THETULIP.
IamtheTulipfromBatavia\'sshore;
ThethriftyFlemingformybeautyrarePaysaking\'sransom,whenthatIamfair,Andtall,andstraight,andpuremypetal\'score.
And,likesomeYolandeofthedaysofyore,MylongandamplyfoldedskirtsIwear,O\'er-paintedwiththeblazonthatIbear——Gules,afessazure;purpure,fretty,or.
ThefingersoftheGardenerdivineHavewovenformemyvesturefairandfine,Ofthreadsofsunlightandofpurplestain;
Noflowersogloriousinthegardenbed,ButNature,woeisme,nofragranceshedWithinmycupofOrientporcelain.
\"Well?\"askedLucienafterapause,immeasurablylong,asitseemedtohim.
\"Mydearfellow,\"Etiennesaid,gravelysurveyingthetipsofLucien\'sbootshehadbroughtthepairfromAngouleme,andwaswearingthemout.\"Mydearfellow,Istronglyrecommendyoutoputyourinkonyourbootstosaveblacking,andtotakeyourpensfortoothpicks,sothatwhenyoucomeawayfromFlicoteaux\'syoucanswaggeralongthispicturesquealleylookingasifyouhaddined.Getasituationofanysortordescription.Runerrandsforabailiffifyouhavetheheart,beashopmanifyourbackisstrongenough,enlistifyouhappentohaveatasteformilitarymusic.Youhavethestuffofthreepoetsinyou;butbeforeyoucanreachyourpublic,youwillhavetimetodieofstarvationsixtimesover,ifyouintendtoliveontheproceedsofyourpoetry,thatis.Andfromyourtoounsophisticateddiscourse,itwouldseemtobeyourintentiontocoinmoneyoutofyourinkstand.
\"Isaynothingastoyourverses;theyareagooddealbetterthanallthepoeticalwaresthatarecumberingthegroundinbooksellers\'
backshopsjustnow.Elegant\'nightingales\'ofthatsortcostalittlemorethantheothers,becausetheyareprintedonhand-madepaper,buttheynearlyallofthemcomedownatlasttothebanksoftheSeine.
YoumaystudytheirrangeofnotesthereanydayifyoucaretomakeaninstructivepilgrimagealongtheQuaisfromoldJerome\'sstallbythePontNotreDametothePontRoyal.Youwillfindthemallthere——
alltheEssaysinVerse,theInspirations,theloftyflights,thehymns,andsongs,andballads,andodes;allthenestfulshatchedduringthelastsevenyears,infact.Therelietheirmuses,thickwithdust,bespatteredbyeverypassingcab,atthemercyofeveryprofanehandthatturnsthemovertolookatthevignetteonthetitle-page.
\"Youknownobody;youhaveaccesstononewspaper,soyourMargueriteswillremaindemurelyfoldedasyouholdthemnow.TheywillneveropenouttothesunofpublicityinfairfieldswithbroadmarginsenameledwiththefloretswhichDauriattheillustrious,thekingoftheWoodenGalleries,scatterswithalavishhandforpoetsknowntofame.IcametoParisasyoucame,poorboy,withaplentifulstockofillusions,impelledbyirrepressiblelongingsforglory——andIfoundtherealitiesofthecraft,thepracticaldifficultiesofthetrade,thehardfactsofpoverty.Inmyenthusiasmitiskeptwellundercontrolnow,myfirstebullitionofyouthfulspirits,Ididnotseethesocialmachineryatwork;soIhadtolearntoseeitbybumpingagainstthewheelsandbruisingmyselfagainsttheshafts,andchains.
Nowyouareabouttolearn,asIlearned,thatbetweenyouandallthesefairdreamed-ofthingsliesthestrifeofmen,andpassions,andnecessities.
\"Willy-nilly,youmusttakepartinaterriblebattle;bookagainstbook,managainstman,partyagainstparty;makewaryoumust,andthatsystematically,oryouwillbeabandonedbyyourownparty.Andtheyaremeancontests;struggleswhichleaveyoudisenchanted,andwearied,anddepraved,andallinpurewaste;foritoftenhappensthatyouputforthallyourstrengthtowinlaurelsforamanwhomyoudespise,andmaintain,inspiteofyourself,thatsomesecond-ratewriterisagenius.
\"Thereisaworldbehindthescenesinthetheatreofliterature.Thepublicinfrontseesunexpectedorwell-deservedsuccess,andapplauds;thepublicdoesNOTseethepreparations,uglyastheyalwaysare,thepaintedsupers,theclaqueurshiredtoapplaud,thestagecarpenters,andallthatliesbehindthescenes.Youarestillamongtheaudience.Abdicate,thereisstilltime,beforeyousetyourfootontheloweststepofthethroneforwhichsomanyambitiousspiritsarecontending,anddonotsellyourhonor,asIdo,foralivelihood.\"Etienne\'seyesfilledwithtearsashespoke.
\"DoyouknowhowImakealiving?\"hecontinuedpassionately.\"Thelittlestockofmoneytheygavemeathomewassooneatenup.ApieceofminewasacceptedattheTheatre-FrancaisjustasIcametoanendofit.AttheTheatre-Francaistheinfluenceofafirstgentlemanofthebedchamber,orofaprinceoftheblood,wouldnotbeenoughtosecureaturnoffavor;theactorsonlymakeconcessionstothosewhothreatentheirself-love.Ifitisinyourpowertospreadareportthatthejeunepremierhastheasthma,theleadingladyafistulawhereyouplease,andthesoubrettehasfoulbreath,thenyourpiecewouldbeplayedto-morrow.Idonotknowwhetherintwoyears\'time,I
whospeaktoyounow,shallbeinapositiontoexercisesuchpower.
Youneedsomanytobackyou.AndwhereandhowamItogainmybreadmeanwhile?
