New-York tribune., 1921-11-20

~ INCE the 9Th of November Francis
Rabelais has been formally recognized
- as the greatest citizen of his own uni
versity town. His statue was inaugu-
rated as the climax Of a week of fetes and
ceremonies, during which the students of all
France, and, indeed, 4 all the world, as
sembled to honor him. Rabelais received full
recognition at Montpelier.
In America the situation is different. Most
Of US know that such man existed, and that
he wrote a book about a jovial giant named
Gargantua, who was born from his mothers
left Also, perhaps, that he wrote about
the still more jovial Pantagruel and his
drunken companions, Panurge and Frar John.
But that is all. The book is hard to find in
the public libraries. It is issued in fat red
cloth edition thatssome of US got hold of when
we were boys and read diligently till father
found it. And then we ate our dinners stand
ing up.
But in Montpelier the statue of Rabeas
was unveiled with the aristocracy of the town
citizens were few rods away, pressing
against the guarded gates of the Botanical
Garden. The President of the French Re-
public officiated at the ceremony.
1t required four hundred years, however,
before Rabelais could receive this recognition
in France. How many centuries would it
akn in o;o111 ~,
even in Montpelier, where he has always
been loved, twelve generations of his enemies
had to be buried before noisy crowd could
press through the streets in his honor, as if
ne were General Foch or Mary Pickford.
Four hundred years ago to-day Rabelais was
monk in the little abbey of Fontenay-le-C -Comte
His brother monks, unlike many of their age
were ignorant and bigoted. They suspected
him of heresy, made search of his cell, and
horror of horrors! found it contained many
books in that dangerous language-Greek
kRabelas was laid under heavy punishment and
forced to fee
For some years he wandered up and down
the land Of France, tasting the wines and the
earning of every province. Medicine and the
classics were his two studies. For some time
ne wavered between them, but he decided
nnaliy to become doctor He might have
taken his degrees in Paris, but Paris was in
tolerant. Very likely he was spectator when
one OF his acquaintances was burned at the
stake for his opinions. That was in the spring
OF 1880. Shortly afterward he started the
long journey on foot for the other famous
medical school of the time, Montpelier.
That autumn the grape pickers outside the
clty met ragged and dusty priest plodding
along the road. His face, unlike his clothes,
was severe and dignifed, but sly expression
Played about his upper lip. / can imagine
them offering him drink of the new wine, and
! can we'll imagine that he took it. After
ward he crossed the little river and, weary
through one of the ten casteIlated gates Of
tie town.
And now this town, where he arrived in rags,
mas risen to honor him. Feasts are given and
PROFESSIONS are held in the name of Rabelais.
Professors arrive from afar to hold public
-onterences on him. Plays are written about
alra, and there are galas at the theater. And,
naturally, much good wine is consumed. which
pleases the Chamber of Commerce and ad-
Vanees the one industry Of Montpelier.
Picture this city into which he plodded Git
as changed surprisingly little since his time).