Tacitus has said that renown is not always deserved,it chooses its due time--Non semper errat fama,aliquando eligit ("Fame is not always mistaken;she sometimes chooses the right").
We have proof of it to-day.The enthusiastic approbation of the great provinces of France for a popular poet cannot be a surprise.They single out the last,and I may add,the greatest poet of the Troubadours!
M.Villemain proceeded to comment upon the poetical works of Jasmin--especially his Blind Girl of Castel-Cuille;his Franconnette,and the noble works he had done for the poor and the suffering;his self-sacrificing labours for the building of schools,orphanages,and churches."Everywhere,"he said,"his elevated and generous soul has laboured for the benefit of the world about him;and now he would,by the aid of the Academy,embellish his coronet with a privileged donation to the poet and philanthropist."He concluded by saying that the especial prize for literary morality and virtuous actions would be awarded to him,and that a gold medal would be struck in his honour with the inscription:"Au Jasmin,Poete moral et populaire!"M.Ancelo communicated to Jasmin the decision of the Academy.
"I have great pleasure,"he said,"in transmitting to you the genuine sympathy,the sincere admiration,and the unanimous esteem,which your name and your works have evoked at this meeting of the Academy.The legitimate applause which you everywhere receive in your beautiful country finds its echo on this side of the Loire;and if the spontaneous adoption of you by the French Academy adds nothing to your glory,it will at least serve to enhance our own."The prize unanimously awarded to Jasmin on the 19th of August,1852,was 3000francs,which was made up to 5000by the number of copies of the "Papillotos"purchased by the Academy for distribution amongst the members.Jasmin devoted part of the money to repairing his little house on the Gravier:and the rest was ready for his future charitable missions.
On receiving the intimation of the prizes awarded to him,he made another journey to Paris to pay his respects to his devoted friends of the Academy.He was received with welcome by the most eminent persons in the metropolis.He was feted as usual.
At the salon of the Marquis de Barthelemy he met the Duc de Levis,the Duc des Cars,MM.Berryer,de Salvandy,de Vatismenil,Hyde de Neuville,and other distinguished noblemen and gentlemen.
Monsigneur Sibour,Archbishop of Paris,was desirous of seeing and hearing this remarkable poet of the South.The Archbishop invited him to his palace for the purpose of hearing a recitation of his poems;and there he met the Pope's Nuncio,several bishops,and the principal members of the Parisian clergy.After the recitation,the Archbishop presented Jasmin with a golden branch with this device:"To Jasmin!the greatest of the Troubadours,past,present,or to come."The chief authors of Paris,the journalists,and the artists,had a special meeting in honour of Jasmin.A banquet was organised by the journalists of the Deux Mondes,at the instance of Meissonier,Lireux,Lalandelle,C.Reynaud,L.Pichat,and others.M.Jules Janin presided,and complimented Jasmin in the name of the Parisian press.The people of Agen,resident in Paris,also gave him a banquet,at which Jasmin recited a poem composed for the occasion.
One of his evenings was spent at the house of Madame la Marquise de Barthelemy.An interesting account of the soiree is given by a correspondent of Chambers's Edinburgh Journal,who was present on the occasion.[2]The salons of Madame la Marquise were filled to overflowing.Many of the old nobility of France were present.
"It was a St.Germain's night,"as she herself expressed it.
High-sounding names were there--much intellect and beauty;all were assembled to do honour to the coiffeur from the banks of the Garonne.France honours intellect,no matter to what class of society it belongs:it is an affectionate kind of social democracy.Indeed,among many virtues in French society,none is so delightful,none so cheering,none so mutually improving,and none more Christian,than the kindly intercourse,almost the equality,of all ranks of society,and the comparatively small importance attached to wealth or condition,wherever there is intellect and power.
At half-past nine.Jasmin made his appearance--a short,stout,dark-haired man,with large bright eyes,and a mobile animated face,his button-hole decorated with the red ribbon of the Legion of Honour.He made his way through the richly attired ladies sparkling with jewels,to a small table at the upper end of the salon,whereon were books,his own "Curl-papers,"two candles,a carafe of fresh water,and a vase of flowers.
The ladies arranged themselves in a series of brilliant semicircles before him.The men blocked up the doorway,peering over each other's shoulders.Jasmin waved his hand like the leader of an orchestra,and a general silence sealed all the fresh noisy lips.One haughty little brunette,not long emancipated from her convent,giggled audibly;but Jasmin's eye transfixed her,and the poor child sat thereafter rebuked and dumb.The hero of the evening again waved his hands,tossed back his hair,struck an attitude,and began his poem.The first he recited was "The Priest without a Church"(Le Preste sans gleyzo).He pleaded for the church as if it were about to be built.He clasped his hands,looked up to heaven,and tears were in his eyes.Some sought for the silver and gold in their purses;but no collection was made,as the church had already been built,and was free of debt.