\"DauriatwillbedumfoundedbythearticleonNathan,\"saidLousteau.
\"Doyouseenowwhatjournalismis,Lucien?Yourrevengeisbeginningtotell.TheBaronChateletcameherethismorningforyouraddress.
Therewasacuttingarticleuponhiminthismorning\'sissue;heisaweakling,thatbuckoftheEmpire,andhehaslosthishead.Haveyouseenthepaper?Itisafunnyarticle.Look,\'FuneraloftheHeron,andtheCuttlefish-bone\'slament.\'Mme.deBargetoniscalledtheCuttlefish-bonenow,andnomistake,andChateletisknowneverywhereasBaronHeron.\"
Lucientookupthepaper,andcouldnothelplaughingatVernou\'sextremelycleverskit.
\"Theywillcapitulatesoon,\"saidHectorMerlin.
Lucienmerrilyassistedatthemanufactureofepigramsandjokesattheendofthepaper;andtheassociatessmokedandchattedovertheday\'sadventures,overthefoiblesofsomeamongtheirnumber,orsomenewbitofpersonalgossip.Fromtheirwitty,malicious,banteringtalk,Luciengainedaknowledgeoftheinnerlifeofliterature,andofthemannersandcustomsofthecraft.
\"Whiletheyaresettingupthepaper,Iwillgoroundwithyouandintroduceyoutothemanagersofyourtheatres,andtakeyoubehindthescenes,\"saidLousteau.\"AndthenwewillgotothePanorama-
Dramatique,andhaveafrolicintheirdressing-rooms.\"
Arm-in-arm,theywentfromtheatretotheatre.Lucienwasintroducedtothisoneandthat,andenthronedasadramaticcritic.Managerscomplimentedhim,actressesflunghimsideglances;foreveryoneofthemknewthatthiswasthecriticwho,byasinglearticle,hadgainedanengagementattheGymnase,withtwelvethousandfrancsayear,forCoralie,andanotherforFlorineatthePanorama-Dramatiquewitheightthousandfrancs.Lucienwasamanofimportance.ThelittleovationsraisedLucieninhisowneyes,andtaughthimtoknowhispower.Ateleveno\'clockthepairarrivedatthePanorama-Dramatique;
Lucienwithacarelessairthatworkedwonders.Nathanwasthere.
Nathanheldoutahand,whichLuciensqueezed.
\"Ah!mymasters,soyouhaveamindtofloorme,haveyou?\"saidNathan,lookingfromonetotheother.
\"Justyouwaittillto-morrow,mydearfellow,andyoushallseehowLucienhastakenyouinhand.Uponmyword,youwillbepleased.A
pieceofseriouscriticismlikethatissuretodoabookgood.\"
Lucienreddenedwithconfusion.
\"Isitsevere?\"inquiredNathan.
\"Itisserious,\"saidLousteau.
\"Thenthereisnoharmdone,\"Nathanrejoined.\"HectorMerlininthegreenroomoftheVaudevillewassayingthatIhadbeencutup.\"
\"Lethimtalk,andwait,\"criedLucien,andtookrefugeinCoralie\'sdressing-room.Coralie,inheralluringcostume,hadjustcomeoffthestage.
Nextmorning,asLucienandCoraliesatatbreakfast,acarriagedrovealongtheRuedeVendome.Thestreetwasquietenough,sothattheycouldhearthelightsoundmadebyanelegantcabriolet;andtherewasthatinthepaceofthehorse,andthemannerofpullingupatthedoor,whichtellsunmistakablyofathoroughbred.Lucienwenttothewindow,andthere,infact,beheldasplendidEnglishhorse,andnolessapersonthanDauriatflingingthereinstohismanashesteppeddown.
\"\'Tisthepublisher,Coralie,\"saidLucien.
\"Lethimwait,Berenice,\"Coraliesaidatonce.
Luciensmiledatherpresenceofmind,andkissedherwithagreatrushoftenderness.Thismeregirlhadmadehisinterestshersinawonderfulway;shewasquick-wittedwherehewasconcerned.Theapparitionoftheinsolentpublisher,thesuddenandcompletecollapseofthatprinceofcharlatans,wasduetocircumstancesalmostentirelyforgotten,soutterlyhasthebooktradechangedduringthelastfifteenyears.
From1816to1827,whennewspaperreading-roomswereonlyjustbeginningtolendnewbooks,thefiscallawpressedmoreheavilythaneveruponperiodicalpublications,andnecessitycreatedtheinventionofadvertisements.Paragraphsandarticlesinthenewspapersweretheonlymeansofadvertisementknowninthosedays;andFrenchnewspapersbeforetheyear1822weresosmall,thatthelargestsheetofthosetimeswasnotsolargeasthesmallestdailypaperofours.DauriatandLadvocat,thefirstpublisherstomakeastandagainstthetyrannyofjournalists,werealsothefirsttousetheplacardswhichcaughttheattentionofParisbystrangetype,strikingcolors,vignettes,andatalatertimebylithographillustrations,tillaplacardbecameafairy-talefortheeyes,andnotunfrequentlyasnareforthepurseoftheamateur.SomuchoriginalityindeedwasexpendedonplacardsinParis,thatoneofthatpeculiarkindofmaniacs,knownasacollector,possessesacompleteseries.
