Men and Women of the Eighteenth Century [pp. 63-77]

70 ~Ien and Women of tlie Eigbfrenth Century. [July,
well as another; but your pleasantry, if it is such, passes the limits.'
`Monsieur, it is so far from a pleasantry, that iny flask is empty.'
`Monsieur,' replied Voltaire,`I have recently come out of a sickness which has left me with a continual desire to eat, and I eat.'
`Eat, Monsieur, eat,' said Piron;`it is perfectly right; for my part,
I have come out of Burgundy with a continual desire to drink, and
I drink.'"
Another repartee of Piron's is too good to be lost, as it
maintains the Superiority of genius to the assumptions of
vulgar rank, the honour and the independence which
could at that period utter the sentiment.
"At that time, Piron went occasionally into society, dining here
and there at a great mansion. lle knew very well that it was his
wit which was invited; as he said,`They hire me on wages.' lle
went everywhere without bending the knee. One day, at the house
of some n~arquis, whom I have forgotten, a nobleman made way for
him, to enter the dining~room before him. The marquis, observing
this ceremony, addressed the nobleman:`Oh, Monsieur, the Count,
don't be so ceremonious; he is only a poet.' Piron repelled the
insult like a man of spint. lle raised his head proudly, and went
in first, saying,`Since our titles are known I take my
The sketch of the Abbe Prevost must not be passed
Over; it contains but two colours answering to the two
Impulses, that alone seemed to have power over him, and
exercised him in turn-love and religion. M. lloussaye
considers that the famous romance of Manon Lescaut
must be taken as a personal reminiscence of its author.
Madame de Pompadour herself was a patron of verse,
and especially patronized two poets. They were not immaculate in their own character, nor was the muse much
loftier than their patroness. A single scene will be sufficient to mark their fortunes and their genius.
"~Vhen Bernis and Bernard met, as the cardinal expresses it,
`at the door of that rebellious heart which was to rule the world,'
they had both already Strongly.marked characters. Bernis was devoured with pride and ambition; Bernard, though he never became
a cai~dinal, was, for all that, the wiser of the two; he knew that
glory did not give her favours gratis; lie contented himself with
amo'irs, with little songs, and little suppers, all in private. They
had both followed their own course, without digressions and without
obstacles, the one with joyous carelessness, the other with blind
ardour, both meeting now and then, on account of a rhyme or a
Woman, with Euterp% or with Madame de Pompadour. ~N\Te1l,