\"Itriedlotsofthings;Iwroteanovel,anonymously;oldDoguereaugavemetwohundredfrancsforit,andhedidnotmakeverymuchoutofithimself.Thenitgrewplaintomethatjournalismalonecouldgivemealiving.Thenextthingwastofindmywayintothoseshops.
IwillnottellyoualltheadvancesImade,norhowoftenIbeggedinvain.IwillsaynothingofthesixmonthsIspentasextrahandonapaper,andwastoldthatIscaredsubscribersaway,whenasafactI
attractedthem.PassovertheinsultsIputupwith.AtthismomentI
amdoingtheplaysattheBoulevardtheatres,almostgratis,forapaperbelongingtoFinot,thatstoutyoungfellowwhobreakfaststwoorthreetimesamonth,evennow,attheCafeVoltairebutyoudon\'tgothere.Ilivebysellingticketsthatmanagersgivemetobribeagoodwordinthepaper,andreviewers\'copiesofbooks.Inshort,Finotoncesatisfied,Iamallowedtowriteforandagainstvariouscommercialarticles,andItrafficintributepaidinkindbyvarioustradesmen.AfacetiousnoticeofaCarminativeToiletLotion,PatedesSultanes,CephalicOil,orBrazilianMixturebringsmeintwentyorthirtyfrancs.
\"Iamobligedtodunthepublisherswhentheydon\'tsendinasufficientnumberofreviewers\'copies;Finot,aseditor,appropriatestwoandsellsthem,andImusthavetwotosell.Ifabookofcapitalimportancecomesout,andthepublisherisstingywithcopies,hislifeismadeaburdentohim.Thecraftisvile,butIlivebyit,andsodoscoresofothers.Donotimaginethatthingsareanybetterinpubliclife.Thereiscorruptioneverywhereinbothregions;everymaniscorruptorcorruptsothers.Ifthereisanypublishingenterprisesomewhatlargerthanusualafoot,thetradewillpaymesomethingtobuyneutrality.Theamountofmyincomevaries,therefore,directlywiththeprospectuses.Whenprospectusesbreakoutlikearash,moneypoursintomypockets;Istandtreatallround.Whentradeisdull,I
dineatFlicoteaux\'s.
\"Actresseswillpayyoulikewiseforpraise,butthewiseramongthempayforcriticism.Tobepassedoverinsilenceiswhattheydreadthemost;andtheverybestthingofall,fromtheirpointofview,iscriticismwhichdrawsdownareply;itisfarmoreeffectualthanbaldpraise,forgottenassoonasread,anditcostsmoreinconsequence.
Celebrity,mydearfellow,isbaseduponcontroversy.Iamahiredbravo;Iplymytradeamongideasandreputations,commercial,literary,anddramatic;Imakesomefiftycrownsamonth;Icansellanovelforfivehundredfrancs;andIambeginningtobelookeduponasamantobefeared.Someday,insteadoflivingwithFlorineattheexpenseofadruggistwhogiveshimselftheairsofalord,Ishallbeinahouseofmyown;Ishallbeonthestaffofaleadingnewspaper,Ishallhaveafeuilleton;andonthatday,mydearfellow,Florinewillbecomeagreatactress.Asforme,IamnotsurewhatIshallbewhenthattimecomes,aministeroranhonestman——allthingsarestillpossible.\"
Heraisedhishumiliatedhead,andlookedoutatthegreenleaves,withanexpressionofdespairingself-condemnationdreadfultosee.
\"AndIhadagreattragedyaccepted!\"hewenton.\"Andamongmypapersthereisapoem,whichwilldie.AndIwasagoodfellow,andmyheartwasclean!Iusedtodreamloftydreamsofloveforgreatladies,queensinthegreatworld;and——mymistressisanactressatthePanorama-Dramatique.Andlastly,ifabooksellerdeclinestosendacopyofabooktomypaper,Iwillrundownworkwhichisgood,asI
know.\"
Lucienwasmovedtotears,andhegraspedEtienne\'shandinhis.Thejournalistrosetohisfeet,andthepairwentupanddownthebroadAvenuedel\'Observatoire,asiftheirlungscravedamplerbreathingspace.
\"Outsidetheworldofletters,\"EtienneLousteaucontinued,\"notasinglecreaturesuspectsthateveryonewhosucceedsinthatworld——
whohasacertainvogue,thatistosay,orcomesintofashion,orgainsreputation,orrenown,orfame,orfavorwiththepublicforbythesenamesweknowtherungsoftheladderbywhichweclimbtothehigherheightsaboveandbeyondthem,——everyonewhocomeseventhusfaristheheroofadreadfulOdyssey.Brilliantportentsriseabovethementalhorizonthroughacombinationofathousandaccidents;
conditionschangesoswiftlythatnotwomenhavebeenknowntoreachsuccessbythesameroad.CanalisandNathanaretwodissimilarcases;
thingsneverfalloutinthesamewaytwice.Thereisd\'Arthez,whoknockshimselftopieceswithwork——hewillmakeafamousnamebysomeotherchance.
\"Thissomuchdesiredreputationisnearlyalwayscrownedprostitution.Yes;thepoorestkindofliteratureisthehaplesscreaturefreezingatthestreetcorner;second-rateliteratureisthekept-mistresspickedoutofthebrothelsofjournalism,andIamherbully;lastly,thereisluckyliterature,theflaunting,insolentcourtesanwhohasahouseofherownandpaystaxes,whoreceivesgreatlords,treatingorill-treatingthemasshepleases,whohasliveriedservantsandacarriage,andcanaffordtokeepgreedycreditorswaiting.Ah!andforyetothers,formenotsoverylongago,foryouto-day——sheisawhite-robedangelwithmany-coloredwings,bearingagreenpalmbranchintheonehand,andintheotheraflamingsword.Anangel,somethingakintothemythologicalabstractionwhichlivesatthebottomofawell,andtothepoorandhonestgirlwholivesalifeofexileintheoutskirtsofthegreatcity,earningeverypennywithanoblefortitudeandinthefulllightofvirtue,returningtoheaveninviolateofbodyandsoul;unless,indeed,shecomestolieatthelast,soiled,despoiled,polluted,andforgotten,onapauper\'sbier.Asforthemenwhosebrainsareencompassedwithbronze,whoseheartsarestillwarmunderthesnowsofexperience,theyarefoundbutseldominthecountrythatliesatourfeet,\"headded,pointingtothegreatcityseethinginthelateafternoonlight.
