtohaveopinionsyet，butnottooyoungtoknowwhatopinionshewillhavewhenheisfreetohavethem。"Youcanreply，"
sayshismother，"thatyouareRepublicanbyraceandbynature。"
Shethenaddsafewaphorisms。"Princesareournaturalenemies，"
shesays；andthenagain："Howevergood—heartedthechildofakingmaybe，heisdestinedtobeatyrant。"Allthisiscertainlyagreatcommotiontomakeaboutherlittlesonacceptingaglassoffruitsyrupandafewcakesatthehouseofaschoolfellow。
ButGeorgeSandwasthenunderthedominationof"Robespierreinperson。"
MichelhadbroughtGeorgeSandovertorepublicanism。Withoutwishingtoexaggeratetheservicehehadrenderedherbythis，itappearstomethatitcertainlywasone，ifwelookatitinoneway。
Rightlyorwrongly，GeorgeSandhadseeninMichelthemanwhodevoteshimselfentirelytoacauseofgeneralinterest。
Shehadlearntsomethinginhisschool，andperhapsallthemorethoroughlybecauseitwasinhisschool。Shehadlearntthatloveisinanycaseaselfishpassion。Shehadlearntthatanotherobjectmustbegiventotheforcesofsympathyofagenerousheart，andthatsuchanobjectmaybetheserviceofhumanity，devotiontoanidea。
Thiswasaturnintheroad，andledthewriterontoleavethepersonalstylefortheimpersonalstyle。
Therewasanotherservice，too，whichMichelhadrenderedtoGeorgeSand。Hehadpleadedforherinherpetitionforseparationfromherhusband，andshehadwonhercase。
EversinceGeorgeSandhadtakenbackherindependencein1831，herintercoursewithDudevanthadnotbeendisagreeable。Sheandherhusbandexchangedcordialletters。WhenhecametoParis，hemadenoattempttostaywithhiswife，lestheshouldinconvenienceher。
"IshallputupatHippolyte’s，"hesaysinhislettertoher。
"Idonotwanttoinconvenienceyouintheleast，nortobeinconveniencedmyself，whichisquitenatural。"Hecertainlywasamostdiscreethusband。WhenshestartedforItaly，hebegshertotakeadvantageofsogoodanopportunityforseeingsuchabeautifulcountry。Hewasalsoahusbandreadytogivegoodadvice。
Lateron，heinvitedPagellotospendalittletimeatNohant。
Thiswascertainlytheclimaxinthisstrangestory。
Duringthemonths，though，thatthehusbandandwifeweretogether，againatNohant，thescenesbeganoncemore。Dudevant’sirritabilitywasincreasedbythefactthathewasalwaysshortofmoney，andthathewasawareofhisowndeplorableshortcomingsasafinancialadministrator。Hehadmadespeculationswhichhadbeendisastrous。
Hewasverycredulous，assomanysuspiciouspeopleare，andhehadbeendupedbyaswindlerinanaffairofmaritimearmaments。
Hehadhadallthemorefaithinthisenterprisebecauseapictureoftheboathadbeenshownhimonpaper。Hehadspentninetythousandfrancsofthehundredthousandhehadhad，andwasnowlivingonhiswife’sincome。Somethinghadtobedecidedupon。
GeorgeSandpaidhisdebtsfirst，andthehusbandandwifethensignedanagreementtotheeffectthattheirrespectivepropertyshouldbeseparated。Dudevantregrettedhavingsignedthisafterwards，anditwastornupafteraviolentscenewhichtookplacebeforewitnessesinOctober，1835。ThepretextofthisscenehadbeenanordergiventoMaurice。Inaseriesofletters，whichhaveneverhithertobeenpublished，GeorgeSandrelatesthevariousincidentsofthisaffair。Wegivesomeofthemoreimportantpassages。
Thefollowingletteristoherhalf—brotherHippolyte，whousedtobeCasimir’sdrinkingcompanion。
_"ToHippolyteChatiron。_
"Myfriend，Iamabouttotellyousomenewswhichwillreachyouindirectly，andthatyouhadbetterhearfirstfromme。
Insteadofcarryingoutouragreementpleasantlyandloyally，Casimirisactingwiththemostinsaneanimositytowardsme。
Withoutmygivinghimanyreasonforsuchathing，eitherbymyconductormymanneroftreatinghim，heendeavouredtostrikeme。
Hewaspreventedbyfivepersons，oneofwhomwasDutheil，andhethenfetchedhisguntoshootme。Asyoucanimagine，hewasnotallowedtodothis。
