Anideaoccurredtohim，alastidea，aflashofinspiration；
hedrewfromhispockettheendofBrujon’srope，whichhehaddetachedfromthechimneyoftheNewBuilding，andflungitintothespaceenclosedbythefence。
Thisropefellattheirfeet。
\"Awidow，\"[37]saidBabet。
[37]ArgotoftheTemple。
\"Mytortouse！\"[38]saidBrujon。
[38]Argotofthebarriers。
\"Thetavern—keeperisthere，\"saidMontparnasse。
Theyraisedtheireyes。Thenardierthrustouthisheadaverylittle。
\"Quick！\"saidMontparnasse，\"haveyoutheotherendoftherope，Brujon？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Knotthetwopiecestogether，we’llflinghimtherope，hecanfastenittothewall，andhe’llhaveenoughofittogetdownwith。\"
Thenardierrantherisk，andspoke:——
\"Iamparalyzedwithcold。\"
\"We’llwarmyouup。\"
\"Ican’tbudge。\"
\"Letyourselfslide，we’llcatchyou。\"
\"Myhandsarebenumbed。\"
\"Onlyfastentheropetothewall。\"
\"Ican’t。\"
\"Thenoneofusmustclimbup，\"saidMontparnasse。
\"Threestories！\"ejaculatedBrujon。
Anancientplasterflue，whichhadservedforastovethathadbeenusedintheshantyinformertimes，ranalongthewallandmountedalmosttotheveryspotwheretheycouldseeThenardier。
Thisflue，thenmuchdamagedandfullofcracks，hassincefallen，butthemarksofitarestillvisible。
Itwasverynarrow。
\"Onemightgetupbythehelpofthat，\"saidMontparnasse。
\"Bythatflue？\"exclaimedBabet，\"agrown—upcove，never！itwouldtakeabrat。\"
\"Abratmustbegot，\"resumedBrujon。
\"Wherearewetofindayoung’un？\"saidGuelemer。
\"Wait，\"saidMontparnasse。\"I’vegottheveryarticle。\"
Heopenedthegateofthefenceverysoftly，madesurethatnoonewaspassingalongthestreet，steppedoutcautiously，shutthegatebehindhim，andsetoffataruninthedirectionoftheBastille。
Sevenoreightminuteselapsed，eightthousandcenturiestoThenardier；
Babet，Brujon，andGuelemerdidnotopentheirlips；atlastthegateopenedoncemore，andMontparnasseappeared，breathless，andfollowedbyGavroche。Therainstillrenderedthestreetcompletelydeserted。
LittleGavrocheenteredtheenclosureandgazedattheformsoftheseruffianswithatranquilair。Thewaterwasdrippingfromhishair。
Guelemeraddressedhim:——
\"Areyouaman，young’un？\"
Gavrocheshruggedhisshoulders，andreplied:——
\"Ayoung’unlikeme’saman，andmenlikeyouarebabes。\"
\"Thebrat’stongue’swellhung！\"exclaimedBabet。
\"TheParisbratain’tmadeofstraw，\"addedBrujon。
\"Whatdoyouwant？\"askedGavroche。
Montparnasseanswered:——
\"Climbupthatflue。\"
\"Withthisrope，\"saidBabet。
\"Andfastenit，\"continuedBrujon。
\"Tothetopofthewall，\"wentonBabet。
\"Tothecross—barofthewindow，\"addedBrujon。
\"Andthen？\"saidGavroche。
\"There！\"saidGuelemer。
Thegaminexaminedtherope，theflue，thewall，thewindows，andmadethatindescribableanddisdainfulnoisewithhislipswhichsignifies:——
\"Isthatall！\"
\"There’samanuptherewhomyouaretosave，\"resumedMontparnasse。
\"Willyou？\"beganBrujonagain。
\"Greenhorn！\"repliedthelad，asthoughthequestionappearedamostunprecedentedonetohim。
Andhetookoffhisshoes。
GuelemerseizedGavrochebyonearm，sethimontheroofoftheshanty，whoseworm—eatenplanksbentbeneaththeurchin’sweight，andhandedhimtheropewhichBrujonhadknottedtogetherduringMontparnasse’sabsence。Thegamindirectedhisstepstowardstheflue，whichitwaseasytoenter，thankstoalargecrackwhichtouchedtheroof。Atthemomentwhenhewasonthepointofascending，Thenardier，whosawlifeandsafetyapproaching，bentovertheedgeofthewall；thefirstlightofdawnstruckwhiteuponhisbrowdrippingwithsweat，uponhislividcheek—bones，hissharpandsavagenose，hisbristlinggraybeard，andGavrocherecognizedhim。
\"Hullo！it’smyfather！Oh，thatwon’thinder。\"
Andtakingtheropeinhisteeth，heresolutelybegantheascent。
Hereachedthesummitofthehut，bestrodetheoldwallasthoughithadbeenahorse。andknottedtheropefirmlytotheuppercross—barofthewindow。
Amomentlater，Thenardierwasinthestreet。
Assoonashetouchedthepavement，assoonashefoundhimselfoutofdanger，hewasnolongereitherweary，orchilledortrembling；
theterriblethingsfromwhichhehadescapedvanishedlikesmoke，allthatstrangeandferociousmindawokeoncemore，andstooderectandfree，readytomarchonward。
Thesewerethisman’sfirstwords:——
\"Now，whomarewetoeat？\"
Itisuselesstoexplainthesenseofthisfrightfullytransparentremark，whichsignifiesbothtokill，toassassinate，andtoplunder。
Toeat，truesense:todevour。
\"Let’sgetwellintoacorner，\"saidBrujon。\"Let’ssettleitinthreewords，andpartatonce。TherewasanaffairthatpromisedwellintheRuePlumet，adesertedstreet，anisolatedhouse，anoldrottengateonagarden，andlonewomen。\"
\"Well！whynot？\"demandedThenardier。
\"Yourgirl，Eponine，wenttoseeaboutthematter，\"repliedBabet。
\"AndshebroughtabiscuittoMagnon，\"addedGuelemer。\"Nothingtobemadethere。\"
\"Thegirl’snofool，\"saidThenardier。\"Still，itmustbeseento。\"
\"Yes，yes，\"saidBrujon，\"itmustbelookedup。\"
Inthemeanwhile，noneofthemenseemedtoseeGavroche，who，duringthiscolloquy，hadseatedhimselfononeofthefence—posts；
hewaitedafewmoments，thinkingthatperhapshisfatherwouldturntowardshim，thenheputonhisshoesagain，andsaid:——
\"Isthatall？Youdon’twantanymore，mymen？Nowyou’reoutofyourscrape。I’moff。Imustgoandgetmybratsoutofbed。\"
Andoffhewent。
Thefivemenemerged，oneafteranother，fromtheenclosure。
WhenGavrochehaddisappearedatthecorneroftheRuedesBallets，BabettookThenardieraside。
\"Didyoutakeagoodlookatthatyoung’un？\"heasked。
\"Whatyoung’un？\"
\"Theonewhoclimbedthewallandcarriedyoutherope。\"
\"Notparticularly。\"
\"Well，Idon’tknow，butitstrikesmethatitwasyourson。\"
\"Bah！\"saidThenardier，\"doyouthinkso？\"
BOOKSEVENTH。——SLANG
CHAPTERI
ORIGIN
Pigritiaisaterribleword。
Itengendersawholeworld，lapegre，forwhichreadtheft，andahell，lapegrenne，forwhichreadhunger。
Thus，idlenessisthemother。
Shehasason，theft，andadaughter，hunger。
Whereareweatthismoment？Inthelandofslang。
Whatisslang？Itisatoneandthesametime，anationandadialect；
itistheftinitstwokinds；peopleandlanguage。
When，fourandthirtyyearsago，thenarratorofthisgraveandsombrehistoryintroducedintoaworkwrittenwiththesameaimasthis[39]athiefwhotalkedargot，therearoseamazementandclamor。——\"What！How！Argot！Why，argotishorrible！
Itisthelanguageofprisons，galleys，convicts，ofeverythingthatismostabominableinsociety！\"etc。，etc。
[39]TheLastDayofaCondemnedMan。
Wehaveneverunderstoodthissortofobjections。
Sincethattime，twopowerfulromancers，oneofwhomisaprofoundobserverofthehumanheart，theotheranintrepidfriendofthepeople，BalzacandEugeneSue，havingrepresentedtheirruffiansastalkingtheirnaturallanguage，astheauthorofTheLastDayofaCondemnedMandidin1828，thesameobjectionshavebeenraised。
Peoplerepeated:\"Whatdoauthorsmeanbythatrevoltingdialect？
Slangisodious！Slangmakesoneshudder！\"
Whodeniesthat？Ofcourseitdoes。
Whenitisaquestionofprobingawound，agulf，asociety，sincewhenhasitbeenconsideredwrongtogotoofar？togotothebottom？Wehavealwaysthoughtthatitwassometimesacourageousact，and，atleast，asimpleandusefuldeed，worthyofthesympatheticattentionwhichdutyacceptedandfulfilledmerits。
