Butifyouareachildofthepeopleandthepoetofthepeople，yououghtnottoleavethechastebreastofDesiree，inordertorunaboutafterdancing—girlsandsingabouttheirvoluptuousarms。\"[38]
[38]SeethelettersaddressedtoCharlesPoncyinthe_Correspondance。_
ItistobehopedthatPoncyreturnedtothechasteDesiree。
ButwhyshouldhenotreadtotheyoungwomantheworksofPierreLeroux？Weneedalittlegaietyinourlife。InGeorgeSand’spublished_Correspondance_，weonlyhaveafewofherletterstoCharlesPoncy。Theyareallinexcellenttaste。ThereisanimmensecorrespondencewhichM。Rocheblavewillpublishlateron。
Thiswillbeatreatforus，anditwillnodoubtprovethattherewasadepthofimmensecandourinthecelebratedauthoress。
Itdoesnotseemtomethatthewritingsoftheworking—menpoetshavegreatlyenrichedFrenchliterature。FortunatelyGeorgeSand’ssympathywiththepeoplefounditswayintoliteratureinanotherway，andthistimeinasingularlyinterestingway。
Shedidnotgetthebookswrittenbythepeoplethemselves，butsheputthepeopleintobooks。ThiswastheplanannouncedbyGeorgeSandinherprefacetothe_CompagnondutourdeFrance_。
Thereisanentirelyfreshliteraturetocreate，shewrites，\"withthehabitsandcustomsofthepeople，asthesearesolittleknownbytheotherclasses。\"The_CompagnondutourdeFrance_
wasthefirstattemptatthisnewliteratureofthepeople。
GeorgeSandhadobtainedherdocumentsforthisbookfromalittleworkwhichhadgreatlystruckher，entitled_Livreducompagnonnage_，writtenbyAgricolPerdiguier，surnamedAvignonnais—la—Vertu，whowasa_compagnon_carpenter。AgricolPerdiguierinformsusthatthe_Compagnons_weredividedintothreechiefcategories：
the_Gavots_，the_Devorants_andthe_Drilles_，orthe_EnfantsdeSalomon_，the_EnlantsdeMaitreJacques_andthe_Enfantsdu__PereSoubise_。Hethendescribestheritesofthisorder。
Whentwo_Compagnons_met，theirwatchwordwas\"_Tope_。\"
Afterthistheyaskedeachother’strade，andthentheywenttodrinkaglasstogether。Ifa_Compagnon_whowasgenerallyrespectedleftthetown，theothersgavehimwhatwastermeda\"conduiteenregle。\"Ifitwasthoughtthathedidnotdeservethis，hehada\"conduitedeGrenoble。\"Each_Compagnon_hadasurname，andamongsuchsurnameswefind_ThePrudenceofDraguignan_，_TheFlowerofBagnolet_and_TheLibertyofChateauneuf_。
Theunfortunatepartwasthatamongthedifferentsocieties，insteadoftheunionthatoughttohavereigned，therewererivalries，quarrels，fights，andsometimesallthisledtoseriousskirmishes；
AgricolPerdiguierundertooktopreachtothedifferentsocietiespeaceandtolerance。HewentabouttravellingthroughFrancewiththisobjectinview。Hissecondexpeditionwas—atGeorgeSand’sexpense。
Afresheditionofhisbookcontainedthelettersofapprovaladdressedtohimbythosewhoapprovedhiscampaign。Amongthesesignaturesarethefollowing：Nantais—Pret—a—bien—faire，Bourgignonla—Felicite，Decide—le—Briard。Allthisisacurioushistoryofthesyndicatesofthenineteenthcentury。AgricolPerdiguiermayhaveseenthe_ConfederationduTravail_dawninginthehorizon。
Inthe_CompagnonduTourdeFrance_，PierreHuguenin，acarpenter，travelsaboutamongallthesedifferentsocietiesofthe_Compagnonnage_，andletsusseesomethingoftheircompetition，rivalries，battles，etc。
HeisthensentfortotheVillepreuxChateau，todosomework。
ThenobleYseultfallsinlovewiththisfine—talkingcarpenter，andatoncebegshimtomakeherhappybymarryingher。
Inthe_Meunierd’Angibault_itisaworkinglocksmith，HenriLemor，whofallsinlovewithMarcelledeBIanchemont。Borntowealth，sheregretsthatsheisnotthedaughterorthemotherofworkingmen。
Finally，however，shelosesherfortune，andrejoicesinthisevent。
Thepersonagewhostandsoutinreliefinthisnovelisthemiller，GrandLouis。Heisalwaysgayandcontented，withasmileonhislips，singinglivelysongsandgivingadvicetoeveryone。
Inthe_PechedeM。Antoine_，the_role_ofGrandLouisfallstoJeanthecarpenter。Inthisstoryallthepeoplearecommunists，withtheexceptionoftheownerofthefactory，who，inconsequence，istreatedwithcontempt。HissonEmilemarriesthedaughterofMonsieurAntoine。HernameisGilberte，andasillyoldman，theMarquisdeBoisguilbaut，leavesherallhismoney，onconditionthattheyoungcouplefoundacolonyofagriculturistsinwhichthereshallbeabsolutecommunism。Allthesestories，fullofeloquenceanddissertationsonthemisfortuneofbeingrichandthecorruptinginfluenceofwealth，wouldbeinsufferable，ifitwerenotforthefactthattheAngibaultmillwereintheBlackValley，andthecrumblingchateau，belongingtoMonsieurAntoine，onthebanksoftheCreuse。
Theyareverypoornovels，anditwouldbeawasteoftimetoattempttodefendthem。Theyarenottobedespised，though，asregardstheirinfluenceontherestofGeorgeSand’swork，andalsoasregardsthehistoryoftheFrenchnovel。TheyrenderedgreatservicetoGeorgeSand，inasmuchastheyhelpedhertocomeoutofherselfandtoturnherattentiontothemiseriesofotherpeople，insteadofdwellingallthetimeonherown。Themiseriesshenowsawweremoregeneralones，andconsequentlymoreworthyofinterest。
Inthehistoryofthenoveltheyareofcapitalimportance，astheyarethefirstonestobringintonotice，bymakingthemplayapart，peopleofwhomnovelistshadneverspoken。
BeforeEugeneSueandbeforeVictorHugo，GeorgeSandgivesa_role_
toamason，acarpenterandajoiner。Weseetheworking—classcomeintoliteratureinthesenovels，andthismarksanera。
Astotheirsocialisticinfluence，itissupposedbymanypeoplethattheyhadnone。Thekindofsocialismthatconsistsofmakingtinkersmarrymarchionesses，andduchessesmarryzinc—workers，seemsverychildishandveryfeminine。Itisjustanattemptatbringingaboutthemarriageofclasses。Thissocialisticpreaching，bymeansofliterature，cannotbetreatedsolightly，though，asitisbynomeansharmless。Itis，onthecontrary，apowerfulmeansofdiffusingdoctrinestowhichitlendsthecolouringofimagination，andforwhichitappealstothefeelings。GeorgeSandpropagatedthehumanitariandreamamongawholecategoryofmenandwomenwhoreadherbooks。Butforher，theywouldprobablyhaveturnedadeafeartotheinducementsheldouttothemwithregardtothisUtopia。