Atfirsttheplacardwasconfinedtotheshop-windowsandstallsupontheBoulevardsinParis;afterwardsitspreadalloverFrance,tillitwassupplantedtosomeextentbyareturntoadvertisementsinthenewspapers.Buttheplacard,nevertheless,whichcontinuestostriketheeye,aftertheadvertisementandthebookwhichisadvertisedarebothforgotten,willalwaysbeamongus;ittookanewleaseoflifewhenwallswereplasteredwithposters.
Newspaperadvertising,theoffspringofheavystampduties,ahighrateofpostage,andtheheavydepositsofcaution-moneyrequiredbythegovernmentassecurityforgoodbehavior,iswithinthereachofallwhocaretopayforit,andhasturnedthefourthpageofeveryjournalintoaharvestfieldalikeforthespeculatorandtheInlandRevenueDepartment.ThepressrestrictionswereinventedinthetimeofM.deVillele,whohadachance,ifhehadbutknownit,ofdestroyingthepowerofjournalismbyallowingnewspaperstomultiplytillnoonetookanynoticeofthem;buthemissedhisopportunity,andasortofprivilegewascreated,asitwere,bythealmostinsuperabledifficultiesputinthewayofstartinganewventure.So,in1821,theperiodicalpressmightbesaidtohavepoweroflifeanddeathoverthecreationsofthebrainandthepublishingtrade.Afewlinesamongtheitemsofnewscostafearfulamount.Intriguesweremultipliedinnewspaperoffices;andofanightwhenthecolumnsweredividedup,andthisorthatarticlewasputinorleftouttosuitthespace,theprinting-roombecameasortofbattlefield;somuchso,thatthelargestpublishingfirmshadwritersintheirpaytoinsertshortarticlesinwhichmanyideasareputinlittlespace.Obscurejournalistsofthisstampwereonlypaidaftertheinsertionoftheitems,andnotunfrequentlyspentthenightintheprinting-officetomakesurethattheircontributionswerenotomitted;sometimesputtinginalongarticle,obtainedheavenknowshow,sometimesafewlinesofapuff.
Themannersandcustomsofjournalismandofthepublishinghouseshavesincechangedsomuch,thatmanypeoplenowadayswillnotbelievewhatimmenseeffortsweremadebywritersandpublishersofbookstosecureanewspaperpuff;themartyrsofglory,andallthosewhoarecondemnedtothepenalservitudeofalife-longsuccess,werereducedtosuchshifts,andstoopedtodepthsofbriberyandcorruptionasseemfabulousto-day.Everykindofpersuasionwasbroughttobearonjournalists——dinners,flattery,andpresents.Thefollowingstorywillthrowmorelightonthecloseconnectionbetweenthecriticandthepublisherthananyquantityofflatassertions.
Therewasonceuponatimeaneditorofanimportantpaper,acleverwriterwithaprospectofbecomingastatesman;hewasyounginthosedays,andfondofpleasure,andhebecamethefavoriteofawell-knownpublishinghouse.OneSundaythewealthyheadofthefirmwasentertainingseveraloftheforemostjournalistsofthetimeinthecountry,andthemistressofthehouse,thenayoungandprettywoman,wenttowalkinherparkwiththeillustriousvisitor.Thehead-clerkofthefirm,acool,steady,methodicalGermanwithnothingbutbusinessinhishead,wasdiscussingaprojectwithoneofthejournalists,andastheychattedtheywalkedonintothewoodsbeyondthepark.InamongthethicketstheGermanthoughthecaughtaglimpseofhishostess,putuphiseyeglass,madeasigntohisyoungcompaniontobesilent,andturnedback,steppingsoftly——\"Whatdidyousee?\"askedthejournalist——\"Nothingparticular,\"saidtheclerk.
\"Ouraffairofthelongarticleissettled.To-morrowweshallhaveatleastthreecolumnsintheDebats.\"
Anotheranecdotewillshowtheinfluenceofasinglearticle.
AbookofM.deChateaubriand\'sonthelastoftheStuartswasforsometimea\"nightingale\"onthebookseller\'sshelves.AsinglearticleintheJournaldesDebatssoldtheworkinaweek.Inthosedays,whentherewerenolendinglibraries,apublisherwouldsellaneditionoftenthousandcopiesofabookbyaLiberalifitwaswellreviewedbytheOppositionpapers;butthentheBelgianpiratededitionswerenotasyet.
ThepreparatoryattacksmadebyLucien\'sfriends,followedupbyhisarticleonNathan,provedefficacious;theystoppedthesaleofhisbook.Nathanescapedwiththemortification;hehadbeenpaid;hehadnothingtolose;butDauriatwasliketolosethirtythousandfrancs.
Thetradeinnewbooksmay,infact,besummedupmuchonthiswise.A
reamofblankpapercostsfifteenfrancs,areamofprintedpaperisworthanythingbetweenahundredsousandahundredcrowns,accordingtoitssuccess;afavorableorunfavorablereviewatacriticaltimeoftendecidesthequestion;andDauriathavingfivehundredreamsofprintedpaperonhand,hurriedtomaketermswithLucien.Thesultanwasnowtheslave.
Afterwaitingforsometime,fidgetingandmakingasmuchnoiseashecouldwhileparleyingwithBerenice,heatlastobtainedspeechofLucien;and,arrogantpublisherthoughhewas,hecameinwiththeradiantairofacourtierintheroyalpresence,mingled,however,withacertainself-sufficiencyandeasygoodhumor.
