The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-08-07

Tho Poet Bcranper


Tho lato foreign news brings intcllipcucc
of the death of Beranger, tho French poet,
WHO by the libernlty Of his political scnti
mcnts and the simple beauty of his lyrics, has
attained lasting fame on This side of the Az.
lantic:
"Reran@cr has always sought scclusion, esrc
ciallv during the latter yenrs pfhis life. passv,
Fontainblcau, Tours, and quiet Bcanon have
sheltered his retirement; and he was constant
ly changing his residence to Escape popular I'M
portunity. The names of the English and
Americans WHO daily bcsicgc the poet of Liscttr
and the sums of money which they offer his
housckccpcr, to be admitted. would fill Il vol
umc. "'rhc poor, dear man!' said one o his
servants, 'they want mo to show him for
cy"
"Thc clergy, among the rest. applied several
times with great reserve, during the latter part
of his sojourn at Passy. In 1Si9, Sibuur,
Archbishop of Paris, accompanied by his Wears
and The curntc of paasy, visited the poet, who
received him politely, but in such manner
that he l,nd no desire of renewing the visit
"Ancr death Of Davidson Anglers lie only
wished TO walk upon tho boulevard, t" take
tho morning mir. lie loved to walk without
being recognised in this thronged quarter: and
whenever he could walk to the Bastile without
seeing even the cap Of an artisan raised before
his white locks. he seemed more pleased Chan
when some indiscrcct promenade attract ed n
IbIular ONaIlOn. ''.NJ IHSl, he would
with satisfied smile, Il am to be left quiet for
n day."
"rl"y were always trying TO make n rolit.
elan Of Bcranrrr; but he would never he one.
lie WAS fav"ri'c with all the governments I;
and independent of alf parties. Liberal under.
the Erst"ration a republican under the rcpub
lie, he has passed peaceful life. unswaycd by
ambition enthusiasm.
"Thc politics of Bcrangcr should saw, have
always consistc'!in Keeping clear Of politics
In 1858 he said, 'Ihat the slandcrers declared
that he did it from lazincss.'
"ln rcsgnin" his seat in the Constitutional
Assembly of 1913, he wrote: at is not the vow.
of Il philosophers, much less of sage: it is the
vow "f an old rhymcr who thought if he los,
amid the clamor of public affairs his in.l-prnl-
cncc Of soul, he should survive the only blessing
Of which lie wns ever ambitious"
'ln spite of all the Efforts of Bcranccr to
avoid carcsscs and the conflict of "pinious he
| has always stood rs the most popular type OF
the republican party in France. Th; is due to
his stcaIy fame, his independence, his poverty,
an,l his political integrity, which were ALWAYS
| above suspicion. They might attack his sE.p-
tcism. or even his literary genius. Lnt his noble
private character is above all criticism.
his character:
".i few years since Ecrangcr called upon n
friend who was n banker. "lIcrc," said hc are
three thousand francs which I do not know
how to use, know nothing Of the bourSc, ui
stocks or bonds. Use it for Inc as you choose
| will let You have it."
'1iis friend took charge nf the money; and
for several years paid him interest upon it rcsu
larly. But, finally, one day he called upon
hi,n and offered him the amount.
"'Why do you return lie this money? have
not demanded it."
"I do not wish to keep it," replied the
banker; Il am about to retire from business
"'What'docs that signify!' replied the poet
81 gave You the money AS a friend-not as n
banker"
al do not wish to do any more business"
"It is not business; it is 4 favor which ask y
"It is absolutely impossible"
"tAh, well. responded Berungcr 81 have no
fear; you conceal something. Tell Inc, is there
not some hidden motivei"
ellis friend denied that lie had any conceal
cd motive. Bcranger insisted; the friend he.
came nl-itated, and finally declared tl,nt his
position had uccn compromised, and that he
was upon the verge Of bankruptcy. lie added
"My rich creditors can lose IL little money with
out injury to their business but yo,I tlis is all
your fortune; you arc not q spcculntor, YOU
have nothing to risk you must take back your
money"
"My dear friend" said Bcranccr, "to cur
| sorry observer, you have done nn net Just and
legnl, which, i'll truth, is reprehenshlc, and one
to which l cannot become accompcc. You
have acted in good faith, and without rcproach
But cannot consent that for my sake YOU
should be false To yourself Keep the money"
cy in spite of himself In few days he failed,
lie had lent"