"Onaccountofsuchtreatmentandofhishatred，whichamountstomadness，thereisnosafetyformeinahousetowhichhealwayshastherighttocome。Ihavenoguarantee，excepthisownwillandpleasure，thathewillkeepouragreement，andIcannotremainatthemercyofamanwhobehavessounreasonablyandindelicatelytome。
Ihavethereforedecidedtoaskforalegalseparation，andIshallnodoubtobtainthis。CasimirmadethisfrightfulscenetheeveningbeforeleavingforParis。Onhisreturnhere，hefoundthehouseempty，andmestayingatDutheil’s，bypermissionofthePresidentofLaChatre。Healsofoundasummonsawaitinghimonthemantelshelf。
Hehadtomakethebestofit，forheknewitwasnouseattemptingtofightagainsttheresultofhisownfolly，andthat，byholdingout，thescandalwouldallfallonhim。Hemadethefollowingstipulations，promisingtoadheretothem。Duthellwasourintermediary。
Iamtoallowhimapensionof3，800francs，which，withthe1，200
francsincomethathenowhas，willmake5，000francsayearforhim。
Ithinkthisisallstraightforward，asIampayingfortheeducationofthetwochildren。Mydaughterwillremainundermyguidance，asIunderstand。Mysonwillremainatthecollegewherehenowisuntilhehasfinishedhiseducation。Duringtheholidayshewillspendamonthwithhisfatherandamonthwithme。Inthisway，therewillbenocontest。DudevantwillreturntoParisverysoon，withoutmakinganyopposition，andtheCourtwillpronouncetheseparationindefault。"[23]
[23]CommunicatedbyM。S。Rocheblave。
ThefollowingamusingletteronthesamesubjectwaswrittenbyGeorgeSandtoAdolpheDuplombinthe_patois_peculiartoBerry：
"DEARHYDROGEN，"YouhavebeenmisinformedaboutwhattookplaceatLaChatre。
DuthellneverquarrelledwiththeBaronofNohant—Vic。Thisisthetruestory。Thebarontookitintohisheadtostrikeme。
Dutheilobjected。FleuryandPapetalsoobjected。Thebaronwenttosearchforhisguntokilleveryone。Everyonedidnotwanttobekilled，andsothebaronsaid：`Well，that’senoughthen，’
andbegantodrinkagain。Thatwashowitallhappened。Noonequarrelledwithhim。ButIhadhadenough。AsIdonotcaretoearnmylivingandthenleave_mysubstance_inthehandsofthe_diable_
andbebowedoutofthehouseeveryyear，whilethevillagehussiessleepinmybedsandbringtheirfleasintomyhouse，Ijustsaid：
`Iain’tgoingtohaveanymoreofthat，’andIwentandfoundthebigjudgeofLaChatre，andIsays，saysI：`That’showitis。’
Andthenhesays，sayshe：`Allright。’Andsoheunmarriedus。
AndIamnotsorry。Theysaythatthebaronwillmakeanappeal。
Iain’tknowin’。Weshallsee。Ifhedoes，he’llloseeverything。
Andthat’sthewholestory。"[24]
[24]CommunicatedbyM。CharlesDuplomb。
ThecasewaspleadedinMarch，1836，atLaChatre，andinJulyatBourges。TheCourtgrantedtheseparation，andthecareofthechildrenwasattributedtoGeorgeSand。
Thiswasnottheendoftheaffair，though。InSeptember，1837，GeorgeSandwaswarnedthatDudevantintendedtogetMauriceawayfromher。ShesentafriendonwhomshecouldcounttotakeherboytoFontainebleau，andthenwentherselftowatchoverhim。
Inthemeantime，Dudevant，notfindinghissonatNohant，tookSolangeawaywithhim，inspiteofthechild’stearsandtheresistanceofthegoverness。GeorgeSandgavenoticetothepolice，and，ondiscoveringthatherlittledaughterwassequesteredatGuillery，nearNerac，shewentherselfinapost—chaisetothesub—prefect，acharmingyoungman，whowasnootherthanBaronHauss—
mann。Onhearingthestory，hewenthimselfwithher，and，accompaniedbythelieutenantoftheconstabularyandthesheriff’sofficeronhorseback，laidsiegetothehouseatGuilleryinwhichtheyounggirlwasimprisoned。Dudevantbroughthisdaughtertothedoorandhandedherovertohermother，threateningatthesametimetotakeMauricefromherbylegalauthority。
Thehusbandandwifethenseparated……delightedwitheachother，accordingtoGeorgeSand。Theyveryrarelymetafterthisaffair。
Dudevantcertainlydidnotimpresspeopleveryfavourably。
Aftertheseparation，whenmatterswerebeingfinallysettled，heputinaclaimforfifteenpotsofjamandanironfrying—pan。