Lamartinewithhis_Girondins_reconciledthe_bourgeois_classestotheideaoftheRevolution。Inbothcasestheeffectwasthesame，anditisjustthiswhichliteraturedoesinaffairsofthiskind。
Its_role_consistshereincreatingasortofsnobbism，andthissnobbism，createdbyliteratureinfavourofalltheelementsofsocialdestruction，continuestorageatpresent。
Westillseemensmilingindulgentlyandstupidlyatdoctrinesofrevoltandanarchy，whichtheyoughttorepudiate，notbecauseoftheirowninterest，butbecauseitistheirdutytorepudiatethemwithallthestrengthoftheirowncommonsenseandrectitude。
Insteadofanyarguments，wehavefactstooffer。Allthiswasin1846，andthetimewasnowdrawingnearwhenGeorgeSandwastoseethosenovelsofhersactuallytakingplaceinthestreet，sothatshecouldthrowdowntotheriotersthebulletinsthatshewroteintheirhonour。
VIII
1848
GEORGESANDANDTHEPROVISIONALGOVERNMENT——
HERPASTORALNOVELS
IN1846，GeorgeSandpublished_LePechedeM。Antoine_。
Itwasaverydullstoryofasin，forsinsarenotalwaysamusing。
Thesameyear，though，shepublished_LaMareauDiable_。
Peopleareapttosay，whencomparingthesocialisticnovelsandthepastoralnovelsbyGeorgeSand，thatthelatteraresuperb，becausetheyaretheresultofaconceptionofartthatwasquitedisinterested，astheauthorhadgivenupherpreachingmania，anddevotedherselftodepictingpeoplethatsheknewandthingsthatsheliked，withoutanyothercarethanthatofpaintingthemwell。
Personally，Ithinkthatthiswasnotso。GeorgeSand’spastoralstyleisnotessentiallydifferentfromhersocialisticstyle。
Thedifferenceisonlyinthesuccessoftheexecution，buttheideasandtheintentionsarethesame。GeorgeSandiscontinuinghermissioninthem，sheisgoingonwithherhumanitariandream，thatdreamwhichshedreamedwhenawake。
Wehaveaproofofthisintheprefaceoftheauthortothereaderwithwhichthe_MareauDiable_begins。Thisprefacewouldbedisconcertingtoanyonewhodoesnotremembertheintellectualatmosphereinwhichitwaswritten。
PeoplehavewonderedbywhatfitofimaginationGeorgeSand，whentellingsuchawholesomestoryofcountrylife，shouldevoketheghastlyvisionofHolbein’sDanceofDeath。Itisthecloseofday，thehorsesarethinandexhausted，thereisanoldpeasant，and，skippingaboutinthefurrowsneartheteam，isDeath，theonlylively，careless，nimblebeinginthissceneof\"sweatandweariness。\"Shegivesustheexplanationofitherself。
Shewantedtoshowuptheidealoftheneworderofthings，asopposedtotheoldideal，astranslatedbytheghastlydance。
\"Wehavenothingmoretodowithdeath，\"shewrites，\"butwithlife。
Wenolongerbelieveinthe_neant_ofthetomb，norinsalvationboughtbyenforcedrenunciation。Wewantlifetobegood，becausewewantittobefertile……Everyonemustbehappy，sothatthehappinessofafewmaynotbecriminalandcursedbyGod。\"ThisnotewerecognizeasthecommonfeatureofallthesocialisticUtopias。ItconsistsintakingtheoppositebasistothatonwhichtheChristianideaisfounded。WhilstChristianityputsoff，untilafterdeath，thepossessionofhappiness，transfiguringdeathbyitseternalhopes，SocialismplacesitsParadiseonearth。
Itthusrunstheriskofleavingallthosewithoutanyrecoursewhodonotfindthisearthaparadise，andithasnoanswertogivetothelamentationsofincurablehumanmisery。
GeorgeSandgoesontoexposetoustheobjectofart，assheunderstandsit。Shebelievesthatitisforpleadingthecauseofthepeople。
Shedoesnotconsiderthather_confreres_innovel—writingandinSocialismsetabouttheirworkinthebestway。Theypaintpovertythatisuglyandvile，andsometimesevenviciousandcriminal。
Howisittobeexpectedthatthebad，richmanwilltakepityonthesorrowsofthepoorman，ifthispoormanisalwayspresentedtohimasanescapedconvictoranightloafer？Itisveryevidentthatthepeople，aspresentedtousinthe_MysteresdeParis_，arenotparticularlycongenialtous，andweshouldhavenowishtomaketheacquaintanceofthe\"Chourineur。\"Inordertobringaboutconversions，GeorgeSandhasmorefaithingentle，agreeablepeople，and，inconclusion，shetellsus：\"Webelievethatthemissionofartisamissionofsentimentandoflove，andthatthenovelofto—dayoughttotaketheplaceoftheparableandtheapologueofmoreprimitivetimes。\"Theobjectoftheartist，shetellsus，\"istomakepeopleappreciatewhathepresentstothem。\"
Withthatendinview，hehasarighttoembellishhissubjectsalittle。\"Art，\"wearetold，\"isnotastudyofpositivereality；
itistheseekingforidealtruth。\"Suchisthepointofviewoftheauthorof_LaMareauDiable_，whichweareinvitedtoconsiderasaparableandanapologue。
Theparableisclearenough，andtheapologueiseloquent。
Thenovelcommenceswiththatfinepictureoftheploughingofthefields，sorichindescriptionandsobroadlytreatedthatthereseemstobenothinginFrenchliteraturetocomparewithitexcepttheepisodeoftheLabourersin_Jocelyn_。When_Jocelyn_
waspublished，GeorgeSandwassevereinhercriticismofit，treatingitaspoorwork，falseinsentimentandcarelessinstyle。
\"Inthemidstofallthis，though，\"sheadds，\"therearecertainpagesandchapterssuchasdonotexistinanylanguaoe，pagesthatIreadseventimesover，cryingallthetimelikeadonkey。\"
Ifancythatshemusthavecriedovertheepisodeofthe_Labourers_。
Whethersheremembereditornotwhenwritingherownbooklittlematters。MyonlyreasonformentioningitistopointouttheaffinityofgeniusbetweenLamartineandGeorgeSand，bothofthemsoadmirableinimaginingidyllsandinthrowingthecoloursoftheiridyllicimaginationontoreality。
