New-York tribune., 1906-06-17
LIE REF0RMATEUR."
Jean Jacques Rousseau at Bay on
the Paris Stage.
Paris, June 5.


NJ. Edouard Rod produced few days ago at
the Nouveau Theatre a play in three acts
titled lie Reformateur." which presents vivid
dramatic portrait OF Jean Jacques Rousseau at
the most critical period of his life
The drama takes place at the picturesque
Swiss village OF Motier-Travers In the spring OF
1765. and begins with an idyl. The Conserva-
tive party Is in power at Geneva. Rousseau is
banished from the city. and his works, by order
OF the Municipal Council. have been burned in
the streets by the public executioner. The daring
theories advanced in Emile" and in lie Con-
trat Social had ELECTED an outburst of indig-
nation among the stratlaced followers of Cal
vim and Of Luther. Even in the little village Of
Motiers- -Travers the austere pastor Montmolltn,
exrtes the inhabitants against Rousseau.
In the first act we the village green, the
church and characteristic fountain of running
water such is met with to-day at every turn
of the road in Switzerland. Daniel Muller a
peasant, comes down from the mountains, where
he has passed the winter tending his cattle and
reading the works of Rousseau, for whom he en-
tertains enthusiastic devotion. Muller learns
that the philosopher is living at the inn with a
sort Of housekeeper- -governess named Therese.
Muller wishes TO call upon Rousseau and pay his
respects. Pastor Montmollin interferes and says:
This pretentious, false philosopher is hard
hearted. proud selfish man. who courts only the
society of the rich. and who will have nothing
to do with poor peasant like you! Moreover,
not only are his ideas perncious but his pri-
vate life is unclean. Shun him altogether Who
is this Therese that accompanies him?" While
this conversation is going Rousseau appear.
attred in long Armenian dressing gown. Null
ler speaks TO him and is cordially met by the
philosopher who chats affably. and thereby in
creases the PEASANTS admiration. Rousseau In
Mir1Iar 70
tou. and to his guest. the French Procureur
General, dIvcrnos and to lisa belle the attrac-
tive young daughter of Partisan. The young
French girl. who has furtively read the "Nou-
velle Heloise." looks upon the author with the
same admiration that d young woman of our
times imbued with the ideas of the "Tetral-
ogy of the Nibelung or of Peer Gynt' would
be likely to express if presented to Wagner or
to Ibsen. Isabelle seems to be melting into ten
derness toward Rousseau.
1t seems here If the play were to take a
melodramatic turn, because Th@rese, the strong
tempered housekeeper. companion. and mother
OF Rousseaus five children. whom the philoso-
pher abandoned suddenly appears and makes
violent display OF i'll bred jealousy. This is
however. a false scent. Isabelle's devotion Is
purely pIatonc. She kisses the philosopher fl
tally on the forehead. and asks his benediction
for her approaching marriage with gallant
young COurIlcr- we nave mere q dellghtful theat-
rical portrait of Rousseau.
The second act comprises two violent tenn
pests. The first Is the manifestation OF public
Indignation against Rousseau's writings aud
methods OF life, and the second is a domestic
quarrel between Thersse and himself Pas
tor Montmoll!n discovers the true nature OF th,
relations existing between Rousseau and
| Th6rese. and insists that he shall be driver,
away from Motier-Travers JUS as he has al
ready been exiled from Geneva and Borne. Pas
| tor SIoultou. Rousseau's friend on the other
| hand. defends Rousseau. pleads extenuatirs,
| circumstances and urges that If Rousseau's
private life Is irregular it nevertheless offers no
aggressive offence or scandal and that his writ
ings. which set forth in noble fearless language
| the rights Of huma nifty, atone for any purely
| personal or domestic backslidings II IS drawn
| battle Montmo,lin does not convince Moultou
nor does Moultou convince Nfontmollin. So
much for the public tempest The domestic
tempest breaks out by Therese stII under the
Jealous impressions OF the scene with Isabelle
| accusing Jean jacques OF inhdelity OF selfish
| ness. OF hypocrisy. of falsehood and OF cruelty
! abandoning her fve children. Rousseau trem-
bles before this formidable indictment as yr
stricken by mis- own conscience
In the third act the storm continues with re-
newed violence, 1t Is. in a Scriptural sense
the "stoning'' of Jean Jacques. The Swiss VIII
| lage folk and mountaineers. excited by Pas
| tor Montmollin. gather about Rousseau's inn
| hooting. yelling and smashing the windows
They break Into his room; they destroy hi.