Allthisseemsverypetty。
ThefirstuseGeorgeSandmadeofthelibertygrantedtoherbythelaw，in1836，wastostartoffwithMauriceandSolangeforSwitzerlandtojoinherfriendsFranzLisztandtheComtessed’Agoult。GeorgeSandhadmadeLiszt’sacquaintancethroughMusset。
Lisztgavemusic—lessonstoAlfred’ssister，Herminie。Hewasbornin1811，sothathewassevenyearsyoungerthanGeorgeSand。
Hewastwenty—threeatthetimehefirstmether，andtheirfriendshipwasalwaysplatonc。Theyhadremarkableaffinitiesofnature。
Liszthadfirstthoughtofbecomingapriest。Hisreligiousfervourwasgraduallytransformedintoanardentloveofhumanity。
Hisearlyeducationhadbeenneglected，andhenowreadeagerly。
HeonceaskedMonsieurCremieux，theadvocate，toteachhim"thewholeofFrenchliterature。"Onrelatingthistosomeone，Cremieuxremarked："Greatconfusionseemstoreigninthisyoungman’smind。"Hehadbeenwildlyexcitedduringthemovementof1830，greatlyinfluencedbytheSaint—Simonideas，andwasrousedtoenthusiasmbyLamennals，whohadjustpublishedthe_Parolesd’unCroyant_。
AfterreadingLeoneLeoni，hebecameanadmirerofGeorgeSand。
LeoneLeoniisatranspositionofManonLescautintotheromanticstyle。
AyounggirlnamedJuliettehasbeenseducedbyayoungseigneur，andthendiscoversthatthismanisanabominableswindler。
Ifwetrytoimaginealltheinfamousthingsofwhichan_apache_
wouldbecapable，whoatthesametimeisdevotedtothewomenofthepavement，wethenhaveLeoneLeoni。Juliette，whoisnaturallyhonestandstraightforward，hasahorrorofalltheatrocitiesandshamefulthingsshesees。Andyet，inspiteofall，shecomesbacktoLeoneLeoni，andcannotloveanyoneelse。
Herloveisstrongerthansheis，andherpassionsweepsawayallscruplesandtriumphsoverallscruples。Thedifferencebetweenthenoveloftheeighteenthcentury，whichwassotruetolife，andthislyricalfantasyofthenineteenthcenturyisveryevident。
ManonandDesGrieuxalwaysremainedunitedtoeachother，fortheywereofequalvalue。Everythingtookplaceinthelowerdepthsofsociety，andinthemire，asitwere，oftheheart。YouhaveonlytomakeagoodmanofDesGrieux，oravirtuousgirlofManon，anditisallover。
ThetransposingofLeoneLeoniisjustthis，andtheromanticismofitdelightedLiszt。
Hehadjustgivenafineexampleofapplyingromanticismtolife。
Maried’Agoult，_nee_deFlavigny，haddecided，onefineday，toleaveherhusbandanddaughterforthesakeofthepassionthatwaseverythingtoher。SheaccordinglystartedforGeneva，andLisztjoinedherthere。
Betweenthesetwowomenafriendshipsprangup，whichwasduerathertoawishtolikeeachotherthantoarealattractionorrealfellow—feeling。TheComtessed’Agoult，withherblueeyes，herslenderfigure，andsomewhatetherealstyle，wasaveritableDiana，anaristocratandasocietywoman。GeorgeSandwasherexactopposite。
ButtheComtessed’Agoulthadjust"sacrificedallthevanitiesoftheworldforthesakeofanartist，"sothatshedeservedconsideration。
ThestayatGenevawasgayandanimated。The_Piffoels_（GeorgeSandandherchildren）andthe_Fellows_（Lisztandhispupil，HermannCohen）enjoyedscandalizingthewholehotelbytheirBohemianways。Theywentforanexcursiontothefrozenlake。
AtLausanneLisztplayedtheorgan。OnreturningtoParisthefriendsdidnotwanttoseparate。InOctober，1836，GeorgeSandtookupherabodeonthefirstflooroftheHoteldeFrance，intheRueLaffitte，andLisztandtheCorntessed’Agoulttookaroomonthefloorabove。Thetrioshared，adrawing—roombetweenthem，butinrealityitbecamemoretheComtessed’Agoult’s_salon_thanGeorgeSand’s。Lamennais，HenriHeine，Mickiewicz，MichelofBourgesandCharlesDidierwereamongtheirvisitors，andwearetoldthatthis_salon_，improvisedinahotelwas"areunionofthe_elite_，overwhichtheComtessed’Agoultpresidedwithexquisitegrace。"