Avisionofd\'ArthezandhisfriendsflasheduponLucien\'ssight,andmadeappealtohimforamoment;butLousteau\'sappallinglamentationcarriedhimaway.
\"Theyareveryfewandfarbetweeninthatgreatfermentingvat;rareasloveinlove-making,rareasfortuneshonestlymadeinbusiness,rareasthejournalistwhosehandsareclean.TheexperienceofthefirstmanwhotoldmeallthatIamtellingyouwasthrownawayuponme,andminenodoubtwillbewasteduponyou.Itisalwaysthesameoldstoryyearafteryear;thesameeagerrushtoParisfromtheprovinces;thesame,nottosayagrowing,numberofbeardless,ambitiousboys,whoadvance,headerect,andtheheartthatPrincessTourandocteoftheMilleetunJours——eachoneofthemfaintobeherPrinceCalaf.Butneveraoneofthemreadstheriddle.Onebyonetheydrop,someintothetrenchwherefailureslie,someintothemireofjournalism,someagainintothequagmiresofthebook-trade.
\"Theypickupaliving,thesebeggars,whatwithbiographicalnotices,penny-a-lining,andscrapsofnewsforthepapers.Theybecomebooksellers\'hacksfortheclear-headeddealersinprintedpaper,whowouldsoonertaketherubbishthatgoesoffinafortnightthanamasterpiecewhichrequirestimetosell.Thelifeiscrushedoutofthegrubsbeforetheyreachthebutterflystage.Theylivebyshameanddishonor.TheyarereadytowritedownarisinggeniusortopraisehimtotheskiesatawordfromthepashaoftheConstitutionnel,theQuotidienne,ortheDebats,atasignfromapublisher,attherequestofajealouscomrade,orasnotseldomhappenssimplyforadinner.Somesurmounttheobstacles,andtheseforgetthemiseryoftheirearlydays.I,whoamtellingyouthis,havebeenputtingthebestthatisinmeintonewspaperarticlesforsixmonthspastforablackguardwhogivesthemoutashisownandhassecuredafeuilletoninanotherpaperonthestrengthofthem.Hehasnottakenmeonashiscollaborator,hehasnotgivemesomuchasafive-francpiece,butIholdoutahandtograsphiswhenwemeet;I
cannothelpmyself.\"
\"Andwhy?\"Lucien,asked,indignantly.
\"Imaywanttoputadozenlinesintohisfeuilletonsomeday,\"
Lousteauansweredcoolly.\"Inshort,mydearfellow,inliteratureyouwillnotmakemoneybyhardwork,thatisnotthesecretofsuccess;
thepointistoexploittheworkofsomebodyelse.Anewspaperproprietorisacontractor,wearethebricklayers.Themoremediocretheman,thebetterhischanceofgettingonamongmediocrities;hecanplaythetoad-eater,putupwithanytreatment,andflatterallthelittlebasepassionsofthesultansofliterature.ThereisHectorMerlin,whocamefromLimogesashorttimeago;heiswritingpoliticalarticlesalreadyforaRightCentredaily,andheisatworkonourlittlepaperaswell.IhaveseenaneditordrophishatandMerlinpickitup.Thefellowwascarefulnevertogiveoffence,andslippedintothethickofthefightbetweenrivalambitions.Iamsorryforyou.ItisasifIsawinyoutheselfthatIusedtobe,andsureamIthatinoneortwoyears\'timeyouwillbewhatIamnow——Youwillthinkthatthereissomelurkingjealousyorpersonalmotiveinthisbittercounsel,butitispromptedbythedespairofadamnedsoulthatcanneverleavehell——Nooneventurestouttersuchthingsasthese.Youhearthegroansofanguishfromamanwoundedtotheheart,cryinglikeasecondJobfromtheashes,\'Beholdmysores!\'\"
\"ButwhetherIfightuponthisfieldorelsewhere,fightImust,\"saidLucien.
\"Then,besureofthis,\"returnedLousteau,\"ifyouhaveanythinginyou,thewarwillknownotruce,thebestchanceofsuccessliesinanemptyhead.Theausterityofyourconscience,clearasyet,willrelaxwhenyouseethatamanholdsyourfutureinhistwohands,whenawordfromsuchamanmeanslifetoyou,andhewillnotsaythatword.
For,believeme,themostbrutalbooksellerinthetradeisnotsoinsolent,sohard-heartedtoanewcomerasthecelebrityoftheday.
