Therewasnowayofgettingwarm。Thestovewasakindofironfurnacewhichgaveoutaterribleodour，anddidnotpreventtheroomsfrombeingsodampthatclothesmildewedwhiletheywerebeingworn。
Therewasnowayofgettingproperfoodeither。Theyhadtoeatthemostindigestiblethings。Therewerefivesortsofmeatcertainly，butthesewerepig，pork，bacon，hamandpickledpork。Thiswasallcookedindripping，pork—dripping，ofcourse，orinrancidoil。
Stillmorethanthis，thenativesrefused，notonlytoservetheunfortunatetravellers，buttosellthemtheactualnecessariesoflife。
Thefactwas，theyhadscandalizedtheMajorcanpeople。AllMajorcawasindignantbecauseSolange，whoatthattimewasnineyearsold，roamedaboutthemountains_disguisedasaman_。Addedtothis，whenthehornsoundedwhichcalledpeopletotheirdevotionsinthechurches，thesestrangeinhabitantsoftheoldValdemosamonasterynevertookanymorenoticethanpagans。Peoplekeptclearofthem。
Chopinsufferedwiththecold，thecookingmadehimsick，andheusedtohavefitsofterrorinthecloisters。Theyhadtoleavehastily。
TheonlysteamboatfromtheislandwasusedtotransportthepigswhicharetheprideandwealthofMajorca。Peoplewereonlytakenasanextra。Itwas，therefore，inthecompanyofthesesquealing，ill—smellingcreaturesthattheinvalidcrossedthewater。WhenhearrivedatBarcelona，helookedlikeaspectreandwasspittingblood。
GeorgeSandwasquiterightinsayingthatthisjourneywasan"awfulfiasco。"
Artandliteraturedidnotgainmucheitherbythisexpedition。
GeorgeSandfinishedhernovelentitled_Spiridion_atValdemosa。
ShehadcommenceditbeforestartingforSpain。Inavolumeon_UnhiveraMajorque_shegavesomefinedescriptions，andalsoaharshaccusationofthemonks，whomsheheldresponsibleforallthemishapsoftheSandcaravan。SheconsideredthattheMajorcanshadbeenbrutalizedandfanaticized，thankstotheirinfluence。AstoChopin，hewasscarcelyinastatetoderiveanybenefitfromsuchajourney，andhecertainlydidnotgetany。Hedidnotthoroughlyappreciatethebeautiesofnature，particularlyofMajorcannature。Inalettertooneofhisfriendshegivesthefollowingdescriptionoftheirhabitation：——
"Betweenrocksandsea，inagreatdesertedmonastery，inacell，thedoorsofwhicharebiggerthanthecarriageentrancestothehousesinParis，youcanimagineme，withoutwhitegloves，andnocurlinmyhair，aspaleasusual。Mycellistheshapeofalarge—sizedbier……"
Thiscertainlydoesnotsoundveryenthusiastic。ThequestioniswhetherhecomposedanythingatallatValdemosa。LisztpresentshimtousimprovisinghisPreludeinBflatminorunderthemostdramaticcircumstances。Wearetoldthatoneday，whenGeorgeSandandherchildrenhadstartedonanexcursion，theyweresurprisedbyathunderstorm。Chopinhadstayedathomeinthemonastery，and，terrifiedatthedangerheforesawforthem，hefainted。
Beforetheyreachedhomehehadimprovisedhis_Prelude_，inwhichhehasputallhisterrorandthenervousnessduetohisdisease。
Itappears，though，thatallthisisalegend，andthatthereisnotasingleechoofthestayatValdemosainChopin’swork。
ThedeplorablejourneytoMajorcadatesfromNovember，1838toMarch，1839。
TheintimacybetweenGeorgeSandandChopincontinuedeightyearsmore。
InthesummerChopinstayeditNohant。EugeneDelacroix，whowaspayingavisittheretoo，describeshispresenceasfollows：
"Attimes，throughthewindowopeningontothegarden，wegetwaftsofChopin’smusic，ashetooisatwork。Itismingledwiththesongsofthenightingalesandwiththeperfumeoftherosetrees。"
ChopindidnotcaremuchforNohant。Inthefirstplace，heonlylikedthecountryforaboutafortnightatatime，whichisverymuchlikenotcaringforitatall。Thenwhatmadehimdetestthecountryweretheinhabitants。HippolyteChatironwasterribleafterhehadbeendrinking。Hewasextremelyeffusiveandcordial。
InthewintertheyfirstlivedintheRuePigalle。GeorgeSandusedtoreceivePierreLeroux，LouisBlanc，EdgarQuinet，EtienneArago，andmanyothermen。Chopin，whowasnotveryintellectual，feltillateaseamongstalltheseliterarymen，thesereformers，arguersandspeechifiers。In1842，theyemigratedtotheSquared’Orleans。Therewasasortoflittlecolonyestablishedthere，consistingofAlexandreDumas，Dantanthecaricaturist，theViardots，Zimmermann，andthewifeoftheSpanishconsul，MadameMarliani，whohadattractedthemallthere。Theytooktheirmealstogether。
Itwasaregularphalinstery，andChopinhadveryeleganttastes！
WemustgiveGeorgeSandcreditforlookingafterhimwithadmirabledevotion。Shecertainlywentonnursingher"invalid，"
orher"dearskeleton，"asshecalledhim，butherinfatuationhadbeenoverforalongtime。Theabsolutecontrastoftwonaturesmaybeattractiveatfirst，buttheattractiondoesnotlast，and，whenthefirstenthusiasmisover，thelogicalconsequenceisthattheybecomedisunited。ThiswaswhatLisztsaidinratheranoddbutenergeticway。Hepointsoutallthattherewas"intolerablyincompatible，diametricallyoppositeandsecretlyantipatheticbetweentwonatureswhichseemedtohavebeenmutuallydrawntoeachotherbyasuddenandsuperficialattraction，forthesakeofrepulsingeachotherlateronwithalltheforceofinexpressiblesorrowandboredom。"IllnesshadembitteredChopin’scharacter。GeorgeSandusedtosaythat"whenhewasangryhewasterrifying。"Hewasveryintelligent，too，anddelightedinquizzingpeopleforwhomhedidnotcare。SolangeandMauricewerenowolder，andthismadethesituationsomewhatdelicate。
Chopin，too，hadamaniaformeddlingwithfamilymatters。
HequarrelledonedaywithMaurice。AnotherdayGeorgeSandwasannoyedwithherson—in—lawClesingerandwithherdaughterSolange，andChopintooktheirside。Thiswasthecauseoftheirquarrel；
itwasthelastdropthatmadethecupofbitternessoverflow。
ThefollowingisafragmentofaletterwhichGeorgeSandsenttoGrzymala，in1847："ForsevenyearsIhavelivedwithhimasavirgin。
Ifanywomanonearthcouldinspirehimwithabsoluteconfidence，Iamcertainlythatwoman，buthehasneverunderstood。Iknow，too，thatmanypeopleaccusemeofhavingwornhimoutwithmyviolentsensuality，andothersaccusemeofhavingdrivenhimtodespairbymyfreaks。