Shewasatruesocietywoman，averitablemistressofherhome，oneofthosewhocouldtransformaroominahotel，atravellingcarriage，orevenaprisonintothatexquisitething，sodeartoFrenchpolitesocietyofyore——a_salon_。
Amongthe_habitues_ofMadamed’Agoult’s_salon_wasChopin。
ThisisanewchapterinGeorgeSand’slife，andalittlelateronweshallbeabletoconsider，asawhole，theimportanceofthisintercoursewithgreatartistsasregardsherintellectualdevelopment。
Beforefinishingourstudyofthisepochinherlife，wemustnoticehowmuchGeorgeSand’stalenthaddevelopedandblossomedout。
_Mauprat_waspublishedin1837，andisundoubtedlythefirstofher_chefs—d’oeuvre_。Inheruninterruptedliteraryproduction，whichcontinuedregularlyinspiteofandthroughallthestormsofherprivatelife，thereismuchthatisstrangeandsecond—rateandmuchthatisexcellent。_Jacques_isanextraordinarypieceofwork。ItwaswrittenatVenicewhenshewaswithPagello。
GeorgeSanddeclaredthatshehadneitherputherselfnorMussetintothisbook。Shewasneverthelessinspiredbytheircase，andshemerelytransposedtheiridealofrenunciation。
_Andre_maybeclassedamongthesecond—ratework。Itisthestoryofayoungnoblewhoseducesagirloftheworking—class。ItisasouvenirofBerry，writteninahome—sickmoodwhenGeorgeSandwasatVenice。_Simon_alsobelongstothesecond—ratecategory。
TheportraitofMichelofBourgescaneasilybetracedinit。
GeorgeSandhadintendeddoingmoreforMichelthanthis。
Shecomposedarevolutionarynovelinthreevolumes，inhishonour，entitled：_Engelwaldwiththehighforehead_。
Bulozneithercaredfor_Engelwald_norforhishighforehead，andthisnovelwasneverpublished。
AccordingtoGeorgeSand，whenshewrote_Mauprat_herideawastherehabilitationofmarriage。"Ihadjustbeenpetitioningforaseparation，"shesays。Ihad，untilthen，beenfightingagainsttheabusesofmarriage，and，asIhadneverdevelopedmyideassufficiently，IhadgiveneveryonethenotionthatI
despisedtheessentialprinciplesofit。Onthecontrary，marriagereallyappearedtomeinallthemoralbeautyofthoseprinciples，andinmybookImakemyhero，attheageofeighty，proclaimhisfaithfulnesstotheonlywomanhehaseverloved。"
"SheistheonlywomanIhaveeverloved，"saysBernarddeMauprat。
"Nootherwomanhaseverattractedmyattentionorbeenembracedbyme。Iamlikethat。WhenIlove，Iloveforever，inthepast，inthepresentandinthefuture。"
_Mauprat_，then，accordingtoGeorgeSand，wasanovelwithapurpose，justas_Indiana_was，althoughtheyeachhadanoppositepurpose。
Fortunatelyitisnothingofthekind。Thisisoneofthoseexplanationsarrangedafterwards，peculiarsometimestoauthors。
Therealityaboutallthisisquitedifferent。
InthisbookGeorgeSandhadjustgiventhereinstoherimagination，withoutallowingsociologicalpreoccupationstospoileverything。
DuringherexcursionsinBerry，shehadstoppedtogazeattheruinsofanoldfeudalcastle。Weallknowthepowerofsuggestioncontainedinthoseoldstones，andhowwonderfullytheytellstoriesofthepasttheyhavewitnessedtothosepersonswhoknowhowtoquestionthem。
Theremembranceofthe_chateau_ofRocheMaupratcametothemindofthenovelist。ShesawitjustasitstoodbeforetheRevolution，afortress，andatthesametimearefugeforthewildlordandhiseightsons，whousedtosallyforthandravagethecountry。
InFrenchnarrativeliteraturethereisnothingtosurpassthefirsthundredpagesinwhichGeorgeSandintroducesustotheburgravesofcentralFrance。SheisjustashappywhenshetakesustoPariswithBernarddeMauprat，toParisofthelastdaysoftheold_regime_。Sheintroducesustothesocietywhichshehadlearnttoknowthroughthetraditionsofhergrandmother。
ItisnotonlyNature，buthistory，whichsheusesasasettingforherstory。Howcleverly，too，shetreatstheanalysiswhichisthetruesubjectofthebook，thatofeducationthroughlove。
WeseetheuntamednatureofBernarddeMaupratgraduallygivingwayundertheinfluenceofthenobleanddeliciousEdmee。
