This etext was produced by David Widger <widger@cecomet.net>
[NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of thefile for those who may wish to sample the author's ideas before making anentire meal of them. D.W.]
AN "ATTIC" PHILOSOPHER
(Un Philosophe sous les Toits)
By EMILE SOUVESTRE
With a Preface by JOSEPH BERTRAND, of the French Academy
BOOK 1.
EMILE SOUVESTRE
No one succeeds in obtaining a prominent place in literature, or insurrounding himself with a faithful and steady circle of admirers drawnfrom the fickle masses of the public, unless he possesses originality,constant variety, and a distinct personality. It is quite possible togain for a moment a few readers by imitating some original feature inanother; but these soon vanish and the writer remains alone andforgotten. Others, again, without belonging to any distinct group ofauthors, having found their standard in themselves, moralists andeducators at the same time, have obtained undying recognition.
Of the latter class, though little known outside of France, is EmileSouvestre, who was born in Morlaix, April 15, 1806, and died at ParisJuly 5, 1854. He was the son of a civil engineer, was educated at thecollege of Pontivy, and intended to follow his father's career byentering the Polytechnic School. His father, however, died in 1823, andSouvestre matriculated as a law-student at Rennes. But the young studentsoon devoted himself entirely to literature. His first essay, a tragedy,'Le Siege de Missolonghi' (1828), was a pronounced failure. Disheartenedand disgusted he left Paris and established himself first as a lawyer inMorlaix. Then he became proprietor of a newspaper, and was afterwardappointed a professor in Brest and in Mulhouse. In 1836 he contributedto the 'Revue des Deux Mondes' some sketches of life in Brittany, whichobtained a brilliant success. Souvestre was soon made editor of La Revuede Paris, and in consequence early found a publisher for his first novel,'L'Echelle de Femmes', which, as was the case with his second work,Riche et Pauvre', met with a very favorable reception. His reputationwas now made, and between this period and his death he gave to Franceabout sixty volumes—tales, novels, essays, history, and drama.
A double purpose was always very conspicuous in his books: he aspired tothe role of a moralist and educator, and was likewise a most impressivepainter of the life, character, and morals of the inhabitants ofBrittany.
The most significant of his books are perhaps 'Les Derniers Bretons(1835-1837, 4 vols.), Pierre Landais (1843, 2 vols.), Le Foyer Breton(1844, 2 vols.), Un Philosophe sons les Toits, crowned by the Academy(1850), Confessions d'un Ouvrier (1851), Recits et Souvenirs (1853),Souvenirs d'un Vieillard (1854); also La Bretagne Pittoresque (1845),and, finally, Causeries Historiques et Litteraires (1854, 2 vols.)'. Hiscomedies deserve honorable mention: 'Henri Hamelin, L'Oncle Baptiste(1842), La Parisienne, Le Mousse, etc'. In 1848, Souvestre was appointedprofessor of the newly created school of administration, mostly devotedto popular lectures. He held this post till 1853, lecturing partly inParis, partly in Switzerland.
His death, when comparatively young, left a distinct gap in the literaryworld. A life like his could not be extinguished without general sorrow.Although he was unduly modest, and never aspired to the role of a beacon-light in literature, always seeking to remain in obscurity, the works ofEmile So