Thebooksellerseesapossiblelossofmoney,whilethewriterofbooksdreadsapossiblerival;thefirstshowsyouthedoor,thesecondcrushesthelifeoutofyou.Todoreallygoodwork,myboy,meansthatyouwilldrawouttheenergy,sap,andtendernessofyournatureateverydipofthepenintheink,tosetitforthfortheworldinpassionandsentimentandphrases.Yes;insteadofacting,youwillwrite;youwillsingsongsinsteadoffighting;youwillloveandhateandliveinyourbooks;andthen,afterall,whenyoushallhavereservedyourrichesforyourstyle,yourgoldandpurpleforyourcharacters,andyouyourselfarewalkingthestreetsofParisinrags,rejoicinginthat,rivalingtheStateRegister,youhaveauthorizedtheexistenceofbeingsstyledAdolphe,CorinneorClarissa,ReneorManon;whenyoushallhavespoiledyourlifeandyourdigestiontogivelifetothatcreation,thenyoushallseeitslandered,betrayed,sold,sweptawayintothebackwatersofoblivionbyjournalists,andburiedoutofsightbyyourbestfriends.Howcanyouaffordtowaituntilthedaywhenyourcreationshallriseagain,raisedfromthedead——how?when?andbywhom?Takeamagnificentbook,thepiantoofunbelief;Obermannisasolitarywandererinthedesertplacesofbooksellers\'warehouses,hehasbeena\'nightingale,\'
ironicallysocalled,fromtheverybeginning:whenwillhisEastercome?Whoknows?Try,tobeginwith,tofindsomebodyboldenoughtoprinttheMarguerites;nottopayforthem,butsimplytoprintthem;
andyouwillseesomequeerthings.\"
Thefiercetirade,deliveredineverytoneofthepassionatefeelingwhichitexpressed,felluponLucien\'sspiritlikeanavalanche,andleftasenseofglacialcold.Foronemomenthestoodsilent;then,ashefelttheterriblestimulatingcharmofdifficultybeginningtoworkuponhim,hiscourageblazedup.HegraspedLousteau\'shand.
\"Iwilltriumph!\"hecriedaloud.
\"Good!\"saidtheother,\"onemoreChristiangivenovertothewildbeastsinthearena——Thereisafirst-nightperformanceatthePanorama-Dramatique,mydearfellow;itdoesn\'tbegintilleight,soyoucanchangeyourcoat,comeproperlydressedinfact,andcallforme.IamlivingonthefourthfloorabovetheCafeServel,RuedelaHarpe.WewillgotoDauriat\'sfirstofall.Youstillmeantogoon,doyounot?Verywell,Iwillintroduceyoutooneofthekingsofthetradeto-night,andtooneortwojournalists.Wewillsupwithmymistressandseveralfriendsaftertheplay,foryoucannotcountthatdinnerasameal.Finotwillbethere,editorandproprietorofmypaper.AsMinettesaysintheVaudevilledoyouremember?,\'Timeisagreatleancreature.\'Well,forthelikeofus,Chanceisagreatleancreature,andmustbetempted.\"
\"IshallrememberthisdayaslongasIlive,\"saidLucien.
\"Bringyourmanuscriptwithyou,andbecarefulofyourdress,notonFlorine\'saccount,butforthebooksellers\'benefit.\"
Thecomrade\'sgood-nature,followinguponthepoet\'spassionateoutcry,ashedescribedthewarofletters,movedLucienquiteasdeeplyasd\'Arthez\'sgraveandearnestwordsonaformeroccasion.Theprospectofenteringatonceuponthestrifewithmenwarmedhim.Inhisyouthandinexperiencehehadnosuspicionhowrealwerethemoralevilsdenouncedbythejournalist.Nordidheknowthathewasstandingatthepartingoftwodistinctways,betweentwosystems,representedbythebrotherhoodupononehand,andjournalismupontheother.Thefirstwaywaslong,honorable,andsure;thesecondbesetwithhiddendangers,aperilouspath,amongmuddychannelswhereconscienceisinevitablybespattered.ThebentofLucien\'scharacterdeterminedfortheshorterway,andtheapparentlypleasanterway,andtosnatchatthequickestandpromptestmeans.Atthismomenthesawnodifferencebetweend\'Arthez\'snoblefriendshipandLousteau\'seasycomaraderie;hisinconstantminddiscernedanewweaponinjournalism;
hefeltthathecouldwieldit,sohewishedtotakeit.
Hewasdazzledbytheoffersofthisnewfriend,whohadstruckahandinhisinaneasyway,whichcharmedLucien.Howshouldheknowthatwhileeverymaninthearmyofthepressneedsfriends,everyleaderneedsmen.Lousteau,seeingthatLucienwasresolute,enlistedhimasarecruit,andhopedtoattachhimtohimself.Therelativepositionsofthetwoweresimilar——onehopedtobecomeacorporal,theothertoentertheranks.
Lucienwentbackgailytohislodgings.HewasascarefuloverhistoiletasonthatformerunluckyoccasionwhenheoccupiedtheMarquised\'Espard\'sbox;buthehadlearnedbythistimehowtowearhisclotheswithabettergrace.Theylookedasthoughtheybelongedtohim.Heworehisbesttightly-fitting,light-coloredtrousers,andadress-coat.Hisboots,averyelegantpairadornedwithtassels,hadcosthimfortyfrancs.Histhick,fine,goldenhairwasscentedandcrimpedintobright,ripplingcurls.Self-confidenceandbeliefinhisfuturelighteduphisforehead.Hepaidcarefulattentiontohisalmostfemininehands,thefilbertnailswereaspotlesspink,andthewhitecontoursofhischinweredazzlingbycontrastwithablacksatinstock.NeverdidamorebeautifulyouthcomedownfromthehillsoftheLatinQuarter.
GloriousasaGreekgod,Lucientookacab,andreachedtheCafeServelataquartertoseven.Theretheportressgavehimsometolerablycomplicateddirectionsfortheascentoffourpairsofstairs.Providedwiththeseinstructions,hediscovered,notwithoutdifficulty,anopendoorattheendofalong,darkpassage,andinanothermomentmadetheacquaintanceofthetraditionalroomoftheLatinQuarter.
Ayoungman\'spovertyfollowshimwhereverhegoes——intotheRuedelaHarpeasintotheRuedeCluny,intod\'Arthez\'sroom,intoChrestien\'slodging;yeteverywherenolessthepovertyhasitsownpeculiarcharacteristics,duetotheidiosyncrasiesofthesufferer.Povertyinthiscaseworeasinisterlook.