\"Don\'tdisturbyourselves,mylittledears!Hownicetheylook,justlikeapairofturtle-doves!Whowouldthinknow,mademoiselle,thathe,withthatgirl\'sfaceofhis,couldbeatigerwithclawsofsteel,readytotearareputationtorags,justashetearsyourwrappers,I\'llbebound,whenyouarenotquickenoughtounfastenthem,\"andhelaughedbeforehehadfinishedhisjest.
\"Mydearboy——\"hebegan,sittingdownbesideLucien——
\"Mademoiselle,IamDauriat,\"hesaid,interruptinghimself.Hejudgeditexpedienttofirehisnameatherlikeapistolshot,forheconsideredthatCoraliewaslesscordialthansheshouldhavebeen.
\"Haveyoubreakfasted,monsieur;willyoukeepuscompany?\"askedCoralie.
\"Why,yes;itiseasiertotalkattable,\"saidDauriat.\"Besides,byacceptingyourinvitationIshallhavearighttoexpectyoutodinewithmyfriendLucienhere,forwemustbeclosefriendsnow,handandglove!\"
\"Berenice!Bringoysters,lemons,freshbutter,andchampagne,\"saidCoralie.
\"Youaretooclevernottoknowwhathasbroughtmehere,\"saidDauriat,fixinghiseyesonLucien.
\"Youhavecometobuymysonnets.\"
\"Precisely.Firstofall,letuslaydownourarmsonbothsides.\"Ashespokehetookoutaneatpocketbook,drewfromitthreebillsforathousandfrancseach,andlaidthembeforeLucienwithasuppliantair.\"Ismonsieurcontent?\"askedhe.
\"Yes,\"saidthepoet.Asenseofbeatitude,forwhichnowordsexist,floodedhissoulatthesightofthatunhopedwealth.Hecontrolledhimself,buthelongedtosingaloud,tojumpforjoy;hewasreadytobelieveinAladdin\'slampandinenchantment;hebelievedinhisowngenius,inshort.
\"ThentheMargueritesaremine,\"continuedDauriat;\"butyouwillundertakenottoattackmypublications,won\'tyou?\"
\"TheMargueritesareyours,butIcannotpledgemypen;itisattheserviceofmyfriends,astheirsaremine.\"
\"Butyouareoneofmyauthorsnow.Allmyauthorsaremyfriends.Soyouwon\'tspoilmybusinesswithoutwarningmebeforehand,sothatI
amprepared,willyou?\"
\"Iagreetothat.\"
\"Toyourfame!\"andDauriatraisedhisglass.
\"IseethatyouhavereadtheMarguerites,\"saidLucien.
Dauriatwasnotdisconcerted.
\"Myboy,apublishercannotpayagreatercomplimentthanbybuyingyourMargueritesunread.Insixmonths\'timeyouwillbeagreatpoet.
Youwillbewrittenup;peopleareafraidofyou;Ishallhavenodifficultyinsellingyourbook.IamthesamemanofbusinessthatI
wasfourdaysago.ItisnotIwhohavechanged;itisYOU.Lastweekyoursonnetsweresomanycabbageleavesforme;to-dayyourpositionhasrankedthembesideDelavigne.\"
\"Ahwell,\"saidLucien,\"ifyouhavenotreadmysonnets,youhavereadmyarticle.\"Withthesultan\'spleasureofpossessingafairmistress,andthecertaintyofsuccess,hehadgrownsatiricalandadorablyimpertinentoflate.
\"Yes,myfriend;doyouthinkIshouldhavecomehereinsuchahurrybutforthat?Thatterriblearticleofyoursisverywellwritten,worseluck.Oh!youhaveaverygreatgift,myboy.Takemyadviceandmakethemostofyourvogue,\"headded,withgoodhumor,whichmaskedtheextremeinsolenceofthespeech.\"Buthaveyouyourselfacopyofthepaper?Haveyouseenyourarticleinprint?\"
\"Notyet,\"saidLucien,\"thoughthisisthefirstlongpieceofprosewhichIhavepublished;butHectorwillhavesentacopytomyaddressintheRueCharlot.\"
\"Here——read!\"criedDauriat,copyingTalma\'sgestureinManlius.
LucientookthepaperbutCoraliesnatcheditfromhim.
\"Thefirst-fruitsofyourpenbelongtome,asyouwellknow,\"shelaughed.
Dauriatwasunwontedlycourtier-likeandcomplimentary.HewasafraidofLucien,andthereforeheaskedhimtoagreatdinnerwhichhewasgivingtoapartyofjournaliststowardstheendoftheweek,andCoraliewasincludedintheinvitation.HetooktheMargueritesawaywithhimwhenhewent,askingHISpoettolookinwhenhepleasedintheWoodenGalleries,andtheagreementshouldbereadyforhissignature.Dauriatneverforgottheroyalairswithwhichheendeavoredtooverawesuperficialobservers,andtoimpressthemwiththenotionthathewasaMaecenasratherthanapublisher;atthismomentheleftthethreethousandfrancs,wavingawayinlordlyfashionthereceiptwhichLucienoffered,kissedCoralie\'shand,andtookhisdeparture.
\"Well,dearlove,wouldyouhaveseenmanyofthesebitsofpaperifyouhadstoppedinyourholeintheRuedeCluny,prowlingaboutamongthemustyoldbooksintheBibliothequedeSainte-Genevieve?\"askedCoralie,forsheknewthewholestoryofLucien\'slifebythistime.
