New-York tribune., 1902-07-05

waited for that which was to follow. LAS we
cannot speak to-day of anything else | am
going TO analyze il for you" He did. A poem
Of Quinet described by Michelet leave it to you
TO think of such a feast what happiness! He
went much beyond the hour of the lecture. He
J had at least as much pleasure in speaking as
we had in listening. We pressed his hands
/ after he had finished. for ne not too digni-
. ned with US, and he permitted US to show our
admiration which went to alteration.
He left the volume. 1T is not mine he
said; lit is not even from the book shop; have
/ asked Quinet for this copy that you may read 1t
Tomorrow"
He pronounced this word tomorrow smiling.
II was then o'clock in the evening. The vol
ume was large. The threads of the binding were
cut, and four students had each the immediate
possession Of a portion. There were three relays
during the evening. When midnight sounded
had all devoured "Ahasuerus" 1 was
obliged to begin at the third book. but 1 went
back and caught up later. The next day was
happily Thursday, each Of found an
audience, and such success that
repertoire of "Ahasuerus" was demanded of us
for month afterward
NJ. Simon tells us also Of the students clubs
where they debated literary subjects, on
rOmantcism versus cIassicism on sentimental
ism, Catholicism and on socialism. He lays
great stress the value of these debates
struggles, he calls them-particularly on literary
and above all on philosophical subjects. But
beyond and above ALL he says, what a student
needs is enthusiasm, passion Too calm youth
or even in physiology"
He tells us that one can hardly realize
the peculiar charm Of the literary world of Paris
that time.
Small compared to the artistic Paris of to-
day, it had this advantage that every one knew
every one else If not personally, yet by repu-
tation and even by sight. Nothing at present
give the idea of those first nights"
The theatres like a drawing room, with the
difference, to the profit of the plays. that the
literary passion ardent. Ardent does not
express it; should say violent. 1t was some
times violent also in private drawing rooms. In
our Latin Quarter we pushed ii to delirum
We made Il cult of genius We were all
the lookout for new genius, a
literary star We felt in way the
need of admiring of worshipping. The first
time | pressed the hand of Victor Hugo in
the of the EcOle NOrmale l felt myself
transported to the third heaven. l Of those
who to the literary and philosophical passion
added the passion for politics. l burned with
all these fires at the same time. AS soon as the
school left me moment of liberty. l ran to the
house of Victor Hugo. of Dumas. of Sainte
BeuVe l only Carrell the Tuileries,
where he was busy in his role of staff officer.
All Paris was in the Tuileries Garden when
the sun shone. We prOmenaded in the lane
that borders on the Rue de Rivoli The greatest
ladies showed themselves there The Duke of
orleans appeared at rare intervals with the
Duchess Helene one also the princes his
brothers. 1t then that NJ Theirs. returning
from exile, received an ovation that Louis Ma
poeon regarded as one of the events Of his
reign.
NJ. Simon became a professor through the in
iuence of Cousin. 1t seemed a dark day when
through the same influence he lost his profess
sorship. 1t proved, however. to be his entrance
into varied and distinguished career. How he
became a journalist and author, an orator and
afterward Deputy, with Louis Napoleon for
his next neighbor in the Chamber all this is
told in the authors fascinating style in these
First Years" Few have done so many
things while still young. and have done them so
well. Jules Simon had the gift To lead an event
full and distinguished life in intensely inter-
esting and sometimes tumultuous environment.
He had also the gift to depict that life simply
and vividly, against its picturesque and historic
background.