Ibelieveyouknowhowmuchtruththereisinallthis。HehimselfcomplainstomethatIamkillinghimbytheprivationsIinsistupon，andIfeelcertainthatIshouldkillhimbyactingotherwise。"[29]
[29]CommunicatedbyM。Rocheblave。
IthasbeensaidthatwhenChopinwasatNohanthehadavillagegirlthereashismistress。Wedonotcaretodiscussthetruthofthisstatement。
ItisinterestingtoendeavourtocharacterizethenatureofthisepisodeinGeorgeSand’ssentimentallife。Shehelpsusherselfinthis。
Asaromanticwritersheneglectednothingwhichshecouldturnintoliterature。Shethereforemadeananalysisofherowncase，workedoutwiththeutmostcare，andpublisheditinoneofherbookswhichislittlereadnow。Theyearoftherupturewas1847，andbeforetherupturehadreallyoccurred，GeorgeSandbroughtoutanovelentitled_LucreziaFloriani_。InthisbookshetracestheportraitofChopinasPrinceKarol。Shedenied，ofcourse，thatitwasaportrait，butcontemporarieswerenottobedeceived，andLisztgivesseveralpassagesfrom_LucreziaFloriani_inhisbiographyofthemusician。ThedecisiveproofwasthatChopinrecognizedhimself，andthathewasgreatlyannoyed。
Asamatteroffact，therewasnothingdisagreeableaboutthisportrait。
Thefollowingfragmentsaretakenfromit："Gentle，sensitive，exquisiteinallthings，attheageoffifteenhehadallthecharmsofyouth，togetherwiththegravityofariperage。Heremaineddelicateinbodyindmind。Thelackofmusculardevelopmentcausedhimtopreservehisfascinatingbeauty……HewassomethinglikeoneofthoseidealcreatureswhichmediaevalpoetryusedfortheornamentationofChristiantemples。Nothingcouldhavebeenpurerandatthesametimemoreenthusiasticthanhisideas……Hewasalwayslostinhisdreams，andhadnosenseofreality……"Hisexquisitepolitenesswasthendescribed，andtheultraacutenessandnervositywhichresultedinthatpowerofdivinationwhichhepossessed。Foraportraittobeliving，itmusthavesomefaultsaswellasqualities。HisdelineatordoesnotforgettomentiontheattitudeofmysteryinwhichthePrincetookrefugewheneverhisfeelingswerehurt。Shespeaksalsoofhisintensesusceptibility。"Hiswitwasverybrilliant，"
shesays；"itconsistedofakindofsubtlemockingshrewdness，notreallyplayful，butasortofdelicate，banteringgaiety。"
ItmayhavebeentothegloryofPrinceKaroltoresembleChopin，butitwasalsoquitecreditabletoChopintohavebeenthemodelfromwhichthisdistinguishedneurasthenicindividualwastaken。
PrinceKarolmeetsacertainLucreziaFloriani，arichactressandcourtesan。Sheissixyearsolderthanheis，somewhatpastherprime，andnowleadingaquietlife。Shehasdonewithloveandloveaffairs，or，atleast，shethinksso。"Thefifteenyearsofpassionandtorture，whichshehadgonethrough，seemedtohernowsocruelthatshewashopingtohavethemcounteddoublebythesupremeDispenserofourtrials。"Itwas，ofcourse，naturalthatsheshouldacknowledgeGod’sshareinthematter。
Wearetoldthat"implacabledestinywasnotsatisfied，"sothatwhenKarolmakeshisfirstdeclaration，Lucreziayieldstohim，butatthesametimesheputsasuitablecolouringonherfall。
Therearemanywaysofloving，anditissurelynobleanddisinterestedinawomantoloveamanashismother。"Ishalllovehim，"shesays，kissingtheyoungPrince’spalefaceardently，"butitwillbeashismotherlovedhim，justasferventlyandjustasfaithfully。
Thismaternalaffection，etc……"LucreziaFlorianihadawayofintroducingthematernalinstincteverywhere。SheundertooktoencircleherchildrenandPrinceKarolwiththesameaffection，andhernotionsoftherapeuticswerecertainlysomewhatstrangeandventuresome，forshefetchedherchildrentothePrince’sbedside。
"Karolbreathedmorefreely，"wearetold，"whenthechildrenwerethere。Theirpurebreathminglingwiththeirmother’smadetheairmilderandmoregentleforhisfeverishlungs。"Thisweshallnotattempttodispute。Itisthestudyofthesituation，though，thatformsthesubjectof_LucreziaFloriani_。GeorgeSandgivesevidenceofwonderfulclear—sightednessandpenetrationintheartofknowingherself。
Shegivesuswarningthatitis"asadstoryandsorrowfultruth"
thatsheistellingus。Shehasherselfthebetter_role_ofthetwonaturally。Itcouldnothavebeenonthat，accountthatChopin’
wasannoyed。HewasaPole，andthereforedoublychivalrous，sothatsuchanobjectionwouldhavebeenunworthyofalover。
WhatconcernsusisthatGeorgeSandgives，withgreatnicety，the，exactcausesoftherupture。Inthefirstplace，KarolwasjealousofLucrezia’sstormypast；thenhisrefinednatureshrankfromcertainofhercomradesofarougherkind。Theinvalidwasirritatedbyherrobusthealth，andbythepresenceand，wemightalmostsay，therivalryofthechildren。PrinceKarolfindsthemnearlyalwaysinhisway，andhefinallytakesadisliketothem。TherecomesamomentwhenLucreziaseesherselfobligedtochoosebetweenthetwokindsofmaternity，thenaturalkindandthematernityaccordingtotheconventionoflovers。
Thespecialkindofsentiment，then，betweenGeorgeSandandChopin，JustasbetweenLucreziaandPrinceKarol，wasjustthis：
lovewithmaternalaffection。Thisisextremelydifficulttodefine，asindeediseverythingwhichisextremelycomplex。GeorgeSanddeclaresthatherreasonfornotrefusingintimacywithChopinwasthatsheconsideredthisinthelightofadutyandasasafeguard。
"Onedutymore，"shewrites，"inalifealreadysofull，alifeinwhichIwasoverwhelmedwithfatigue，seemedtomeonechancemoreofarrivingatthatausteritytowardswhichIfeltmyselfbeingdrawnwithakindofreligiousenthusiasm。"[30]
[30]_Histoiredeviavie。_
Wecanonlyimaginethatshewasdeceivingherself。Toacceptaloverforthesakeofgivinguploversaltogetherseemsasomewhatheroicmeanstoanend，butalsosomewhatdeceptive。ItiscertainlytruethattherewassomethingmoreinthislovethantheattractionshefeltforMussetandforMichel。Inthevariousformsanddegreesofourfeelings，thereisnothinggainedbyattemptingtoestablishdecideddivisionsandabsolutedemarcationsforthesakeofclassifyingthemall。Amongsentimentswhichareakin，butwhichourlanguagedistinguisheswhendefiningthem，theremaybesomemixtureorsomeconfusionwithregardtotheirorigin。
AlfreddeVignygivesusin_Samson_，astheoriginoflove，eveninman，theremembranceofhismother’scaresses：