\"ThoselittlefriendsofyoursintheRuedesQuatre-Ventsaregreatninnies,itseemstome.\"
Hisbrothersofthecenacle!AndLuciencouldheartheverdictandlaugh.
Hehadseenhimselfinprint;hehadjustexperiencedtheineffablejoyoftheauthor,thatfirstpleasurablethrillofgratifiedvanitywhichcomesbutonce.Thefullimportandbearingofhisarticlebecameapparenttohimashereadandre-readit.Thegarbofprintistomanuscriptasthestageistowomen;itbringsbeautiesanddefectstolight,killingandgivinglife;thefinethoughtsandthefaultsalikestareyouintheface.
Lucien,inhisexcitementandrapture,gavenotanotherthoughttoNathan.Nathanwasastepping-stoneforhim——thatwasall;andheLucienwashappyexceedingly——hethoughthimselfrich.ThemoneybroughtbyDauriatwasaveryPotosifortheladwhousedtogoaboutunnoticedthroughthestreetsofAngoulemeanddownthesteeppathintoL\'HoumeautoPostel\'sgarret,wherehiswholefamilyhadliveduponanincomeoftwelvehundredfrancs.ThepleasuresofhislifeinParismustinevitablydimthememoriesofthosedays;butsokeenwerethey,that,asyet,heseemedtobebackagaininthePlaceduMurier.
HethoughtofEve,hisbeautiful,noblesister,ofDavidhisfriend,andofhispoormother,andhesentBereniceouttochangeoneofthenotes.Whileshewenthewroteafewlinestohisfamily,andonthemaid\'sreturnhesenthertothecoach-officewithapacketoffivehundredfrancsaddressedtohismother.Hecouldnottrusthimself;hewantedtosentthemoneyatonce;laterhemightnotbeabletodoit.
BothLucienandCoralielookeduponthisrestitutionasameritoriousaction.Coralieputherarmsaboutherloverandkissedhim,andthoughthimamodelsonandbrother;shecouldnotmakeenoughofhim,forgenerosityisatraitofcharacterwhichdelightsthesekindlycreatures,whoalwayscarrytheirheartsintheirhands.
\"Wehaveadinnernoweverydayforaweek,\"shesaid;\"wewillmakealittlecarnival;youhaveworkedquitehardenough.\"
Coralie,faintodelightinthebeautyofamanwhomallotherwomenshouldenvyher,tookLucienbacktoStaub.Hewasnotdressedfinelyenoughforher.ThencetheloverswenttodriveintheBoisdeBoulogne,andcamebacktodineatMme.duVal-Noble\'s.Rastignac,Bixiou,desLupeaulx,Finot,Blondet,Vignon,theBarondeNucingen,Beaudenord,PhilippeBridau,Conti,thegreatmusician,alltheartistsandspeculators,allthemenwhoseekforviolentsensationsasarelieffromimmenselabors,gaveLucienawelcomeamongthem.AndLucienhadgainedconfidence;hegavehimselfoutintalkasthoughhehadnottolivebyhiswit,andwaspronouncedtobea\"cleverfellow\"
intheslangofthecoterieofsemi-comrades.
\"Oh!wemustwaitandseewhathehasinhim,\"saidTheodoreGaillard,apoetpatronizedbytheCourt,whothoughtofstartingaRoyalistpapertobeentitledtheReveilatalaterday.
Afterdinner,MerlinandLucien,CoralieandMme.duVal-Noble,wenttotheOpera,whereMerlinhadabox.Thewholepartyadjournedthither,andLucientriumphantreappeareduponthesceneofhisfirstseriouscheck.
Hewalkedinthelobby,arminarmwithMerlinandBlondet,lookingthedandieswhohadoncemademerryathisexpensebetweentheeyes.
Chateletwasunderhisfeet.HeclashedglanceswithdeMarsay,Vandenesse,andManerville,thebucksofthatday.AndindeedLucien,beautifulandelegantlyarrayed,hadcausedadiscussionintheMarquised\'Espard\'sbox;Rastignachadpaidalongvisit,andtheMarquiseandMme.deBargetonputuptheiropera-glassesatCoralie.
DidthesightofLuciensendapangofregretthroughMme.deBargeton\'sheart?Thisthoughtwasuppermostinthepoet\'smind.ThelongingforrevengearousedinhimbythesightoftheCorinneofAngoulemewasasfierceasonthatdaywhentheladyandhercousinhadcuthimintheChamps-Elysees.
\"Didyoubringanamuletwithyoufromtheprovinces?\"——ItwasBlondetwhomadethisinquirysomefewdayslater,whenhecalledateleveno\'clockinthemorningandfoundthatLucienwasnotyetrisen——\"Hisgoodlooksaremakingravagesfromcellartogarret,highandlow,\"
continuedBlondet,kissingCoralieontheforehead.\"Ihavecometoenlistyou,dearfellow,\"hecontinued,graspingLucienbythehand.
\"Yesterday,attheItaliens,theComtessedeMontcornetaskedmetobringyoutoherhouse.Youwillnotgivearefusaltoacharmingwoman?Youmeetpeopleofthefirstfashionthere.\"
\"IfLucienisnice,hewillnotgotoseeyourCountess,\"putinCoralie.\"Whatcallisthereforhimtoshowhisfaceinfinesociety?