Ihaveventured，toanalyzethe_ComtessedeRudolstadt_andeven_Consuelo_，butIshallnotbeguiltyofthebadtasteoftellingthestoryof_LaMareauDiable_，asallthepeopleofthatneighbourhoodarewellknowntous，andhavebeenourfriendsforalongtime。WeareallacquaintedwithGermain，thecleverfarm—labourer，withMarie，theshepherdess，andwithlittlePierre。
Werememberhowtheyclimbedthe_Grise_，losttheirwayinthemist，andwereobligedtospendthenightunderthegreatoak—trees。Whenwewereonlyaboutfifteenyearsofage，withwhatdelightwereadthisbook，andhowwelovedthatsweetMarieforhersimplegraceandheraffection，whichallseemedsomaternal。HowmuchbetterwelikedherthantheWidowGuerin，whowassosnobbishwithherthreelovers。Andhowgladweweretobepresentatthatwedding，celebratedaccordingtothecustominBerryfromtimeimmemorial。
Itiseasytoseethemeaningofallthesethings。Theyshowushownaturalkindlinessistotheheartofman。IfwetrytofindoutwhyGermainandMarieappearsodelightfultous，weshalldiscoverthatitisbecausetheyaresimple—hearted，andfollowthedictatesofNature。Naturemustnotbedeformed，therefore，byconstraintnortransformedbyconvention，asitleadsstraighttovirtue。
Wehaveheardthetuneofthissongbefore，andwehaveseentheblossomingofsomeveryfinepastoralpoemsandaveritableinvasionofsentimentalliterature。Inthosedaystearswereshedplentifullyoverpoetry，novelsandplays。WehavehadBernardindeSaint—Pierre，Sedaine，FlorianandBerquin。TheRevolution，brutalandsanguinaryasitwas，didnotinterruptthecourseoftheseromanticeffusions。NeverweresomanytenderepithetsusedasduringtheyearsoftheReignofTerror，andinofficialprocessionsRobespierrewasadornedwithflowerslikeavillagebride。
Thistasteforpastoralthings，atthetimeoftheRevolution，wasnotamerecoincidence。ThesameprinciplesleduptotheidyllinliteratureandtotheRevolutioninhistory。Manwassupposedtobenaturallygood，andtheideawastotakeawayfromhimalltherestraintswhichhadbeeninventedforcurbinghisnature。
Politicalandreligiousauthority，moraldisciplineandtheprestigeoftraditionhadallformedakindofnetworkofimpediments，bywhichmanhadbeenimprisonedbylegislatorswhowereinclinedtopessimism。Bydoingawaywithallthesefetters，theGoldenAgewastoberestoredanduniversalhappinesswastobeestablished。
Suchwasthefaithofthebelieversinthemillenniumof1789，andof1848。Thesamedreambeganoverandoveragain，fromDiderottoLamartineandfromJean—JacquestoGeorgeSand。Thesamestateofmindwhichweseereflectedin_LaMareauDiable_wastomakeofGeorgeSandtherevolutionarywriterof1848。Wecannowunderstandthe_role_whichthenovelistplayedinthesecondRepublic。
Itisoneofthemostsurprisingpagesinthehistoryofthisextraordinarycharacter。
ThejoywithwhichGeorgeSandwelcomedtheRepubliccanreadilybeimagined。ShehadbeenaRepublicaneversincethedaysofMichelofBourges，andademocratsincethetimewhen，asalittlegirl，shetookthesideofherplebeianmotheragainst\"theoldCountesses。\"
Foralongtimeshehadbeenwishingforandexpectingachangeofgovernment。Shewouldnothavebeensatisfiedwithlessthanthis。
ShewasnotmuchmovedbytheThiers—Guizotduel，anditwouldhavegivenhernopleasuretobekilledforthesakeofOdilonBarrot。
ShewasadiscipleofRomanticism，andshewantedastorm。
Whenthestormbroke，carryingallbeforeit，athrone，awholesocietywithitsinstitutions，shehurriedawayfromherpeacefulNohant。
Shewantedtobreathetheatmosphereofarevolution，andshewassoonintoxicatedbyit。
\"LonglivetheRepublic，\"shewroteinherletters。\"Whatadreamandwhatenthusiasm，andthen，too，whatbehaviour，whatorderinParis。
Ihavejustarrived，andIsawthelastofthebarricades。Thepeoplearegreat，sublime，simpleandgenerous，themostadmirablepeopleintheuniverse。Ispentnightswithoutanysleepanddayswithoutsittingdown。Everyonewaswildandintoxicatedwithdelight，foraftergoingtosleepinthemiretheyhaveawakenedinheaven。\"[39]
[39]_Correspondance：_ToCh。Poncy，March9，1848。
Shegoesondreamingthusofthestars。Everythingshehears，everythingsheseesenchantsher。Themostabsurdmeasuresdelighther。
Sheeitherthinkstheyaremostnoble，liberalstepstohavetaken，orelsetheyareverygoodjokes。
\"Rothschild，\"shewrites，\"expressesveryfinesentimentsaboutlibertyatpresent。TheProvisionalGovernmentiskeepinghiminsight，asitdoesnotwishhimtomakeoffwithhismoney，andsowillputsomeofthetroopsonhistrack。Themostamusingthingsarehappening。\"Alittlelateronshewrites：
\"TheGovernmentandthepeopleexpecttohavebaddeputies，buttheyhaveagreedtoputthemthroughthewindow。Youmustcome，andwewillgoandseeallthisandhavefun。\"[40]
[40]_Correspondance：_ToMauriceSand，March24，1848。
Shewasthoroughlyentertained，andthatisverysignificant。
Wemustnotforgetthefamousphrasethatsoundedthedeath—knelloftheJulymonarchy，\"LaFrances’ennuie。\"Francehadgoneinforarevolutionbywayofbeingentertained。
GeorgeSandwasentertained，then，bywhatwastakingplace。
Shewentdownintothestreetwheretherewasplentytosee。
Inthemorningstherewerethevariouscolouredposterstoberead。
Thesehadbeenputupinthenight，andtheywereinproseandinverse。
Processionswerealsoorganized，andmen，womenandchildren，withbannersunfurled，marchedalongtomusictotheHoteldeVille，carryingbasketsdecoratedwithribbonsandflowers。EverycorporationandeveryprofessionconsidereditselfboundinhonourtocongratulatetheGovernmentandtoencourageitinitswell—doing。Onedaytheprocessionwouldbeofthewomenwhomadewaistcoatsorbreeches，anotherdayofthewater—carriers，orofthosewhohadbeendecoratedinJulyorwoundedinFebruary；thentherewerethepavement—layers，thewasherwomen，thedelegatesfromtheParisnight—soilmen。
Thereweredelegates，too，fromtheGermans，Italians，Poles，andmostoftheinhabitantsofMontmartreandofBatignolles。