_Ilreveratoujoursalachaleurdusein。_
Itseems，therefore，thatwecannotapplythesamereasoning，withregardtolove，whenreferringtotheloveofamanorofawoman。Withthemanthereismoreprideofpossession，andwiththewomanthereismoretenderness，morepity，morecharity。
Allthisleadsustotheconclusionthatmaternalaffectioninloveisnotanunnaturalsentiment，ashassooftenbeensaid，orratheraperversionofsentiment。Itisratherasentimentinwhichtoomuchinstinctandheredityaremingledinaconfusedway。
Theobjectoftheeducationoffeelingistoarriveatdiscerningandeliminatingtheelementswhichinterferewiththeintegrityofit。
RousseaucalledMadamedeWarenshismother，buthewasamanwhowaslackingingoodtaste。GeorgeSandfrequentlyputsintohernovelsthisconceptionoflovewhichweseeherputintopracticeinlife。
Itisimpossiblewhenanalyzingitcloselynottofindsomethingconfusedanddisturbinginitwhichsomewhatoffendsus。
ItnowremainsforustostudywhatinfluenceGeorgeSand’sfriendshipwithsomeofthegreatestartistsofhertimeshadonherworks。
BesideLisztandChopin，sheknewDelacroix，MadameDorval，PaulineViardot，NourritandLablache。Throughthemshewentintoartisticcircles。Someofhernovelsarestoriesofthelifeofartists。
_LesMaitresMosaistes_treatsoftherivalrybetweentwostudios。
_LaderniereAldini_isthestoryofahandsomegondolierwho，asatenor，turnedtheheadsofpatricianwomen。Thefirstpartof_Consuelo_takesusbacktothesingingschoolsandtheatresofVeniceintheeighteenthcentury，andintroducesustoindividualstakenfromlifeandcleverlydrawn。WehaveComteZustiniani，thedilettante，awealthypatronofthefinearts；Porpora，theoldmaster，wholooksuponhisartassomethingsacred；Corilla，theprimadonna，annoyedatseeinganewstarappear；Anzoleto，thetenor，whoisjealousbecausehegetslessapplausethanhisfriend；
andaboveandbeyondalltheothersConsuelo，goodkindConsuelo，thesympatheticsinger。
ThetheatresofVeniceseemtobeverymuchlikethoseofParisandofotherplaces。Wehavethefollowingsketchofthevanityofthecomedian。"Canamanbejealousofawoman’sadvantages？
Canaloverdislikehissweethearttohavesuccess？Amancancertainlybejealousofawoman’sadvantageswhenthatmanisavainartist，andalovermayhatehissweethearttohaveanysuccessiftheybothbelongtothetheatre。Acomedianisnotaman，Consuelo，butawoman。
Helivesonhissicklyvanity；heonlythinksofsatisfyingthatvanity，andheworksforthesakeofintoxicatinghimselfwithvanity。
Awoman’sbeautyisapttotakeattentionfromhimandawoman’stalentmaycausehistalenttobethrowninthebackground。
Awomanishisrival，orratherheistherivalofawoman。
Hehasallthelittlemeannesses，thecaprices，theexigencesandtheweakpointsofacoquette。"Suchisthenoteofthispictureofthingsandpeopleinthetheatricalworld。Howcanwedoubtitsveracity！
Atanyrate，thegeneralideathatGeorgeSandhadoftheartistwasexactlytheideaadoptedbyromanticism。Weallknowwhatabeingsetapartandfreefromallsocialandmorallaws，whata"monster"romanticismmadeoftheartist。Itisoneofitsdogmasthatthenecessitiesofartareincompatiblewiththeconditionsofaregularlife。Anartist，forinstance，cannotbe_bourgeois_，asheistheexactopposite。WehaveKean’sspeechinDumas’drama，entitled_Kean，orDisorderandGenius。_
"Anactor，"hesays，"mustknowallthepassions，sothathemayexpressthemasheshould。Istudytheminmyself。"Andthenheadds：
"Thatiswhatyoucall，orderly！AndwhatistobecomeofgeniuswhileIambeingorderly？"
Allthisisabsurd。Theartistisnotthemanwhohasfeltthemost，butthemanbestgiftedforimaginingthevariousstatesofmindandfeelingandforexpressingthem。Weknow，too，thatanirregularlifeisneithertheoriginnorthestampofextraordinaryintellectualworth。AllthecripplesofBohemianlifeprovetousthatgeniusisnottheoutcomeofthatkindoflife，butthat，onthecontrary，suchlifeisapttoparalyzetalent。
Itisveryconvenient，though，fortheartistandforeveryothervarietyof"superiorbeings"tomakethemselvesbelievethatordinarymoralsarenotforthem。ThebestargumentwecanhaveagainstthistheoryisthecaseofGeorgeSand。Theartist，inhercase，waseminentlyaveryregularandhard—working_bourgeois_woman。
TheartinwhichGeorgeSandgaveevidenceofthesuresttastewasmusic。
Thatisworthyofnotice。Inoneofher_Lettresd’unvoyageur_，shecelebratesLisztattackingthe_Diesirae_ontheFribourgorgan。
ShedevotesanotherlettertothepraiseofMeyer—beer。Shehasanalyzedthedifferentformsofmusicalemotioninseveralofherbooks。
Oneoftheideasdeartoromanticismwasthatoftheunionandfusionofallthearts。Thewritercan，andinacertainwayheought，toproducewithwordsthesameeffectsthatthepainterdoeswithcoloursandthesculptorwithlines。Weallknowhowmuchliteratureromanticpaintersandsculptorshaveputintotheirart。
Theromanticwriterswerelessinclinedtoaccordthesamewelcometomusicastotheplasticarts。TheophileGautierissaidtohaveexclaimedthatmusicwas"themostdisagreeableandthedearestofallthearts。"NeitherLamartine，Hugo，noranyotherofthegreatwritersofthatperiodwasinfluencedbymusic。
Mussetwasthefirstonetobeimpassionedbyit，andthismayhavebeenasmuchthroughhisdandyismasfromconviction。
_Filledeladouleur，Harmonie，Harmonie，Languequefiourl’amourinventsleginie，Quinousviensd’Italie，etquiluivinsdescieux，Doucelangueducoeur，laseuleoulapensiee，Cetteviergecraintiveetd’uneombreofensie，Passeengardantsonvoileetsanscraindreleseux，Quisaitcequ’unenfantpeutentendreetpeutdireDanstessoupirsdivinsnesdel’airqu’ilrespire，Tristescommesoncoeuretdouxcommesavoix？_
GeorgeSand，whoagreedwithMusset，claimedfor"themostbeautifulofallthearts，"thehonourofbeingabletopaint"alltheshadesofsentimentandallthephasesofpassion。""Music，"shesays，"canexpresseverything。Fordescribingscenesofnatureithasidealcoloursandlines，neitherexactnoryettoominute，butwhichareallthemorevaguelyanddelightfullypoetical。"[31]
[31]Eleventh_Lettred’unvoyageur_：ToGiacomoMeyerbeer。