Ashabby,cheapcarpetlayinwrinklesatthefootofacurtainlesswalnut-woodbedstead;dingycurtains,begrimedwithcigarsmokeandfumesfromasmokychimney,hunginthewindows;aCarcellamp,Florine\'sgift,onthechimney-piece,hadsofarescapedthepawnbroker.Addaforlorn-lookingchestofdrawers,andatablelitteredwithpapersanddisheveledquillpens,andthelistoffurniturewasalmostcomplete.Allthebookshadevidentlyarrivedinthecourseofthelasttwenty-fourhours;andtherewasnotasingleobjectofanyvalueintheroom.Inonecorneryoubeheldacollectionofcrushedandflattenedcigars,coiledpocket-handkerchiefs,shirtswhichhadbeenturnedtododoubleduty,andcravatsthathadreachedathirdedition;whileasordidarrayofoldbootsstoodgapinginanotherangleoftheroomamongagedsockswornintolace.
Theroom,inshort,wasajournalist\'sbivouac,filledwithoddsandendsofnovalue,andthemostcuriouslybareapartmentimaginable.A
scarlettinder-boxglowedamongapileofbooksonthenightstand.A
braceofpistols,aboxofcigars,andastrayrazorlayuponthemantel-shelf;apairoffoils,crossedunderawiremask,hungagainstapanel.Threechairsandacoupleofarmchairs,scarcelyfitfortheshabbiestlodging-houseinthestreet,completedtheinventory.
Thedirty,cheerlessroomtoldataleofarestlesslifeandawantofself-respect;someonecamehithertosleepandworkathighpressure,stayingnolongerthanhecouldhelp,longing,whileheremained,tobeoutandaway.Whatadifferencebetweenthiscynicaldisorderandd\'Arthez\'sneatandself-respectingpoverty!Awarningcamewiththethoughtofd\'Arthez;butLucienwouldnotheedit,forEtiennemadeajokingremarktocoverthenakednessofarecklesslife.
\"Thisismykennel;IappearinstateintheRuedeBondy,inthenewapartmentswhichourdruggisthastakenforFlorine;weholdthehouse-warmingthisevening.\"
EtienneLousteauworeblacktrousersandbeautifully-varnishedboots;
hiscoatwasbuttoneduptohischin;heprobablymeanttochangehislinenatFlorine\'shouse,forhisshirtcollarwashiddenbyavelvetstock.Hewastryingtorenovatehishatbyanapplicationofthebrush.
\"Letusgo,\"saidLucien.
\"Notyet.Iamwaitingforabooksellertobringmesomemoney;Ihavenotafarthing;therewillbeplay,perhaps,andinanycaseImusthavegloves.\"
Ashespoke,thetwonewfriendsheardaman\'sstepinthepassageoutside.
\"Thereheis,\"saidLousteau.\"Nowyouwillsee,mydearfellow,theshapethatProvidencetakeswhenhemanifestshimselftopoets.YouaregoingtobeholdDauriat,thefashionablebookselleroftheQuaidesAugustins,thepawnbroker,themarinestoredealerofthetrade,theNormanex-greengrocer——Comealong,oldTartar!\"shoutedLousteau.
\"HereamI,\"saidavoicelikeacrackedbell.
\"Broughtthemoneywithyou?\"
\"Money?Thereisnomoneynowinthetrade,\"retortedtheother,ayoungmanwhoeyedLuciencuriously.
\"Imprimis,youowemefiftyfrancs,\"Lousteaucontinued.
\"TherearetwocopiesofTravelsinEgypthere,amarvel,sotheysay,swarmingwithwoodcuts,suretosell.FinothasbeenpaidfortworeviewsthatIamtowriteforhim.ITEMtwoworks,justout,byVictorDucange,anovelisthighlythoughtofintheMarais.ITEMacoupleofcopiesofasecondworkbyPauldeKock,abeginnerinthesamestyle.ITEMtwocopiesofYseultofDole,acharmingprovincialwork.Total,onehundredfrancs,mylittleBarbet.\"
Barbetmadeaclosesurveyofedgesandbinding.
\"Oh!theyareinperfectcondition,\"criedLousteau.\"TheTravelsareuncut,soisthePauldeKock,soistheDucange,soisthatotherthingonthechimney-piece,ConsiderationsonSymbolism.Iwillthrowthatin;mythswearymetothatdegreethatIwillletyouhavethethingtosparemyselfthesightoftheswarmsofmitescomingoutofit.\"
\"But,\"askedLucien,\"howareyougoingtowriteyourreviews?\"
Barbet,inprofoundastonishment,staredatLucien;thenhelookedatEtienneandchuckled.
\"Onecanseethatthegentlemanhasnotthemisfortunetobealiteraryman,\"saidhe.
