Daily national Democrat., 1860-12-02
Lamartine's Opinion of Americans.

Lamartine came most prominently before
the world in 1913, just after the abdieatiou
of Louis Philippe. In that year he was
placed at the head OF the Provisional Gov
ernment of France, but was unequal to the
position II resigned. retired to private life
and betook himself again to the writing oil
/ literary works. His connection with the
revolution of lS4s had given him world
wide reputation, and from that time to the
present or until recently at least, he has oc-
casionally received large sums of money for
his works. In the language of an eastern
paper "he might now have been in posses
sion of a princ,ly fortune were it not for his
extravaganza and ostentation." His un-
bounded extravaganza has brought him in
debt lie recently as a-means of paying off
the debt, sent De Place to the United States
to obtain subscri ptions for his works. The
mission of De Place failed. This was some
thing Lamartine did not expect. and he has
accordingly expressed his opinion Of the
Americans very freely. Mrs. Lewis, an
American lady, recently visited him at Paris,
and in a letter to the New York Home Jour
nal thus reports the conclusion of her inter
view with him:
Would You not like to go to America and
write a book of travels2 1t would bring you
fortune l said wishing to turn the sub
ject.
"Go to America !" he replied, looking at
me with astonishment. mo | will never set
my foot on American ground. The Ameri
csns know nothing but the almighty do lar
They stuff their millonaires and starve their
poets, because they have not the ability to
understand their worth. You did well to
come where you will be Appreciated.
Il was appreciated in America" l re-
piled
appreciated !" he exclaimed "There
are not many people in that vast country
who can understand soul like yours -
81 love my country" added.
you love in vain" he replied, impatient
ly.
al hope not" rejoined.
" You hope in vain, he continued. "When
l was able to live like prince when was
at the head of the State, and all the world
was bowing to me, the Americans were at
my feet but when l was in need, and sent
De Place to New York to get subscriptions
for my works. whereby | might be enabled
to pay my debts, they turned their backs on
me. | was induced to send De Place to
Americn at my own expense by the advice
and batteries of Americans, and he returned
without one subscription. They are deceit
ful, lalse."
You have many friends in America" |
said.
al thought so, Mademoiselle, but 1 was
mistaken. | thought your great American
publisher. Monsieur Appleton, my friend, but
erred He is rich, powerful and could have
aided my plans"
assure you, Monsieur Lamartine, that
if Monsieur Appleton failed to carry out
your wishes, it was not because he did not
desire to do so. He is high minded and
honorable gentleman, and feels an interest in
genius beyond dollars and cents" | replied.
"J'ea doute the reed broke beneath me
when had most need of support" he said,
sadly.
you would 60 to New York and give a
course Of lectures, you would make enough
to pay your debts" added
" Sans doute, they would give their TWEEN
tY five sous 10 see me once, and they would
give it to see wild beast then it would
Shhs AhVJ NONll lOJ Cuiuc eGconu ltiilS
I'll not crafty their curiosity" he said i'm
patiently
You would like to meet our poets, am
sure" continued.
" You have no poets Soul cannot live
and grow there; it starves," he retorted.
80, yes, We have poets" went on. 1--WE
have Bryant, Halleek. Longfellow, Willis,
Holmes, Morris, Sprague, etc"
" Ihpy mirht have hppn poafs - oraet
ones, if they had had the proper nutriment
Come to see me every day, but don't bring
an American gentleman with you; will
not receive him if you DO" he said, as l rose
to leave.
" You are prejudiced, Monsieur Lamar
tine, D." | rejoined
Pas du tout" he replied; 1.-The Amer-
cans hate me because | am poor, and re-
turn the compliment most cordially"
You are frank" | added, as left him at
the door,