WemustnotforgetthetreesofLiberty，asGeorgeSandspeaksofmeetingwiththreeoftheseinoneday。\"Immensepines，\"shewrites，\"carriedontheshouldersoffiftyworking—men。Adrumwentfirst，thentheflag，followedbybandsofthesefinetillersoftheground，strong—looking，seriousmenwithwreathsofleavesontheirhead，andaspade，pick—axeorhatchetovertheirshoulder。Itwasmagnificent；
finerthanallthe_Roberts_intheworld。\"[41]Suchwasthetoneofherletters。
[41]_Correspondance。_
ShehadtheOperafromherwindowsandanOlympiccircusateverycross—road。Pariswascertainly_enfete_。Intheeveningsitwasjustaslively。ThereweretheClubs，andtherewerenolessthanthreehundredofthese。Societywomencouldgotothemandhearoratorsinblousesproposingincendiarymovements，whichmadethemshudderdeliciously。Thentherewerethetheatres。
Rachel，drapedinantiquestyle，lookinglikeaNemesis，declaimedthe_Marseillaise_。Andallnightlongtheexcitementcontinued。
Theyoungmenorganizedtorchlightprocessions，withfireworks，andinsistedonpeaceably—inclinedcitizensilluminating。ItwaslikeaNationialFeteday，ortheCarnival，continuingalltheweek。
Allthiswasthecommon，everydayaspectofParis，buttherewerethespecialdaysaswelltobreakthemonotonyofallthis。
Therewerethemanifestations，whichhadthegreatadvantageofprovokingcounter—manifestations。Onthe16thofMarch，therewasthemanifestationoftheNationalGuard，whoweretranquilmembersofsociety，butonthe17ththerewasacounter—manifestationoftheClubsandworkingmen。Onsuchdaysthemeeting—placewouldbeattheBastille，andfrommorningtonightgroups，consistingofseveralhundredthousandmen，wouldmarchaboutParis，sometimesinfavouroftheAssemblyagainsttheProvisionalGovernment，andsometimesinfavouroftheProvisionalGovernmentagainsttheAssembly。
Onthe17thofApril，GeorgeSandwasinthemidstofthecrowd，infrontoftheHoteldeVille，inordertoseebetter。Onthe15thofMay，asthepopulacewasdirectingitseffortsagainstthePalaisBourbon，shewasintheRuedeBourgogne，inhereagernessnottomissanything。Asshewaspassinginfrontofa_cafe_，shesawawomanharanguingthecrowdinaveryanimatedwayfromoneofthewindows。ShewastoldthatthiswomanwasGeorgeSand。
WomenwereextremelyactiveinthisRevolution。TheyorganizedaLegionforthemselves，andwerestyled_\"LesVesuviennes_。\"
Theyhadtheirclubs，theirbanquetsandtheirnewspapers。
GeorgeSandwasfarfromapprovingallthisfeminineagitation，butshedidnotcondemnitaltogether。Sheconsideredthat\"womenandchildren，disinterestedastheyareinallpoliticalquestions，areinmoredirectintercoursewiththespiritthatbreathesfromaboveovertheagitationsofthisworld。\"[42]Itwasforthem，therefore，tobetheinspirersofpolitics。GeorgeSandwasoneoftheseinspirers。InordertojudgewhatcounselsthisEgeriagave，wehaveonlytoreadsomeofherletters。Onthe4thofMarch，shewroteasfollowstoherfriendGirerd：\"Actvigorously，mydearbrother。Inourpresentsituation，wemusthaveevenmorethandevotionandloyalty；wemusthavefanaticismifnecessary。\"
Inconclusion，shesaysthatheisnottohesitate\"insweepingawayallthatisofa_bourgeois_nature。\"InAprilshewrotetoLamartine，reproachinghimwithhismoderationandendeavouringtoexcitehisrevolutionaryspirit。Lateron，althoughshewasnotofaverywarlikedisposition，sheregrettedthattheyhadnot，liketheirancestorsof1793，cementedtheirRevolutionathomebyawarwiththenations。
[42]_Correspondance：_TotheCitizenThore，May28，1848。
\"If，insteadoffollowingLamartine’sstupid，insipidpolicy，\"
shethenwrote，\"wehadchallengedallabsolutemonarchies，weshouldhavehadwaroutside，butunionathome，andstrength，inconsequenceofthis，ithomeandabroad。\"[43]Likethegreatancestors，shedeclaredthattherevolutionaryideaisneitherthatofasectnorofaparty。\"Itisareligion，\"shesays，\"thatwewanttoproclaim。\"Allthiszeal，thispassionandthispersistencyinawomanisnotsurprising，butonedoesnotfeelmuchconfidenceinacertainkindofinspirationforpoliticsafterallthis。
[43]_Correspondance：_ToMazzini，October10，1849。
MyreasonfordwellingonthesubjectisthatGeorgeSanddidnotcontentherselfwithmerelylookingonattheeventsthatweretakingplace，orevenwithtalkingaboutthemwithherfriends。Shetookpartintheevents，bymeansofherpen。Shescatteredabroadallkindsofrevolutionarywritings。Onthe7thofMarch，shepublishedherfirst_LettertothePeople_，atthepriceofapenny，theprofitsofwhichweretobedistributedamongworking—menwithoutemployment。
Aftercongratulatingthesegreatandgoodpeopleontheirnoblevictory，shetellsthemtheyareallgoingtoseektogetherforthetruthofthings。Thatwasexactlythestateofthecase。Theydidnotyetknowwhattheywanted，but，inthemeantime，whiletheywereconsidering，theyhadatanyratebegunwitharevolution。
Therewasasecond_LettertothePeople_，andthentheseceased。
Publicationsinthosedayswereveryshort—lived。Theycametolifeagain，though，sometimesfromtheirashes。InAprilanewspaperwasstarted，entitled_TheCauseofthePeople_。ThiswaseditedalmostentirelybyGeorgeSand。Shewrotetheleadingarticle：
_SovereigntyisEquality_。Shereproducedherfirst_LettertothePeople_，gaveanarticleontheaspectofthestreetsofParis，andanotherontheatricalevents。Shelefttohercollaborator，VictorBorie，thetaskofexplainingthattheincreaseoftaxeswasaneminentlyrepublicanmeasure，andanagreeablesurpriseforthepersonwhohadtopaythem。Thethirdnumberofthispapercontainedaone—actplaybyGeorgeSand，entitled_LeRoiattend_。
ThishadjustbeengivenattheComedie—Francaise，orattheTheatredelaRepublique，asitwasthencalled。Ithadbeenagratisperformance，givenonthe9thofApril，1848，asafirstnationalrepresentation。
TheactorsatthattimewereSamson，Geffroy，Regnier，Anais，AugustineBrohanandRachel。Therewerenotmanyofthem，buttheyhadsomefinethingstointerpret。
