New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-28
"REMINISCENCES or ~ JULES SIMON

THE STRUGGLE OF ALEXANDRA DUMAS TO BIZ"
COME \ MEMBER OF THE ACADEMY-HOw
THE ELECTION OF SIMON WAS DEFEATED.
NJ Jules Simon, the famous French statesman
and writer who has been for many years one
OF the prominent figures in France has pub
lshed recently some interesting "reminiscences IN
La Vie Contemporaries" His long and intimate
association with the great in the literary. po-
litical and scientific words of France has enabled
him to collect many unpublished facts and anec-
dotes regarding them.
Alexandra Dumas" he wrote In Of his
latest papers. had the weakness to sigh for the
Academy. | say weakness. because II had nothing
to give him. lie solicited the aid OF Victor Hugo.
who turned a deaf to him. certain number
of us who his friends brought his name up
whenever there was a vacancy. but we ADVISED MIN
at the time not 10 press his claims unth
the time was ripe. That was advice worthy OF our
great brains. An election Is never certain. no mat
ter for what place. And had he faiied-thnk OF II!
That would have been 50 much the worse Tor the
Academy. | suppose that 1t was an AFFAIR OF lhs
heart; he wished TO be pressed and presented by
Victor Hugo God knows with what ardor he would
have aided the candidacy OF the great poet II ne
had had the chance OF passing FIRST Hugo
his exclusion from the Academy: One day he
gave US a great dinner, prepared by MS own hdnus.
tuatng his remarks with loud outbursts OF laugh
ter: I shall not be there he cried, ana I'm lex,
andre will be-. This remark seemed SO good 70 MN
that he repeated 1t several times. do not Know now
what Alexandra thought. who was Also al, we
dinner but TO the rest OF us-who FORMED tne
gallery-we thought that the Academy sHou.u nav
elected him long before. - .
NJ Simon describes his own experience az q
candidate for the Academy OF Moral ana fon'lc"
Sciences follows: 49,,
II have been a member OF the Academy OF Moral
and Political Science for more than thirty years.
We lived then under Prince of whom DO NOT
wish to speak badly. but who did not desire me
OF his enemies. IL required some courage 70
vote for me. Mon Deu yes When recall my ex'
peiiencc AT present. cannot Keep from Laughing.
vote for me- and who. however, could not Wen
keep from doing so. He came to the session to show
himself. but being there what was he 10 DO 10
keep from voting? He did not dream or voting Tor
my rival II is necessary to say that IN those Gays
our baoting was only apparently secret. The mem.
Der slipped softly from the hall while the vote
was being east. and had the good fortune not to be
noticed The ballotng came 10 an end, the votes
counted. There were only thirty four ballots
and the roll showed the presence Of thirty-hve
were equally divided. each candidate having seven.
teen. Everything depended on one vote.
VI. Theirs was the first 10 suspect what had hap
pened our associate. Tros- Etoiles. he said. was
moment of the vote. He failed 10 walt for H.
Guards. go seek him" This was not in accordance
with the Idea OF my adversaries or the usage OF
the Academicans NJ. Theirs offered to go In
search OF the missing member himself
He started his search. He visited the library.
the various rooms: he called all the clerks TO help
him. The two concierges were interviewed Yes,
VI. Trols-Etoles had entered NJ. Trois-Etoies had
not departed. He could not be found. under
the tables. NJ. Theirs disappointed re-entered the
had successfully concealed himself behind door
for only few moments but those moments were
long enough to cause disappointment to NJ Simon
and make another ballot necessary at another time.