New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-28
REMAIN AND MESSRS. LEVY.
A NEW CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF THE
RELATIONS BETWEEN AUTHOR
AND PUBLISHER
London, November Is

his wife is going to sell his library. and Is an
applicant for a pension from the State One
of Remains friends. NJ Berthelot, is quoted
authority for the statement that he died almost
Is poor the day when he quilted Saint
Sulpice, and renowned the career which the
Seminary and the Church were ready TO provide
for him. In truth, he cared little for money
As Professor in the College of France he had
$4,000 year, plus $500 as rector, as much more
by way of committee fees. and rather less for at
tendances at the Institute-in ali, not much over
$4,000 a year
But what about the profits from his books?
He has been a voluminous writer for something
like fve-and-thrty years For a great part of
that time. certainly since the first appearance of
the Vie dc Jesus in 1863. he has been very
successful writer. The thirteenth and defnitive
edition of that great boo, was published in
1867, and long ago as 1879 cheap popular
issue of il had reached its twcnty-first edition.
The list of his other books fills page, and
the circulation of mary of these was very large.
What became Of all the profits, and why did
this successful author die poor? He was. as
| said, careless about mere money -maklng; other
things in life had far higher interest Tor
Renan than questions of royalty and percent
age But how is it that long career like
his should have brought him so little that his
widow is left almost pennlcss'
Some of the most interesting pages iii the fasci-
mating fragments of autobiography which Renan
published early this year, under the title "feuil-
les Detachees" describe his relations with hs pup
fishers. Messrs. Michel and Calmann Levy. In the
"Souvenirs dEnfance ct de Jcunesse," published
in 1883. occurs passage more interesting still;
one which throws a food of light on Remains life
long poverty There are, indeed, two passages,
both in the chapter entitled Premiers Pas hors
de Sajnt-Sulpice." One describes Remains own
view of life on its practical side; the other ms
publshers and there is as might be expected a
wide divergence between them.
Poverty, said Renan, is, of all other clerical
virtues. the one l have best observed:
My dream was 10 be lodged, fed, clothed,
warmed, without my having 10 think anything
about it, by somebody who would take me on con-
tract and leave me entire liberty.
His sister offered him $3.50 a year He pre-
ferred to give private lessons and leave the money
untouched 1t was, he tells MS, his masters at
Treguer and at Saint-Shlpice who had Taught him
this rule of life: something to eat, roof over his
head and enough to buy cassocll year
For myself, | never wanted more than that.
Tie little competence | possess only came to ne
late In life and i'll spite of myself. / look upon
the world as belonging to me- but IT is only the
usufruct which l appropriate. l snail end my
life without having possessed any other things than
those which are consumed by use, according 10
the Franciscan rule. Every time | have thought
of buying an acre Of land anywhere, an inward
voice has stopped me- 1t seemed to me burden
some, materialis;ic, against principle. Non haDe-
mus hic monentem civitatem
The inward voice" of Renan is the demon
of Socrates, and the method of the spiritual mont
tor OF each was the same never to advise some
P,,tR has no of inn
posing his own rule upon anybody else He sees
and saws that though il has brought him happi-
ness it is 10 the world as ii goes q mere paradox,
land / advise nobody TO follow it. Then came
a few sentences of philosophical meditation which
are too Characteristic and too charming 10 omit
Il am now too old to change, and besides am
content, but / should think | was only making
dupes of the young if l told them TO do as
have done. To take ell the toll can get
ont of ones seif-that is tue rule Of the world.
The notion that his is the noble life who makes
no money, and that all commercial or industrial
enterprise, no matter how honest il be, absorbs
him who pursues it, and excludes him from the
first rank-that idea is vanishing day by day.
So much for forty years of human experience
and such the difference of view. Whatever
used TO do seems now like an act Of folly, and
sometimes as | look about me | seem TO be living
in a world l no longer recognize
That is not u view likely 10 elicit much SYM
pathy in a country which has just undergone n
political revolution the question of the duties
on tinplatc; a country where purely material
interests are, for the moment, the most vital
issues of public policy But if there be anybody
who thinks the first of French scholars and writers
q not less interesting figure than Mr.. Mckinley or
Mr.. Cleveland, or deems the law OF the spirit
not less important than the law Of the flesh he
may regard this attitude of mine as Instructive
and sympathetic. If you care 10 understand
Renan and the history of his life. 1t is a view
which has TO be considered. it will, at any rate
make the story Of his relations with the Messrs
Levy more Ineligible, aud to that we may
come at once. Renan himself was capable Of
taking "a humorous view Of it. lie saw clearly
enough how things were managed for him. but he
did not care to consume his energies IN business
details. His lfe-work lay elsewhere VINO
ever lie remarks, with hunor and pathos both'
"devotes himself TO dsinterestcd studies, is. far
a. this world aud lis affairs are concerned, MINOR.
and must have guardian" His simplicity OF
nature, his complete modesty ana unseihshhcSS'
came out in the strongest way
Il had never imagined that the product OF my
thought could have a money value. | had al
WAYS dreamed of being author, but never sup
posed should get ii cent for my writings
Every reader may imagine to himself with what
JOY the publisher comes upon an author In 'hi'
mood of mind. Remains account OF the irst inter
view between himself and Michel Levy Is OF ltc
self a chapter in the great controversy between
author and publisher: far too clear and instructive
20 require any comment whatever:
What was my establishment when one day
saw the door of my garrett opened by man OF IN
teligent and agreeable face, who came IN ana
began by complimenting me on sundry articles oi
mine and offered to publish them in VOLUME
He brought with him contract ready written
and stamped t!)-the terms of which seemed I"