The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1908-05-03


A known as .'Bluebeard," have been circus
lated various. the strangest and the
- falsest opinions Perhaps is less tenabie
than that which makes this gentleman personihca-
ton Of the sun Such is the theory toward which,
some years ago, a certain school of comparative
mythologsts devoted all their energies. 1t then
taught that the wives Of Bluebeard were Auro-
ras nymphs. his brothers in law the two
twalghts OF morning and evening, identified with the
Dioscur who delivered Helen when she carried of
by Theseus To all who may tempted believe
this might well recall that wise biblosoph,
Jean Baptise Peres, demonstrated in 1917 in a
specious fashion that Napoleon really existed
that the story Of this pretended great captain was
only myth. Despite all such ingenious pranks
OF fancy one cannot doubt that Bluebeard and Ma
poleon both had actual existence
a hypothesis no better founded than the solar
identified this Bluebeard with Marechale Rails,
judicially put death by strangling the
bridge Of Nantes October 2e. l44O. Without seek
ing. as Mr.. solomon Reinach has sought to discover
whether the marshal committed all the crimes Of
which he was accused his riches.
by avaricous prince did contribute TO his ruin.
nothing in his life resembles what is told Of Blue
beard. This should be enough to keep from
founding them and making single person out of the
two. .:
Charles Perrault whom is due the credit of com
posing about the year 1869 biography Of the
gentleman so justly famous as the husband
wives made him to be accomplished scoundrel
and most perfect model of cruelty that was ever
known to world. I acknowledge that this alone
from the very beginning suf1ced TO make me doubt
the veraeity OF this usrious author historian
paints only vice OF virtue awakens my
suspicious Men are rarely all good all bad. OF
Titus we have portrait that be hattered It
would appear contrary, that Tacitus as great
4y blaezened Nero Macbeth, whom legend and Shake
speare- charge with atTocOus crimes IN reality
Just wise king. He did not treacherousy assas-
snate the aged Duncan still in the flower OF
his youth. was defeated a great battle and
found dead morning place called the Armour
er's Shop This king had put death many relations
OF Gruchno Macbeths wife. Macbeth himself restored
prosperity to Scotland he favored commerce and
looked upon defender of the townsmen and the
true king cities. The nobemen Of the clans never
forgave his victory Duncan his patronage
OF artisans; they destroyed him dishonored his
memory. After his death good King Macbeth was
known only through the tales of his enemies. The
genius Shakespeare imposed their lies the hu
man conscience. For long time I suspected that
Bluebeard the victim OF similar fatality All the
circumstances his life, found them recorded,
were far from contenting mind satisfying that
need for logic and ucdity necessarily devours
me. discovered, reflection, nsurmeuntable diff
cuties The historians were anxious to convince
me the cruelty Of this man that could not help
doubling it.
These presentiments did not deceive me- Ny intu-
itions which proceeded certain knowledge of
human nature were soon TO change into certainty
founded upon irrefutabe proofs. discovered, in the
house cutter OF Saint Jean des Bots.
various documents relating Buebeard: among
others his note book and anonymous complaint
against his murderers. which, for what reasons
know not never saw the light. These papers con-
nrred me in the idea that he good and unfortu-
nate and that his memory cruched by unworthy
calunnies. Since then have considered 1t duty
TO write though cherishing illusion
as TO what would be the fate OF such enterprise.
What can cold and naked truth do against the
scntiilant prestige of falsehood?