InGeorgeSand’spiece，Molierewasatworkwithhisservant，Laforet，whocouldnotread，butwithoutwhom，itappears，hecouldnothavewrittenaline。Hehasnotfinishedhisplay，theactorshavenotlearnttheirparts，andthekingisimpatientatbeingkeptwaiting。Moliereisperplexed，and，notknowingwhattodo，hedecidestogotosleep。TheMuseappearstohim，styleshim\"thelightofthepeople，\"andbringstohimalltheghostsofthegreatpoetsbeforehim。AEschylus，Sophocles，EuripidesandShakespearealldeclaretohimthat，intheirtime，theyhadallworkedtowardspreparingtheRevolutionof1848。
Molierethenwakesup，andgoesontothestagetopayhisrespectstotheking。Thekinghasbeenchanged，though。\"Iseeaking，\"
saysMoliere，\"buthisnameisnotLouisXIV。Itisthepeople，thesovereignpeople。ThatisawordIdidnotknow，awordasgreataseternity。\"
Werecognizethedemocratinallthis。_LeRoi__attend_maybeconsideredasanauthenticcuriosityofrevolutionaryart。
ThenewspaperannouncedtoitsreadersthatsubscriptionscouldbepaidintheRueRichelieu。Subscriberswereprobablynotforthcoming，asthepaperdiedanaturaldeathafterthethirdnumber。
GeorgeSanddidmuchmorethanthis，though。[44]Wemustnotforgetthatshewasanofficialpublicistin1848。ShehadvolunteeredherservicestoLedru—Rollin，andhehadacceptedthem。\"Iamasbusyasastatesman，\"shewroteatthistime。\"IhavealreadywrittentwoGovernmentcirculars。\"[45]
[44]WithregardtoGeorgeSand’s_role_，see_LaRevolutionde_1848，byDanielStern（Madamed’Agoult）。
[45]_Correspondance：_ToMauriceSand，March24，1848。
WithGeorgeSand’scollaboration，the_BulletindelaRepublique_
becameunexpectedlyinteresting。Thispaperwaspublishedeveryotherday，byorderofLedru—Rollin，andwasintendedtoestablishaconstantinterchangeofideasandsentimentsbetweentheGovernmentandthepeople。\"Itwasspeciallyaddressedtothepeopleofruraldistricts，andwasintheformofaposterthatthemayoroftheplacecouldhaveputuponthewalls，andalsodistributetothepostmentobegivenaway。The_Bulletins_wereanonymous，butseveralofthemwerecertainlywrittenbyGeorgeSand。
Theseventhisoneofthese，andalsothetwelfth。Thelatterwaswrittenwithaviewtodrawingtheattentionofthepublictothewretchedlotofthewomenandgirlsofthelowerclasses，whowerereducedtoprostitutionbythelownessoftheirwages。
Theirvirginityisanobjectoftraffic，\"wearetold，\"quotedontheexchangeofinfamy。\"Thesixteenth_Bulletin_wassimplyanappealforrevolt。GeorgeSandwaslookingaheadtowhatoughttotakeplace，incasetheelectionsdidnotleadtothetriumphofsocialtruth。
\"Thepeople，\"shehoped，\"wouldknowtheirduty。Therewould，inthatcase，beonlyonewayofsalvationforthepeoplewhohaderectedbarricades，andthatwouldbetomanifesttheirwillasecondtime，andsoadjournthedecisionsofarepresentationthatwasnotnational。\"ThiswasnothingmorenorlessthanthelanguageofanotherFructidor。Andweknowwhatwastheresultofwordsinthosedays。The_Bulletin_wasdated。the15th，andonthe17ththepeoplewereonthewaytotheHoteldeVille。Thesepopularmovementscannotalwaysbetrusted，though，astheyfrequentlytakeanunexpectedturn，andevenchangetheirdirectionwhenontheway。
Ithappenedthistimethatthemanifestationturnedagainstthosewhowereitsinstigators。ShoutswereheardthatdayinParisof_\"DeathtotheCommunists\"_and_\"DownwithCabet_。\"GeorgeSandcouldnotunderstandthingsatall。Thiswasnotintheprogramme，andshebegantohaveherdoubtsaboutthefutureoftheRepublic——
therealone，thatofherfriends。
Itwasmuchworseonthe15thofMay，thedaywhichwassofataltoBarbes，forheplayedthepartofheroandofdupeonthateventfulday。BarbeswasGeorgeSand’sidolatthattime。
Itwasimpossibleforhertobewithoutone，although，withhervividimagination，shechangedheridolsfrequently。Withheridealism，shewasalwaysincarnatinginsomeindividualtheperfectionsthatshewasconstantlyimagining。Itseemsasthoughsheexteriorizedtheneedsofherownmindandputthemintoanindividualwhoseemedsuitabletoherfortheparticularrequirementsofthatmoment。
Atthetimeofthemonarchy，MichelofBourgesandPierreLerouxhadbeenabletoplaythepart，theformerofaradicaltheoricianandthelatterofthemysticalforerunnerofthenewtimes。
AtpresentBarbeshadcomeontothescene。
Hewasabornconspirator，theverymanforsecretsocieties。
Hehadmadehiscareerbymeansofprisons，orratherhehadmadeprisonhiscareer，In1835，hehadcommencedbyhelpingthirtyoftheprisonersofApriltoescapefromSainte—Pelagie。
Atthattimehewasaffiliatedtothe_SocietedesFamilles_。
ThepolicediscoveredawholearsenalofpowderandammunitionatthehouseintheRuedeLourcine，andBarbeswascondemnedtoprisonforayearandsenttoCarcassonne，wherehehadrelatives。
Whenheleftprison，the_SocietedesSaisons_hadtakentheplaceofthe_SocietedesFamilles_。WithBlanqui’sapproval，BarbesorganizedtheinsurrectionofMay12and13，1830。
Thistimebloodwasshed。InfrontofthePalaisdeJustice，themen，commandedbyBarbes，hadinvitedLieutenantDroulneautoletthementer。Theofficerrepliedthathewoulddiefirst。
Hewasimmediatelyshot，butBarbeswassentencedtodeathforthis。
ThankstotheinterventionofLamartineandVictorHugo，hislifewasspared，buthewasimprisonedatMontSaint—Micheluntil1843，andafterwardsatNimes。Onthe28thofFebruary，1848，theGovernorofNimesprisoninformedhimthathewasfree。Hewasmoresurprisedandembarrassedthanpleasedbythisnews。
\"Iwasquitebewildered，\"heownedlateron，\"bythisideaofleavingprison。Ilookedatmyprisonbed，towhichIhadgrownsoaccustomed。
Ilookedatmyblanketandatmypillowandatallmybelongings，hungsocarefullyatthefootofmybed。\"Heaskedpermissiontostaythereanotherday。Hehadbecomeaccustomedtoeverything，andwhenoncehewasoutagain，andfree，hewaslikeamanwhofeelsillatease。