\"No,Barbet——no.Heisapoet,agreatpoet;heisgoingtocutoutCanalis,andBeranger,andDelavigne.Hewillgoalongwayifhedoesnotthrowhimselfintotheriver,andevensohewillgetasfarasthedrag-netsatSaint-Cloud.\"
\"IfIhadanyadvicetogivethegentleman,\"remarkedBarbet,\"itwouldbetogiveuppoetryandtaketoprose.PoetryisnotwantedontheQuaisjustnow.\"
Barbet\'sshabbyovercoatwasfastenedbyasinglebutton;hiscollarwasgreasy;hekepthishatonhisheadashespoke;heworelowshoes,anopenwaistcoatgaveglimpsesofahomelyshirtofcoarselinen.Good-naturewasnotwantingintheroundcountenance,withitstwoslitsofcovetouseyes;buttherewaslikewisethevagueuneasinesshabitualtothosewhohavemoneytospendandhearconstantapplicationsforit.Yet,toallappearance,hewasplain-dealingandeasy-natured,hisbusinessshrewdnesswassowellwaddedroundwithfat.HehadbeenanassistantuntilhetookawretchedlittleshopontheQuaidesAugustinstwoyearssince,andissuedthenceonhisroundsamongjournalists,authors,andprinters,buyingupfreecopiescheaply,makinginsuchwayssometenortwentyfrancsdaily.Now,hehadmoneysaved;heknewinstinctivelywhereeverymanwaspressed;hehadakeeneyeforbusiness.Ifanauthorwasindifficulties,hewoulddiscountabillgivenbyapublisheratfifteenortwentypercent;thenthenextdayhewouldgotothepublisher,haggleoverthepriceofsomeworkindemand,andpayhimwithhisownbillsinsteadofcash.Barbetwassomethingofascholar;hehadhadjustenougheducationtomakehimcarefultosteerclearofmodernpoetryandmodernromances.Hehadalikingforsmallspeculations,forbooksofapopularkindwhichmightbeboughtoutrightforathousandfrancsandexploitedatpleasure,suchastheChild\'sHistoryofFrance,Book-keepinginTwentyLessons,andBotanyforYoungLadies.Twoorthreetimesalreadyhehadallowedagoodbooktoslipthroughhisfingers;theauthorshadcomeandgoneascoreoftimeswhilehehesitated,andcouldnotmakeuphismindtobuythemanuscript.Whenreproachedforhispusillanimity,hewaswonttoproducetheaccountofanotorioustrialtakenfromthenewspapers;itcosthimnothing,andhadbroughthimintwoorthreethousandfrancs.
Barbetwasthetypeofbooksellerthatgoesinfearandtrembling;
livesonbreadandwalnuts;rarelyputshisnametoabill;filcheslittleprofitsoninvoices;makesdeductions,andhawkshisbooksabouthimself;heavenonlyknowswheretheygo,buthesellsthemsomehow,andgetspaidforthem.Barbetwastheterrorofprinters,whocouldnottellwhattomakeofhim;hepaidcashandtookoffthediscount;henibbledattheirinvoiceswheneverhethoughtheywerepressedformoney;andwhenhehadfleecedamanonce,heneverwentbacktohim——hefearedtobecaughtinhisturn.
\"Well,\"saidLousteau,\"shallwegoonwithourbusiness?\"
\"Eh!myboy,\"returnedBarbetinafamiliartone;\"Ihavesixthousandvolumesofstockonhandatmyplace,andpaperisnotgold,astheoldbooksellersaid.Tradeisdull.\"
\"Ifyouwentintohisshop,mydearLucien,\"saidEtienne,turningtohisfriend,\"youwouldseeanoakcounterfromsomebankruptwinemerchant\'ssale,andatallowdip,neversnuffedforfearitshouldburntooquickly,makingdarknessvisible.Bythatanomalouslightyoudescryrowsofemptyshelveswithsomedifficulty.Anurchininablueblousemountsguardovertheemptiness,andblowshisfingers,andshuffleshisfeet,andslapshischest,likeacabmanonthebox.Justlookaboutyou!therearenomorebookstherethanIhavehere.Nobodycouldguesswhatkindofshophekeeps.\"
\"Hereisabillatthreemonthsforahundredfrancs,\"saidBarbet,andhecouldnothelpsmilingashedrewitoutofhispocket;\"Iwilltakeyouroldbooksoffyourhands.Ican\'tpaycashanylonger,yousee;salesaretooslow.Ithoughtthatyouwouldbewantingme;Ihadnotapenny,andImadeabillsimplytoobligeyou,forIamnotfondofgivingmysignature.\"
\"Soyouwantmythanksandesteemintothebargain,doyou?\"
\"Billsarenotmetwithsentiment,\"respondedBarbet;\"butIwillacceptyouresteem,allthesame.\"
\"ButIwantgloves,andtheperfumerswillbebaseenoughtodeclineyourpaper,\"saidLousteau.\"Stop,thereisasuperbengravinginthetopdrawerofthechestthere,wortheightyfrancs,proofbeforelettersandafterletterpress,forIhavewrittenaprettydrollarticleuponit.TherewassomethingtolayholdofinHippocratesrefusingthePresentsofArtaxerxes.Afineengraving,eh?Justthethingtosuitallthedoctors,whoarerefusingtheextravagantgiftsofParisiansatraps.Youwillfindtwoorthreedozennovelsunderneathit.Come,now,takethelotandgivemefortyfrancs.\"
\"FORTYFRANCS!\"exclaimedthebookseller,emittingacrylikethesquallofafrightenedfowl.\"Twentyattheverymost!AndthenImayneverseethemoneyagain,\"headded.
\"Whereareyourtwentyfrancs?\"askedLousteau.
\"Myword,Idon\'tknowthatIhavethem,\"saidBarbet,fumblinginhispockets.\"Heretheyare.Youareplunderingme;youhaveanascendencyoverme——\"
\"Come,letusbeoff,\"saidLousteau,andtakingupLucien\'smanuscript,hedrewalineuponitininkunderthestring.
\"Haveyouanythingelse?\"askedBarbet.
\"Nothing,youyoungShylock.Iamgoingtoputyouinthewayofabitofverygoodbusiness,\"Etiennecontinued\"inwhichyoushallloseathousandcrowns,toteachyoutorobmeinthisfashion\",headdedforLucien\'sear.
\"Buthowaboutyourreviews?\"saidLucien,astheyrolledawaytothePalaisRoyal.