AsexamplesofmusicinliteraturewehaveGeorgeSand’sphrase，morelyricalandmusicalthanpicturesque。Wehave，too，thegentle，soothingstrophesofSullyPrudhommeandthevaguemelodyoftheVerlainesongs："_Delamusiqueavanttoutechose_。"ItwouldbeabsurdtoexaggeratetheinfluenceexercisedbyGeorgeSand，andtoattributetoheranimportancewhichdoesnotbelongtoher，overpoeticalevolution。Itisonlyfairtosay，though，thatmusic，whichwaslookeduponsuspiciouslyforsolongatimebyclassicalwritersofsaneandsuretaste，hascompletelyinvadedourpresentsociety，sothatwearebecomingmoreandmoreimbuedwithit。
GeorgeSand’spredilectionformodernartisanotherfeaturewhichmakesheroneofus，showingthathertendencieswereverymarkedforthingsofthepresentday。
VII
THEHUMANITARIANDREAM
PIERRELEROUX——SOCIALISTICNOVELS
HithertowehaveseenGeorgeSandputintoherworkhersufferings，herprotestsasawoman，andherdreamsasanartist。Butthenineteenth—centurywriterdidnotconfinehisambitionstothismodesttask。HebelongedtoacorporationwhichcountedamongitsmembersVoltaireandRousseau。Theeighteenth—centuryphilosophershadchangedtheobjectofliterature。Insteadofaninstrumentofanalysis，theyhadmadeofitaweaponforcombat，anincomparableweaponforattackinginstitutionsandforoverthrowinggovernments。
Thefactis，thatfromthetimeoftheRestorationweshallscarcelymeetwithasinglewriter，fromthephilosophertothevaudevillist，andfromtheprofessortothesong—maker，whodidnotwishtoactasatorchonthepathofhumanity。Poetsmakerevolutions，andshowPlatohowwronghewasindrivingthemawayfromhisRepublic。
SophocleswasappointedageneralatAthensforhavingwrittenagoodtragedy，andsonovelists，dramatists，criticsandmakersofpunsdevotedthemselvestomakinglaws。GeorgeSandwastoomuchawomanofhertimestokeepalooffromsuchamovement。
Weshallnowhavetostudyherinhersocialistic_role_。
Wecaneasilyimagineonwhatsidehersympathieswere。Shehadalwaysbeenbattlingwithinstitutions，anditseemedtoherthatinstitutionswereundoubtedlyinthewrong。Shehadprovedthattherewasagreatdealofsufferingintheworld，andashumannatureisgoodatbottom，shedecidedthatsocietywasallwrong。
Shewasanovelist，andshethereforeconsideredthatthemostsatisfactorysolutionsarethoseinwhichimaginationandfeelingplayagreatpart。Shealsoconsideredthatthebestpoliticsarethosewhicharethemostlikeanovel。Wemustnowfollowher，stepbystep，alongthevariousroadsleadingtoUtopia。
Thetruthis，thatinthatgreatmanufactoryofsystemsandthatstorehouseofpanaceaswhichtheFranceofLouis—Philippehadbecome，theonlydifficultywastochoosebetweenthemall。
Thefirst，indate，ofthenewgospelswasthatoftheSaint—Simonians。
WhenGeorgeSandarrivedinParis，Saint—Simonismwasoneofthecuriositiesofferedtoastonishedprovincials。Itwasaparodyofreligion，butitwasorganizedinachurchwithaFatherintwopersons，BazardandEnfantin。Theservicetookplaceina_bouis—bouis_。Thecostumewornconsistedofwhitetrousers，aredwaistcoatandabluetunic。OnthedayswhentheFathercamedownfromtheheightsofMenilmontantwithhischildren，therewasgreatdiversionforthepeopleinthestreet。AnimportantthingwaslackingintheorganizationoftheSaint—Simonians。Inordertocompletethe"sacerdotalcouple，"awomanwasneededtotakeherplacenexttheFather。AMotherwasaskedforoverandoveragain。
Itwassaidthatshewouldsoonappear，butshewasneverforthcoming。
Saint—SimonhadtriedtotemptMadamedeStael。
"Iamanextraordinaryman，"hesaidtoher，"andyouarejustasextraordinaryasawoman。YouandItogetherwouldhaveastillmoreextraordinarychild。"MadamedeStaelevidentlydidnotcaretotakepartinthemanufactureofthisprodigy。WhenGeorgeSand’sfirstnovelsappeared，theSaint—Simonianswerefullofhope。
Thiswasthewomantheyhadbeenwaitingfor，thefreewoman，whohavingmeditatedonthelotofhersisterswouldformulatetheDeclarationoftherightsanddutiesofwoman。AdolpheGueroultwassenttoher。Hewastheeditorofthe_Opinionnationale_。
GeorgeSandhadagreatfundofcommonsense，though，andoncemorethelittlesocietyawaitedtheMotherinvain。ItwasfinallydecidedthatsheshouldbesoughtforintheEast。Amissionwasorganized，andmessengerswerearrayedinwhite，asasignofthevowofchastity，withapilgrim’sstaffintheirhand。Theybeggedastheywentalong，andsleptsometimesoutdoors，butmoreoftenatthepolice—station。
GeorgeSandwasnottemptedbythiskindofmaternity，butshekeptintouchwiththeSaint—Simonians。ShewaspresentatoneoftheirmeetingsatMenilmontant。Herpublished_Corrspondance_containsaletteraddressedbyhertotheSaint—SimonianfamilyinParis。
Asamatteroffact，shehadreceivedfromit，onthe1stofJanuary，1836，alargecollectionofpresents。Therewereinallnolessthanfifty—ninearticles，amongwhichwerethefollowing：
adress—box，apairofboots，athermometer，acarbine—carrier，apairoftrousersandacorset。
Saint—Simonismwasuniversallyjeeredat，butitisquiteamistaketothinkthatridiculeisdetrimentalinFrance。Onthecontrary，itisanexcellentmeansofgettinganythingknownandofspreadingtheknowledgeofitabroad；itisinrealityaforce。
Saint—Simonismisattherootofmanyofthehumanitariandoctrineswhichweretospringupfromitsashes。Oneofitsessentialdoctrineswasthediffusionofthesoulthroughoutallhumanity，andanotherthatofbeingbornanew。Enfantinsaid："IcanfeelSt。Paulwithinme。Heliveswithinme。"Stillanotherofitsdoctrineswasthatoftherehabilitationoftheflesh。
Saint—Simonismproclaimedtheequalityofmanandwoman，thatofindustryandartandscience，andthenecessityofafreshrepartitionofwealthandofamodificationofthelawsconcerningproperty。
ItalsoadvocatedincreasingtheattributionsoftheStateconsiderably。
Itwas，infact，thefirstofthedoctrinesofferingtothelowerclasses，bywayofhelpingthemtobeartheirwretchedmisery，theidealofhappinessherebelow，lendingafalsesemblanceofreligiontothedesireformaterialwell—being。GeorgeSandhadonevulnerablepoint，andthatwashergenerosity。Bymakingherbelievethatshewasworkingfortheoutcastsofhumanity，shecouldbeledanywhere，andthiswaswhathappened。