Hetookpartintheaffairofthe15thofMay，andthisiswhatgivesatragic，andatthesametimecomic，charactertotheepisode。
UnderpretextofmanifestinginfavourofPoland，theNationalAssemblywastobeinvaded。Barbesdidnotapproveofthismanifestation，andhaddecidedtokeepoutofit。Somepeoplecannotbepresentatarevolutionaryscenewithouttakingpartinit，andwithoutsoonwantingtoplaythechiefpartinit。Theexcitementgoestotheirhead。Barbesseemstohavebeenobeyingininstinctoverwhichhehadnocontrol，for，togetherwithaworkmannamedAlbert，heheadedtheprocessionwhichwastomarchfromtheChamberofDeputiestotheHoteldeVilleandestablishafreshProvisionalGovernment。
Hehadalreadycommencedcomposingtheproclamationstobethrownthroughthewindowstothepeople，afterthemannerofthetimes，whensuddenlyLamartineappearedonthescenewithLedru—Rollinandacaptainintheartillery。Thefollowingdialoguethentookplace：
\"Whoareyou？\"
\"AmemberoftheProvisionalGovernment。\"
\"OftheGovernmentofyesterdayorofto—day\"Oftheoneofto—day。\"
\"InthatcaseIarrestyou。\"
BarbeswastakentoVincennes。Hehadbeenfreeratherlessthanthreemonths，whenhereturnedtoprisonasthoughitwerehisnaturaldwelling—place。
GeorgeSandadmiredhimjustasmuchafterthisasbefore。Forher，thegreatmanoftheRevolutionwasneitherLedru—Rollin，Lamartine，norevenLouis—Blanc；itwasBarbes。ShecomparedhimtoJoanofArcandtoRobespierre。Toher，hewasmuchmorethanamerestatesman，thismanofconspiraciesanddungeons，evermysteriousandunfortunate，alwaysreadyforadramaoraromance。Inherheartshekeptanaltarforthismartyr，andneverthoughtofwonderingwhether，afterall，thisidolandherowerenotamerepuppet。
TheskirmishofMay15undeceivedGeorgeSandveryconsiderably。
TheJuneinsurrectionandthecivilwar，withbloodflowingintheParisstreets，thosestreetswhichwereformerlysolivelyandamusing，causedherterriblegrief。Fromhenceforthherletterswerefullofhersadnessanddiscouragement。Themostgloomydepressiontooktheplaceofherformerenthusiasm。Ithadonlyrequiredafewweeksforthischangetotakeplace。InFebruaryshehadbeensoproudofFrance，andnowshefeltthatshewastobepitiedforbeingaFrenchwoman。Itwasallsosad，andshewassoashamed。
Therewasnoonetocountuponnow。Lamartinewasachatterer；
Ledru—Rollinwaslikeawoman；thepeoplewereignorantandungrateful，sothatthemissionofliterarypeoplewasover。Shethereforetookrefugeinfiction，andburiedherselfinherdreamsofart。
Wearenotsorrytofollowherthere。
_FrancoisleChampi_appearedasaserialinthe_JournaldesDebats_。
The_denouement_wasdelayedbyanother_denouement_，whichthepublicfoundstillmoreinteresting。ThiswasnothinglessthanthecatastropheoftheJulyMonarchy，inFebruary，1848。
AftertheterribleJunetroubles，GeorgeSandhadbeenheartbroken，andhadturnedoncemoretoliteratureforconsolation。
Shewrote_LaPetiteFadette_，sothatthepastoralromancesandtheRevolutionarecloselyconnectedwitheachother。
Besidethenovelsofthiskindwhichwehavealreadymentioned，wemustadd_Jeanne_，whichdatesfrom1844，andthe_MaitresSonneurs_，writtenin1853。This，then，completestheincomparableseries，whichwastheauthor’s_chef—d’oeuvre_，andoneofthefinestgemsofFrenchliterature。ThiswasGeorgeSand’srealstyle，andthenoteinliteraturewhichwaspeculiarlyherown。Shewaswellfittedforsuchwriting，bothbyhernaturaldispositionandbycircumstances。
Shehadlivednearlyallherlifeinthecountry，anditwasthereonlythatshelivedtothefull。Shemadegreatefforts，butPariscertainlymadeherhomesickforherbelovedBerry。
Shecouldnothelpsighingwhenshethoughtoftheploughedfields，ofthewalnut—trees，andoftheoxenansweringtothevoiceofthelabourers。
\"Itisnouse，\"shewroteaboutthesametime，\"ifyouarebornacountryperson，youcannotgetusedtothenoiseofcities。
Italwaysseemstomethatourmudisbeautifulmud，whilstthatheremakesmefeelsick。Iverymuchprefermykeeper’swittothatofcertainofthevisitorshere。ItseemstomethatIamlivelierwhenIhaveeatensomeofNannette’swheat—cakethanI
amaftermycoffeeinParis。Inshort，itappearstomethatweareallperfectandcharming，thatnoonecouldbemoreagreeablethanweare，andthatParisiansareallclowns。\"[46]
[46]_Correspondance：_To。Ch。Duvernet，November12，1842。
Thiswassaidinallsincerity。GeorgeSandwasquiteindifferentaboutallthegreateventsofParisianlife，aboutsocialtittle—tattleandBoulevardgossip。Sheknewtheimportance，though，ofeveryepisodeofcountrylife，ofasuddenfogoroftheoverflowingoftheriver。Sheknewtheplacewell，too，asshehadvisitedeverynookandcornerinallweathersandineveryseason。
Sheknewallthepeople；therewasnotahouseshehadnotentered，eithertovisitthesickortoclearupsomepieceofbusinessfortheinmates。Notonlydidshelikethecountryandthecountrypeoplebecauseshewasaccustomedtoeverythingthere，butshehadsomethingofthenatureofthesepeoplewithinher。Shehadacertainturnofmindthatwaspeasant—like，herslownesstotakethingsin，herdislikeofspeechwhenthinking，herthoughtstakingtheformof\"aseriesofreverieswhichgaveherasortoftranquilecstasy，whetherawakeorasleep。\"[47]Itdoesnotseemasthoughtherehaseverbeensuchan_ensemble_offavourableconditions。
[47]Seein_Jeanne_averyfinepageonthepeasantsoul。
Shedidnotsucceedinherfirstattempt。Inseveralofhernovels，eversince_Valentine_，shehadgivenuspeasantsamonghercharacters。
Shehadtriedlabourers，mole—catchers，fortune—tellersandbeggars，butallthesewereepisodiccharacters。_Jeanne_isthefirstnovelinwhichtheheroineisapeasant。EverythingconnectedwithJeanneherselfinthenovelisexquisite。Wehaveallseenpeasantwomenofthiskind，womenwithseriousfacesandclearly—cutfeatures，withadreamylookintheireyesthatmakesusthinkofthemaidofLorraine。ItisoneoftheseexceptionalcreaturesthatGeorgeSandhasdepicted。Shehasmadeanecstaticbeingofher，whowelcomesallthatissupernatural，utterlyregardlessofdatesorepochs。
