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

1852.] Men and,Women of U~e Eighteenth Century. 71
where are we, Monsieur Abbe' l'`Faith! I have arrived at the
Academy.' A li( tie later.`llere I am an ambassador.' Soon
after,`minister.' Finally,`Alas! there is nothing more to be gained; they have made me cardina]. But how is it with you, Bernard l'`Always Gentil-Bernard, as Voltaire says.'`And as the
women say.'`Ah, you happy poet! Do you want to belong to
the~Academy l'`lleaven defend me fiom it! it is more in your
line, Monsieur Abb6.'"
Rivarol was the lion of the saloons. The story of his
marriage is mingled in with a specimen of his brilliant
style on the scene of his triumphs. We shall extract the
wit and leave out the romance, especially as we soon find
out that th6 two lovers were a pair of adventurers.
"`Come, Monsieur de Rivarol,' said Madame de Coigny,`you,
who mnke up the gazette of our times so well, tell us what is going
on at the theatre and the government, at the Academy and at Versailles.'`At the Academy,' said Rivarol,`Champfort has had his
say, and has spoken ]ike ~ book. It is a pity; I hoped better of
Charnpfort at the Academy; he is nothing more than a sprig of lily,
grafted on a poppy-head.'`Alas, the poor Academy!' said the
Abbe' de Rastignac;`Champtort was only Wanting to its glory;
that Academy which has not given a thought to Rousseau and Diderot.`Rousseau and Diderot!' exclaimed Rivarol excited;`they
would have disturbed the silence of the dead; for even they, in
their writings, have stirring appeals and rhetorical action, after
their fashion; they do not appear to be writing; they are always,
as it were, at the tribune, the very reverse of many who have the
appearance of wrifing when they speak.'`If there was an Academy of good talkers, iNI. de Rivarol would be its President,' said the
Abbe' de Baliviere. Rivarol bowed.`Monsieur the Abb6 de Baliviere is like those people who are always going to sneeze; he is
always going to be witty.' The Abb6, thinking it was a compliment, bowed in his turn.`Monsieur de Rivarol, I expect an epigraph from you to inscribe in my book on morals.'`You mean an
epitaph,' said Rivarol, with refined cruelty. This time the Abbe'
acknowledged himself beaten.`Always~jesting, always a wag,' he
murmured, as he disappeared in the crowd.'`But,' said the fair
stranger, with an English accent,`Monsieur de Rivarol can not fail
to become a member of the Academy, for the wits assemble there.'
`Ah, madame~ said Rivarol,`I know that it is a decided advantage
not to have done anything, but one should not abuse it.'`llow
Monsieur de Rivarol! who, then, is more witty and accomplished'
than yourself l Your conversation is a book always open-'`At
t he same page,' said Rulhie're, who had just arrived.`Good eve