\"Pooh!youdonotknowhowreviewsareknockedoff.AsfortheTravelsinEgypt,Ilookedintothebookhereandtherewithoutcuttingthepages,andIfoundelevenslipsingrammar.Ishallsaythatthewritermayhavemasteredthedicky-birdlanguageontheflintsthattheycall\'obelisks\'outthereinEgypt,buthecannotwriteinhisown,asIwillprovetohiminacolumnandahalf.Ishallsaythatinsteadofgivingusthenaturalhistoryandarchaeology,heoughttohaveinterestedhimselfinthefutureofEgypt,intheprogressofcivilization,andthebestmethodofstrengtheningthebondbetweenEgyptandFrance.FrancehaswonandlostEgypt,butshemayyetattachthecountrytoherinterestsbygainingamoralascendencyoverit.Thensomepatrioticpenny-a-lining,interlardedwithdiatribesonMarseilles,theLevantandourtrade.\"
\"Butsupposethathehadtakenthatview,whatwouldyoudo?\"
\"Ohwell,Ishouldsaythatinsteadofboringuswithpolitics,heshouldhavewrittenaboutart,anddescribedthepicturesqueaspectsofthecountryandthelocalcolor.Thenthecriticbewailshimself.
Politicsareintrudedeverywhere;wearewearyofpolitics——politicsonallsides.Ishouldregretthosecharmingbooksoftravelthatdweltuponthedifficultiesofnavigation,thefascinationofsteeringbetweentworocks,thedelightsofcrossingtheline,andallthethingsthatthosewhoneverwilltraveloughttoknow.Minglethisapprovalwithscoffingatthetravelerswhohailtheappearanceofabirdoraflying-fishasagreatevent,whodilateuponfishing,andmaketranscriptsfromthelog.Where,youask,isthatperfectlyunintelligiblescientificinformation,fascinating,likeallthatisprofound,mysterious,andincomprehensible.Thereaderlaughs,thatisallthathewants.Asfornovels,Florineisthegreatestnovelreaderalive;shegivesmeasynopsis,andItakeheropinionandputareviewtogether.Whenanovelistboresherwith\'author\'sstuff,\'asshecallsit,Itreattheworkrespectfully,andaskthepublisherforanothercopy,whichhesendsforthwith,delightedtohaveafavorablereview.\"
\"Goodness!andwhatofcriticism,thecritic\'ssacredoffice?\"criedLucien,rememberingtheideasinstilledintohimbythebrotherhood.
\"Mydearfellow,\"saidLousteau,\"criticismisakindofbrushwhichmustnotbeuseduponflimsystuff,oritcarriesitallawaywithit.
Thatisenoughofthecraft,nowlisten!Doyouseethatmark?\"hecontinued,pointingtothemanuscriptoftheMarguerites.\"Ihaveputinkonthestringandpaper.IfDauriatreadsyourmanuscript,hecertainlycouldnottiethestringandleaveitjustasitwasbefore.
Soyourbookissealed,sotospeak.Thisisnotuselesstoyoufortheexperimentthatyouproposetomake.Andanotherthing:pleasetoobservethatyouarenotarrivingquitealoneandwithoutasponsorintheplace,liketheyoungsterswhomaketheroundofhalf-a-scoreofpublishersbeforetheyfindonethatwillofferthemachair.\"
Lucien\'sexperienceconfirmedthetruthofthisparticular.Lousteaupaidthecabman,givinghimthreefrancs——apieceofprodigalityfollowinguponsuchimpecuniosityastonishingLucienmorethanalittle.ThenthetwofriendsenteredtheWoodenGalleries,wherefashionableliterature,asitiscalled,usedtoreigninstate.
PARTII
TheWoodenGalleriesofthePalaisRoyalusedtobeoneofthemostfamoussightsofParis.Somedescriptionofthesqualidbazarwillnotbeoutofplace;fortherearefewmenoffortywhowillnottakeaninterestinrecollectionsofastateofthingswhichwillseemincredibletoayoungergeneration.
Thegreatdreary,spaciousGaleried\'Orleans,thatflowerlesshothouse,asyetwasnot;thespaceuponwhichitnowstandswascoveredwithbooths;or,tobemoreprecise,withsmall,woodendens,pervioustotheweather,anddimlyilluminatedonthesideofthecourtandthegardenbyborrowedlightsstyledwindowsbycourtesy,butmorelikethefilthiestarrangementsforobscuringdaylighttobefoundinlittlewineshopsinthesuburbs.
TheGalleries,parallelpassagesabouttwelvefeetinheight,wereformedbyatriplerowofshops.Thecentrerow,givingbackandfrontupontheGalleries,wasfilledwiththefetidatmosphereoftheplace,andderivedadubiousdaylightthroughtheinvariablydirtywindowsoftheroof;butsothrongedwerethesehives,thatrentswereexcessivelyhigh,andasmuchasathousandcrownswaspaidforaspacescarcesixfeetbyeight.Theouterrowsgaverespectivelyuponthegardenandthecourt,andwerecoveredonthatsidebyaslighttrellis-workpaintedgreen,toprotectthecrazyplasteredwallsfromcontinualfrictionwiththepassers-by.Inafewsquarefeetofearthatthebackoftheshops,strangefreaksofvegetablelifeunknowntosciencegrewamidtheproductsofvariousnolessflourishingindustries.Youbeheldarosebushcappedwithprintedpaperinsuchasortthattheflowersofrhetoricwereperfumedbythecankeredblossomsofthatill-kept,ill-smellinggarden.Handbillsandribbonstreamersofeveryhueflauntedgailyamongtheleaves;naturalflowerscompetedunsuccessfullyforanexistencewithoddsandendsofmillinery.Youdiscoveredaknotofribbonadorningagreentuft;thedahliaadmiredafarprovedonanearerviewtobeasatinrosette.