Therearetypicalpeasants，too，in_Mauprat_。WehaveMarcasse，themole—catcher，andPatience，thegood—naturedPatience，therusticphilosopher，wellupinEpictetusandinJean—JacquesRousseau，whohasgoneintothewoodstolivehislifeaccordingtothelawsofNatureandtofindthewisdomoftheprimitivedaysoftheworld。
Wearetoldthat，duringtheRevolution，Patiencewasasortofintermediarybetweenthe_chateau_andthecottage，andthathehelpedinbringingaboutthereignofequityinhisdistrict。
Itistobehopedthiswasso。
Inanycase，itisverycertainthatwecomeacrossthisPatienceagaininRussiannovelswithanameendingin_ow_or_ew_。
Thisisaproofthatifthepersonageseemssomewhatimpossible，hewasatanyrateoriginal，newandentertaining。
WehearpeoplesaythatGeorgeSandisnolongerread。Itistobehopedthat_Mauprat_isstillread，otherwiseourmodernreadersmissoneofthefineststoriesinthehistoryofnovels。This，then，isthepointatwhichwehavearrivedintheevolutionofGeorgeSand’sgenius。Theremaystillbemodificationsinherstyle，andhertalentmaystillberefreshedundervariousinfluences，butwith_Mauprat_shetookherplaceinthefirstrankofgreatstorytellers。}
VI
ACASEOFMATERNALAFFECTIONINLOVE
CHOPIN
WehavepassedoverGeorgeSand’sintercoursewithLisztandMadamed’Agoultveryrapidly。OneofBalzac’snovelsgivesusanopportunityofsayingafewmorewordsaboutit。
BalzachadbeenintroducedtoGeorgeSandbyJulesSandeau。Atthetimeofherrupturewithhisfriend，Balzachadsidedentirelywithhim。
Inthe_Lettresal’Etrangere_，weseetheauthorofthe_Comediehumaine_pouringouthisindignationwiththebluestocking，whowassocruelinherlove，intermswhichwerenotextremelyelegant。
Gradually，andwhenheknewmoreabouttheadventure，hisangercooleddown。InMarch，1838，hegaveMadameZulmaCarraudanaccountofavisittoNohant。Hefoundhiscomrade，GeorgeSand，inherdressing—gown，smokingacigarbyherfiresideafterdinner。
"Shehadsomeprettyyellowslipperson，ornamentedwithfringe，somefancystockingsandredtrousers。Somuchforthemoralside。
Physically，shehaddoubledherchinlikeacanoness。Shehadnotasinglewhitehair，inspiteofallherfearfulmisfortunes；
herduskycomplexionhadnotchanged。Herbeautifuleyeswerejustasbright，andshelookedjustasstupidaseverwhenshewasthinking……"
ThisisGeorgeSandinherthirty—fifthyear，asshewasatthetimeofthefreshadventureweareabouttorelate。
Balzaccontinuesbygivingusafewdetailsaboutthelifeoftheauthoress。Itwasverymuchlikehisown，exceptthatBalzacwenttobedatsixo’clockandgotupatmidnight，andGeorgeSandwenttobedatsixinthemorningandgotupatnoon。
Headdsthefollowingremark，whichshowsusthestateofherfeelings：
"Sheisnowinaveryquietretreat，andcondemnsbothmarriageandlove，becauseshehashadnothingbutdisappointmentinbothherself。
Hermanwasarareone，thatwasreallyall。"
Inthecourseoftheirfriendlyconversation，GeorgeSandgavehimthesubjectforanovelwhichitwouldberatherawkwardforhertowrite。Thenovelwastobe_Galeriens_or_Amoursforces_。
These"galley—slaves"oflovewereLisztandtheComtessed’Agoult，whohadbeenwithGeorgeSandatChamonix，ParisandNohant。
Itwasveryevidentthatshecouldnotwritethenovelherself。
Balzacaccordinglywroteit，anditfiguresinthe_ComediehumaineasBeatrix_。BeatrixistheComtessed’Agoult，theinspirer，andLisztisthecomposerConti。
"Youhavenoideayetoftheawfulrightsthatalovewhichnolongerexistsgivestoamanoverawoman。Theconvictisalwaysunderthedominationofthecompanionchainedtohim。Iamlost，andmustreturntotheconvictprison，"writesBalzacinthisbook。
Then，too，thereisnomistakinghisportraitofBeatrix。
Thefairhairthatseemstogivelight，theforeheadwhichlookstransparent，thesweet，charmingface，thelong，wonderfullyshapedneck，and，aboveandbeyondall，thatairofaprincess，inallthiswecaneasilyrecognize"thefair，blue—eyedPeri。"