AmongothergreatmindsaffectedbytheinfluenceofSaint—Simonism，itisscarcelysurprisingtofindLamennais。WhenGeorgeSandfirstknewhim，hewasfifty—threeyearsofage。HehadbrokenwithRome，andwastheapocalypticauthorof_Parolesd’uncroyant_。Heputintohisrevolutionaryfaithallthefervourofhislovingsoul，asoulthathadbeencreatedforapostleship，andtowhichthequalificationof"adisaffectedcathedral"certainlyapplied。
Afterthefamoustrial，LiszttookhimtocallonGeorgeSandinherattic。Thiswasin1835。Shegivesusthefollowingportraitofhim："MonsieurdeLamennaisisshort，thin，andlooksill。
Heseemstohaveonlythefeeblestbreathoflifeinhisbody，buthowhisfacebeams。Hisnoseistooprominentforhissmallfigureandforhisnarrowface。Ifitwerenotforthisnoseoutofallproportion，hewouldbehandsome。Hewasveryeasilyentertained。
Amerenothingmadehimlaugh，andhowheartilyhelaughed。"[32]
Itwasthegaietyoftheseminarist，forMonsieurFelialwaysremainedthe_Abbe_deLamennais。GeorgeSandhadapassionateadmirationforhim。Shetookhissideagainstanyonewhoattackedhiminherthird_Lettred’unvoyageur_，inher_LettreaLerminier_，andinherarticleon_AmshaspandsetDarvands_。
ThisisthetitleofabookbyLamennais。TheextraordinarynamesrefertothespiritsofgoodandevilinthemythologyofZoroaster。
GeorgeSandproposedtopronouncethem_ChenapansetPedants_。
Althoughshehadahorrorofjournalism，sheagreedtowriteinLamennais’paper，_LeMonde。_
[32]_Histoiredemavie。_
"HeissogoodandIlikehimsomuch，"shewrites，"thatIwouldgivehimasmuchofmybloodandofmyinkashewants。"[33]Shedidnothavetogivehimanyofherblood，andhedidnotacceptmuchofherink。Shecommencedpublishinghercelebrated_LettresaMarcie_in_LeMonde_。Wehavealreadyspokenoftheseletters，inordertoshowhowGeorgeSandgraduallyattenuatedtheharshnessofherearlyfeminism。
[33]_Correspondance_：ToJulesJanin，February15，1837。
TheselettersalarmedLamennais，nevertheless，andshewasobligedtodiscontinuethem。Feminismwasthegermoftheirdisagreement。
Lamennaissaid："ShedoesnotforgiveSt。Paulforhavingsaid：
`Wives，obeyyourhusbands。’"Shecontinuedtoacknowledgehimas"oneofoursaints，"but"thefatherofournewChurch"
graduallybrokeawayfromherandherfriends，andexpressedhisopinionaboutherwithaseverityandharshnesswhichareworthyofnote。
Lamennais’letterstoBarondeVitrollescontainmanyallusionstoGeorgeSand，andtheyaremostuncomplimentary。
"IhearnomoreaboutCarlotta"（MadameMarliani），hewrites，"noraboutGeorgeSandandMadamed’Agoult。Iknowtherehasbeenagreatdealofquarrellingamongthem。TheyareasfondofeachotherasLesage’stwo_diables_，oneofwhomsaid：
`Thatreconciledus，wekissedeachother，andeversincethenwehavebeenmortalenemies。’"Healsotellsthatthereisareportthatinhernovel，entitled_Horace_，shehasgivenasunflatteringaportraitaspossibleofherdear，sweet，excellentfriend，Madamed’Agoult，the_Arabella_ofthe_Lettresd’unvoyageur_。
"Theportraitscontinue，"hewrites，"alltruetolife，withoutbeinglikeeachother。"Inthesamebook，_Horace_，thereisaportraitofMallefille，whowasbeloved"duringonequarterofthemoon，"
andabhorredafterwards。Heconcludestheletterwiththefollowingwords："Ah，howfortunateIamtobeforgottenbythosepeople！
Iamnotafraidoftheirindifference，butIshouldbeafraidoftheirattentions……Saywhatyoulike，mydearfriend，thosepeopledonottemptmeatall。Futilityandspitefulnessdissolvedinagreatdealof_ennui_，isabadkindofmedicine。"
Hethengoesontomakefun，intermsthatitisdifficulttoquote，ofthesillyenthusiasmofawomanlikeMarliani，andevenofGeorgeSand，forthetheoriesofPierreLeroux，ofwhichtheydidnotunderstandthefirstletter，butwhichhadtakentheirfancy。
GeorgeSandmayhavelookeduponLamennaisasamaster，butitisveryevidentthatshewasnothisfavoureddisciple。
ItwasduetohisteachingthatGeorgeSandobtainedherdefiniteideasaboutCatholicism，orratheragainstit。Shewasdecidedlyitsadversary，becausesheheldthattheChurchhadstifledthespiritofliberty，thatithadthrownaveiloverthewordsofChrist，andthatitwastheobstacleinthewayofholyequality。
Whatsheowedspecially，though，toLamennaiswasanotherlesson，ofquiteanothercharacter。Lamennaiswasthemanofthenineteenthcenturywhowagedthefinestbattleagainstindividualism，against"thescandaloftheadorationofmanbyman。"[34]
[34]CompareBrunetiere，_Evolutiondelapoesielyrique_，vol。i。p。310。
Underhisinfluence，GeorgeSandbegantoattachlessimportancetothepersonalpointofview，sheceasedapplyingeverythingtoherself，andshediscoveredtheimportanceofthelifeofothers。
Ifwestudythisattentively，weshallseethatanewphasenowcommencedinthehistoryofherideas。Lamennaiswastheoriginofthistransformation，althoughitispersonifiedinanotherman，andthatotherman，wasnamedPierreLeroux。
Whatastrangemysteryitis，amongsomanyothermysteries，thatofonemindtakingpossessionofanothermind。Wehavecomeintocontactwithgreatmindswhichhavemadenoimpressiononus，whilstotherminds，ofsecondaryintelligence，perhaps，anditmaybeinferiortoourown，havegovernedus。
BythesideofaLamennais，thisPierreLerouxwasaverypunypersonage。Hehadbeenacompositorinaprintingworks，beforefoundingthe_Globe_。Thispaper，inhishands，wastobecomeanorganofSaint—Simonism。Hebelongedneithertothe_bourgeois_nortotheworking—class。HewasClumsy，notwellbuilt，andhadanenormousshockofhair，whichwasthejoyofcaricaturists。Hewasshyandawkward，inadditiontoallthis。
Heneverthelessappearedinvarious_salons_，andwasnaturallymoreorlessridiculous。InJanuary，1840，Berangerwrites：
"Youmustknowthatourmetaphysicianhassurroundedhimselfwithwomen，attheheadofwhomareGeorgeSandandMarliani，andthat，ingildeddrawing—rooms，underthelightofchandeliers，heexposeshisreligiousprinciplesandhismuddyboots。"GeorgeSandherselfmadefunofthisoccasionally。InalettertoMadamed’Agoult，shewrites：