Hewouldonlybeboredthere.\"
\"Haveyouavestedinterestinhim?Areyoujealousoffineladies?\"
\"Yes,\"criedCoralie.\"Theyareworsethanweare.\"
\"Howdoyouknowthat,mypet?\"askedBlondet.
\"Fromtheirhusbands,\"retortedshe.\"YouareforgettingthatIoncehadsixmonthsofdeMarsay.\"
\"Doyousuppose,child,that_I_amparticularlyanxioustotakesuchahandsomefellowasyourpoettoMme.deMontcornet\'shouse?Ifyouobject,letusconsiderthatnothinghasbeensaid.ButIdon\'tfancythatthewomenaresomuchinquestionasapoordevilthatLucienpilloriedinhisnewspaper;heisbeggingformercyandpeace.TheBaronduChateletisimbecileenoughtotakethethingseriously.TheMarquised\'Espard,Mme.deBargeton,andMme.deMontcornet\'ssethavetakenuptheHeron\'scause;andIhaveundertakentoreconcilePetrarchandhisLaura——Mme.deBargetonandLucien.\"
\"Aha!\"criedLucien,theglowoftheintoxicationofrevengethrobbingfull-pulsedthrougheveryvein.\"Aha!somyfootisontheirnecks!
Youmakemeadoremypen,worshipmyfriends,bowdowntothefate-
dispensingpowerofthepress.IhavenotwrittenasinglesentenceasyetupontheHeronandtheCuttlefish-bone——Iwillgowithyou,myboy,\"hecried,catchingBlondetbythewaist;\"yes,Iwillgo;butfirst,thecoupleshallfeeltheweightofTHIS,forsolightasitis.\"HeflourishedthepenwhichhadwrittenthearticleuponNathan.
\"To-morrow,\"hecried,\"Iwillhurlacoupleofcolumnsattheirheads.Then,weshallsee.Don\'tbefrightened,Coralie,itisnotlovebutrevenge;revenge!AndIwillhaveittothefull!\"
\"Whatamanitis!\"saidBlondet.\"Ifyoubutknew,Lucien,howraresuchexplosionsareinthisjadedParis,youmightappreciateyourself.Youwillbeapreciousscamp\"theactualexpressionwasatriflestronger;\"youareinafairwaytobeapowerintheland.\"
\"Hewillgeton,\"saidCoralie.
\"Well,hehascomeagoodwayalreadyinsixweeks.\"
\"Andifheshouldclimbsohighthathecanreachasceptrebytreadingoveracorpse,heshallhaveCoralie\'sbodyforastepping-
stone,\"saidthegirl.
\"YouareapairofloversoftheGoldenAge,\"saidBlondet——\"I
congratulateyouonyourbigarticle,\"headded,turningtoLucien.
\"Therewerealotofnewthingsinit.Youarepastmaster!\"
LousteaucalledwithHectorMerlinandVernou.Lucienwasimmenselyflatteredbythisattention.FelicienVernoubroughtahundredfrancsforLucien\'sarticle;itwasfeltthatsuchacontributormustbewellpaidtoattachhimtothepaper.
Coralie,lookingroundatthechapterofjournalists,orderedinabreakfastfromtheCadranbleu,thenearestrestaurant,andaskedhervisitorstoadjourntoherhandsomelyfurnisheddining-roomwhenBereniceannouncedthatthemealwasready.Inthemiddleoftherepast,whenthechampagnehadgonetoallheads,themotiveofthevisitcameout.
\"YoudonotmeantomakeanenemyofNathan,doyou?\"askedLousteau.
\"Nathanisajournalist,andhehasfriends;hemightplayyouanuglytrickwithyourfirstbook.YouhaveyourArcherofCharlesIX.tosell,haveyounot?WewentroundtoNathanthismorning;heisinaterribleway.Butyouwillsetaboutanotherarticle,andpuffpraiseinhisface.\"
\"What!Aftermyarticleagainsthisbook,wouldyouhavemesay——\"
beganLucien.
Thewholepartycuthimshortwithashoutoflaughter.
\"Didyouaskhimtosupperherethedayafterto-morrow?\"askedBlondet.
\"Youarticlewasnotsigned,\"addedLousteau.\"Felicien,notbeingquitesuchanewhandasyouare,wascarefultoputaninitialCatthebottom.Youcandothatnowwithallyourarticlesinhispaper,whichispureunadulteratedLeft.WeareallofusintheOpposition.
Felicienwastactfulenoughnottocompromiseyourfutureopinions.
Hector\'sshopisRightCentre;youmightsignyourworkonitwithanL.Ifyoucutamanup,youdoitanonymously;ifyoupraisehim,itisjustaswelltoputyournametoyourarticle.\"
\"Itisnotthesignaturesthattroubleme,\"returnedLucien,\"butI
cannotseeanythingtobesaidinfavorofthebook.\"
\"Thendidyoureallythinkasyouwrote?\"askedHector.
\"Yes.\"
\"Oh!Ithoughtyouwereclevererthanthat,youngster,\"saidBlondet.