Notcontentwithbringingthisillustriouscoupleintohisnovel，Balzacintroducesothercontemporaries。ClaudeVignon（who，althoughhisspecialworkwascriticism，madeacertainplaceforhimselfinliterature）andGeorgeSandherselfappearinthisbook。
SheisFelicitedesTouches，andherpennameisCamilleMaupin。
"Camilleisanartist，"wearetold；"shehasgenius，andsheleadsanexceptionallifesuchascouldnotbejudgedinthesamewayasanordinaryexistence。"Someoneaskshowshewritesherbooks，andtheansweris："Justinthesamewayasyoudoyourwoman’swork，yournettingoryourtapestry。"Sheissaidtohavetheintelligenceofanangelandevenmoreheartthantalent。
Withherfixed，setgaze，herdarkcomplexionandhermasculineways，sheistheexactantithesisofthefairBeatrix。Sheisconstantlybeingcomparedtothelatter，andisevidentlypreferredtoher。
ItisveryevidentfromwhomBalzacgetshisinformation，anditisalsoevidentthatthefriendshipbetweenthetwowomenhascooleddown。
ThecauseofthecoolnessbetweenthemwasGeorgeSand’sinfatuationforChopin，whomshehadknownthroughLisztandMadamed’Agoult。GeorgeSandwrotetoLisztfromNohant，inMarch，1837：
"TellChopinthatIhopehewillcomewithyou。Mariecannotlivewithouthim，andIadorehim。"InAprilshewrotetoMadamed’Agoult："TellChopinthatIidolizehim。"WedonotknowwhetherMadamed’Agoultgavethemessage，butshecertainlyreplied：
"Chopincoughswithinfinitegrace。Heisanirresoluteman。
Theonlythingabouthimthatispermanentishiscough。"
Thisiscertainlyveryfeminineinitsferociousness。
AtthetimewhenhecameintoGeorgeSand’slife，Chopin，thecomposerandvirtuoso，wasthefavouriteofParisian_salons_，thepianistinvogue。Hewasbornin1810，sothathewasthentwenty—sevenyearsofage。Hissuccesswasdue，inthefirstplace，tohismeritsasanartist，andnowhereisanartist’ssuccesssogreatasinParis。Chopin’sdelicatestylewasadmirablysuitedtothedimensionsandtotheatmosphereofa_salon_。[25]
[25]AsregardsChopin，IhaveconsultedabiographybyLiszt，astudybyM。CamilleBellaigueandthevolumebyM。EliePoireeinthe_Collectiondesmusicienscelebres_，publishedbyH。Laurens。
HeconfessedtoLisztthatacrowdintimidatedhim，thathefeltsuffocatedbyallthequickbreathingandparalyzedbytheinquisitiveeyesturnedonhim。"Youwereintendedforallthis，"
headds，"as，ifyoudonotwinoveryourpublic，youcanatleastoverwhelmit。"
Chopinwasmademuchoftheninsociety。Hewasfragileanddelicate，andhadalwaysbeenwatchedoverandcaredfor。Hehadgrownupinapeaceful，unitedfamily，inoneofthosesimplehomesinwhichallthedetailsofeverydaylifebecomelessprosaic，thankstoaninnatedistinctionofsentimentandtoreligioushabits。
PrinceRadz’willhadwatchedoverChopin’seducation。Hehadbeenreceivedwhenquiteyounginthemostaristocraticcircles，and"themostcelebratedbeautieshadsmiledonhimasayouth。"
Sociallife，then，andfeminineinfluencehadthushelpedtomakehimultrarefined。Itwasveryevidenttoeveryonewhomethimthathewasawell—bredman，andthisisquicklyobserved，evenwithpianists。
Onarrivinghemadeagoodimpression，hewaswelldressed，hiswhitegloveswereimmaculate。Hewasreservedandsomewhatlanguid。
Everyoneknewthathewasdelicate，andtherewasarumourofanunhappyloveaffair。Itwassaidthathehadbeeninlovewithagirl，andthatherfamilyhadrefusedtoconsenttohermarriagewithhim。
Peoplesaidhewaslikehisownmusic，thedreamy，melancholythemesseemedtoaccordsowellwiththepaleyoungfaceofthecomposer。
Thefascinationofthelanguorwhichseemedtoemanatefromthemanandfromhisworkworkeditsway，inasubtlemanner，intotheheartsofhishearers。ChopindidnotcaretoknowLelia。
Hedidnotlikewomenwriters，andhewasratheralarmedatthisone。
ItwasLisztwhointroducedthem。InhisbiographyofChopin，hetellsusthattheextremelysensitiveartist，whowassoeasilyalarmed，dreaded"thiswomanaboveallwomen，as，likeapriestessofDelphi，shesaidsomanythingsthattheotherscouldnothavesaid。