"Heisveryamusingwhenhedescribesmakinghisappearanceinyourdrawing—roomoftheRueLaffitte。Hesays：`Iwasallmuddy，andquiteashamedofmyself。Iwaskeepingoutofsightasmuchaspossibleinacorner。_Thislady_cametomeandtalkedinthekindestwaypossible。Sheisverybeautiful。’"[35]
[35]_Correspondance_：ToMadamed’Agoult，October16，1837/。
Therearetwofeaturesabouthim，then，whichseemtostrikeeveryone，hisunkemptnessandhisshyness。Heexpressedhisideas，whichwerealreadyobscure，inaformwhichseemedtomakethemevenmoreobscure。Ithasbeensaidwittilythatwhendiggingouthisideas，heburiedhimselfinthem。[36]Lateron，whenhespokeatpublicmeetings，hewasnotedforthenonsensehetalkedinhisinterminableandunintelligibleharangues。
[36]P。Thureau—Dangin，_HistoiredelaMonarchiedeJuillet。_
Andyet，inspiteofallthis，thesmokefromthismindattractedGeorgeSand，andbecameherpillaroflightmovingonbeforeher。
Hishazyphilosophyseemedtoherasclearasdaylight，itappealedtoherheartandtohermind，solvedherdoubts，andgavehertranquillity，strength，faith，hopeandapatientandperseveringloveofhumanity。
Itseemsasthough，withthatmarvellousfacultythatshehadforidealizingalways，shemanufacturedaPierreLerouxofherown，whowasfinerthantherealone。Hewasneedy，butpovertybecomesthemanwhohasideas。Hewasawkward，butthecontemplativeman，oncomingdownfromtheregionofthoughtontoourearthoncemore，onlygropesalong。Hewasnotclear，butVoltairetellsusthatwhenamandoesnotunderstandhisownwords，heistalkingmetaphysics。
Chopinhadpersonifiedtheartistforher；PierreLeroux，withhiswordsasentangledashishair，figurednowtoherasthephilosopher。
Shesawinhimthechiefandthemaster。_Tuducaetumaestro_。
InFebruary，1844，shewrotethefollowingextraordinarylines：
"ImusttellyouthatGeorgeSandisonlyapalereflectionofPierreLeroux，afanaticaldiscipleofthesameideal，butadisciplemuteandfascinatedwhenlisteningtohiswords，andquitepreparedtothrowallherownworksintothefire，inordertowrite，talk，think，prayandactunderhisinspiration。
Iammerelythepopularizer，withareadypenandanimpressionablemind，andItrytotranslate，inmynovels，thephilosophyofthemaster。"
Themostextraordinarypartabouttheselinesisthattheywereabsolutelytrue。ThewholesecretoftheproductionsofGeorgeSandforthenexttenyearsiscontainedinthesewords。
WithPierreLerouxandLouisViardotshenowfoundedareview，_LaRevueindependante_，inwhichshecouldpublish，notonlynovels（beginningwith_Horace_，whichBulozhadrefused），butarticlesbywhichphilosophical—socialisticideascouldhaveafreecourse。
Betterstillthanthis，thenovelistcouldtakethewatchwordfromthesociologist。justasMascarillaputRomanhistoryintomadrigals，shewasabletoputPierreLeroux’sphilosophyintonovels。
ItwouldbeinterestingtoknowwhatshesawinPierreLeroux，andwhichofhisideassheapprovedandpreferred。OneoftheideasdeartoPierreLerouxwasthatofimmortality，butanimmortalitywhichhadverylittleincommonwithChristianity。Accordingtoit，weshouldliveagainafterdeath，butinhumanityandinanotherworld。
Theideaofmetempsychosiswasverymuchinvogueatthisepoch。
AccordingtoJeanRcynaudandLamennais，soulstravelledfromstartostar，butPierreLerouxbelievedinmetempsychosisonearth。
"Wearenotonlythechildrenandtheposterityofthosewhohavealreadylived，butweare，atbottom，theanteriorgenerationsthemselves。Wehavegonethroughformerexistenceswhichwedonotremember，butitmaybethatattimeswehavefragmentaryreminiscencesofthem。"
GeorgeSandmusthavebeenverydeeplyimpressedbythisidea。
Itinspiredherwith_Septcordesdelalyre_，_Spiridion_，_Consuelo_andthe_ComtessedeRudolstadt_，thewholecycleofherphilosophicalnovels。
The_Septcordesdelalyre_isadramaticpoemafterthemannerof_Faust_。MaitreAlbertusistheolddoctorconversingwithMephistocles。Hehasaward，namedHelene，andalyre。
Aspiritlivesinthislyre。Itisallinvainthatthepainter，the_maestro_，thepoet，thecriticendeavourtomakethecordsvibrate。
Thelyreremainsdumb。Helene，evenwithoutputtingherhandsonit，candrawfromitmagnificentharmony；Heleneismad。Allthismayseemveryincomprehensibletoyou，andImustconfessthatitissotome。Albertushimselfdeclares："Thishasapoeticalsenseofaveryhighorderperhaps，butitseemsvaguetome。"
Personally，IamofthesameopinionasAlbertus。Withalittleeffort，Imight，likeanyoneelse，beabletogiveyouaninterpretationofthislogogriph，whichmightappeartohavesomethinginit。
IprefertellingyoufranklythatIdonotunderstandit。
Theauthor，perhaps，didnotunderstanditmuchbettersothatitmayhavebeenmetaphysics。
Iwouldcallyourattention，though，tothatpictureofHelene，withthemagiclyreinherhand，riskingherlife，byclimbingtothespireofthesteepleandutteringherinspiringspeechfromthere。
IsnotthissomethinglikeSolness，thebuilder，fromthetopofhistower？LikeTolstoi，IbsenhadevidentlyreadGeorgeSandandhadnotforgottenher。
_Spiridion_introducesusintoastrangeconvent，inwhichweseetheportraitscomeoutoftheirframesandroamaboutthecloisters。
Thefounderoftheconvent，Hebronius，livesagaininthepersonofFatherAlexis，whoisnootherthanLeroux。
In_Consuelo_wehavethesameimagination。Wehavealreadyconsideredthefirstpartofthisnovel，thatwhichtakesplaceatVenice，intheschoolsofmusicandinthetheatresofsong。
Whowouldhavethoughtthatthecharmingdiva，thepupilofPorpora，wastohavesuchstrangeadventures？ShearrivesinBohemia，attheChateauofRudolstadt。Shehasbeenwarnedthatextraordinarythingstakeplacethere。ComteAlbertdeRudolstadtissubjecttonervousfitsandtogreatlethargy。Hedisappearsfromthechateauandthenreappears，withoutanyoneseeinghimgoinorout。
HebelievesthathehasbeenJeanZiska，andthisisprobablytrue。
Hehasbeenpresentateventswhichtookplacethreehundredyearspreviously，andhedescribesthem。ConsuelodiscoversAlbert’sretreat。Itisacavernhollowedoutofamountaininthevicinity，whichcommunicates，bymeansofawell，withhisrooms。