Whyshouldonenotexploreeverything，andstudyeverything？
Whyshouldonehaltontheway？Thehaltisamatterdependingonthesounding—line，andnotontheleadsman。
Certainly，too，itisneitheranattractivenoraneasytasktoundertakeaninvestigationintothelowestdepthsofthesocialorder，whereterrafirmacomestoanendandwheremudbegins，torummageinthosevague，murkywaves，tofollowup，toseizeandtofling，stillquivering，uponthepavementthatabjectdialectwhichisdrippingwithfilthwhenthusbroughttothelight，thatpustulousvocabularyeachwordofwhichseemsanuncleanringfromamonsterofthemireandtheshadows。Nothingismorelugubriousthanthecontemplationthusinitsnudity，inthebroadlightofthought，ofthehorribleswarmingofslang。Itseems，infact，tobeasortofhorriblebeastmadeforthenightwhichhasjustbeentornfromitscesspool。
Onethinksonebeholdsafrightful，living，andbristlingthicketwhichquivers，rustles，wavers，returnstoshadow，threatensandglares。
Onewordresemblesaclaw，anotheranextinguishedandbleedingeye，suchandsuchaphraseseemstomoveliketheclawofacrab。
Allthisisalivewiththehideousvitalityofthingswhichhavebeenorganizedoutofdisorganization。
Now，whenhashorroreverexcludedstudy？Sincewhenhasmaladybanishedmedicine？Canoneimagineanaturalistrefusingtostudytheviper，thebat，thescorpion，thecentipede，thetarantula，andonewhowouldcastthembackintotheirdarkness，saying:\"Oh！howuglythatis！\"Thethinkerwhoshouldturnasidefromslangwouldresembleasurgeonwhoshouldaverthisfacefromanulcerorawart。
Hewouldbelikeaphilologistrefusingtoexamineafactinlanguage，aphilosopherhesitatingtoscrutinizeafactinhumanity。
For，itmustbestatedtothosewhoareignorantofthecase，thatargotisbothaliteraryphenomenonandasocialresult。
Whatisslang，properlyspeaking？Itisthelanguageofwretchedness。
Wemaybestopped；thefactmaybeputtousingeneralterms，whichisonewayofattenuatingit；wemaybetold，thatalltrades，professions，itmaybeadded，alltheaccidentsofthesocialhierarchyandallformsofintelligence，havetheirownslang。
Themerchantwhosays:\"Montpelliernotactive，Marseillesfinequality，\"
thebrokeron’changewhosays:\"Assetsatendofcurrentmonth，\"
thegamblerwhosays:\"Tiersettout，refaitdepique，\"thesheriffoftheNormanIsleswhosays:Theholderinfeerevertingtohislandedestatecannotclaimthefruitsofthatestateduringthehereditaryseizureoftherealestatebythemortgagor，\"theplaywrightwhosays:
\"Thepiecewashissed，\"thecomedianwhosays:\"I’vemadeahit，\"
thephilosopherwhosays:\"Phenomenaltriplicity，\"thehuntsmanwhosays:\"Voileciallais，Voilecifuyant，\"thephrenologistwhosays:\"Amativeness，combativeness，secretiveness，\"theinfantrysoldierwhosays:\"Myshooting—iron，\"thecavalry—manwhosays:
\"Myturkey—cock，\"thefencing—masterwhosays:\"Tierce，quarte，break，\"
theprinterwhosays:\"Myshooting—stickandgalley，\"——all，printer，fencing—master，cavalrydragoon，infantry—man，phrenologist，huntsman，philosopher，comedian，playwright，sheriff，gambler，stock—broker，andmerchant，speakslang。Thepainterwhosays:
\"Mygrinder，\"thenotarywhosays:\"MySkip—the—Gutter，\"
thehairdresserwhosays:\"Mymealyback，\"thecobblerwhosays:
\"Mycub，\"talksslang。Strictlyspeaking，ifoneabsolutelyinsistsonthepoint，allthedifferentfashionsofsayingtherightandtheleft，thesailor’sportandstarboard，thescene—shifter’scourt—side，andgarden—side，thebeadle’sGospel—sideandEpistle—side，areslang。
Thereistheslangoftheaffectedladyaswellasoftheprecieuses。
TheHotelRambouilletnearlyadjoinstheCourdesMiracles。Thereisaslangofduchesses，witnessthisphrasecontainedinalove—letterfromaverygreatladyandaveryprettywomanoftheRestoration:
\"YouwillfindinthisgossipafultitudeofreasonswhyIshouldlibertize。\"[40]Diplomaticciphersareslang；thepontificalchancellerybyusing26forRome，grkztntgzyalfordespatch，andabfxustgrnogrkzutuXI。fortheDuedeModena，speaksslang。
ThephysiciansoftheMiddleAgeswho，forcarrot，radish，andturnip，saidOpoponach，perfroschinum，reptitalmus，dracatholicum，angelorum，postmegorum，talkedslang。Thesugar—manufacturerwhosays:
\"Loaf，clarified，lumps，bastard，common，burnt，\"——thishonestmanufacturertalksslang。Acertainschoolofcriticismtwentyyearsago，whichusedtosay:\"HalfoftheworksofShakespeareconsistsofplaysuponwordsandpuns，\"——talkedslang。Thepoet，andtheartistwho，withprofoundunderstanding，woulddesignateM。deMontmorencyas\"abourgeois，\"ifhewerenotajudgeofversesandstatues，speakslang。TheclassicAcademicianwhocallsflowers\"Flora，\"fruits，\"Pomona，\"thesea，\"Neptune，\"love，\"fires，\"beauty，\"charms，\"ahorse，\"acourser，\"thewhiteortricoloredcockade，\"theroseofBellona，\"
thethree—corneredhat，\"Mars’triangle，\"——thatclassicalAcademiciantalksslang。Algebra，medicine，botany，haveeachtheirslang。
Thetonguewhichisemployedonboardship，thatwonderfullanguageofthesea，whichissocompleteandsopicturesque，whichwasspokenbyJeanBart，Duquesne，Suffren，andDuperre，whichmingleswiththewhistlingoftherigging，thesoundofthespeaking—trumpets，theshockoftheboarding—irons，therollofthesea，thewind，thegale，thecannon，iswhollyaheroicanddazzlingslang，whichistothefierceslangofthethieveswhatthelionistothejackal。
[40]\"Voustrouverezdanscespotains—la，unefoultitudederaisonspourquejemelibertise。\"
Nodoubt。Butsaywhatwewill，thismannerofunderstandingthewordslangisanextensionwhicheveryonewillnotadmit。
Forourpart，wereservetotheworditsancientandprecise，circumscribedanddeterminedsignificance，andwerestrictslangtoslang。Theveritableslangandtheslangthatispre—eminentlyslang，ifthetwowordscanbecoupledthus，theslangimmemorialwhichwasakingdom，isnothingelse，werepeat，thanthehomely，uneasy，crafty，treacherous，venomous，cruel，equivocal，vile，profound，fataltongueofwretchedness。Thereexists，attheextremityofallabasementandallmisfortunes，alastmiserywhichrevoltsandmakesupitsmindtoenterintoconflictwiththewholemassoffortunatefactsandreigningrights；afearfulconflict，where，nowcunning，nowviolent，unhealthyandferociousatoneandthesametime，itattacksthesocialorderwithpin—pricksthroughvice，andwithclub—blowsthroughcrime。Tomeettheneedsofthisconflict，wretchednesshasinventedalanguageofcombat，whichisslang。
Tokeepafloatandtorescuefromoblivion，toholdabovethegulf，wereitbutafragmentofsomelanguagewhichmanhasspokenandwhichwould，otherwise，belost，thatistosay，oneoftheelements，goodorbad，ofwhichcivilizationiscomposed，orbywhichitiscomplicated，toextendtherecordsofsocialobservation；
istoservecivilizationitself。ThisservicePlautusrendered，consciouslyorunconsciously，bymakingtwoCarthaginiansoldierstalkPhoenician；thatserviceMoliererendered，bymakingsomanyofhischaracterstalkLevantineandallsortsofdialects。
Hereobjectionsspringupafresh。Phoenician，verygood！
