Part 11 (1/2)

BOOK V

It was, I believe, in 1732, that I arrived at Chaistering land for the king I was ale, with respect to sense, but very deficient in point of judg every instruction from those into whose hands I fell, to make me conduct myself with propriety; for a few years' experience had not been able to curethe ills I had sustained, I knew as little of the world, or mankind, as if I had never purchased instruction I slept at home, that is, at the house of Madaardens, no brook, no landscape; the house was dark and disloomy of the whole The prospect a dead wall, an alley instead of a street, confined air, bad light, small rooe of circureeable habitation; but I was in the same house with my best friend, incessantly near her, at loominess of my own, or have time to think of it

It may appear whimsical that she should reside at Chareeable house; but it was a trait of contrivance which I ought not to pass over in silence She had no great inclination for a journey to Turin, fearing that after the recent revolutions, and the agitation in which the court yet was, she should not be very favorably received there; but her affairs seeotten or ill-treated, particularly as the Count de Saint-Laurent, Intendent-general of the Finances, was not in her interest He had an old house in Chareeable a situation that it was always untenanted; she hired, and settled in this house, a plan that succeeded much better than a journey to Turin would have done, for her pension was not suppressed, and the Count de Saint-Laurent was ever after one of her best friends

Her household was ; her faithful Claude Anet still remained with her He was, as I have before athered herbs in Jura for the purpose ofSwiss tea; she had taken hi it convenient to have a herbalist a her domestics

Passionately fond of the study of plants, he becaht have acquired asan honest ravity, and older thanrespect, and preserving et myself before him He commanded it likewise frohtness, and inviolable attachment to herself, and returned it Claude Anet was of an uncommon temper I never encountered a similar disposition: he was slow, deliberate, and circumspect in his conduct; cold in his manner; laconic and sententious in his discourse; yet of an ih careful to conceal) preyed upon hied him to the only folly he ever co hiic scene passed soon after my arrival, and opened my eyes to the intimacy that subsisted between Claude Anet and his mistress, for had not the information come from her, I should never have suspected it; yet, surely, if attachment, fidelity, and zeal, could merit such a recompense, it was due to him, and what further proves him worthy such a distinction, he never once abused her confidence They seldoreements ever ended amicably; one, indeed, was not so fortunate; his , which not being able to digest, he consulted only with despair, and finding a bottle of laudanu to awake noabout the house and happily--finding the phial e to his assistance, alarmed me; she confessed all, ih, after repeated efforts, to make him throw up the laudanum Witness of this scene, I could not but wonder atsuspected the connection; but Claude Anet was so discreet, that a ht have been deceived Their reconciliation affected me, and added respect to the esteem I before felt for him From this time I became, in some measure, his pupil, nor did I find myself the worse for his instruction

I could not learn, without pain, that she lived in greater intimacy with another than with ht of, but (which was very natural) it hurt me to see another in possession of it Nevertheless, instead of feeling any aversion to the person who had this advantage over me, I found the attachment I felt for her actually extend to his, and since he was concerned in her plan of felicity, I was content he should be happy likewise Meantime he perfectly entered into the views of his mistress; conceived a sincere friendshi+p for ht have entitled hi he disproved of, but he was sure to disapprove only what merited disapprobation: thus we lived in an union which rendered us mutually happy, and which death alone could dissolve

One proof of the excellence of this amiable woman's character, is, that all those who loved her, loved each other; even jealousy and rivalshi+p sub to the more powerful sentiment hich she inspired them, and I never saw any of those who surrounded her entertain the least ill will a themselves Let the reader pause a moment on this encomium, and if he can recollect any other woman who deserves it, let him attach himself to her, if he would obtain happiness

From my arrival at Chambery to ht or nine years, during which ti as sireeable This unifor to complete the formation of my character, which continual troubles had prevented fro this pleasing interval, that ained consistence, and made me what I have unalterably remained amid the storress was slow, almost imperceptible, and attended by few memorable circuated

At first, I holly occupied with my business, the constraint of a desk left little opportunity for other thoughts, the small portion of time I was at liberty was passed withleisure to read, I felt no inclination for it; but when my business (by daily repetition) becaain became necessary, and (as my desires were ever irritated by any difficulty that opposed the indulgence of theht once more have become a passion, as at my master's, had not other inclinations interposed and diverted it

Though our occupation did not demand a very profound skill in arithh to puzzle me To conquer this difficulty, I purchased books which treated on that science, and learned well, for I now studied alone Practical arithmetic extends further than is usually supposed if you would attain exact precision There are operations of extreeometricians lose theives clear ideas, and enables you to devise shorter methods, these inventions flatter our self-complacency, while their exactitude satisfies our understanding, and renders a study pleasant, which is, of itself, heavy and unentertaining