\"No.Uponmyword,asIlookedatthatforeheadofyours,Icreditedyouwiththeomnipotenceofthegreatmind——thepowerofseeingbothsidesofeverything.Inliterature,myboy,everyideaisreversible,andnomancantakeuponhimselftodecidewhichistherightorwrongside.Everythingisbi-lateralinthedomainofthought.Ideasarebinary.JanusisafablesignifyingcriticismandthesymbolofGenius.TheAlmightyaloneistriform.WhatraisesMoliereandCorneilleabovetherestofusbutthefacultyofsayingonethingwithanAlcesteoranOctave,andanotherwithaPhilinteoraCinna?
RousseauwrotealetteragainstduelingintheNouvelleHeloise,andanotherinfavorofit.Whichofthetworepresentedhisownopinion?
willyouventuretotakeituponyourselftodecide?WhichofuscouldgivejudgementforClarissaorLovelace,HectororAchilles?WhowasHomer\'shero?WhatdidRichardsonhimselfthink?Itisthefunctionofcriticismtolookataman\'sworkinallitsaspects.Wedrawupourcase,inshort.\"
\"Doyoureallysticktoyourwrittenopinions?\"askedVernou,withasatiricalexpression.\"Why,weareretailersofphrases;thatishowwemakealivelihood.Whenyoutrytodoagoodpieceofwork——towriteabook,inshort——youcanputyourthoughts,yourselfintoit,andclingtoit,andfightforit;butasfornewspaperarticles,readto-dayandforgottento-morrow,theyareworthnothinginmyeyesbutthemoneythatispaidforthem.Ifyouattachanyimportancetosuchdrivel,youmightaswellmakethesignoftheCrossandinvokeheavenwhenyousitdowntowriteatradesman\'scircular.\"
EveryoneapparentlywasastonishedatLucien\'sscruples.Thelastragsoftheboyishconscienceweretornaway,andhewasinvestedwiththetogavirilisofjournalism.
\"DoyouknowwhatNathansaidbywayofcomfortinghimselfafteryourcriticism?\"askedLousteau.
\"HowshouldIknow?\"
\"Nathanexclaimed,\'Paragraphspassaway;butagreatworklives!\'Hewillbeheretosupperintwodays,andhewillbesuretofallflatatyourfeet,andkissyourclaws,andswearthatyouareagreatman.\"
\"Thatwouldbeafunnything,\"wasLucien\'scomment.
\"FUNNY!\"repeatedBlondet.\"Hecan\'thelphimself.\"
\"Iamquitewilling,myfriends,\"saidLucien,onwhomthewinehadbeguntotakeeffect.\"ButwhatamItosay?\"
\"Ohwell,refuteyourselfinthreegoodcolumnsinMerlin\'spaper.WehavebeenenjoyingthesightofNathan\'swrath;wehavejustbeentellinghimthatheowesusnolittlegratitudeforgettingupahotcontroversythatwillsellhissecondeditioninaweek.Inhiseyesatthispresentmomentyouareaspy,ascoundrel,acaitiffwretch;
thedayafterto-morrowyouwillbeagenius,anuncommonlycleverfellow,oneofPlutarch\'smen.Nathanwillhugyouandcallyouhisbestfriend.Dauriathasbeentoseeyou;youhaveyourthreethousandfrancs;youhaveworkedthetrick!NowyouwantNathan\'srespectandesteem.Nobodyoughttobeletinexceptthepublisher.Wemustnotimmolateanyonebutanenemy.Weshouldnottalklikethisifitwereaquestionofsomeoutsider,someinconvenientpersonwhohadmadeanameforhimselfwithoutusandwasnotwanted;butNathanisoneofus.BlondetgotsomeonetoattackhimintheMercureforthepleasureofreplyingintheDebats.Forwhichreasonthefirsteditionwentoffatonce.\"
\"Myfriends,uponmywordandhonor,Icannotwritetwowordsinpraiseofthatbook——\"
\"Youwillhaveanotherhundredfrancs,\"interruptedMerlin.\"Nathanwillhavebroughtyouintenlouisd\'or,tosaynothingofanarticlethatyoumightputinFinot\'spaper;youwouldgetahundredfrancsforwritingthat,andanotherhundredfrancsfromDauriat——total,twentylouis.\"
\"ButwhatamItosay?\"
\"Hereisyourwayoutofthedifficulty,\"saidBlondet,aftersomethought.\"Saythattheenvythatfastensonallgoodwork,likewaspsonripefruit,hasattemptedtosetitsfangsinthisproduction.Thecaptiouscritic,tryinghisbesttofindfault,hasbeenobligedtoinventtheoriesforthatpurpose,andhasdrawnadistinctionbetweentwokindsofliterature——\'theliteratureofideasandtheliteratureofimagery,\'ashecallsthem.Ontheheadsofthat,youngster,saythattogiveexpressiontoideasthroughimageryisthehighestformofart.Trytoshowthatallpoetryissummedupinthat,andlamentthatthereissolittlepoetryinFrench;quoteforeigncriticismsontheunimaginativeprecisionofourstyle,andthenextolM.deCanalisandNathanfortheservicestheyhavedoneFrancebyinfusingalessprosaicspiritintothelanguage.Knockyourpreviousargumenttopiecesbycallingattentiontothefactthatwehavemadeprogresssincetheeighteenthcentury.Discoverthe\'progress,\'abeautifulwordtomystifythebourgeoispublic.Saythatthenewmethodsinliteratureconcentrateallstyles,comedyandtragedy,description,character-drawinganddialogues,inaseriesofpicturessetinthebrilliantframeofaplotwhichholdsthereader\'sinterest.TheNovel,whichdemandssentiment,style,andimagery,isthegreatestcreationofmoderndays;itisthesuccessorofstagecomedygrownobsoletewithitsrestrictions.Factsandideasareallwithintheprovinceoffiction.Theintellectofanincisivemoralist,likeLaBruyere,thepoweroftreatingcharacterasMolierecouldtreatit,thegrandmachineryofaShakespeare,togetherwiththeportrayalofthemostsubtleshadesofpassiontheonetreasuryleftuntouchedbyourpredecessors——forallthisthemodernnovelaffordsfreescope.