Levantine，quiteright！Evendialect，letthatpass！Theyaretongueswhichhavebelongedtonationsorprovinces；butslang！
Whatistheuseofpreservingslang？Whatisthegoodofassistingslang\"tosurvive\"？
Tothiswereplyinoneword，only。Assuredly，ifthetonguewhichanationoraprovincehasspokenisworthyofinterest，thelanguagewhichhasbeenspokenbyamiseryisstillmoreworthyofattentionandstudy。
Itisthelanguagewhichhasbeenspoken，inFrance，forexample，formorethanfourcenturies，notonlybyamisery，butbyeverypossiblehumanmisery。
Andthen，weinsistuponit，thestudyofsocialdeformitiesandinfirmities，andthetaskofpointingthemoutwithaviewtoremedy，isnotabusinessinwhichchoiceispermitted。
Thehistorianofmannersandideashasnolessaustereamissionthanthehistorianofevents。Thelatterhasthesurfaceofcivilization，theconflictsofcrowns，thebirthsofprinces，themarriagesofkings，battles，assemblages，greatpublicmen，revolutionsinthedaylight，everythingontheexterior；theotherhistorianhastheinterior，thedepths，thepeoplewhotoil，suffer，wait，theoppressedwoman，theagonizingchild，thesecretwarbetweenmanandman，obscureferocities，prejudices，plottediniquities，thesubterranean，theindistincttremorsofmultitudes，thedie—of—hunger，thecounter—blowsofthelaw，thesecretevolutionofsouls，thego—bare—foot，thebare—armed，thedisinherited，theorphans，theunhappy，andtheinfamous，alltheformswhichroamthroughthedarkness。Hemustdescendwithhisheartfullofcharity，andseverityatthesametime，asabrotherandasajudge，tothoseimpenetrablecasemateswherecrawl，pell—mell，thosewhobleedandthosewhodealtheblow，thosewhoweepandthosewhocurse，thosewhofastandthosewhodevour，thosewhoendureevilandthosewhoinflictit。Havethesehistoriansofheartsandsoulsdutiesatallinferiortothehistoriansofexternalfacts？DoesanyonethinkthatAlighierihasanyfewerthingstosaythanMachiavelli？
Istheundersideofcivilizationanylessimportantthantheuppersidemerelybecauseitisdeeperandmoresombre？Dowereallyknowthemountainwellwhenwearenotacquaintedwiththecavern？
Letussay，moreover，parenthetically，thatfromafewwordsofwhatprecedesamarkedseparationmightbeinferredbetweenthetwoclassesofhistorianswhichdoesnotexistinourmind。
Nooneisagoodhistorianofthepatent，visible，striking，andpubliclifeofpeoples，ifheisnot，atthesametime，inacertainmeasure，thehistorianoftheirdeepandhiddenlife；
andnooneisagoodhistorianoftheinteriorunlessheunderstandshow，atneed，tobethehistorianoftheexterioralso。
Thehistoryofmannersandideaspermeatesthehistoryofevents，andthisistruereciprocally。Theyconstitutetwodifferentordersoffactswhichcorrespondtoeachother，whicharealwaysinterlaced，andwhichoftenbringforthresults。Allthelineamentswhichprovidencetracesonthesurfaceofanationhavetheirparallels，sombrebutdistinct，intheirdepths，andallconvulsionsofthedepthsproduceebullitionsonthesurface。Truehistorybeingamixtureofallthings，thetruehistorianminglesineverything。
Manisnotacirclewithasinglecentre；heisanellipsewithadoublefocus。Factsformoneofthese，andideastheother。
Slangisnothingbutadressing—roomwherethetonguehavingsomebadactiontoperform，disguisesitself。Thereitclothesitselfinword—masks，inmetaphor—rags。Inthisguiseitbecomeshorrible。
Onefindsitdifficulttorecognize。IsitreallytheFrenchtongue，thegreathumantongue？Beholditreadytostepuponthestageandtoretortuponcrime，andpreparedforalltheemploymentsoftherepertoryofevil。Itnolongerwalks，ithobbles；itlimpsonthecrutchoftheCourtofMiracles，acrutchmetamorphosableintoaclub；itiscalledvagrancy；everysortofspectre，itsdressers，havepainteditsface，itcrawlsandrears，thedoublegaitofthereptile。Henceforth，itisaptatallroles，itismadesuspiciousbythecounterfeiter，coveredwithverdigrisbytheforger，blackedbythesootoftheincendiary；andthemurdererappliesitsrouge。
Whenonelistens，bythesideofhonestmen，attheportalsofsociety，oneoverhearsthedialoguesofthosewhoareontheoutside。
Onedistinguishesquestionsandreplies。Oneperceives，withoutunderstandingit，ahideousmurmur，soundingalmostlikehumanaccents，butmorenearlyresemblingahowlthananarticulateword。
Itisslang。Thewordsaremisshapenandstampedwithanindescribableandfantasticbestiality。Onethinksonehearshydrastalking。
Itisunintelligibleinthedark。Itgnashesandwhispers，completingthegloomwithmystery。Itisblackinmisfortune，itisblackerstillincrime；thesetwoblacknessesamalgamated，composeslang。Obscurityintheatmosphere，obscurityinacts，obscurityinvoices。Terrible，toad—liketonguewhichgoesandcomes，leaps，crawls，slobbers，andstirsaboutinmonstrouswiseinthatimmensegrayfogcomposedofrainandnight，ofhunger，ofvice，offalsehood，ofinjustice，ofnudity，ofsuffocation，andofwinter，thehighnoondayofthemiserable。
Letushavecompassiononthechastised。Alas！Whoareweourselves？
WhoamIwhonowaddressyou？Whoareyouwhoarelisteningtome？
Andareyouverysurethatwehavedonenothingbeforewewereborn？
Theearthisnotdevoidofresemblancetoajail。Whoknowswhethermanisnotarecapturedoffenderagainstdivinejustice？
Lookcloselyatlife。Itissomade，thateverywherewefeelthesenseofpunishment。
Areyouwhatiscalledahappyman？Well！youaresadeveryday。
Eachdayhasitsowngreatgrieforitslittlecare。Yesterdayyouweretremblingforahealththatisdeartoyou，to—dayyoufearforyourown；to—morrowitwillbeanxietyaboutmoney，thedayafterto—morrowthediatribeofaslanderer，thedayafterthat，themisfortuneofsomefriend；thentheprevailingweather，thensomethingthathasbeenbrokenorlost，thenapleasurewithwhichyourconscienceandyourvertebralcolumnreproachyou；again，thecourseofpublicaffairs。Thiswithoutreckoninginthepainsoftheheart。
Andsoitgoeson。Onecloudisdispelled，anotherforms。
Thereishardlyonedayoutofahundredwhichiswhollyjoyousandsunny。Andyoubelongtothatsmallclasswhoarehappy！
Asfortherestofmankind，stagnatingnightrestsuponthem。
Thoughtfulmindsmakebutlittleuseofthephrase:thefortunateandtheunfortunate。Inthisworld，evidentlythevestibuleofanother，therearenofortunate。
Therealhumandivisionisthis:theluminousandtheshady。
Todiminishthenumberoftheshady，toaugmentthenumberoftheluminous，——thatistheobject。Thatiswhywecry:
Education！science！Toteachreading，meanstolightthefire；
everysyllablespelledoutsparkles。
However，hewhosayslightdoesnot，necessarily，sayjoy。
Peoplesufferinthelight；excessburns。Theflameistheenemyofthewing。Toburnwithoutceasingtofly，——thereinliesthemarvelofgenius。
Whenyoushallhavelearnedtoknow，andtolove，youwillstillsuffer。Thedayisbornintears。Theluminousweep，ifonlyoverthoseindarkness。
CHAPTERII
ROOTS
Slangisthetongueofthosewhositindarkness。
Thoughtismovedinitsmostsombredepths，socialphilosophyisbiddentoitsmostpoignantmeditations，inthepresenceofthatenigmaticdialectatoncesoblightedandrebellious。