Toherallwonderfulbeingsappeal，theVirginMaryandfairies，Druidesses，JoanofArcandNapoleon。ButJeanne，theVirginofEpNell，theVelledaoftheJomatresstones，themysticalsisteroftheGreatShepherdess，wasverypoorlysupported。ThisremarkdoesnotrefertohercousinClaudie，althoughthisindividual’sconductwasnotblameless。JeannehadgoneintoserviceatBoussac，andshewassurroundedbyagroupofmiddle—classpeople，amongwhomwasSirArthur————，awealthyEnglishman，whowantedtomarryher。
Thismixtureofpeasantsand_bourgeois_isnotahappyone。
Neitheristhemixtureof_patois_withamoreChristianwayoftalking，orratherwithawrittenstyle。Theauthorwasexperimentingandfeelingherway。
Whenshewrote_LaMareauDiable_shehadfoundit，forinthisworkwehaveunityoftone，harmonyofthecharacterswiththeirsetting，ofsentimentwiththevariousadventures，and，aboveall，absolutesimplicity。
In_FrancoisleChampi_thereismuchthatisgraceful，andthereisrealfeelingmingledwithatouchofsentimentality。
MadeleineBlanchetisratheroldforChampi，whomshehadbroughtuplikeherownchild。Inthecountry，though，wheredifferenceofageissoonlessapparent，thedisproportiondoesnotseemasobjectionableasitwouldincitylife。Thenovelisnotastudyofmaternalaffectioninlove，asitisnotMadeleine’sfeelingsthatareanalyzed，butthoseofFrancois。Foralongtimehehadbeeninlovewithoutknowingit，andheisonlyawareofitwhenthislove，insteadofbeingasortofagreeabledreamandmelancholypleasure，istransformedintosuffering。
Thesubjectof_LaPetiteFadette_isanotheranalysisofalovewhichhasbeensilentforalongtime。Itisdifficulttosaywhichisthebestofthesedelightfulstories，butperhaps，onthewhole，thislastoneisgenerallypreferred，onaccountofthecuriousandcharmingfigureoflittleFadetteherself。
Wecanseethethin，slendergirl，suddenlyappearingontheroad，emergingfromathicket。Sheseemstobepartofthescenery，andcanscarcelybedistinguishedfromtheobjectsaroundher。
Thelittlewildcountrygirlislikethespiritofthefields，woods，riversandprecipices。SheisabeingveryneartoNature。
Inquisitiveandmischievous，sheisboldinherspeech，becausesheistreatedasareprobate。Shejeers，becausesheknowsthatsheisdetested，andshescratches，becauseshesuffers。Thedaycomeswhenshefeelssomeofthataffectionwhichmakestheatmospherebreathableforhumanbeings。Shefeelsherheartbeatingfasterinherbosom，thankstothisaffection，andfromthatminuteatransformationtakesplacewithinher。Landry，whohasbeenobservingher，isofopinionthatshemustbesomethingofawitch。
Landryisverysimple—minded。Thereisnowitchcrafthereexceptthatoflove，anditwasnotdifficultforthattoworkthemetamorphosis。
Ithasworkedmanyothersinthisworld。
The_MaitresSoneurs_initiatesusintoforestlife，sofullofmysteriousvisions。Inoppositiontothesedentary，stay—at—homelifeoftheinhabitantofplains，withhisindolentmind，wehavethefree—and—easyhumourofthehandsomeandadventurousmuleteer，Huriel，withhisloveoftheroadandofallthatisunexpected。
Heisa_cheminau_beforethedaysofM。Richepin。
Idonotknowanystoriesmorefinishedthanthese。TheycertainlyprovethatGeorgeSandhadtheartisticsense，aqualitywhichhasfrequentlybeendeniedher。Thecharactersinthesestoriesarelivingandactive，andatthesametimetheirpsychologyisnotinsistedupon，andtheydonotstandoutinsuchreliefastoturnourattentionfromthings，which，asweknow，aremoreimportantthanpeopleinthecountry。Wearesurroundedonallsidesbythecountry，andbathed，asitwere，initsatmosphere。
Andyet，inspiteofallthis，thecountryisnotoncedescribed。
Thereisnotoneofthosedescriptionssodeartotheheartofthosewhoareconsideredmastersintheartofword—painting。Wedoriotdescribethosethingswithwhichwelive。Wearecontenttohavethemeverpresentinourmindandtobeinconstantcommunionwiththem。
Styleis，perhaps，thesovereignqualityinthesestories。
Wordspeculiartothedistrictareintroducedjustsufficientlytogiveanaccent。Somewhatold—fashionedexpressionsareemployed，andtheseprovethesurvivalofby—gonedays，which，inthecountry，arerespectedmorethanelsewhere。Withoutanyapparenteffort，thenarrativetakesthatepicformsonaturaltothosewho，as_aedes_ofprimitiveepochs，orstory—tellersbycountryfiresides，givetheirtestimonyaboutthingsofthepast。
IamawarethatGeorgeSandhasbeenaccusedoftracingportraitsofherpeasantswhichwerenotlikethem。ThisissoabsurdthatI
donotconsideritworthwhiletospendtimeindiscussingit。
Itwouldbesoeasytoshowthatinhertypesofpeasantsthereismorevariety，andalsomorereality，thaninBalzac’smorerealisticones。Withoutbeinguntruthfulportraits，itmaybethattheyaresomewhatflattered，andthatwehavemorehonest，delicateandreligiouspeasantsinthesestoriesthaninreality。
Thismaybeso，andGeorgeSandwarnsusofthisherself。Itwasherintentiontodepictthemthus。
Itwasnotabsoluterealityandtheeverydaydetailsofthepeasants’
habitsandcustomsthatshewantedtoshowus，butthepoetryofthecountry，thereflectionofthegreatsightsofNatureinthesoulofthosewho，thankstotheirdailywork，aretheconstantwitnessesofthem。ThepeasantcertainlyhasnoexactnotionofthepoetryofNature，norishealwaysconsciousofit。
Hefeelsit，though，withinhissoulinavagueway。Atcertainmomentshehasglimpsesofit，perhaps，whenlovecauseshimemotion，orperhapswhenheisabsentfromthepartoftheworld，wherehehasalwayslived。Hishomesicknessthengiveshimakeenerperception。
Thispoetryisperhapsneverclearlyrevealedtoanyindividual，nottothelabourerwhotracesouthisfurrowstranquillyintheearlymorning，nortotheshepherdwhospendswholeweeksaloneinthemountains，facetofacewiththestars。Itdwells，though，intheinnerconscienceoftherace。Thegenerationswhichcomeandgohaveitwithinthem，andtheydonotfalltoexpressit。