Howfarsuperiorisallthistothecut-and-driedlogic-chopping,thecoldanalysistotheeighteenthcentury!——\'TheNovel,\'saysententiously,\'istheEpicgrownamusing.\'InstanceCorinne,bringMme.deStaeluptosupportyourargument.Theeighteenthcenturycalledallthingsinquestion;itisthetaskofthenineteenthtoconcludeandspeakthelastword;andthelastwordofthenineteenthcenturyhasbeenforrealities——realitieswhichlivehoweverandmove.
Passion,inshort,anelementunknowninVoltaire\'sphilosophy,hasbeenbroughtintoplay.HereadiatribeagainstVoltaire,andasforRousseau,hischaractersarepolemicsandsystemsmasquerading.JulieandClaireareentelechies——informingspiritawaitingfleshandbones.
\"Youmightslipoffonasideissueatthis,andsaythatweoweanewandoriginalliteraturetothePeaceandtheRestorationoftheBourbons,foryouarewritingforaRightCentrepaper.
\"ScoffatFoundersofSystems.Andcrywithaglowoffineenthusiasm,\'Hereareerrorsandmisleadingstatementsinabundanceinourcontemporary\'swork,andtowhatend?Todepreciateafinework,todeceivethepublic,andtoarriveatthisconclusion——\"Abookthatsells,doesnotsell.\"\'Prohpudor!MindyouputProhpudor!\'tisaharmlessexpletivethatstimulatesthereader\'sinterest.Foreseetheapproachingdecadenceofcriticism,infact.Moral——\'Thereisbutonekindofliterature,theliteraturewhichaimstoplease.Nathanhasstarteduponanewway;heunderstandshisepochandfulfilstherequirementsofhisage——thedemandfordrama,thenaturaldemandofacenturyinwhichthepoliticalstagehasbecomeapermanentpuppetshow.Havewenotseenfourdramasinascoreofyears——theRevolution,theDirectory,theEmpire,andtheRestoration?\'Withthat,wallowindithyrambandeulogy,andthesecondeditionshallvanishlikesmoke.Thisisthewaytodoit.NextSaturdayputareviewinourmagazine,andsignit\'deRubempre,\'outinfull.
\"Inthatfinalarticlesaythat\'fineworkalwaysbringsaboutabundantcontroversy.ThisweeksuchandsuchapapercontainedsuchandsuchanarticleonNathan\'sbook,andsuchanotherpapermadeavigorousreply.\'Thenyoucriticisethecritics\'C\'and\'L\';paymeapassingcomplimentonthefirstarticleintheDebats,andendbyaverringthatNathan\'sworkisthegreatbookoftheepoch;whichisallasifyousaidnothingatall;theysaythesameofeverythingthatcomesout.
\"Andso,\"continuedBlondet,\"youwillhavemadefourhundredfrancsinaweek,tosaynothingofthepleasureofnowandagainsayingwhatyoureallythink.AdiscerningpublicwillmaintainthateitherCorL
orRubempreisintherightofit,ormayhapallthethree.Mythology,beyonddoubtoneofthegrandestinventionsofthehumanbrain,placesTruthatthebottomofawell;andwhatarewetodowithoutbuckets?
Youwillhavesuppliedthepublicwiththreeforone.Thereyouare,myboy,Goahead!\"
Lucien\'sheadwasswimmingwithbewilderment.Blondetkissedhimonbothcheeks.
\"Iamgoingtomyshop,\"saidhe.Andeverymanlikewisedepartedtohisshop.Forthese\"hommesforts,\"anewspaperofficewasnothingbutashop.
TheyweretomeetagainintheeveningattheWoodenGalleries,andLucienwouldsignhistreatyofpeacewithDauriat.FlorineandLousteau,LucienandCoralie,BlondetandFinot,weretodineatthePalais-Royal;duBruelwasgivingthemanagerofthePanorama-
Dramatiqueadinner.
\"Theyareright,\"exclaimedLucien,whenhewasalonewithCoralie.
\"Menaremadetobetoolsinthehandsofstrongerspirits.Fourhundredfrancsforthreearticles!Doguereauwouldscarcelygivemeasmuchforabookwhichcostmetwoyearsofwork.\"
\"Writecriticism,\"saidCoralie,\"haveagoodtime!Lookatme,IamanAndalusiangirlto-night,to-morrowImaybeagypsy,andamanthenightafter.DoasIdo,givethemgrimacesfortheirmoney,andletuslivehappily.\"
Lucien,smittenwithloveofParadox,sethimselftomountandridethatunrulyhybridproductofPegasusandBalaam\'sass;startedoutatagallopoverthefieldsofthoughtwhilehetookaturnintheBois,anddiscoverednewpossibilitiesinBlondet\'soutline.