Thereinlieschastisementmadevisible。Everysyllablehasanairofbeingmarked。Thewordsofthevulgartongueappearthereinwrinkledandshrivelled，asitwere，beneaththehotironoftheexecutioner。Someseemtobestillsmoking。Suchandsuchaphraseproducesuponyoutheeffectoftheshoulderofathiefbrandedwiththefleur—de—lys，whichhassuddenlybeenlaidbare。
Ideasalmostrefusetobeexpressedinthesesubstantiveswhicharefugitivesfromjustice。Metaphorissometimessoshameless，thatonefeelsthatithasworntheironneck—fetter。
Moreover，inspiteofallthis，andbecauseofallthis，thisstrangedialecthasbyrights，itsowncompartmentinthatgreatimpartialcaseofpigeon—holeswherethereisroomfortherustyfarthingaswellasforthegoldmedal，andwhichiscalledliterature。
Slang，whetherthepublicadmitthefactornothasitssyntaxanditspoetry。Itisalanguage。Yes，bythedeformityofcertainterms，werecognizethefactthatitwaschewedbyMandrin，andbythesplendorofcertainmetonymies，wefeelthatVillonspokeit。
Thatexquisiteandcelebratedverse——
Maisousontlesneigesd’antan？
Butwherearethesnowsofyearsgoneby？
isaverseofslang。Antam——anteannum——isawordofThunesslang，whichsignifiedthepastyear，andbyextension，formerly。
Thirty—fiveyearsago，attheepochofthedepartureofthegreatchain—gang，therecouldbereadinoneofthecellsatBicetre，thismaximengravedwithanailonthewallbyakingofThunescondemnedtothegalleys:Lesdabsd’antantrimaientsiemprepourlapierreduCoesre。ThismeansKingsindaysgonebyalwayswentandhadthemselvesanointed。Intheopinionofthatking，anointmentmeantthegalleys。
Theworddecarade，whichexpressesthedepartureofheavyvehiclesatagallop，isattributedtoVillon，anditisworthyofhim。
Thisword，whichstrikesfirewithallfourofitsfeet，sumsupinamasterlyonomatopoeiathewholeofLaFontaine’sadmirableverse:——
Sixfortschevauxtiraientuncoche。
Sixstouthorsesdrewacoach。
Fromapurelyliterarypointofview，fewstudieswouldprovemorecuriousandfruitfulthanthestudyofslang。Itisawholelanguagewithinalanguage，asortofsicklyexcrescence，anunhealthygraftwhichhasproducedavegetation，aparasitewhichhasitsrootsintheoldGallictrunk，andwhosesinisterfoliagecrawlsalloveronesideofthelanguage。Thisiswhatmaybecalledthefirst，thevulgaraspectofslang。But，forthosewhostudythetongueasitshouldbestudied，thatistosay，asgeologistsstudytheearth，slangappearslikeaveritablealluvialdeposit。Accordingasonedigsalongerorshorterdistanceintoit，onefindsinslang，belowtheoldpopularFrench，Provencal，Spanish，Italian，Levantine，thatlanguageoftheMediterraneanports，EnglishandGerman，theRomancelanguageinitsthreevarieties，French，Italian，andRomanceRomance，Latin，andfinallyBasqueandCeltic。Aprofoundanduniqueformation。
Asubterraneanedificeerectedincommonbyallthemiserable。
Eachaccursedracehasdepositeditslayer，eachsufferinghasdroppeditsstonethere，eachhearthascontributeditspebble。
Athrongofevil，base，orirritatedsouls，whohavetraversedlifeandhavevanishedintoeternity，lingertherealmostentirelyvisiblestillbeneaththeformofsomemonstrousword。
DoyouwantSpanish？TheoldGothicslangaboundedinit。
Hereisboffete，aboxontheear，whichisderivedfrombofeton；
vantane，window（lateronvanterne），whichcomesfromvantana；
gat，cat，whichcomesfromgato；acite，oil，whichcomesfromaceyte。
DoyouwantItalian？Hereisspade，sword，whichcomesfromspada；
carvel，boat，whichcomesfromcaravella。DoyouwantEnglish？
Hereisbichot，whichcomesfrombishop；raille，spy，whichcomesfromrascal，rascalion；pilche，acase，whichcomesfrompilcher，asheath。
DoyouwantGerman？Hereisthecaleur，thewaiter，kellner；thehers，themaster，herzog（duke）。DoyouwantLatin？Hereisfrangir，tobreak，frangere；affurer，tosteal，fur；cadene，chain，catena。
Thereisonewordwhichcropsupineverylanguageofthecontinent，withasortofmysteriouspowerandauthority。Itisthewordmagnus；
theScotchmanmakesofithismac，whichdesignatesthechiefoftheclan；Mac—Farlane，Mac—Callumore，thegreatFarlane，thegreatCallumore[41]；slangturnsitintomeckandlaterlemeg，thatistosay，God。WouldyoulikeBasque？Hereisgahisto，thedevil，whichcomesfromgaiztoa，evil；sorgabon，goodnight，whichcomesfromgabon，goodevening。DoyouwantCeltic？
Hereisblavin，ahandkerchief，whichcomesfromblavet，gushingwater；
menesse，awoman（inabadsense），whichcomesfrommeinec，fullofstones；barant，brook，frombaranton，fountain；goffeur，locksmith，fromgoff，blacksmith；guedouze，death，whichcomesfromguenn—du，black—white。Finally，wouldyoulikehistory？Slangcallscrownslesmalteses，asouvenirofthecoinincirculationonthegalleysofMalta。
[41]Itmustbeobserved，however，thatmacinCelticmeansson。
Inadditiontothephilologicaloriginsjustindicated，slangpossessesotherandstillmorenaturalroots，whichspring，sotospeak，fromthemindofmanitself。
Inthefirstplace，thedirectcreationofwords。Thereinliesthemysteryoftongues。Topaintwithwords，whichcontainsfiguresoneknowsnothoworwhy，istheprimitivefoundationofallhumanlanguages，whatmaybecalledtheirgranite。
Slangaboundsinwordsofthisdescription，immediatewords，wordscreatedinstantaneouslynooneknowseitherwhereorbywhom，withoutetymology，withoutanalogies，withoutderivatives，solitary，barbarous，sometimeshideouswords，whichattimespossessasingularpowerofexpressionandwhichlive。Theexecutioner，letaule；
theforest，lesabri；fear，flight，taf；thelackey，lelarbin；
themineral，theprefect，theminister，pharos；thedevil，lerabouin。
Nothingisstrangerthanthesewordswhichbothmaskandreveal。
Some，lerabouin，forexample，areatthesametimegrotesqueandterrible，andproduceonyoutheeffectofacyclopeangrimace。
lnthesecondplace，metaphor。Thepeculiarityofalanguagewhichisdesirousofsayingallyetconcealingallisthatitisrichinfigures。Metaphorisanenigma，whereinthethiefwhoisplottingastroke，theprisonerwhoisarranginganescape，takerefuge。
Noidiomismoremetaphoricalthanslang:devisserlecoco（tounscrewthenut），totwisttheneck；tortiller（towriggle），toeat；
etregerbe，tobetried；arat，abreadthief；illansquine，itrains，astriking，ancientfigurewhichpartlybearsitsdateaboutit，whichassimilateslongobliquelinesofrain，withthedenseandslantingpikesofthelancers，andwhichcompressesintoasinglewordthepopularexpression:itrainshalberds。Sometimes，inproportionasslangprogressesfromthefirstepochtothesecond，wordspassfromtheprimitiveandsavagesensetothemetaphoricalsense。
Thedevilceasestobelerabouin，andbecomesleboulanger（thebaker），whoputsthebreadintotheoven。Thisismorewitty，butlessgrand，somethinglikeRacineafterCorneille，likeEuripidesafterAEschylus。Certainslangphraseswhichparticipateinthetwoepochsandhaveatoncethebarbariccharacterandthemetaphoricalcharacterresemblephantasmagories。Lessorgueuersvontsolliciterdesgailsalalune——theprowlersaregoingtostealhorsesbynight，——
thispassesbeforethemindlikeagroupofspectres。Oneknowsnotwhatonesees。
Inthethirdplace，theexpedient。Slanglivesonthelanguage。
Itusesitinaccordancewithitsfancy，itdipsintoithap—hazard，anditoftenconfinesitself，whenoccasionarises，toalteritinagrossandsummaryfashion。Occasionally，withtheordinarywordsthusdeformedandcomplicatedwithwordsofpureslang，picturesquephrasesareformed，inwhichtherecanbefeltthemixtureofthetwoprecedingelements，thedirectcreationandthemetaphor:
lecabjaspine，jemarronnequelaroulottedePantintrimedanslesabri，thedogisbarking，IsuspectthatthediligenceforParisispassingthroughthewoods。Ledabestsinve，ladabugeestmerloussiere，lafeeestbative，thebourgeoisisstupid，thebourgeoiseiscunning，thedaughterispretty。Generally，tothrowlistenersoffthetrack，slangconfinesitselftoaddingtoallthewordsofthelanguagewithoutdistinction，anignobletail，aterminationinaille，inorgue，iniergue，orinuche。Thus:Vousierguetrouvaillebonorguecegigotmuche？Doyouthinkthatlegofmuttongood？
AphraseaddressedbyCartouchetoaturnkeyinordertofindoutwhetherthesumofferedforhisescapesuitedhim。
Theterminationinmarhasbeenaddedrecently。
Slang，beingthedialectofcorruption，quicklybecomescorrupteditself。
Besidesthis，asitisalwaysseekingconcealment，assoonasitfeelsthatitisunderstood，itchangesitsform。Contrarytowhathappenswitheveryothervegetation，everyrayoflightwhichfallsuponitkillswhateverittouches。Thusslangisinconstantprocessofdecompositionandrecomposition；anobscureandrapidworkwhichneverpauses。Itpassesovermoregroundintenyearsthanalanguageintencenturies。Thuslelarton（bread）becomeslelartif；legail（horse）becomeslegaye；lafertanche（straw）becomeslafertille；
lemomignard（brat），lemomacque；lesfiques（duds），frusques；
lachique（thechurch），l’egrugeoir；lecolabre（neck），lecolas。
Thedevilisatfirst，gahisto，thenlerabouin，thenthebaker；
thepriestisaratichon，thentheboar（lesanglier）；thedaggerislevingt—deux（twenty—two），thenlesurin，thenlelingre；thepolicearerailles，thenroussins，thenrousses，thenmarchandsdelacets（dealersinstay—laces），thencoquers，thencognes；theexecutionerisletaule，thenCharlot，l’atigeur，thenlebecquillard。
Intheseventeenthcentury，tofightwas\"togiveeachothersnuff\"；
inthenineteenthitis\"tocheweachother’sthroats。\"
Therehavebeentwentydifferentphrasesbetweenthesetwoextremes。
Cartouche’stalkwouldhavebeenHebrewtoLacenaire。Allthewordsofthislanguageareperpetuallyengagedinflightlikethemenwhoutterthem。
Still，fromtimetotime，andinconsequenceofthisverymovement，theancientslangcropsupagainandbecomesnewoncemore。Ithasitsheadquarterswhereitmaintainsitssway。TheTemplepreservedtheslangoftheseventeenthcentury；Bicetre，whenitwasaprison，preservedtheslangofThunes。ThereonecouldheartheterminationinancheoftheoldThuneurs。Boyanches—tu（bois—tu），doyoudrink？
Butperpetualmovementremainsitslaw，nevertheless。
Ifthephilosophersucceedsinfixing，foramoment，forpurposesofobservation，thislanguagewhichisincessantlyevaporating，hefallsintodolefulandusefulmeditation。Nostudyismoreefficaciousandmorefecundininstruction。Thereisnotametaphor，notananalogy，inslang，whichdoesnotcontainalesson。
Amongthesemen，tobeatmeanstofeign；onebeatsamalady；
ruseistheirstrength。
Forthem，theideaofthemanisnotseparatedfromtheideaofdarkness。Thenightiscalledlasorgue；man，l’orgue。Manisaderivativeofthenight。
Theyhavetakenupthepracticeofconsideringsocietyinthelightofanatmospherewhichkillsthem，ofafatalforce，andtheyspeakoftheirlibertyasonewouldspeakofhishealth。
Amanunderarrestisasickman；onewhoiscondemnedisadeadman。
Themostterriblethingfortheprisonerwithinthefourwallsinwhichheisburied，isasortofglacialchastity，andhecallsthedungeonthecastus。Inthatfunerealplace，lifeoutsidealwayspresentsitselfunderitsmostsmilingaspect。Theprisonerhasironsonhisfeet；youthink，perhaps，thathisthoughtisthatitiswiththefeetthatonewalks？No；heisthinkingthatitiswiththefeetthatonedances；so，whenhehassucceededinseveringhisfetters，hisfirstideaisthatnowhecandance，andhecallsthesawthebastringue（public—houseball）。——Anameisacentre；profoundassimilation。——Theruffianhastwoheads，oneofwhichreasonsouthisactionsandleadshimallhislifelong，andtheotherwhichhehasuponhisshouldersonthedayofhisdeath；
hecallstheheadwhichcounselshimincrimelasorbonne，andtheheadwhichexpiatesitlatronche。——Whenamanhasnolongeranythingbutragsuponhisbodyandvicesinhisheart，whenhehasarrivedatthatdoublemoralandmaterialdegradationwhichthewordblackguardcharacterizesinitstwoacceptations，heisripeforcrime；heislikeawell—whettedknife；hehastwocuttingedges，hisdistressandhismalice；soslangdoesnotsayablackguard，itsaysunreguise。——Whatarethegalleys？
Abrazierofdamnation，ahell。Theconvictcallshimselfafagot。——
Andfinally，whatnamedomalefactorsgivetotheirprison？
Thecollege。Awholepenitentiarysystemcanbeevolvedfromthatword。
Doesthereaderwishtoknowwherethemajorityofthesongsofthegalleys，thoserefrainscalledinthespecialvocabularylirlonfa，havehadtheirbirth？
Lethimlistentowhatfollows:——
ThereexistedattheChateletinParisalargeandlongcellar。
ThiscellarwaseightfeetbelowtheleveloftheSeine。Ithadneitherwindowsnorair—holes，itsonlyaperturewasthedoor；
mencouldenterthere，aircouldnot。Thisvaulthadforceilingavaultofstone，andforfloorteninchesofmud。Itwasflagged；
butthepavementhadrottedandcrackedundertheoozingofthewater。
Eightfeetabovethefloor，alongandmassivebeamtraversedthissubterraneanexcavationfromsidetoside；fromthisbeamhung，atshortdistancesapart，chainsthreefeetlong，andattheendofthesechainstherewereringsfortheneck。Inthisvault，menwhohadbeencondemnedtothegalleyswereincarcerateduntilthedayoftheirdepartureforToulon。Theywerethrustunderthisbeam，whereeachonefoundhisfettersswinginginthedarknessandwaitingforhim。
Thechains，thosependantarms，andthenecklets，thoseopenhands，caughttheunhappywretchesbythethroat。Theywererivettedandleftthere。Asthechainwastooshort，theycouldnotliedown。
Theyremainedmotionlessinthatcavern，inthatnight，beneaththatbeam，almosthanging，forcedtounheard—ofeffortstoreachtheirbread，jug，ortheirvaultoverhead，mudeventomid—leg，filthflowingtotheirverycalves，brokenasunderwithfatigue，withthighsandkneesgivingway，clingingfasttothechainwiththeirhandsinordertoobtainsomerest，unabletosleepexceptwhenstandingerect，andawakenedeverymomentbythestranglingofthecollar；somewokenomore。Inordertoeat，theypushedthebread，whichwasflungtotheminthemud，alongtheirlegwiththeirheeluntilitreachedtheirhand。
Howlongdidtheyremainthus？Onemonth，twomonths，sixmonthssometimes；onestayedayear。Itwastheantechamberofthegalleys。
Menwereputthereforstealingaharefromtheking。Inthissepulchre—hell，whatdidtheydo？Whatmancandoinasepulchre，theywentthroughtheagoniesofdeath，andwhatcanmandoinhell，theysang；forsonglingerswherethereisnolongeranyhope。
InthewatersofMalta，whenagalleywasapproaching，thesongcouldbeheardbeforethesoundoftheoars。PoorSurvincent，thepoacher，whohadgonethroughtheprison—cellaroftheChatelet，said:
\"Itwastherhymesthatkeptmeup。\"Uselessnessofpoetry。
Whatisthegoodofrhyme？