Itisthispoetrywhichwefindincertaincustomsandbeliefs，inthevariouslegendsandsongs。WhenLeChampireturnstohisnativeplace，hefindsthewholecountrymurmuringwiththetwitterofbirdswhichheknewsowell。
\"AndallthisremindedhimofaveryoldsongwithwhichhismotherZabelliusedtosinghimtosleep。Itwasasongwithwordssuchaspeopleusedtoemployinoldentimes。\"
InGeorgeSand’spastoralnovelswehavesomeoftheseoldwords。
Theycometousfromafar，andarelikeasupremeblossomingofoldtraditions。
Itisallthiswhichcharacterizesthesebooks，andassignstothemtheirplaceinourliterature。WemustnotcomparethemwiththeruggedstudiesofBalzac，norwiththeinsipidcompositionsofthebucolicwriter，norevenwithBernadindeSaint—Pierre’smasterpiece，astherearetoomanycocoanuttreesinthat。TheypreventusseeingtheFrenchlandscapes。VeryfewpeopleknowthecountryinFranceandthehumblepeoplewhodwellthere。Veryfewwritershavelovedthecountrywellenoughtobeabletodepictitshiddencharms。
LaFontainehasdoneitinhisfablesandPerraultinhistales。
GeorgeSandhasherplace，inthisraceofwriters，amongtheFrenchHomers。
IX
THE`BONNEDAME’OFNOHANTTHETHEATRE——ALEXANDREDUMASFILS——
LIFEATNOHANT
Novelistsaregiventospeakingofthetheatresomewhatdisdainfully。
Theysaythatthereistoomuchconvention，thatanauthoristoomuchtheslaveofmaterialconditions，andisobligedtoconsiderthetasteofthecrowd，whilstabookappealstotheloverofliterature，whocanreaditbyhisownfireside，andtothesocietywoman，wholosesherselfinitspages。Assoon，though，asoneoftheirnovelshashadmoresuccessthanitspredecessors，theydonothesitatetocutitupintoslices，accordingtotherequirementsofthepublishinghouse，sothatitmaygobeyondthelittlecircleofloversofliteratureandsocietywomenandreachthecrowd——
thelargestcrowdpossible。
GeorgeSandneverpretendedtohavethisimmensedisdainforthetheatrewhichisprofessedbyultra—refinedwriters。
Shehadalwayslovedthetheatre，andsheboreitnogrudge，althoughherpieceshadbeenhissed。Inthosedaysplaysthatdidnotfindfavourwerehissed。Atpresenttheyarenothissed，eitherbecausetherearenomorepoorplays，orbecausethepublichasseensomanybadonesthatithasbecomephilosophical，anddoesnottakethetroubletoshowitsdispleasure。GeorgeSand’sfirstpiece，_Cosima_，wasanotedfailure。Abouttheyear1850，sheturnedtothetheatreoncemore，hopingtofindanewformofexpressionforherenergyandtalent。_FrancoisleChampi_
wasagreatsuccess。InJanuary，1851，shewroteasfollows，aftertheperformanceof_Claudie：_\"Atearfulsuccessandafinancialone。Thehouseisfulleveryday；notaticketgivenaway，andnotevenaseatforMaurice。Thepieceisplayedadmirably；
Bocageismagnificent。Thepublicweepsandblowsitsnose，asthoughitwereinchurch。Iamtoldthatneverinthememoryofmanhastherebeensuchafirstnight。Iwasnotpresentmyself。\"
Theremaybeaslightexaggerationinthewords\"neverinthememoryofman，\"butthesuccesswasreallygreat。_Claudie_isstillgiven，andIrememberseeingPaulMounetinterpretthepartofRemyadmirablyattheOdeonTheatre。Astothe_MariagedeVictorine_，itfigureseveryyearontheprogrammeoftheConservatoirecompetitions。
Itisthetypicalpieceforwould—be_ingenues。_
_FrancoisleChampi，Claudie_andthe_MariagedeVictorine_maybeconsideredastheseriesrepresentingGeorgeSand’sdramaticwritings。
Thesepieceswereallherown，and，inherownopinion，thatwastheirprincipalmerit。Thedramaticauthorisfrequentlyobligedtoacceptthecollaborationofpersonswhoknownothingofliterature。
\"Yourcharacterssaythis，\"observesthemanager；itisallverywell，but，believeme，itwillbebetterforhimtosayjusttheopposite。
Thepiecewillrunatleastsixtynightslonger。\"TherewasamanagerattheGymnaseTheatreinthosedaysnamedMontigny。
Hewasaveryclevermanager，andknewexactlywhatthecharactersoughttosayformakingthepiecerun。GeorgeSandcomplainedofhismaniaforchangingeveryplay，andsheadded：\"EverypiecethatIdidnotchange，such，forinstance，as_Champi_，_Claudie_，_Victorine，LeDemondufoyer_and_LePressoir_，wasasuccess，whilstalltheotherswereeitherfailuresortheyhadaveryshortrun。\"[48]
[48]_Correspondance：_ToMauriceSand，February24，1855。
ItwasinthesepiecesthatGeorgeSandcarriedoutherownideaofwhatwasrequiredforthetheatre。Herideawasverysimple。
Shegivesitintwoorthreewords：\"Ilikepiecesthatmakemecry。\"
Sheadds：\"Ilikedramabetterthancomedy，and，likeawoman，Imustbeinfatuatedbyoneofthecharacters。\"Thischaracteristhecongenialone。Thepubliciswithhimalwaysandtremblesforhim，andthetremblingisallthemoreagreeable，becausethepublicknowsperfectlywellthatallwillendwellforthischaracter。
Itcanevengoasfarasweepingthetraditionalsixtears，asMadamedeSevignedidforAndromaque。Tearsatthetheatreareallthesweeter，becausetheyareallinvain。When，inaplay，wehaveacongenialcharacterwhoistherefromthebeginningtotheend，theplayisasuccess。Letustake_CyrainodeBergerac_，forinstance，whichisoneofthegreatestsuccessesinthehistoryofthetheatre。
FrancoisleChampiiseminentlyacongenialcharacter，forheisamanwhoalwayssetswrongthingsright。WearesuchbelieversinjusticeandintheinterferenceofProvidence。Whengood，straightforwardpeoplearepersecutedbyfate，wealwaysexpecttoseeamanappearuponthescenewhowillbethechampionofinnocence，whowillputevil—doerstorights，andfindtheproperthingtodoandsayineverycircumstance。
FrancoisappearsatthehouseofMadeleineBlanchet，whoisawidowandverysadandill。HetakesherpartanddefendsherfromtheresultsofLaSevere’sintrigues。Heishardonthelatter，andhedisdainsanotherwoman，Mariette，butbothLaSevereandMariettelovehim，sotrueisitthatwomenhaveaweaknessforconquerors。