The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-09


fact that within the present year the
copyright will expire on the very last of
Balzac's novels and We may expect new
impetus to the revival which set in few
years since in favor Of the obseryant Tou-
ranisn What Is more Immediately inter-
esting than the prospect Of cheap editions
OF his works is the fact that NJ de Lou
veuiCul of Brussels, who has con-
tributed more than his part, per
haps toward stimulating the contro-
versy over tine author OF the Com
edie Humane" has in his pos
session. aud threatens to publish, the
manuscripts Of half a dozen stories which
will make all the so-called defnitive edi-
tons now in eXistencc-and only one is
really worthy OF the name-appear strik-
ingly incomplete So far as this feature
is concerned, it is sincerely hoped that
the Belgian trustee has no purpose to
spring uDon us any Of the callow con-
ceits OF Balzac's literary apprenticeship,
forty volumes Of which he wisely con
signed to the flames before his first ac-
knowledged work, The Chouans," ap-
peared in print
But even this proposed publication must
yield in Importance to two other consider
atoms which are always called to mind
whenever the name OF Balzac is mentioned
in the hearing Of people who have a broad
grasp Of the secretary Of society's' lie
and works. These considerations are not
academic or transcendental. They relate to
the daily life of the people and illustrate to
a large extent the very elements in Balzac's
own gigantic undertaking. which are des-
tined 70 perpetuate his name. II was
first Of all, his fdelity-his realism, If you
please-which made him truly great. He
painted the face of society with the mole,
extenuaiing nothing and setting down
naught in malice. 1t is only through the
perspective OF all his yoluminous works
that a true appreciation Of this fact can
be obtained The salscious features have
been unduly exaggerated by superficial
readers until in certain quarters his name
has become a synonym of depravity and
Wantonuess. Nothing could be further from
the truth. In the social conditions OF his
day and Of the present day, for that mat
ter. there could be no Photographic repro
duction OF manners and customs which did
not embody in the chiro-Oscuro more OF
the shadow than OF the light. They can
be seen in their just proportion only by
mastering his whole comprehensive design.
It will then be discovered that he has but
given a due proportion to biographs OF vice
By which his romances first attracted at
tent!on.
Still more important however, is the les
son which his achievements convey. Re
duced to their last analysis they signify
nothing but hard work. It was the only
genius" that BaIzae had He realized that
to succeed he must live like hermit and
work horse, and he did it.
II is entirely probable that even when
the embargo has been lifted and the "Hu
man Comedy" becomes accessible to the
general public, there will be no great num-
Der Of recruits to the ranks Of Balzac's
readers: but the eighteen hours OF every
day which he spent for thirty years. in the
midst of debt, poverty, and neglect, in or
der to work out the most supendous plan
ever projected and carried to completion by
a novelist cannot fail to stimulate the men
tai energies of everyone who studies Bal
zac.