New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-12
LIFE IN PARIS.
LETTER FROM ARsENE HOUssAYE.


TvRoM REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.l
PARIS, MAY 23.-Wc dcporc our friends laid away
IN the grave but we forget those who still above
ground. For instance, this morning | saw pass by
with deep feeling of sadness the pale faces of
Th6Ophile Gautier, Gerard de Nerval and Jules
Janin when servant announced Alphonse Esquiros
another friend of my youth, whom l had not seen
since the last revolution. The fame of Alphonse
Esquiros must have passed the ocean in prose and
verse At present he is a Deputy Of the people.
When we first met at Victor Hugo's he was roman
tic poet. He began with collection of odes and
sonnets entitled Tho Swallows" The name gives
an idea of the dreams of poets. Do not they like
the swallows, forever seek the SPRING. DO they
not Journey wherever the light invites them-the
hight which is the image of absolute and eternal
beauty There were admirable verses III this first
collection, but the one most remarked was this:
"The moon silver crown, the sun louis DOR
This line went over the world Ginning the glory OF
the Young poet as good verse doubtless would not
have done. Has not philosopher said that we are
better known by our vices than our virtuesl
Alphonse Esquiros belonged to our early Bohemia,
the glded Bohemia. lie left it to 60 into politics,
but often regretted that he could not share our
truancy. 1t was at this time that he wrote in the
Rerue des Der Mondes his fine studies of Paris less
true il may be- but more philosophical than those
of NJ Maxine du Camp. 1t was the time when La
MARITIME was publishing 1.-THE Girondists," AMI
Esquiros published the "Montagnards' with all the
audacty of Danton. In 1913 also he threw NM
self with enthusiasm into the most reckless ex-
travagances. Ii so happened that one day he was
condemned TO death by default. He had taken
refuge with me. Victor Hugo and Lcdru Rollln
warned him not to show his head at the window.
Although the cage a gilded one, the swallow
could not help going out. foresaw that he would
Iav in no net N a
which would not act by default. knew
that. the public prosecutor, Col. Hennezel,
was one of my habitual readers l went
straight to him. 81 will deliver Esquiros to
youn | said, ION condition that you will abandon
the charges against him." abandon the charges
said the Colonel, Il would rather stop reading
you.n bowed Think" said, "Esquros is one
of the most gallant fellows i'll the world. What mas
got him into trouble is his love for humanity. lou
ought not to shoot such hearts" We were smoking
our cigars We were from the same country; we
had hunted together, and we had taken part IN
theatricals at a chateau of the Soissonnais. Be
sdes my dear COLONEL | said, "Esquros is going
70 expatriate himself, and we shall thus lose man
of talent" 1--WE shall not let him 60" But he
has shaved his beard, you would never know him."
"I know where he is" "WhereT AT your
house, "Why don't you take him. thenT " Be
cause he is at your house-if he were with dema-
gogue il would soon be DONE"
/ saw that the case must go into court and ar
ranged with the prosecutor to retain friend OF his,
Nopeat St. Laurent with no other fee except the
honor and glory Of saving the life of politician.
Tie charges were not to be abandoned at once, but
the prosecutor woud admit extenuating circum-
stances went home, and taking Esquiros by the
arm conducted him to the military prison. 1t was
bitter moment when saw him go down to his cell
and heard the heavy iron gate close behind him.
began to believe that Victor Hugo and Ledru Rollin
were right in advising him to remain concealed. In
those troubled times who could answer for the
court
"Let me say one more word TO the prisoner" said
10 the turnkey He opened the grating again. |
threw myself into the arms of Esquiros. You
shall be saved" / Cried and hurried away
to the President of the court-martial, Gen.
CorneInuse a singular name for such n mission.
Soldiers are usually good fellows whose hearts are
ever on duty. This one did not want TO listen to me-
But he gave me cigar and ended by making me
stay to breakfast ] never breakfastcd more JOY
ously for l felt that had gained my case And In
fact week later Esquros appeared before the court
martial was in the crowd and the President sent
agensdarmes to bring Inc to sit beside him. But all
was not vet over. They examined Esquiros. In
stead of being prudent in his answers he went to
developing his theories la st. Just. "What is
mani Nothing What is a principle Everything"
They might perfectly easily have condemned him TO
death by the same argument What is princ-
pef Everything What is a man Nothing"
They wanted not to convict him, but it was hard
work The prosecutor had abandoned his accusa-
tions. but the prisoner accused himself. was III a
fever. When he was acquitted, everybody was as
founded, except the officers of the conrt-marial.
DO Won know what was the first word of Esquiros
in embracing met Vre Ia Rfpublique! they dared
not condemn my IDEAS" Since that great day the
life of Esauiros has been agtated. He was elected
representative of the people at Paris up to the
I'd OF December, day OF dcllverance ac-
cording to some, day of oppression according TO
others. OF course Esquiros appeared at the baIrl-
cades where he was willing TO die for his IDEAS Tie
was nroscribed He wandered in Belgium, in IlOl-
land, in England, where lie almost became an En-
gish citizen. having been appointed at London In
snector of High Schools From Holland and from
England he sent to the Rerae dS De"r Mo"deS almi-
re letters on the institutions and manners of these
two countries lie is still sort of Engshman, al
tbough a representative of the French people and
Gladly crosses the Channel at every Parliamentary
recess.
There is nothing but fortune and misfortune III
this world, EsQuiros had il-natured wife III
Paris, who did not think proper to go abroad WIN
him after the ooupdddt. Therefore Esqulros thought
proper TO marry in Belgium, another wife, beautl-
full and noble creature, living model OF virtue,
resignation, and devotion. Although the other one
il still living, it is the latter, the wife of exile, who
il called Madame Esquiros.
Twas just now speaking of st. Just. Esqniros is
ST. Just in 1875. / saved Esquiros, although he
was not of my opinion. am not sure that Esquros
wonld not have had Inc shot if had been taken III
arms against his ideas. Like the terrible Conven-
L. a1.Hn a