At length I became so expert as not to be puzzled by any question that was solvable by arith I forreat h an interval of thirty years A few days ago, in a journey Iwith iven his children, I did (with pleasure, and without errors) a ht I was still at Chambery, still in my days of happiness--how far had I to look back for theiven an by atte flowers and landscapes It was unfortunate that I had not talents for this art, for my inclination was much disposed to it, and while surrounded with crayons, pencils, and colors, I could have passed wholeto leave theed to force ive into, it continues to aught of everything except the favorite amusement Years have not been able to cure me of that fault, nay, have not even di this, behold me, like an old dotard, infatuated with another, to me useless study, which I do not understand, and which even those who have devoted their youthful days to the acquisition of, are constrained to abandon, at the age I a with it

At that ti of would have been well placed, the opportunity was good, and I had some temptation to profit by it; for the satisfaction I saw in the eyes of Anet, when he came home loaded with new discovered plants, setto herbalize with hione once, I should have been caught, and perhaps at this day ht have been an excellent botanist, for I know no study enial to my natural inclination, than that of plants; the life I have led for these ten years past, in the country, being little h I must confess, without object, and without i of I had no inclination for botany, nay, I even despised, and was disgusted at the idea, considering it only as a fit study for an apothecary Mada none but common plants to use in her medical preparations; thus botany, cheeneral denomination of medicine, and served to furnish me with pleasant sarcasms the whole day, which procured me, from time to time, a box on the ear, applied by Madareith rees absorbed all others; this was music I was certainly born for that science, I loved it from my infancy, and it was the only inclination I have constantly adhered to; but it is astonishi+ng that what nature seened me for should have cost so much pains to learn, and that I should acquire it so slowly, that after a whole life spent in the practice of this art, I could never attain to sing with any certainty at sight What rendered the study ofable to practise it with Madam de Warrens In other respects our tastes idely different: this was a point of coincidence, which I loved to avail myself of She had no more objection to this than myself I knew at that time almost as much of it as she did, and after two or three efforts, we could make shi+ft to decipher an air Sometimes, when I saw her busy at her furnace, I have said, ”Here now is a char your drugs;” her ansould be, ”If you , I drew her to the harpsichord; the furnace was presently forgotten, the extract of juniper or ood calcined (which I cannot recollect without transport), and these scenes usually ended by her s my face with the remains of them

It may easily be conjectured that I had plenty of employment to fill up my leisure hours; one amusement, however, found room, that orth all the rest

We lived in such a confined dungeon, that it was necessary soed Madaarden in the suburbs, both for this purpose and the convenience of rearing plants, etc; to this garden was added a summer--house, which was furnished in the customary manner; we sometimes dined, and I frequently slept, there Insensibly I became attached to this little retreat, decorated it with books and prints, spending part ofthe absence of Madareeably on her return Soht enjoy the uninterrupted pleasure of thinking on her; this was a caprice I can neither excuse nor fully explain, I only know this really was the case, and therefore I avow it I re told me one day in raillery, of a ht enjoy the satisfaction of writing to her; I answered, I could have been this ht have added, That I had done the very same

I did not, however, find it necessary to leave Madaht love her the more ardently, for I was ever as perfectly free with her as when alone; an advantage I never enjoyed with any other person, ht be attached to them; but she was so often surrounded by co me, that spite and weariness drove e the idea, without danger of being interrupted by i divided between business, pleasure, and instruction, my life passed in the most absolute serenity Europe was not equally tranquil: France and the e of Sardinia had entered into the quarrel, and a French army had filed off into Piedh Chane, whose colonel was the Duke de la Tris, but doubtless never arden was exactly at the end of the suburb by which the troops entered, so that I could fully satisfythem pass, and I became as anxious for the success of the war as if it had nearly concerned me Till now I had never troubledthe gazettes, but with so much partiality on the side of France, that es, and I was as much afflicted on a reverse of fortune, as if I had been particularly concerned

Had this folly been transient, I should not, perhaps, have mentioned it, but it took such root in my heart (without any reasonable cause) that when I afterwards acted the anti-despot and proud republican at Paris, in spite of myself, I felt a secret predilection for the nation I declared servile, and for that government I affected to oppose The pleasantest of all was that, ashamed of an inclination so contrary to my professed maxims, I dared not own it to any one, but rallied the French on their defeats, while my heart was more wounded than their own I a with a people who treated him well, and whom he almost adored, put on, even in their own country, a borrowed air of despising theinal inclination is so powerful, constant, disinterested, and invincible, that even since istrates, and authors, have outvied each other in rancor against me, since it has become fashi+onable to load et rid of this folly, but notwithstanding their ill-treatht the cause of this partiality, but was never able to find any, except in the occasion that gave it birth A rising taste for literature attached me to French books, to their authors, and their country: at the veryCha Brantome's 'Celebrated Captains'; nys, Monlmoreneys, and Trimouille, and I loved their descendants as the heirs of their ht I saw those famous black bands who had formerly done so many noble exploits in Piedathered fro continued, which, still drawn from the same nation, nourished th, it beca could overcome I have had occasion to remark several times in the course of my travels, that this impression was not peculiar to me for France, but was more or less active in every country, for that part of the nation ere fond of literature, and cultivated learning; and it was this consideration that balanced in eneral hatred which the conceited air of the French is so apt to inspire Their romances, more than their men, attract the women of all countries, and the celebrated dramatic pieces of France create a fondness in youth for their theaters; the reputation which that of Paris in particular has acquired, draws to it crowds of strangers, who return enthusiasts to their own country: in short, the excellence of their literature captivates the senses, and in the unfortunate war just ended, I have seen their authors and philosophers lory of France, so tarnished by its warriors

