Even in the prim and formal society of the eighteenth century,the barber occupied no unimportant part.He and the sculptor,of all working men,were allowed to wear the sword--that distinctive badge of gentility.In short,the barber was regarded as an artist.Besides,barbers were in ancient times surgeons;they were the only persons who could scientifically "let blood."The Barber-Surgeons of London still represent the class.They possess a cup presented to the Guild by Charles II.in commemoration of his escape while taking refuge in the oak-tree at Boscobel.[3]
But to return to the adventures of Jasmin's early life.
He describes with great zest his first visit to a theatre.
It was situated near at hand,by the ancient palace of the Bishop.After his day's work was over--his shaving,curling,and hairdressing--he went across the square,and pressed in with the rest of the crowd.He took his seat.
"'Heavens!'said he,'where am I?'The curtain rises!'Oh,this is lovely!It is a new world;how beautifully they sing;and how sweetly and tenderly they speak!'I had eyes for nothing else:
I was quite beside myself with joy.'It is Cinderella,'I cried aloud in my excitement.'Be quiet,'said my neighbour.'Oh,sir!why quiet?Where are we?What is this?''You gaping idiot,'he replied,'this is the Comedy!'
"Jasmin now remained quiet;but he saw and heard with all his eyes and ears.'What love!what poetry!'he thought:'it is more than a dream!It's magic.O Cinderella,Cinderella!thou art my guardian angel!'
And from this time,from day to day,I thought of being an actor!"Jasmin entered his garret late at night;and he slept so soundly,that next morning his master went up to rouse him.
"Where were you last night?Answer,knave;you were not back till midnight?""I was at the Comedy,"answered Jasmin sleepily;"it was so beautiful!""You have been there then,and lost your head.During the day you make such an uproar,singing and declaiming.You,who have worn the cassock,should blush.
But I give you up;you will come to no good.Change,indeed!
You will give up the comb and razor,and become an actor!
Unfortunate boy,you must be blind.Do you want to die in the hospital?""This terrible word,"says Jasmin,"fell like lead upon my heart,and threw me into consternation.Cinderella was forthwith dethroned in my foolish mind;and my master's threat completely calmed me.I went on faithfully with my work.I curled,and plaited hair in my little room.As the saying goes,S'il ne pleut,il bruine (If it does not rain,it drizzles).When Isuffered least,time passed all the quicker.It was then that,dreaming and happy,I found two lives within me--one in my daily work,another in my garret.I was like a bird;I warbled and sang.What happiness I enjoyed in my little bed under the tiles!I listened to the warbling of birds.Lo!the angel came,and in her sweetest voice sang to me.Then I tried to make verses in the language of the shepherd swain.Bright thoughts came to me;great secrets were discovered.What hours!
What lessons!What pleasures I found under the tiles!"During the winter evenings,when night comes on quickly,Jasmin's small savings went to the oil merchant.He trimmed his little lamp,and went on till late,reading and rhyming.
His poetical efforts,first written in French,were to a certain extent successful.While shaving his customers,he often recited to them his verses.They were amazed at the boy's cleverness,and expressed their delight.He had already a remarkable talent for recitation;and in course of time he became eloquent.It was some time,however,before his powers became generally known.