Hedinedashappypeopledine,andsignedawayallhisrightsintheMarguerites.Itneveroccurredtohimthatanytroublemightarisefromthattransactioninthefuture.Hetookaturnofworkattheoffice,wroteoffacoupleofcolumns,andcamebacktotheRuedeVendome.Nextmorninghefoundthegermsofyesterday\'sideashadsprungupanddevelopedinhisbrain,asideasdevelopwhiletheintellectisyetunjadedandthesapisrising;andthoroughlydidheenjoytheprojectionofthisnewarticle.Hethrewhimselfintoitwithenthusiasm.Atthesummonsofthespiritofcontradiction,newcharmsmetbeneathhispen.Hewaswittyandsatirical,herosetoyetnewviewsofsentiment,ofideasandimageryinliterature.Withsubtleingenuity,hewentbacktohisownfirstimpressionsofNathan\'swork,whenhereaditinthenewsroomoftheCourduCommerce;andtheruthless,bloodthirstycritic,thelivelymocker,becameapoetinthefinalphraseswhichroseandfellwithmajesticrhythmliketheswayingcenserbeforethealtar.
\"Onehundredfrancs,Coralie!\"criedhe,holdingupeightsheetsofpapercoveredwithwritingwhileshedressed.
Themoodwasuponhim;hewentontoindite,strokebystroke,thepromisedterriblearticleonChateletandMme.deBargeton.Thatmorningheexperiencedoneofthekeenestpersonalpleasuresofjournalism;heknewwhatitwastoforgetheepigram,towhetandpolishthecoldbladetobesheathedinavictim\'sheart,tomakeofthehiltacunningpieceofworkmanshipforthereadertoadmire.Forthepublicadmiresthehandle,thedelicateworkofthebrain,whilethecrueltyisnotapparent;howshouldthepublicknowthatthesteeloftheepigram,temperedinthefireofrevenge,hasbeenplungeddeftly,torankleintheveryquickofavictim\'svanity,andisreekingfromwoundsinnumerablewhichithasinflicted?Itisahideousjoy,thatgrim,solitarypleasure,relishedwithoutwitnesses;
itislikeaduelwithanabsentenemy,slainatadistancebyaquill;ajournalistmightreallypossessthemagicalpoweroftalismansinEasterntales.Epigramisdistilledrancor,thequintessenceofahatederivedfromalltheworstpassionsofman,evenasloveconcentratesallthatisbestinhumannature.Themandoesnotexistwhocannotbewittytoavengehimself;and,bythesamerule,thereisnotonetowhomlovedoesnotbringdelight.CheapandeasyasthiskindofwitmaybeinFrance,itisalwaysrelished.
Lucien\'sarticlewasdestinedtoraisethepreviousreputationofthepaperforvenomousspiteandevil-speaking.Hisarticleprobedtwoheartstothedepths;itdealtagrievouswoundtoMme.deBargeton,hisLauraofolddays,aswellastohisrival,theBaronduChatelet.
\"Well,letusgoforadriveintheBois,\"saidCoralie,\"thehorsesarefidgeting.Thereisnoneedtokillyourself.\"
\"WewilltakethearticleonNathantoHector.JournalismisreallyverymuchlikeAchilles\'lance,itsalvesthewoundsthatitmakes,\"
saidLucien,correctingaphrasehereandthere.
TheloversstartedforthinsplendortoshowthemselvestothePariswhichhadbutlatelygivenLucienthecoldshoulder,andnowwasbeginningtotalkabouthim.TohaveParistalkingofyou!andthisafteryouhavelearnedhowlargethegreatcityis,howharditistobeanybodythere——itwasthisthoughtthatturnedLucien\'sheadwithexultation.
\"Letusgobywayofyourtailor\'s,dearboy,andtellhimtobequickwithyourclothes,ortrythemoniftheyareready.Ifyouaregoingtoyourfineladies\'houses,youshalleclipsethatmonsterofadeMarsayandyoungRastignacandanyAjuda-PintoorMaximedeTraillesorVandenesseofthemall.RememberthatyourmistressisCoralie!Butyouwillnotplaymeanytricks,eh?\"
Twodaysafterwards,ontheeveofthesupper-partyatCoralie\'shouse,therewasanewplayattheAmbigu,anditfelltoLucientowritethedramaticcriticism.LucienandCoraliewalkedtogetherafterdinnerfromtheRuedeVendometothePanorama-Dramatique,goingalongtheCafeTurcsideoftheBoulevardduTemple,aloungemuchfrequentedatthattime.Peoplewonderedathisluck,andpraisedCoralie\'sbeauty.Chanceremarksreachedhisears;somesaidthatCoraliewasthefinestwomaninParis,othersthatLucienwasamatchforher.Theromanticyouthfeltthathewasinhisatmosphere.Thiswasthelifeforhim.Thebrotherhoodwassofarawaythatitwasalmostoutofsight.Onlytwomonthsago,howhehadlookeduptothoseloftygreatnatures;nowheaskedhimselfiftheywerenotjustatrifleridiculouswiththeirnotionsandtheirPuritanism.Coralie\'scarelesswordshadlodgedinLucien\'smind,andbegunalreadytobearfruit.HetookCoralietoherdressing-room,andstrolledaboutlikeasultanbehindthescenes;theactressesgavehimburningglancesandflatteringspeeches.
\"ImustgototheAmbiguandattendtobusiness,\"saidhe.