I was, therefore, an ardent Frenchman; this rendered me a politician, and I attended in the public square, aers, the arrival of the post, and, sillier than the ass in the fable, was very uneasy to knohose packsaddle I should next have the honor to carry, for it was then supposed we should belong to France, and that Savoy would be exchanged for Milan I must confess, however, that I experienced some uneasiness, for had this war terminated unfortunately for the allies, the pension of Madaerous situation; nevertheless, I had great confidence in ood friends, the French, and for once (in spite of the surprise of M de Broglio)of Sardinia, who in Italy, they were singing in France: the operas of Raan to make a noise there, and once more raise the credit of his theoretic works, which, from their obscurity, ithin the cos By chance I heard of his 'Treatise on Harmony', and had no rest till I purchased it By another chance I fell sick; my illness was inflammatory, short and violent, but o abroad for a whole erly ran over , so diffuse, and so badly disposed, that I found it would require a considerable tily I suspended ht with music

The cantatas of Bernier hat I principally exercised myself with

These were never out ofthe rest, 'The Sleeping Cupids', which I have never seen since that tih I still retain it al by a Bee', a very pretty cantata by Clerambault, which I learned about the saanist froreeable coot acquainted with hiht up by an Italian anist He explained to me his principles of music, which I compared with Rameau; my head was filled with accompaniments, concords and harmony, but as it was necessary to accusto a little concert once a month, to which she consented

Behold ht or day I could think of nothing else, and it actually ereat part of my time to select the music, assemble the musicians, look to the instru; Father Cato (whom I have beforelikewise; a dancing--master named Roche, and his son, played on the violin; Canavas, a Piedmontese musician (as employed like myself in the survey, and has since married at Paris), played on the violoncello; the Abbe Palais performed on the harpsichord, and I had the honor to conduct the whole It ; I cannot say it equalled my concert at Monsieur de Tretoren's, but certainly it was not far behind it

This little concert, given by Madam de Warrens, the new convert, who lived (it was expressed) on the king's charity, reeable amusement to several worthy people, at the head of whom it would not be easily surh a monk, a man of considerable merit, and even of a very aave me the most lively concern, and whose idea, attached to that of my happy days, is yet dear to my memory I speak of Father Cato, a Cordelier, who, in conjunction with the Count d'Ortan, had caused the music of poor Le Maitre to be seized at Lyons; which action was far frohtest trait in his history He was a Bachelor of Sorbonne, had lived long in Paris areat world, and was particularly caressed by the Marquis d'Antremont, then Ambassador from Sardinia He was tall and well made; full faced, with very fine eyes, and black hair, which formed natural curls on each side of his forehead His manner was at once noble, open, and oodneither the hypocritical nor impudent behavior of a monk, or the forward assurance of a fashi+onable coxcomb, but thefor his habit, set a value on hiood coh Father Cato was not deeply studied for a doctor, he wascoht thereater than they really were Having lived reeable acquire; had sense, ood voice by playing on the organ and harpsichord Soqualities were not necessary to ly, it was very lect the duties of his function: he was chosen (in spite of his jealous co to thereatest pillars of their order

Father Cato became acquainted with Madam de Warrens at the Marquis of Antremont's; he had heard of her concerts, wished to assist at thereeable We were soon attached to each other by our mutual taste for music, which in both was a most lively passion, with this difference, that he was really a ler Sometimes assisted by Canavas and the Abbe Palais, we had an, and frequently dined with hienerous, profuse, and loved good cheer, without the least tincture of greediness After our concerts, he always used to stay to supper, and these evenings passed with the greatest gayety and good-hu duets; I was perfectly at my ease, had sallies of wit and , Madah voice, was the butt of the co since have ye fled!

As I shall have no more occasion to speak of poor Father Cato, I will here conclude in a feords his melancholy history His brother monks, jealous, or rather exasperated to discover in hi of monastic stupidity, conceived the most violent hatred to him, because he was not as despicable as theainst this worthy man, and set on the envious rabble of monks, who otherould not have dared to hazard the attack He received a thousand indignities; they degraded him from his office, took away the apartant sith, banished him, I know not whither: in short, these wretches overwhelmed him with so many evils, that his honest and proud soul sank under the pressure, and, after having been the delight of the rief, on a wretched bed, hid in soeon, lamented by all worthy people of his acquaintance, who could find no fault in hi a monk