Heavoidedherandpostponedtheintroduction。MadameSandhadnoideathatshewasfearedasasylph……"Shemadethefirstadvances。Itiseasytoseewhatcharmedherinhim。
Inthefirstplace，heappealedtoherashedidtoallwomen，andthen，too，therewastheabsolutecontrastoftheirtwooppositenatures。
Shewasallforce，ofanexpansive，exuberantnature。Hewasverydiscreet，reservedandmysterious。ItseemsthatthePolishcharacteristicistolendoneself，butnevertogiveoneselfaway，andoneofChopin’sfriendssaidofhimthathewas"morePolishthanPolanditself。"Suchacontrastmayproveastrongattraction，andthen，too，GeorgeSandwasverysensitivetothecharmofmusic。
ButwhatshesawaboveallinChopinwasthetypicalartist，justassheunderstoodtheartist，adreamer，lostintheclouds，incapableofanyactivitythatwaspractical，a"loveroftheimpossible。"
Andthen，too，hewasill。WhenMussetleftVenice，afteralltheatrociousnightsshehadspentathisbedside，shewrote："WhomshallIhavenowtolookafterandtend？"InChopinshefoundsomeonetotend。
Aboutthistime，shewasanxiousaboutthehealthofhersonMaurice，andshethoughtshewouldtakeherfamilytoMajorca。Thiswasalamentableexcursion，butitseemedsatisfactoryatfirst。
TheytravelledbywayofLyons，Avignon，VaucluseandNimes。
AtPerpignan，Chopinarrived，"asfreshasarose。""Ourjourney，"
wroteGeorgeSand，"seemstobeunderthemostfavourableconditions。"
TheythenwentontoBarcelonaandtoPalma。InNovember，1838，GeorgeSandwroteamostenthusiasticletter："Itispoetry，solitude，allthatismostartisticand_chique_onearth。Andwhatskies，whatacountry；wearedelighted。"[26]Thedisenchantmentwassoontobegin，though。Thefirstdifficultywastofindlodgings，andthesecondtogetfurniture。Therewasnowoodtoburnandtherewasnolinentobehad。Ittooktwomonthstohaveapairoftongsmade，anditcosttwenty—eightpoundsatthecustomsforapianotoenterthecountry。Withgreatdifficulty，theforlorntravellersfoundacountry—housebelongingtoamannamedGomez，whichtheywereabletorent。Itwascalledthe"WindyHouse。"
Thewinddidnotinconveniencethemliketherain，whichnowcommenced。
Chopincouldnotenduretheheatandtheodourofthefires。
Hisdiseaseincreased，andthiswastheoriginofthegreattribulationsthatweretofollow。
[26]ThefollowingisanunpublishedlettertoMadameBuloz：
_Monday13th。_
MYDEARCHRISTINE，"IhaveonlybeenatPalmafourdays。Myjourneyhasbeenverysatisfactory，butratherlonganddifficultuntilwewereoutofFrance。Itookupmypen（aspeoplesay）twentytimesovertowritethelastfiveorsixpagesforwhich_Spiridion_hasbeenwaitingforsixmonths。Itisnottheeasiestthingintheworld，Icanassureyou，togivetheconclusionofone’sownreligiousbelief，andwhentravellingitisimpossible。AttwentydifferentplacesIhaveresolvedtothinkitsolemnlyoverandtowritedownmyconclusion。
Butthesestoppageswerethemosttiringpartofourjourney。
Therewerevisits，dinners，walks，curiosities，ruins，theVauclusefountain，ReboulandtheNimesarena，theBarcelonacathedrals，dinnersonboardthewar—ships，theItaliantheatresofSpain（andwhattheatresandwhatItalians！），guitarsandHeavenknowswhatbeside。TherewasthemoonlightontheseaandaboveallValmaandMallorca，themostdelightfulplaceintheworld，andallthiskeptmeterriblyfarawayfromphilosophyandtheology。
FortunatelyIhavefoundsomesuperbconventshereallinruins，withpalm—trees，aloesandthecactusinthemidstofbrokenmosaicsandcrumblingcloisters，andthistakesmebackto_Spiridion_。
ForthelastthreedaysIhavehadarageforwork，whichIcannotsatisfyyet，aswehaveneitherfirenorlodging。ThereisnotaninninPalma，nohousetoletandnofurnituretobebought。
