书城公版The Origins of Contemporary France
19097600000150

第150章

[24]. "Candide," the last chapter. When there was no dispute going on, it was so wearisome that the old woman one day boldly said to him: "I should like to know which is worse to be ravished a hundred times by Negro pirates, to have one's rump gashed, or be switched by the Bulgarians, to be scourged or hung in an auto-da-fé, to be cut to pieces, to row in the galleys, to suffer any misery through which we have passed, or sit still and do nothing?" - "That is the great question," said Candide.

[25]. For example, in the lines addressed to the Princess Ulrique in the preface to "Alzire," dedicated to Madame du Chatelet:

"Souvent un peu de verité," etc.

[26] The scholar in the dialogue of "Le Mais," (Jenny). - The canonization of Saint Cucufin. - Advice to brother Pediculuso. -The diatribe of Doctor Akakia.- Conversation of the emperor of China with brother Rigolo, etc.

[27]. "Dict. Philosophique," the article "Ignorance." - "Les Oreilles du Comte de Chesterfied." - "L'homme au quarante écus,"chap. VII. and XI.

[28]. Bachaumont, III, 194. (The death of the Comte de Maugiron).

[29]. "The novels of the younger Crébillon were in fashion. My father spoke with Madame de Puisieux on the ease with which licentious works were composed; he contended that it was only necessary to find an arousing idea as a peg to hang others on in which intellectual libertinism should be a substitute for taste. She challenged him to produce on of this kind. At the end of a fortnight he brought her 'Les bijoux indiscrets' and fifty louis." (Mémoires of Diderot, by his daughter). - "La Religieuse," has a similar origin, its object being to mystify M. de Croismart.

[30]. "Le Rêve de d'Alembert."

[31]. "Le neveau de Rameau."

[32]. The words of Diderot himself in relation to the "Rêve de d'Alembert."[33] One of the finest stanzas in "Souvenir" is almost literally transcribed (involuntarily, I suppose), from the dialogue on Otaheite (Tahiti).

[34]. "Nouvelle Héloise," passim., and notably Julie's extraordinary letter, second part, number 15. - "émile," the preceptor's discourse to émile and Sophie the morning after their marriage. - Letter of the comtesse de Boufflers to Gustavus III., published by Geffroy, ("Gustave III. et la cour de France"). "Ientrust to Baron de Lederheim, though with reluctance, a book for you which has just been published, the infamous memoirs of Rousseau entitled 'Confessions.' They seem to me those of a common scullion and even lower than that, being dull throughout, whimsical and vicious in the most offensive manner. I do not recur to my worship of him (for such it was) I shall never console myself for its having caused the death of that eminent man David Hume, who, to gratify me, undertook to entertain that filthy animal in England."[35]. "Confessions," part I, book III.

[36]. Letter to M, de Beaumont.

[37]. "émile," letter IV. 193. "People of the world must necessarily put on disguise; let them show themselves as they are and they would horrify us," etc.

[38]. See, especially, his book entitled "Rousseau juge de Jean-Jacques," his connection with Hume and the last books of the "confessions."[39]. "Confessions," part 2. book XI. "The women were intoxicated with the book and with the author to such an extent that there were few of them, even of high rank, whose conquest I could not have made if I had undertaken it. I possess evidence of this which Ido not care, to publish, and which, without having been obliged to prove it by experience, warrant, my statement." Cf. G. Sand, "Histoire de ma vie," I.73.

[40]. See an engraving by Moreau called "Les Petits Parrains." -Berquin, passim., and among others "L'épée." - Remark the ready-made phrases, the style of an author common to children, in Berquin and Madame de Genlis.

[41]. See the description of sunrise in "émile," of the élysée (a natural garden), in "Héloise." And especially in "Emile," at the end of the fourth book, the pleasures which Rousseau would enjoy if he were rich.

[42]. See in Marivaux, ("La double inconstance,") a satire on the court, courtiers and the corruptions of high life, opposed to the common people in the country.

[43] Bachmaumont, I. 254.

[44]. "A calculator was required for the place but a dancer got it." - "The sale of offices is a great abuse." -"Yes, it would he better to give them for nothing." - "Only small men fear small literature." - "Chance makes the interval, the mind only can alter that !" - "A courtier? - they say it is a very difficult profession." - "To receive, to take, and to ask, is the secret in three words," etc, - Also the entire monologue by Figaro, and all the scenes with Bridoisin.