TheChateauofRudolstadtisbuiltonthesamearchitecturalplanasAnneRadcliffe’schateau。Afterstayingforsometimeinthisbewilderingplace，Consuelosetsforthoncemore。ShenowmeetsHaydn，goesthroughtheBohmerWaldwithhim，arrivesinVenice，isintroducedtoMariaTheresa，andisengagedattheImperialTheatre。SheisnowrecalledtotheChateauofRudolstadt。Albertisonhisdeathbed，andhemarriesher_inextremis_，aftertellingherthatheisgoingtoleaveherforatime，butthatheshallreturntoheronearthbyanewbirth。He，too，hadevidentlyreadPierreLeroux，anditwasperhapsthatwhichhadcausedhisillness。
_Consuelo_isanovelofadventuresafterthestyleof_GilBlas_，the_ViedeMarianne_，and_WilkelmMeister_。Itisahistoricalnovel，forwhichwehaveJosephHaydn，MariaTheresa，BaronTrenk，andthewholehistoryoftheHussites。Itisafantasticalstorywithdigressionsonmusicandonpopularsongs，butrunningthroughitall，withthepersistencyofafixedidea，aredivagationsonthesubjectofearthlymetempsychosis。Such，then，isthisincongruousstory，oddandexaggerated，butwithgleamsoflightandofgreatbeauty，thereadingofwhichisapttoleaveonewearyanddisturbed。
WemeetwithConsueloagaininanotherbook。Inthosedays，itwasnotenoughforanoveltoconsistofseveralvolumes。
Peoplelikedasequelalso。_Vingtansapres_wasthesequelto_TroisMousquetaires_，andthe_VicomtedeBragelonne_wasasequeltothatsequel。Ourgrandparentswerecapableofallowingthemselvestobeboredtoadegreewhichmakesusashamedofourfrivolity。
The_ComtessedeRudolstadt_wasthesequelto_Consuelo_。Astimewenton，PierreLerouxcalledGeorgeSand’sattentiontothestudyoffreemasonry。In1843，shedeclaredthatshewasplungedinit，andthatitwasagulfofnonsenseanduncertainties，inwhich"shewasdabblingcourageously。"
"Iamuptomyearsinfreemasonry，"shewrites。"Icannotgetawayfromthekaddosh，theRoseCroixandtheSublimeScotchman。
Theresultofallthiswillbeamysteriousnovel。"Themysteriousnovelwasthe_ComtessedeRudolstadt_。Consuelo，whothroughhermarriagewithAlbertisnowComtessedeRudolstadt，continuesherEuropeantour。ShereachesBerlin，andwefindherattheCourtofFrederickII。WenowhaveVoltaire，LaMettrie，theSans—Soucisuppers，Cagliostro，Saint—Germainandtheoccultsciences。
FrederickIIsendsConsuelotoprison。Thereappearstobenoreasonforthis，unlessitbethatinordertoescapeshemustfirsthavebeenimprisoned。SomemysteriousrescuerstakeagreatinterestinConsuelo，andtransporthertoastrangedwelling，whereshehasawholeseriesofsurprises。Itis，infact，asortofPalaceofIllusions。Sheisfirstinadarkroom，andshethenfindsherselfsuddenlyinaroomofdazzlinglight。"Atthefarendofthisroom，thewholeaspectofwhichisveryforbidding，shedistinguishessevenpersonages，wrappedinredcloaksandwearingmasksofsuchlividwhitenessthattheylookedlikecorpses。
Theywereallseatedbehindatableofblackmarble。Justinfrontofthetable，andonalowerseat，wasaneighthspectre。
Hewasdressedinblack，andhe，too，woreawhitemask。Bythewall，oneachsideoftheroom，wereabouttwentymeninblackcloaksandmasks。Therewasthemostprofoundsilence。Consueloturnedroundandsawthattherewerealsoblackphantomsbehindher。
Ateachdoorthereweretwoofthemstandingup，eachholdingahuge，brightsword。"[37]
[37]_ComtessedeRudolstadt。_
Shewonderedwhethershehadreachedtheinfernalregions，butshediscoveredthatshewasinthemidstofasecretsociety，styledtheInvisibles。Consueloistogothroughallthevariousstagesoftheinitiation。Shefirstputsonthebridaldress，andafterthisthewidow’sweeds。Sheundergoesallthevarioustrials，andhastowitnessthedifferentspectaclesprovidedforheredification，includingcoffins，funeralpalls，spectresandsimulatedtortures。
Thedescriptionofallthevariousceremoniestakesupabouthalfofthebook。GeorgeSand’sobjectwastoshowupthismovementofsecretsocieties，whichwassuchafeatureoftheeighteenthcentury，andwhichwasdirectedbothagainstmonarchicalpowerandagainsttheChurch。ItcontributedtopreparethewayfortheRevolution，andgavetothisthatinternationalcharacterandthatmysticallurewhichwouldotherwisehavebeenincomprehensible。
From_Spiridion_tothe_ComtessedeRudolstadt_，then，wehavethisseriesoffantasticalnovelswithghosts，subterraneanpassages，secrethiding—places，hallucinationsandapparitions。Theunfortunatepartisthatatpresentwescarcelyknowtowhatcategoryofreaderstheywouldappeal。Asregardsgrown—uppeople，weallprefersomethingwithavestigeoftruthinitnow—a—days。Astoourchildren，theywouldprefer_Monte—Cristo_to_Consuelo_，and_TomThumb_
to_Spiridion_。Atthetimethattheywerewritten，inspiteofthefactthatBulozprotestedagainstallthisphilosophy，thesenovelswerequiteinaccordancewiththepublictaste。
Amaniaforanythingfantastichadtakenpossessionofthemostseriouspeople。Ballanchewrotehis_LaPalingenesie_，andEdgarQuinet_Ahasverus_。Thingstookplacethroughtheages，andthereadertravelledthroughtheimmensityofthecenturies，justasthoughWellshadalreadyinventedhismachineforexploringtime。
InacountrylikeFrance，whereclear—mindednessandmatter—of—factintelligenceareappreciated，allthisseemssurprising。Itwasnodoubttheresultofinfiltrationswhichhadcomefromabroad。
Therewassomethingwrongwithusjustthen，"somethingrotteninthekingdomofFrance。"Weseethisbythatfeverofsocialisticdoctrineswhichburstforthamongusabouttheyear1840。
Wehavethe_Phalanstere_byFourier，_LaPhalange_byConsiderant，the_Icarie_byCabet，andhisfamous_Voyage_，whichappearedthatveryyear。WewerealwaystobedevouredbytheState，accompaniedbywhateversaucewepreferred。TheStatewasalwaystofindusshelter，todressus，togovernusandtotyrannizeoverus。
TherewastheStateasemployer，theStateasgeneralstorekeeper，theStatetofeedus；allthiswasadreamofbliss。Buonarotti，formerlyBabeuf’saccomplice，preachedCommunism。LouisBlancpublishedhis_Organisationdutravail_，inwhichhecallstohisaidapoliticalrevolution，foretasteofasocialrevolution。
Proudhonpublishedhis_Memoiresurlapropriete_，containingthecelebratedphrase："Propertymeanstheft。"Hedeclaredhimselfananarchist，andasamatteroffactanarchywasalreadyeverywhere。
