Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-04-22
0bc Doilp aoireiniau.
George Sand.


Madame Marie Aurore Dudevant, better
known in this country under the "nomme de
plume" OF George Sand, is one of the most
distinguished literary women that France has
produced since the days OF Madame De Sta
ell
She is the only daughter of NJ. Dupin,an of
fcerin the French army,who was killed when
she was child by a fall from his horse. Be-
ing an orphan, she was committed TO the care
of her Grand mother, Madame Dudevant whose
name she took. The lady resided i'll the Prov
ince of Berry and it was here in qua mt old
chateau, that the youthful Marie. now no
longer innocent aud pure, but developed into
the notorious George Sand, spent the first ff
Teen years of her life.
Here also amid the revelings of nature. ad
ded TO the immoral lessons OF French Philos-
ophy, her mind was fashioned-her charac
ter formed-her destiny sealed.
She was when young an interesting brunette
of noble form, strongly marked features, and
naughty expression. She is now bold. mas
culne woman, who frequently dons 'nal at
tire when she appears In public, and INDUCES
in the luxury ol generous glass of wine and
a good cigar. In the garb of fash onable
eentleman,it is said she attempted to enter the
Chamber of Deputies, when one OF the guard
planted his musket before and said significant
ly: monsieur les danes ne passent pas par
ici"
Madame Dudevant is a follower Of Rosseau,
whose prime pies she unblushingly advocates,
although she was educated at the convent Of
the Danes Ang laises. Shortly after leaving
school she became the victim of an unhappy
marriage. which is somewhat to be wondered
at, as she was srikingly bcautiul.accomplish-
ed and wealthy.
Her husband was many years older than
hcrself-"a retired imperial officer" ug ly, stu
pid and prosaic, while she was bold, ardent ,ro.
mantle, with the cross of the demon and the an.
gel in her nature, in which the demon strong
ly preponderated. 1t was the eagle mated
with the OWL there was no congenialiiy of spir-
it, no oneness; hence chickering's, jealousies,
heart conflicts followed, until she snapped the
chains that bound her TO her welded lord and
would be master, leaving him to take care OF
the two children they had been blessed with
After-her flight, she sought and found admls
sion. as penitent, 10 the convent where she
was educated but did not remain long Gray
walls,dark closters. prayers and penances had
no charm for her. Hers was spirit not TO
be chained, and while hope alIured and point
ed 10 gayer scenes, she once more cast herself
on the world s broad bosom,to sip its joys and
sorrows, and forever be free from convention
al restraints. We next find her living in an OBJ
scure garret, as the companion of a young ar
tist, who assisted her to bring before the pub
lie her first W ork "Rose and Blanche the
Actress and the Nun" This production, like
hundreds with which aprolifc press teems,had
not name TO recommend ii, and at the time at.
tracted but little attention . 1t however con-
tained passages of thrilling power, so original,
SO beautiful, that a discriminating publisher
was induced to purchase one of her manu-
scripts; and thus encouraged to w rite, she has
sent out volume after volume under the title
of George Sand, a name which she borrowed
from her literary paramour before their separ-
alton, until she is now acknowledged to be one
Of the greatest of French novests.
The works of George Sand are all bad
in their moral tendency-but the worst is "In.
diana" 1t throw a mos beautiful drnpery over
a hideous form, yet you are fascinated and en-
brace it. The kiss is poison; it is transmitted
to your heart, and you feel its power; still you
are enchanted as she beckons you forward,un
til the veil is removed and you see Syren was
your guide. Then, perhaps, when near the
vortex Of wo, you start, you turn, lest you step
beyond the boundary line of virtue, and trans
formed into the being you worship, become a
Syren too.