Onarrivingherepeoplefirsthavetobuysomeground，thenbuild，andafterwardssendforfurniture。Afterthis，permissiontolivesomewherehastobeobtainedfromGovernment，andafterfiveorsixyearsonecanthinkaboutopeningone’strunkandchangingone’schemise，whilstwaitingforpermissionfromtheCustomstohavesomeshoesandhandkerchiefspassed。Forthelastfourdaysthenwehavespentourtimegoingfromdoortodoor，aswedonotwanttosleepintheopenair。Wehopenowtobesettledinaboutthreedays，asamiraclehastakenplace。Forthefirsttimeinthememoryofman，thereisafurnishedhousetoletinMallorca，acharmingcountry—houseinadelightfuldesert……"{Theendoffootnote[26]}
AtthattimeSpainwastheverylastcountryinwhichtotravelwithaconsumptivepatient。Inaveryfinelecture，thesubjectofwhichwas_TheFightwithTubcrculosis_，[27]Dr。Landouzyprovestousthateversincethesixteenthcentury，inthedistrictsoftheMediterranean，inSpain，intheBalearicIslesandthroughoutthekingdomofNaples，tuberculosiswasheldtobecontagious，whilsttherestofEuropewasignorantofthiscontagion。
Extremelysevereruleshadbeenlaiddownwithregardtothemeasurestobetakenforavoidingthespreadofthisdisease。Aconsumptivepatientwasconsideredasakindofplague—strickenindividual。
ChateaubriandhadexperiencedtheinconveniencesofthisscareduringhisstayinRomewithMadamedeBeaumont，whodiedthereofconsumption，atthebeginningofthewinterof1803。
GeorgeSand，inherturn，wastohaveasimilarexperience。
WhenChopinwasconvictedofconsumption，"which，"asshewrites，"wasequivalenttotheplague，accordingtotheSpanishdoctors，withtheirforegoneconclusionsaboutcontagion，"theirlandlordsimplyturnedthemoutofhishouse。TheytookrefugeintheChartreusemonasteryofValdemosa，wheretheylivedinacell。Thesitewasverybeautiful。Byawoodedslopeaterracecouldbereached，fromwhichtherewasaviewoftheseaontwosides。
[27]L。LandouzyoftheAcademyofMedecine，_LaLuttecontrelatuberculose_，publishedbyL。Maretheux。
"Weareplantedbetweenheavenandearth，"wroteGeorgeSand。
"Thecloudscrossourgardenattheirownwillandpleasure，andtheeaglesclamouroverourheads。"
Acellinthismonasterywascomposedofthreerooms：theoneinthemiddlewasintendedforreading，prayerandmeditation，theothertwowerethebedroomandtheworkshop。Allthreeroomslookedontoagarden。Reading，restandmanuallabourmadeupthelifeofthesemen。Theylivedinalimitedspacecertainly，buttheviewstretchedoutinfinitely，andprayerwentupdirecttoGod。
Amongtheruinedbuildingsoftheenormousmonasterytherewasacloisterstillstanding，throughwhichthewindhowleddesperately。
Itwaslikethesceneryinthenuns’actin_RobertleDiable_。
Allthismadetheoldmonasterythemostromanticplaceintheworld。[28]
[28]GeorgeSandtoMadameBuloz。Postscripttotheletteralreadyquoted：
"IamleavingforthecountrywhereIhaveafurnishedhousewithagarden，magnificentlysituatedfor50francsamonth。
Ihavealsotakenacell，thatisthreeroomsandagardenfor35
francsayearintheChartreuseofValdemosa，amagnificent，immensemonasteryquitelonelyinthemidstofmountains。
Ourgardenisfulloforangesandlemons。Thetreesbreakunderthem。Wehavehedgesofcactustwentytothirtyfeethigh，theseaisaboutamileandahalfaway。Wehaveadonkeytotakeustothetown，roadsinaccessibletovisitors，immensecloistersandthemostbeautifularchitecture，acharmingchurch，acemeterywithapalm—treeandastonecrossliketheoneinthethirdactof_RobertleDiable_。Then，too，therearebedsofshrubscutinform。Allthiswehavetoourselveswithanoldwomantowaitonus，andthesacristanwhoiswarder，steward，majordomoandJack—of—all—trades。Ihopeweshallhaveghosts。Thedoorofmycellleadsintoanenormouscloister，andwhenthewindslamsthedooritislikeacannongoingoffthroughallthemonastery。
Iamdelightedwitheverything，andfancyIshallbemoreofteninthecellthaninthecountry—house，whichisaboutsixmilesaway。
YouseethatIhaveplentyofpoetryandsolitude，sothatifI
donotworkIshallbeastupidthing。"{Theendoffootnote[28]}
Theonlydrawbackwasthatitwasmostdifficulttolivethere。