Itisinthiscellarthatnearlyalltheslangsongshadtheirbirth。ItisfromthedungeonoftheGrand—ChateletofParisthatcomesthemelancholyrefrainoftheMontgomerygalley:
\"Timaloumisaine，timaloumison。\"ThemajorityoftheseIcicailleestlatheatreHereisthetheatreDupetitdardant。Ofthelittlearcher（Cupid）。
Dowhatyouwill，youcannotannihilatethateternalrelicintheheartofman，love。
Inthisworldofdismaldeeds，peoplekeeptheirsecrets。
Thesecretisthethingaboveallothers。Thesecret，intheeyesofthesewretches，isunitywhichservesasabaseofunion。
Tobetrayasecretistotearfromeachmemberofthisfiercecommunitysomethingofhisownpersonality。Toinformagainst，intheenergeticslangdialect，iscalled:\"toeatthebit。\"
Asthoughtheinformerdrewtohimselfalittleofthesubstanceofallandnourishedhimselfonabitofeachone’sflesh。
Whatdoesitsignifytoreceiveaboxontheear？
Commonplacemetaphorreplies:\"Itistoseethirty—sixcandles。\"
Hereslangintervenesandtakesitup:Candle，camoufle。
Thereupon，theordinarytonguegivescamouflet[42]asthesynonymforsoufflet。Thus，byasortofinfiltrationfrombelowupwards，withtheaidofmetaphor，thatincalculable，trajectoryslangmountsfromthecaverntotheAcademy；andPoulaillersaying:
\"Ilightmycamoufle，\"causesVoltairetowrite:\"LanglevielLaBeaumelledeservesahundredcamouflets。\"
[42]Smokepuffedinthefaceofapersonasleep。
Researchesinslangmeandiscoveriesateverystep。Studyandinvestigationofthisstrangeidiomleadtothemysteriouspointofintersectionofregularsocietywithsocietywhichisaccursed。
Thethiefalsohashisfoodforcannon，stealablematter，you，I，whoeverpassesby；lepantre。（Pan，everybody。）
Slangislanguageturnedconvict。
Thatthethinkingprincipleofmanbethrustdowneversolow，thatitcanbedraggedandpinionedtherebyobscuretyranniesoffatality，thatitcanbeboundbynooneknowswhatfettersinthatabyss，issufficienttocreateconsternation。
Oh，poorthoughtofmiserablewretches！
Alas！willnoonecometothesuccorofthehumansoulinthatdarkness？
Isitherdestinytheretoawaitforeverthemind，theliberator，theimmenseriderofPegasiandhippo—griffs，thecombatantofheroesofthedawnwhoshalldescendfromtheazurebetweentwowings，theradiantknightofthefuture？Willsheforeversummoninvaintoherassistancethelanceoflightoftheideal？IsshecondemnedtohearthefearfulapproachofEvilthroughthedensityofthegulf，andtocatchglimpses，nearerandnearerathand，beneaththehideouswaterofthatdragon’shead，thatmawstreakedwithfoam，andthatwrithingundulationofclaws，swellings，andrings？
Mustitremainthere，withoutagleamoflight，withouthope，givenovertothatterribleapproach，vaguelyscentedoutbythemonster，shuddering，dishevelled，wringingitsarms，foreverchainedtotherockofnight，asombreAndromedawhiteandnakedamidtheshadows！
CHAPTERIII
SLANGWHICHWEEPSANDSLANGWHICHLAUGHS
Asthereaderperceives，slanginitsentirety，slangoffourhundredyearsago，liketheslangofto—day，ispermeatedwiththatsombre，symbolicalspiritwhichgivestoallwordsamienwhichisnowmournful，nowmenacing。OnefeelsinitthewildandancientsadnessofthosevagrantsoftheCourtofMiracleswhoplayedatcardswithpacksoftheirown，someofwhichhavecomedowntous。Theeightofclubs，forinstance，representedahugetreebearingeightenormoustrefoilleaves，asortoffantasticpersonificationoftheforest。
Atthefootofthistreeafirewasburning，overwhichthreehareswereroastingahuntsmanonaspit，andbehindhim，onanotherfire，hungasteamingpot，whenceemergedtheheadofadog。Nothingcanbemoremelancholythanthesereprisalsinpainting，byapackofcards，inthepresenceofstakesfortheroastingofsmugglersandofthecauldronfortheboilingofcounterfeiters。Thediverseformsassumedbythoughtintherealmofslang，evensong，evenraillery，evenmenace，allpartookofthispowerlessanddejectedcharacter。
Allthesongs，themelodiesofsomeofwhichhavebeencollected，werehumbleandlamentabletothepointofevokingtears。
Thepegreisalwaysthepoorpegre，andheisalwaysthehareinhiding，thefugitivemouse，theflyingbird。Hehardlycomplains，hecontentshimselfwithsighing；oneofhismoanshascomedowntous:\"IdonotunderstandhowGod，thefatherofmen，cantorturehischildrenandhisgrandchildrenandhearthemcry，withouthimselfsufferingtorture。\"[43]Thewretch，wheneverhehastimetothink，makeshimselfsmallbeforethelow，andfrailinthepresenceofsociety；heliesdownflatonhisface，heentreats，heappealstothesideofcompassion；wefeelthatheisconsciousofhisguilt。
[43]Jen’entravequeledailcommentmeck，ledarondesorgues，peutatigersesmomesetsesmomignardsetleslochercriblantsansetreagitelui—meme。
Towardsthemiddleofthelastcenturyachangetookplace，prisonsongsandthieves’ritournellesassumed，sotospeak，aninsolentandjovialmien。Theplaintivemalurewasreplacedbythelarifla。
Wefindintheeighteenthcentury，innearlyallthesongsofthegalleysandprisons，adiabolicalandenigmaticalgayety。
Wehearthisstridentandliltingrefrainwhichweshouldsayhadbeenlightedupbyaphosphorescentgleam，andwhichseemstohavebeenflungintotheforestbyawill—o’—the—wispplayingthefife:——
MiralabisuslababoMirlitonribonribetteSurlababimirlababoMirlitonribonribo。
Thiswassunginacellarorinanookoftheforestwhilecuttingaman’sthroat。
Aserioussymptom。Intheeighteenthcentury，theancientmelancholyofthedejectedclassesvanishes。Theybegantolaugh。
Theyrallythegrandmegandthegranddab。GivenLouisXV。
theycalltheKingofFrance\"leMarquisdePantin。\"Andbehold，theyarealmostgay。Asortofgleamproceedsfromthesemiserablewretches，asthoughtheirconscienceswerenotheavywithinthemanymore。Theselamentabletribesofdarknesshavenolongermerelythedesperateaudacityofactions，theypossesstheheedlessaudacityofmind。Asignthattheyarelosingthesenseoftheircriminality，andthattheyfeel，evenamongthinkersanddreamers，someindefinablesupportwhichthelatterthemselvesknownotof。
Asignthattheftandpillagearebeginningtofilterintodoctrinesandsophisms，insuchawayastolosesomewhatoftheirugliness，whilecommunicatingmuchofittosophismsanddoctrines。Asign，inshort，ofsomeoutbreakwhichisprodigiousandnearunlesssomediversionshallarise。
Letuspauseamoment。Whomareweaccusinghere？Isittheeighteenthcentury？Isitphilosophy？Certainlynot。Theworkoftheeighteenthcenturyishealthyandgoodandwholesome。
Theencyclopedists，Diderotattheirhead；thephysiocrates，Turgotattheirhead；thephilosophers，Voltaireattheirhead；
theUtopians，Rousseauattheirhead，——thesearefoursacredlegions。
Humanity’simmenseadvancetowardsthelightisduetothem。
Theyarethefourvanguardsofthehumanrace，marchingtowardsthefourcardinalpointsofprogress。Diderottowardsthebeautiful，Turgottowardstheuseful，Voltairetowardsthetrue，Rousseautowardsthejust。Butbythesideofandabovethephilosophers，therewerethesophists，avenomousvegetationmingledwithahealthygrowth，hemlockinthevirginforest。Whiletheexecutionerwasburningthegreatbooksoftheliberatorsofthecenturyonthegrandstaircaseofthecourt—house，writersnowforgottenwerepublishing，withtheKing’ssanction，nooneknowswhatstrangelydisorganizingwritings，whichwereeagerlyreadbytheunfortunate。
