The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-06


fixed him to his chair give him some re-
spite it is to put some last touches to his
"Histoire du Peuple D'Israel," or write
some of those charming pages. little
vague, perhaps, little nebulous, but SO
full of grace and poetry. which he has en-
titled "Feuilles Detachees' and which so
happily and wildly recall his Souvenirs
d'Enfance," book which forms one of
those masterpieces adapted to and travers-
ing all generations, because speaking
direct to the heart of humanity, the soul
of man; which in spite of what is said
and of all its transformations, remains in
essence the same.
Renan was born at Treguier, February
q. 1923. Treguier, small place in Brit
tany. is an ancient Episcopal town, one
OF those great monastic towns of mixed
Gallo and Irish type. founded by
the Briton emigrants of the sixteenth
century. preserving to the present time,
like a special perfume, the odor of devo-
ton and seclusion; with its long deserted
alleys formed by the high walls of the con-
vents or the ancient canonical houses sur.
rounded by gardens-a distinguished air
of ''grande dame" which gives to the poor,
dead-alive town charm not possessed by
Weather and livelier market towns.
1.-THE cathedral" says NJ. Renau himself
in the pretty book he has consecrated to
the memory of his sister, and of which
only few copies have been issued, "the
cathedral a very fine edifice of the four
tenth century. with its lofty nave and
amazingly bold architecture, its lovely
soaring steeple, its old Roman tower. ire
mains of more ancient edifice) seems
made to nourish high thoughts. In the
evening it is left open very late for the
prayers of the pious; lighted by single
lamp, filled with the warm atmosphere of
old buildings, the enormous structure,
empty, yet full of the infinite and of ter
rors."
The grandfather of Renan, a sailor Of the
country Of Goclo had with his bark Sc
cured small fortune, which his son-sailor
also unfortunately rlsked in trade; as
he understood nothing of business. it re-
suited in July, 1928. in financial ruin and
fearful catastrophe!
Zone day." again says Renan, ''our
fathers boat, returning from Saint Malo,
entered the port of Treguier without him.
The crew Intercepted, declared that for
several days they had seen nothing of
him. A whole month my mother sought
for him with inexpressible anguish and at
length learnt that corpse had been found
on the coast of Ergin, village situated
between Saint Brieux and Cape Frehel.
1t was proved to be that of our father.
What was the cause of his death? Was he
surprised by one of those accidents so
common in the lite of sea-farers? Did he
forget himself in one of those long dreams
of intinity which in these Briton races
border on the endless sleep? Did he
think he had earned repose? Finding
that he had struggled enough. did he seat
himself on the rock saying: This shall
be the stone of my repose 10 all eternity;
here will / rest. | have chosen it? We
know not Wesplaced him i'll the land
where twice a day the waves come and
visit MIN"
After the fathers death the family was
reduced 10 complete restitution the eld-
est brother of Renan-then 19-started for
Paris; the sister, Henriette-aged IL
would certainly have embraced a religious
life had she not had this little brother. to
whom she was devoted, TO whom she de-
voted her whole life. and who. she felt,
had need of her Renan was then Z. 1t
was for him and her mother, TO supply
their needs. that the young girl courage
ously undertook 10 give lessons in the
neighbOring towns; poor and ill-paid les
sons; for him again that she made sacri-
fee. q thousand times harder still. that of
quitting her country and her people and
losing herseifin tins great, inhos pitable,
appalling Paris. What anguish for this
little Bretonne, reserved, timid and proud,
to feel herself alone III the great city,
where it seemed to her she was abandoned
/, both by God and man; for him that at
length she gave ear to PROPOSALS for a pri-
vate education IN Poland
During this time, Renan having COM
menced his education at Treguier under
the excellent priests who directed a sort of
small seminary, had awakened notice by
his quIckness and intelligence. He was
recommended to NJ. Dupanloup who,
DESTROYS OF acquiring good pupil, offered
him a scholarship in the little seminary of
st. Nicholas du Chardonnet
1t was in lS45" says NJ. Renan, "that
quitted the seminary OF 81. Sulpice.
Thanks 70 the earnest and liberal spirit
presiding at the direction Of this establish
ment, I had pushed my pathological
studies very far; my religious opinions
were strongi " shaken. Ny sister. Henriette,
was again here my support She had
torestalled me in the way, her Catholic