Afreshevilhadsuddenlymadeitsappearance，and，byacruelirony，itwasthelogicalconsequenceofthatindustrialdevelopmentofwhichthecenturywassoproud。Theresultofallthatwealthhadbeentocreateanewformofmisery，anenvious，jealousformofmisery，muchmorecruelthantheformerone，foritfilledtheheartwithafermentofhatred，apassionfordestruction。
ItwasPierreLeroux，also，wholedGeorgeSandontoSocialism。
Shehadbeenonthewaytoitbyherself。ForalongtimeshehadbeenraisinganaltarinherhearttothatentitycalledthePeople，andshehadbeenadorningitwithallthevirtues。Thefuturebelongedtothepeople，thewholeofthefuture，andfirstofallthatofliterature。
Poetrywasgettingalittlewornout，buttorestoreitsfreshnesstherewerethepoetsofthepeople。CharlesPoncy，ofToulon，abricklayer，publishedavolumeofpoetry，in1842，entitled_Marines_。
GeorgeSandadoptedhim。Hewasthedemonstrationofhertheory，theexamplewhichillustratedherdream。Shecongratulatedhimandencouragedhim。"Youareagreatpoet，"shesaidtohim，andshethereuponspeaksofhimtoallherfriends。"HaveyoureadBaruch？"
sheasksthem。"HaveyoureadPoncy，apoetbricklayeroftwentyyearsofage？"Shetellseveryoneabouthisbook，dwellsonitsbeauties，andaskspeopletospeakofit。
AsafriendofGeorgeSand，IhaveexaminedthepoemsbyPoncyofwhichshespeciallyspeaks。Thefirstoneisentitled_Meditationsurlestoits_。Thepoethasbeenobligedtostayontherooftocompletehiswork，andwhiletherehemeditates。
_"Letravailmeretientbientardsurcestoitures_……"
Hethenbeginstowonderwhathewouldseeif，likeAsmodeeinthe_Diableboiteux_，hecouldhavetherooftakenoff，sothatthevariousroomscouldbeexposedtoview。Alas！hewouldnotalwaysfindtheconcordoftheGoldenAge。
_QuedefoiscontemolantcetamasdemaisonsQuetreignentnosrempartscouronnesdegazons，EtcesfaubourgsnaissantsquelavilletroppleinePoursesenfantsnouveauxelevedanslaplaine。
ImmobilestroufieauxounotreclochergrisSembleunpatreaumilieudesesblanchesbrebis，Jaipenseque，malgrenotreangoisseetnospeines，Souscestoitspaternelsilexistaitdeshaines，EtquedesmursplusfortsquecesmursmitoyensSeparentici—baslescoeursdescitoyens。_
Thiswasanappealtoconcord，andallbrothersofhumanitywereinvitedtorallytothewatchword。
Theintentionwasnodoubtverygood。Then，too，_mursmitoyens_
wasanextremelyrichandunexpectedrhymefor_citoyens_。
Thiswasworthyindeedofamanofthatparty。
AnotherofthepoemsgreatlyadmiredbyGeorgeSandwas_LeForcat_。
_RegarderleforcatsurlapoutreequarriePosersonseinhalequeleremordscarie_……
CertainlyifBanvilleweretolayclaimtohavinginventedrhymesthatarepuns，wecouldonlysaythathewasaplagiaristafterreadingCharlesPoncy。
Inanotherpoemaddressedtotherich，entitled_L’hiver_，thepoetnoticeswithgriefthatthewinter……_quiremplitlessalons，lesWdtres，RemplitaussilaMorgueetlesamphitheatres。_
Heisafraidthatthepeoplewill，intheend，losetheirpatience，andsohegivestothehappymortalsonthisearththefollowingcounsel：
_Riches，avosplaisirsfaitesparticiperL’hommequelesmalheurss’acharnentafrapperOh，faitestravaillerleperedefamille，Pourqu’ilpuissearbiterlapudeurdesafille，Pourqu’auxpetitsenfantsmaigrisparlesdouleursIlrapporte，lesoir，lepainetnondespleurs，Afinquesonepouse，audesespoirenproie，Seranimeasavueetl’embrasseavecjoie，Afinqual’Eternel，al’heuredesamort。
Vousn’offriezpasuncoeurcariederemords_。
Theexpressioncertainlyleavesmuchtobedesiredinthesepoems，buttheyarenotlackingineloquence。Wehadalreadyhadsomethingofthiskind，though，writtenbyapoetwhowasnotabricklayer。
He，too，hadaskedtherichthequestionfollowing：
_Dansvosfetesd’hiver，riches，heureuxdumonde，Quandlebaltournoyantdesesfeuxvousinonde……
Songez—vousqu’ilestla，souslegivreetlaneige，Ceperesanstravailquelafamineassiege？_
Headvisesthemtopractisecharity，thesisterofprayer。
_Donnezafinqu’unjour，avotrederniereheure，ContretousvospechesvousayezlaPriereD’unmendiantpuissantauciel_。"
Wecannot，certainly，expectPoncytobeaVictorHugo。ButaswehadVictorHugo’sverses，ofwhatusewasitforthemtoberewrittenbyPoncy？Myreasonforquotingafewofthefinelinesfrom_Feuillesd’automne_isthatIfeltanurgentneedofclearingawayalltheseplatitudes。Poncywasnottheonlyworking—manpoet。
Othertradesproducedtheirpoetstoo。Thefirstpoemin_Marines_
isaddressedtoDurand，apoetcarpenter，whointroduceshimselfas"_EnfantdelaforetquiceintFontainebleau_。"
Thismanhandledtheplaneandthelyre，justasPoncydidthetrowelandthelyre。
Thispoetryoftheworking—classeswastogiveitsadmirersplentyofdisappointment。GeorgeSandadvisedPoncytotreatthethingsconnectedwithhistrade，inhispoetry。"Donottrytoputonothermen’sclothes，butletusseeyouinliteraturewiththeplasteronyourhandswhichisnaturaltoyouandwhichinterestsus，"
shesaidtohim。
ProudofhissuccesswiththeladiesofParis，Poncywantedtowashhishands，putonacoat，andgointosociety。ItwasallinvainthatGeorgeSandbeseechedPoncytoremainthepoetofhumanity。
Sheexposedtohimthedogmaofimpersonalityinsuchfineterms，thatmorethanone_bourgeois_poetmightprofitbywhatshesaid。
"Anindividual，"shesaid，"whoposesasapoet，asapureartist，asagodlikemostofourgreatmendo，whethertheybe_bourgeois_
oraristocrats，soontiresuswithhispersonality……Menareonlyinterestedinamanwhenthatmanisinterestedinhumanity。"
Thiswasallofnouse，though，forPoncywasmostanxioustotreatothersubjectsrathermorelivelyand——slightlylibertine。
Hisliterarygodmotheradmonishedhim。
"Youarededicatingto_Juanal’Espagnole_andtovariousotherfantasticalbeautiesversesthatIdonotapprove。Areyoua_bourgeois_poetorapoetofthepeople？Iftheformer，youcansinginhonourofallthevoluptuousnessandallthesirensoftheuniverse，withouteverhavingknowneither。Youcansupwiththemostdelicioushourisorwithallthestreet—walkers，inyourpoems，withouteverleavingyourfiresideorhavingseenanygreaterbeautythanthenoseofyourhall—porter。Thesegentlemenwritetheirpoetryinthisway，andtheirrhymingisnonetheworseforit。