Someofthesepublications，oddtosay，whichwerepatronizedbyaprince，aretobefoundintheSecretLibrary。Thesefacts，significantbutunknown，wereimperceptibleonthesurface。
Sometimes，intheveryobscurityofafactlurksitsdanger。
Itisobscurebecauseitisunderhand。Ofallthesewriters，theonewhoprobablythenexcavatedinthemassesthemostunhealthygallerywasRestifdeLaBretonne。
Thiswork，peculiartothewholeofEurope，effectedmoreravagesinGermanythananywhereelse。InGermany，duringagivenperiod，summedupbySchillerinhisfamousdramaTheRobbers，theftandpillageroseupinprotestagainstpropertyandlabor，assimilatedcertainspeciousandfalseelementaryideas，which，thoughjustinappearance，wereabsurdinreality，envelopedthemselvesintheseideas，disappearedwithinthem，afterafashion，assumedanabstractname，passedintothestateoftheory，andinthatshapecirculatedamongthelaborious，suffering，andhonestmasses，unknowneventotheimprudentchemistswhohadpreparedthemixture，unknowneventothemasseswhoacceptedit。Wheneverafactofthissortpresentsitself，thecaseisgrave。Sufferingengenderswrath；
andwhiletheprosperousclassesblindthemselvesorfallasleep，whichisthesamethingasshuttingone’seyes，thehatredoftheunfortunateclasseslightsitstorchatsomeaggrievedorill—madespiritwhichdreamsinacorner，andsetsitselftothescrutinyofsociety。Thescrutinyofhatredisaterriblething。
Hence，iftheill—fortuneofthetimessowillsit，thosefearfulcommotionswhichwereformerlycalledjacqueries，besidewhichpurelypoliticalagitationsarethemerestchild’splay，whicharenolongertheconflictoftheoppressedandtheoppressor，buttherevoltofdiscomfortagainstcomfort。Theneverythingcrumbles。
Jacqueriesareearthquakesofthepeople。
Itisthisperil，possiblyimminenttowardsthecloseoftheeighteenthcentury，whichtheFrenchRevolution，thatimmenseactofprobity，cutshort。
TheFrenchRevolution，whichisnothingelsethantheideaarmedwiththesword，roseerect，and，withthesameabruptmovement，closedthedoorofillandopenedthedoorofgood。
Itputastoptotorture，promulgatedthetruth，expelledmiasma，renderedthecenturyhealthy，crownedthepopulace。
Itmaybesaidofitthatitcreatedmanasecondtime，bygivinghimasecondsoul，theright。
Thenineteenthcenturyhasinheritedandprofitedbyitswork，andto—day，thesocialcatastrophetowhichwelatelyalludedissimplyimpossible。Blindishewhoannouncesit！Foolishishewhofearsit！RevolutionisthevaccineofJacquerie。
ThankstotheRevolution，socialconditionshavechanged。
Feudalandmonarchicalmaladiesnolongerruninourblood。
ThereisnomoreoftheMiddleAgesinourconstitution。Wenolongerliveinthedayswhenterribleswarmswithinmadeirruptions，whenoneheardbeneathhisfeettheobscurecourseofadullrumble，whenindescribableelevationsfrommole—liketunnelsappearedonthesurfaceofcivilization，wherethesoilcrackedopen，wheretheroofsofcavernsyawned，andwhereonesuddenlybeheldmonstrousheadsemergingfromtheearth。
Therevolutionarysenseisamoralsense。Thesentimentofright，oncedeveloped，developsthesentimentofduty。Thelawofallisliberty，whichendswherethelibertyofothersbegins，accordingtoRobespierre’sadmirabledefinition。Since’89，thewholepeoplehasbeendilatingintoasublimeindividual；thereisnotapoorman，who，possessinghisright，hasnothisrayofsun；
thedie—of—hungerfeelswithinhimthehonestyofFrance；thedignityofthecitizenisaninternalarmor；hewhoisfreeisscrupulous；
hewhovotesreigns。Henceincorruptibility；hencethemiscarriageofunhealthylusts；henceeyesheroicallyloweredbeforetemptations。
Therevolutionarywholesomenessissuch，thatonadayofdeliverance，a14thofJuly，a10thofAugust，thereisnolongeranypopulace。
Thefirstcryoftheenlightenedandincreasingthrongsis:
deathtothieves！Progressisanhonestman；theidealandtheabsolutedonotfilchpocket—handkerchiefs。BywhomwerethewagonscontainingthewealthoftheTuileriesescortedin1848？Bytherag—pickersoftheFaubourgSaint—Antoine。Ragsmountedguardoverthetreasure。Virtuerenderedthesetatterdemalionsresplendent。
Inthosewagonsinchests，hardlyclosed，andsome，even，half—open，amidahundreddazzlingcaskets，wasthatancientcrownofFrance，studdedwithdiamonds，surmountedbythecarbuncleofroyalty，bytheRegentdiamond，whichwasworththirtymillions。Barefooted，theyguardedthatcrown。
Hence，nomoreJacquerie。Iregretitforthesakeoftheskilful。
Theoldfearhasproduceditslasteffectsinthatquarter；
andhenceforthitcannolongerbeemployedinpolitics。Theprincipalspringoftheredspectreisbroken。Everyoneknowsitnow。
Thescare—crowscaresnolonger。Thebirdstakelibertieswiththemannikin，foulcreaturesalightuponit，thebourgeoislaughatit。
CHAPTERIV
THETWODUTIES:TOWATCHANDTOHOPE
Thisbeingthecase，isallsocialdangerdispelled？Certainlynot。
ThereisnoJacquerie；societymayrestassuredonthatpoint；
bloodwillnolongerrushtoitshead。Butletsocietytakeheedtothemannerinwhichitbreathes。Apoplexyisnolongertobefeared，butphthisisisthere。Socialphthisisiscalledmisery。
Onecanperishfrombeingunderminedaswellasfrombeingstruckbylightning。
Letusnotwearyofrepeating，andsympatheticsoulsmustnotforgetthatthisisthefirstoffraternalobligations，andselfishheartsmustunderstandthatthefirstofpoliticalnecessitiesconsistsinthinkingfirstofallofthedisinheritedandsorrowingthrongs，insolacing，airing，enlightening，lovingthem，inenlargingtheirhorizontoamagnificentextent，inlavishinguponthemeducationineveryform，inofferingthemtheexampleoflabor，nevertheexampleofidleness，indiminishingtheindividualburdenbyenlargingthenotionoftheuniversalaim，insettingalimittopovertywithoutsettingalimittowealth，increatingvastfieldsofpublicandpopularactivity，inhaving，likeBriareus，ahundredhandstoextendinalldirectionstotheoppressedandthefeeble，inemployingthecollectivepowerforthatgranddutyofopeningworkshopsforallarms，schoolsforallaptitudes，andlaboratoriesforalldegreesofintelligence，inaugmentingsalaries，diminishingtrouble，balancingwhatshouldbeandwhatis，thatistosay，inproportioningenjoymenttoeffortandagluttoneed；
inaword，inevolvingfromthesocialapparatusmorelightandmorecomfortforthebenefitofthosewhosufferandthosewhoareignorant。
And，letussayit，allthisisbutthebeginning。Thetruequestionisthis:laborcannotbealawwithoutbeingaright。
Wewillnotinsistuponthispoint；thisisnottheproperplaceforthat。
IfnaturecallsitselfProvidence，societyshouldcallitselfforesight。
Intellectualandmoralgrowthisnolessindispensablethanmaterialimprovement。Toknowisasacrament，tothinkistheprimenecessity，truthisnourishmentaswellasgrain。
Areasonwhichfastsfromscienceandwisdomgrowsthin。Letusenterequalcomplaintagainststomachsandmindswhichdonoteat。
Ifthereisanythingmoreheart—breakingthanabodyperishingforlackofbread，itisasoulwhichisdyingfromhungerforthelight。
Thewholeofprogresstendsinthedirectionofsolution。
