New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-25
NJ. ALPHONSE DAUDET'
HIS FAILING HEALTH-INCIDENTS IN HIS
BRILLIANT CAREER

The report of NJ Daudet's serious if not hope
less illness creates profound impression alike in
the literary world and in society 1t is not how
ever unexpected 10 those who know him well
He has always been delicate in physical frame.
Perhaps the cold Northern climate does not agree
with the child of the sunny South. Perhaps the
miserable poverty and toll of his early years
sapped his constitution. At any rate, he has
never since he became famous, been strong. and
his charming wife, Julia AlAfd," Of La We
Parisiennen has much of the time had to play
/ the part of nurse. Some of his most brilliant
chapters most instinct with buoyant life, most
agow with sparkling humor, have been penned
while he was suffering intense physical pain
Under these circumstances it is well that he Is
man of quiet and domestic tastes. If be possessed
a love of society, of frequenting the salons ana
promenading the boulevards his enforced reure-
ment would be most painful TO him But ne
never has cared for such things. The company
of his wife and children and books has afforded
him the greatest pleasure. 1t is true that ne
was once brilliant figure of the fashionable
world, to be seen wherever distinguished throng
was gathered But those who knew him well
knew that he was in the world only, and not OF
it. He was gathering material for his books, he
was amusing himself, he enjoying the society
of a select few, like Tourgenief, Flaubert and
d'Aurevilly. Most Of the time he was more or
less openly scorning the shams and frauds about
him And all the time he longing 70 be
away from it all, in the home circle or In the
forest.
Mention has been made Of his early toll and
poverty. The words are not too strong. NJ
Daudet. who in these later years has received
probably the highest price ever paid for novel,
came to Paris penniless, frendless, almost
pauper. That was in 1857, and he was seven
old ITo nad
or under-teacher in a country school in Langue-
doc, where his wages were barely enough TO feed
and clothe him. The only person in Iaris VIII m
he knew was his brother Ernest. The latter
lived in back room a fifth floor and had
salary of 81 80 week. This poor pittance ne
shared with Alphonse, and together they existed
on it for time. Under these circumstances
Alphonse wrote his first book, volume of poems
1t not a work of great merit, but 1t served
to introduce him in the world of writer's ana
presently he was engaged TO write "chronlques
for the newspapers.
Jules Wales was his first important literary
acquaintance but his earliest social patron was
Nine Brohan. That famous actress took great
liking to the lad partly because he was handsome
but more because he was genius. She invited
him to her receptions and made regular hon-cuD
Of him. There he became acquainted with Roche
fort, and Gambetta, and others who were az rev.
dictionary in political and social matters as wales
was in literature But the Empire was then IN
its crescent power. and these friends did him no
good. He worked like slave for the newspapers,
but was scarcely able TO earn decent living. lie
often knew what ii was to go hungry. and SELDOM
knew what it was to be well dressed. After two
years of this miserable existence however fortune
smiled upon him. that fckie goddess assuming for
the time the form Of the Due de Morny. Napoleons
most powerful Minister The Due engaged young
Daudct as his secretary, and the five wears spent
in that position were the making Of the ilustrlors
novelist.
His observations and experiences in those hve
years have enriched all his subsequent work |
Without them he never could have written Kings !
in Exile or The Nabob,7 or Numa Roumestan.
People have denounced him bitterly as an migrate
because lie pictured his noble patron as Mora IN
The Nabob" II is true that that is portrayal |
Of the Due de Morny. Nor is it by any means
the only sketch from life in that book. or IN
Daudet's writings in general. 3" Kings in Exile
and Numa as well as The NabOb. are crowded |
with easily recognizable personages taken from real
life Daudet made no attempt to conceal the fact.
regarding such dongs perfectly legitimate |
Certainly the English admirers Of Thackeray and
Dickens cannot criticize him for it,
Indeed, W. Daudet has been the very reverse
For example One Of his frst friends was NJ.
Villemessant, the famous editor of lie Figaro.
He il was who gave Daudet a start at writing for
the papers and thus enabled him 70 make living.
Afterward when Daudet secretary TO TIE Due |
de Nlorny he had the pleasure of saving NJ. Vile
messant from arrest and his PAPER from suppression
This is how it came about: " lie Figaro had |
twice been rebuked and warned by the Imperial
censor Of the press. A third offence would GER
tainy involve the most serious consequences, ana
poor NJ Vulemessaut was almost crazy with |
anxiety lie did not desire 70 offend the Emperor
nor even 10 sail as close 10 the wind as possible
But he feared that some phrase might slip IN BY |
accident that would be offensive at the Tuileries
So much did he worry over It that he nearly lost
his mind. In his despair however, he met Daudet
and the latter at once agreed 10 help him 30 /
Daudet. at tie next favorable opportunity. begged
the Due 10 have the memory of Figaros past
offences blotted out and to have any future lapses
Of virtue-which would he quite accidental and
unintentional-passed over lightly. The Due de |
Morny al first was obdurate But the young |
secretary pleaded eoquently. and wound up with |
the audacious peroration:
And then, NJ. lie Due, pray remember that 1t
was NJ. VilicmeSsant who gave me work and kept /
me alive and saved me from your service HAD |
it not been for him, you never would have had
me for a secretary
At that amazing speech the Due relented, with
a burst Of laughter But; see here he added;
your friend must make amends for what ne has
done The anniversary Of the Prince Imperial
birth is to be celebrated next week. lie Figaro
must publish fine article on that occasion, fulI
of devotion TO the Emperor. Then-no more fear
of the censor Daudet hurried with the terms 70
Villemessant and lie Figaro was saved. IL Is
no
on the Prince Imperial
Another instance Of Daudet's kindness OF heart
may be cleaned from the history Of the Commune.
1Io xras than Ii,ino in aDarfmentS in the Narais.