ThePalaisseenfromthecourtorfromthegardenwasafantasticsight,agrotesquecombinationofwallsofplasterpatchworkwhichhadoncebeenwhitewashed,ofblisteredpaint,heterogeneousplacards,andallthemostunaccountablefreaksofParisiansqualor;thegreentrelliseswereprodigiouslythedingierforconstantcontactwithaParisianpublic.So,uponeitherside,thefetid,disreputableapproachesmighthavebeentherefortheexpresspurposeofwarningawayfastidiouspeople;butfastidiousfolknomorerecoiledbeforethesehorrorsthantheprinceinthefairystoriesturnstailatsightofthedragonoroftheotherobstaclesputbetweenhimandtheprincessbythewickedfairy.
TherewasapassagethroughthecentreoftheGalleriesthenasnow;
and,asatthepresentday,youenteredthemthroughthetwoperistylesbegunbeforetheRevolution,andleftunfinishedforlackoffunds;butinplaceofthehandsomemodernarcadeleadingtotheTheatre-Francais,youpassedalonganarrow,disproportionatelyloftypassage,soill-roofedthattheraincamethroughonwetdays.Alltheroofsofthehovelsindeedwereinverybadrepair,andcoveredhereandagainwithadoublethicknessoftarpaulin.AfamoussilkmerceroncebroughtanactionagainsttheOrleansfamilyfordamagesdoneinthecourseofanighttohisstockofshawlsandstuffs,andgainedthedayandaconsiderablesum.Itwasinthislast-namedpassage,called\"TheGlassGallery\"todistinguishitfromtheWoodenGalleries,thatChevetlaidthefoundationsofhisfortunes.
Here,inthePalais,youtrodthenaturalsoilofParis,augmentedbyimportationsbroughtinuponthebootsoffootpassengers;here,atallseasons,youstumbledamonghillsandhollowsofdriedmudsweptdailybytheshopman\'sbesom,andonlyaftersomepracticecouldyouwalkatyourease.Thetreacherousmud-heaps,thewindow-panesincrustedwithdepositsofdustandrain,themean-lookinghovelscoveredwithraggedplacards,thegrimyunfinishedwalls,thegeneralairofacompromisebetweenagypsycamp,theboothsofacountryfair,andthetemporarystructuresthatweinParisbuildroundaboutpublicmonumentsthatremainunbuilt;thegrotesqueaspectofthemartasawholewasinkeepingwiththeseethingtrafficofvariouskindscarriedonwithinit;forhereinthisshameless,unblushinghaunt,amidwildmirthandababeloftalk,animmenseamountofbusinesswastransactedbetweentheRevolutionof1789andtheRevolutionof1830.
FortwentyyearstheBoursestoodjustopposite,onthegroundfloorofthePalais.Publicopinionwasmanufactured,andreputationsmadeandruinedhere,justaspoliticalandfinancialjobswerearranged.
PeoplemadeappointmentstomeetintheGalleriesbeforeorafter\'Change;onshowerydaysthePalaisRoyalwasoftencrowdedwithweather-boundcapitalistsandmenofbusiness.Thestructurewhichhadgrownup,nooneknewhow,aboutthispointwasstrangelyresonant,laughterwasmultiplied;iftwomenquarreled,thewholeplacerangfromoneendtotheotherwiththedispute.Inthedaytimemillinersandbooksellersenjoyedamonopolyoftheplace;towardsnightfallitwasfilledwithwomenofthetown.Heredweltpoetry,politics,andprose,newbooksandclassics,thegloriesofancientandmodernliteraturesidebysidewithpoliticalintrigueandthetricksofthebookseller\'strade.Herealltheverylatestandnewestliteratureweresoldtoapublicwhichresolutelydeclinetobuyelsewhere.
SometimesseveralthousandcopiesofsuchandsuchapamphletbyPaul-
LouisCourierwouldbesoldinasingleevening;andpeoplecrowdedthithertobuyLesaventuresdelafilled\'unRoi——thatfirstshotfiredbytheOrleanistsatTheCharterpromulgatedbyLouisXVIII.
WhenLucienmadehisfirstappearanceintheWoodenGalleries,somefewoftheshopsboastedproperfrontsandhandsomewindows,buttheseineverycaselookeduponthecourtorthegarden.Asforthecentrerow,untilthedaywhenthewholestrangecolonyperishedunderthehammerofFontainethearchitect,everyshopwasopenbackandfrontlikeaboothinacountryfair,sothatfromwithinyoucouldlookoutuponeithersidethroughgapsamongthegoodsdisplayedorthroughtheglassdoors.Asitwasobviouslyimpossibletokindleafire,thetradesmenwerefaintousecharcoalchafing-dishes,andformedasortofbrigadeforthepreventionoffiresamongthemselves;and,indeed,alittlecarelessnessmighthavesetthewholequarterblazinginfifteenminutes,fortheplank-builtrepublic,driedbytheheatofthesun,andhauntedbytooinflammablehumanmaterial,wasbedizenedwithmuslinandpaperandgauze,andventilatedattimesbyathoroughdraught.
Themilliners\'windowswerefullofimpossiblehatsandbonnets,displayedapparentlyforadvertisementratherthanforsale,eachonaseparateironspitwithaknobatthetop.Thegalleriesweredeckedoutinallthecolorsoftherainbow.Onwhatheadswouldthosedustybonnetsendtheircareers?——forascoreofyearstheproblemhadpuzzledfrequentersofthePalais.Saleswomen,usuallyplain-featured,butvivacious,waylaidthefemininefootpassengerwithcunningimportunities,afterthefashionofmarket-women,andusingmuchthesamelanguage;ashop-girl,whomadefreeuseofhereyesandtongue,satoutsideonastoolandharanguedthepublicwith\"Buyaprettybonnet,madame?——Doletmesellyousomething!\"——varyingarichandpicturesquevocabularywithinflectionsofthevoice,withglances,andremarksuponthepassers-by.Booksellersandmillinerslivedontermsofmutualunderstanding.