Somedayweshallbeamazed。Asthehumanracemountsupward，thedeeplayersemergenaturallyfromthezoneofdistress。
Theobliterationofmiserywillbeaccomplishedbyasimpleelevationoflevel。
Weshoulddowrongwerewetodoubtthisblessedconsummation。
Thepastisverystrong，itistrue，atthepresentmoment。Itcensures。
Thisrejuvenationofacorpseissurprising。Behold，itiswalkingandadvancing。Itseemsavictor；thisdeadbodyisaconqueror。
Hearriveswithhislegions，superstitions，withhissword，despotism，withhisbanner，ignorance；awhileago，hewontenbattles。
Headvances，hethreatens，helaughs，heisatourdoors。Letusnotdespair，onourside。LetussellthefieldonwhichHannibalisencamped。
Whathavewetofear，wewhobelieve？
Nosuchthingasaback—flowofideasexistsanymorethanthereexistsareturnofariveronitscourse。
Butletthosewhodonotdesireafuturereflectonthismatter。
Whentheysay\"no\"toprogress，itisnotthefuturebutthemselvesthattheyarecondemning。Theyaregivingthemselvesasadmalady；
theyareinoculatingthemselveswiththepast。ThereisbutonewayofrejectingTo—morrow，andthatistodie。
Now，nodeath，thatofthebodyaslateaspossible，thatofthesoulnever，——thisiswhatwedesire。
Yes，theenigmawillutteritsword，thesphinxwillspeak，theproblemwillbesolved。
Yes，thepeople，sketchedoutbytheeighteenthcentury，willbefinishedbythenineteenth。Hewhodoubtsthisisanidiot！
Thefutureblossoming，thenearblossomingforthofuniversalwell—being，isadivinelyfatalphenomenon。
Immensecombinedpropulsionsdirecthumanaffairsandconductthemwithinagiventimetoalogicalstate，thatistosay，toastateofequilibrium；thatistosay，toequity。Aforcecomposedofearthandheavenresultsfromhumanityandgovernsit；
thisforceisaworkerofmiracles；marvellousissuesarenomoredifficulttoitthanextraordinaryvicissitudes。Aidedbyscience，whichcomesfromoneman，andbytheevent，whichcomesfromanother，itisnotgreatlyalarmedbythesecontradictionsintheattitudeofproblems，whichseemimpossibilitiestothevulgarherd。
Itisnolessskilfulatcausingasolutiontospringforthfromthereconciliationofideas，thanalessonfromthereconciliationoffacts，andwemayexpectanythingfromthatmysteriouspowerofprogress，whichbroughttheOrientandtheOccidentfacetofaceonefineday，inthedepthsofasepulchre，andmadetheimaumsconversewithBonaparteintheinterioroftheGreatPyramid。
Inthemeantime，lettherebenohalt，nohesitation，nopauseinthegrandioseonwardmarchofminds。Socialphilosophyconsistsessentiallyinscienceandpeace。Itsobjectis，anditsresultmustbe，todissolvewrathbythestudyofantagonisms。Itexamines，itscrutinizes，itanalyzes；thenitputstogetheroncemore，itproceedsbymeansofreduction，discardingallhatred。
Morethanonce，asocietyhasbeenseentogivewaybeforethewindwhichisletlooseuponmankind；historyisfulloftheshipwrecksofnationsandempires；manners，customs，laws，religions，——andsomefinedaythatunknownforce，thehurricane，passesbyandbearsthemallaway。ThecivilizationsofIndia，ofChaldea，ofPersia，ofSyria，ofEgypt，havedisappearedoneaftertheother。Why？Weknownot。
Whatarethecausesofthesedisasters？Wedonotknow。
Couldthesesocietieshavebeensaved？Wasittheirfault？
Didtheypersistinthefatalvicewhichdestroyedthem？
Whatistheamountofsuicideintheseterribledeathsofanationandarace？Questionstowhichthereexistsnoreply。
Darknessenwrapscondemnedcivilizations。Theysprungaleak，thentheysank。Wehavenothingmoretosay；anditiswithasortofterrorthatwelookon，atthebottomofthatseawhichiscalledthepast，behindthosecolossalwaves，attheshipwreckofthoseimmensevessels，Babylon，Nineveh，Tarsus，Thebes，Rome，beneaththefearfulgustswhichemergefromallthemouthsoftheshadows。
Butshadowsarethere，andlightishere。Wearenotacquaintedwiththemaladiesoftheseancientcivilizations，wedonotknowtheinfirmitiesofourown。Everywhereuponitwehavetherightoflight，wecontemplateitsbeauties，welaybareitsdefects。
Whereitisill，weprobe；andthesicknessoncediagnosed，thestudyofthecauseleadstothediscoveryoftheremedy。
Ourcivilization，theworkoftwentycenturies，isitslawanditsprodigy；itisworththetroubleofsaving。Itwillbesaved。
Itisalreadymuchtohavesolacedit；itsenlightenmentisyetanotherpoint。Allthelaborsofmodernsocialphilosophiesmustconvergetowardsthispoint。Thethinkerofto—dayhasagreatduty——
toauscultatecivilization。
Werepeat，thatthisauscultationbringsencouragement；itisbythispersistenceinencouragementthatwewishtoconcludethesepages，anaustereinterludeinamournfuldrama。Beneaththesocialmortality，wefeelhumanimperishableness。Theglobedoesnotperish，becauseithasthesewounds，craters，eruptions，sulphurpits，hereandthere，norbecauseofavolcanowhichejectsitspus。
Themaladiesofthepeopledonotkillman。
Andyet，anyonewhofollowsthecourseofsocialclinicsshakeshisheadattimes。Thestrongest，thetenderest，themostlogicalhavetheirhoursofweakness。
Willthefuturearrive？Itseemsasthoughwemightalmostputthisquestion，whenwebeholdsomuchterribledarkness。
Melancholyface—to—faceencounterofselfishandwretched。Onthepartoftheselfish，theprejudices，shadowsofcostlyeducation，appetiteincreasingthroughintoxication，agiddinessofprosperitywhichdulls，afearofsufferingwhich，insome，goesasfarasanaversionforthesuffering，animplacablesatisfaction，theIsoswollenthatitbarsthesoul；onthesideofthewretchedcovetousness，envy，hatredofseeingothersenjoy，theprofoundimpulsesofthehumanbeasttowardsassuagingitsdesires，heartsfullofmist，sadness，need，fatality，impureandsimpleignorance。
Shallwecontinuetoraiseoureyestoheaven？istheluminouspointwhichwedistinguishthereoneofthosewhichvanish？
Theidealisfrightfultobehold，thuslostinthedepths，small，isolated，imperceptible，brilliant，butsurroundedbythosegreat，blackmenaces，monstrouslyheapedaroundit；yetnomoreindangerthanastarinthemawoftheclouds。
BOOKEIGHTH。——ENCHANTMENTSANDDESOLATIONS
CHAPTERI
FULLLIGHT
ThereaderhasprobablyunderstoodthatEponine，havingrecognizedthroughthegate，theinhabitantofthatRuePlumetwhitherMagnonhadsenther，hadbegunbykeepingtheruffiansawayfromtheRuePlumet，andhadthenconductedMariusthither，andthat，aftermanydaysspentinecstasybeforethatgate，Marius，drawnonbythatforcewhichdrawstheirontothemagnetandalovertowardsthestonesofwhichisbuiltthehouseofherwhomheloves，hadfinallyenteredCosette’sgardenasRomeoenteredthegardenofJuliet。ThishadevenprovedeasierforhimthanforRomeo；
Romeowasobligedtoscaleawall，Mariushadonlytousealittleforceononeofthebarsofthedecrepitgatewhichvacillatedinitsrustyrecess，afterthefashionofoldpeople’steeth。
Mariuswasslenderandreadilypassedthrough。
Astherewasneveranyoneinthestreet，andasMariusneverenteredthegardenexceptatnight，herannoriskofbeingseen。
Beginningwiththatblessedandholyhourwhenakissbetrothedthesetwosouls，Mariuswasthereeveryevening。If，atthatperiodofherexistence，Cosettehadfalleninlovewithamanintheleastunscrupulousordebauched，shewouldhavebeenlost；fortherearegenerousnatureswhichyieldthemselves，andCosettewasoneofthem。