The San Francisco call., 1899-12-24

first principles of art and refusing 20 lis
teItto more of their lectures.
In spite of his eccentricities Gerome 10
popular among the artists, as was well
proven on a recent Sunday at Chantilly.
The occasion was a sort of double apothe-
osis of Gerome and the Due dAumale. in
which the brightest stars OF the artistic
world participated. Benjamin Constant.
Carolus Duran and Bougaurreau are only
a few of the ilustrious artists who took
advantage Of the occasion to do honor to
Gerome. Had an accident of fatal
nature happened TO The Paris-Chantilly
train on this particular Sunday morning.
not only art but literature and society
would have been plunged into a dreary
darkness. deprived at once OF their most
resplendent stars. Among tho friends OF
Gerome We're several members of the
Academy and other distinguished writer's.
while the friends of the Due d'Aumale
naturally represented the arstocracy OF
France. The combination of these two in
dvidualities brought to Chantilly
gathering that il would be hard TO sur
pass in brilliancy.
The personality OF celebrities is often
disappointing. but that OF Gerome is emil
nently satisfactory. His features are
classical. his forehead superb. the pose of
in his deep black eyes and stately bearing
the ardent lover OF minutiae. the maker
Of dainty bihelots that he Is. | am sure
that a physiognomist would accord TO
him more of the Michael Angelo tenn
perament-to execute great outlines and
TO let the detail take care of itself
The making of this statue by Gerome
was In some measure a labor of love. He
knew the Due dAumale. and. like every
other Frenchman. he loved him well. l
doubt that there is n character in the re-
cent history of the French republic
whose memory is more sincerely respect
ed than that of the son of Louis Philippe
Aristocrat and plebeian have Joined
hands concerning him. and justly. tor
the Due d'Aumale was in every sense a
patriot-he loved his country for his coun-
try's sake. The descendant of Kings the
republic was nevertheless as dear to him
as the monarchy had been. With him
France was always France. no matter
what form OF government existed. In lS4S
he was Governor OF Algeria. adored by
the population and the army. when the
news reached him of the revolution in
France and of the downfall of his father
from the throne. One word, one gesture
from him and 10000 men would have he
gun a march TO Paris. With him at the
have been doubled between Toulon and
the capital. He knew all of this as well
as any one. He knew that the fate of
the revolution was in his hands. From AL
sides he was urged 10 take this measure.
but the good of France was superior to
all personal consideration. to all personal
ambition. He weighed the matter well.
and this is the famous message that he
sent to the provisonary government
"No matter what happens. the devotion
Of the African army and of its officers
to France will remain unalterable. We
will uphold the national flag regardless of
what chief may be chosen to command
it." .-
Twenty-Five years later. when on the
4th OF September the imperial throne was
reversed the Due d'Aumale presented
himself at Paris. he did not come as an
aspirant to the throne, but solely TO offer
To his country the service of his sword.
But the Government saw in his presence
a new menace. In vain he declared his
willingness TO serve France under a re-