The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-21
"

In a chapter on Remains last days the
chara cteristic fact ia recalled that in the
"Reminiscences Of MY Youth, which ap-
peared as complete book In 1883, their
author provided against what he con-
sidered the accidents whereby Augustin
Thierry and Lttre had given in their hour
of intellectual eclipse the lie to their former
opinions. Il protest in advance, declared
Renan. against the foolish things lies
faiblesses) which softening Of the brain
might lead me to say or to subscribe to.
It is Renan whole in mind and heart, as
am this day not Renan half the prey Of
death, az shall be if am slowly to break
up, for whom desire credit and attention,
I abiure the blasphemy which one last
hour OF weakness might elicit from me
AGAINST the Eternal" To this declaration
he was faithful to the hour Of his death.
which occurred on Oct. 2. 1882.
It may be remembered that the French
republic though he had never loved it.
gave him State funeral. BY anticipation
he had sketched for himself an epitaph, not
on the walls Of a cemetery. but during a
banquet at Treguer, when he first went
back thither in 1884. The biographer feels
that this epitaph ought in justice not to be
passed over, for it Is Remains Apologize pro
Vita Suo, Il should like" he said. TO have
written on my tomb-ah il 1t could be in
the midst OF that cloister but the cloister
"a the Church, and the Church. mistakenly
enough, will have nothing to do with me-
but l wish to have on my tomb these words,
Vertatem dileri. Yes, I have loved the truth
sought IL, followed whittier it called me.
without regard to the sacrifice entailed.
1 broke the links that we're dearest to me
that might obey it. And am sure that
did we'll Let me express my meaning. No
one can be- certain that he understands the
riddle Of the universe: the Infinite that
clasps us around escapes from all the lines
and formulas we set upon 1t. But one thing
there is that we may affirm: sin cerity of heart,
devotion to truth, the consciousness Of
what we have given up for its sake. That
witness l will hold, high and firm. above
nv head on the Day Of Judgment"
DR.. Barry wonders how any one could
find it in his heart to gainaay these passion
ate words, or to question whether Renan
believed what he uttered 80 resolutely.
Eevert heless. the biogrupher recalls the
Latin proverb that sEzitus dcta probdt.
and reminds us that tree is known by It's
fruits. One of Remains critics, NJ. S allies,
contemplating the teachers whole course,
affirms that he -mistook indecsion for sin
certify" that when he quilted st. Sulpioel
it was not only the enthusiasm Of truth
seeker which moved him, but terror lest
he should be committed rretrievably by
advancing to the priesthood; and that his
love Of the "Truth' ended In a defeat which
bad nothing to boast OF but its resignation.
OF Remains personality We are told that
astonishing vitality. boundless incoherence,
we're his qualities and defects. Mature
had refused him the graces; but his leonine'
head, his features marked with u penetrat-
ing intelligence, HIS eyes lighting up under
slow eyelids. could never have suited with
a common man. His voice had many
tones in it. strong. flexible. caressing-al-
ways, however. self-controlled. His robust
and healthy make, his temperance and
his very studies. which for years led him
into libraries rather. than where men de-
bstsd,for their lives or artists hung fever