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Leader (1850-1860), 30th August 1856, Edition 1 of 2, Page 833, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      The battle fought in the French courts of law over the literary remains of Lamennais , has ended in a great victory for the cause of justice and of free inquiry . Instead of his Memoirs , which he had often been solicited to write , it was the intention of Lameknais to bequeath to the world a complete collection of his letters , as the best possible exponent of his life and character . He made some progress towards the fulfilment of this design during the two or three years preceding his death , and committed its final execution to Emile Fokgues , whom he appointed his literary executor by his will , dated December , 1853 . The main provisions made in that document were but two : Madame Kertangui , the testator ' s niece , was constituted

      bis " universal legatee ; " but to M . Emile Forgues were left the copyrights of one published work , and of articles inserted in various journals , together with certain papers , being the materials which Lamennais had collected and arranged for the projected book of his Correspondence . M . Forgues was expressly empowered to choose out of these materials what he should think fit , and to publish them when he pleased , the testator adding , " My intentions concerning them are sufficiently known to him through the verbal instructions I have given him . " The personal confidence thus implied was emphatically exhibited in another clause of the will . M . Forgues was to share equally with Madame Kebtangui or her daughter whatever sums he might realize by their uncle ' s literary bequest , but he was not to be called on for any detailed accounts or vouchers , it being the testator ' s " express desire that his simple declaration should stand in lieu of all accounts for the settlement of the profits to be divided . " So much for the implicit trust reposed by Lamennais in the integrity and discretion of his literary executor ; and now let us hear him relate to a correspondent his intentions , his wishes ,

      and his fears regarding his unfinished work : — I have often been pressed to write my Memoirs . Notwithstanding the sliglitness of the subject , taking myself only into account , they might not have been destitute indeed of a certain interest , considering that I have seen and known many things during the long period comprised within my reminiscences , —that I have been connected since the close of the Empire with most of the men who have made themselves a name , and have been myself more or less mingled with the political , philosophical , and religious movement . Perhaps , too , those whose taste prompts them to the observation of the incessant work of thought going on in the social world which it progressively transforms , would have been glad to follow in its phases of development a sincere mind , which seeking the truth always and seeking nothing but the truth , goes on modifying itself in proportion as reflection , the facts presented to its view , and the study of nature , of humanity , and of its laws , lay open to it more extensive horizons .

      Two principal motives have hindered me from complying with the requests that have been made to me . I should have been obliged for years to be occupied about myself ; to think and talk of myself incessantly . Now if there is anything to which I have an invincible repugnance , it is this . Moreover , constrained to speak the truth of others , that truth would not have been constantly favourable to all . Some there are whom , do what I might , it would have shown under aspects under which no one is very fond of being beheld , and that too was repugnant to me . Without blaming those who bequeath to the living a rigorously true history of the dead , connected with that of society , I did not feel disposed to follow them in that course . When it comes to inflicting injury , for me the dead are always living ; they seem to me even to have a right to more respect , to more tender treatment , for when attacked they cannot defend themselves .

      I have , therefore , given up the thought of writing Memoirs ; but as in consequence of the part I have taken in the affairs of my time my name will perhaps survive , and as my conduct or my writings , in which are marked the progress of my mind , its variations even , if some prefer that word , may give occasion for very various appreciations , it has been my wish that at least my real thoughts at the different periods of my life should bo well known , and in an incontestable manner , so as to prevent erroneous suppositions and conjectures . To this end , with tho obliging help of my friends , I took care to collect my most familiar correspondences , in order that after my death they might serve the purpose I have just explained .

      But one of these correspondences , which consists of more than four hundred letters , lias been refused to inc . I asked to be allowed to copy it . Madame Ycrncniz , the person to whom it was addressed , replied that she could not bring herself to let mo have it , though it were only for reperusal . I leave you to pronounce judgment on this conduct , which subsequently , in letters to others and doubtless also by word of mouth , she has sought to justify by allegations as futile as they are false , confounding and jumbling together in the strangest way what concerns tho letters I asked for , and what I had confided to her as to my personal aftaira . I am fain to believe that tho need she felt of an excuse fascinated her good faith and even her intellect , for otherwise she would have tried to invent pretexts which should present at least some probability .

      I should keep silence as to a fact of thin nature if I did not entertain fears , too well founded , with regard to its possible consequences . Madame Yemeniz lias violent political passions ; she is , moreover , entirely , blindly , devoted to tho Jesuits . Now from tho experience I have had of them , and of all tliut depends on them , I cannot doubt—only lot them have an interest ronl or imaginary in tho matter—but thut this correspondence , which I am not even to bo allowed to read , would bo without any hesitation , truncated , mutilated , and altered so as to pervert it according to their views , as to those portions of it which may be published by its future possessors ; and this very thought was one of my motives for desiring to have in my hands , ami to leave after mo , a euro means of cheek and verification .

      Deprived of tliis moans , to which I had a sncreil right , and tho refusal of it authorising tho most ueriouB apprehenuions , I expressly disavow everything that may one day l > o attributed to mo as extracted from those letters , every passage oven which though literally oxuur , yet separated from what explains it in tho ensemble of a long corrospondonco , would , by persons who arc stopped by no scruples , bo easily diverted to a eenso extremely remote from the real aonso : declaring at tho uame time that

      though I have felt bound to take this too necessary precaution , I retain no resentmen against a person weak in understanding , blinded by political and religious fanaticism accustomed to see everything yield to her capricious impulses , and whom , in spite o the regret with which the confidence I placed in her may inspire me , it would deligh me to esteem still . F- » B Lamennais . Paris , 12 th June , 1851 . After reading his letter we are in no danger of mistaking the animus o the suit which was instituted ) against M . Fobgues , nominally by Madam ' Kebtangui , but in reality by her brother , acting as the tool of the Jesuits M . Forgues had intimated his intention of procuring for publication othei letters of Lamennais' besides those which their author himself had

      collected . This was strictly in accordance with the verbal instructions given by the latter . The instigators of the suit , however , professing to be actuated by a pious regard for the written commands of the deceased , sought to restrain his literary executor from fulfilling the spirit of his will . They stood upon the letter of that document , which entitled their opponent to all the testator ' s papers not of a business nature , and stated that the same were to be found partly in a chest and partly in the drawers of a certain bookcase [ et que Von tr ' ouvera en partie retifermes dans nne caisse , en jaartie deposes dans les armoires de la bibliotkeque non vitree de mon cabinet ] . This , they said , clearly indicated that M . Forgues' right of publication was restricted to the papers contained in those two places , and they prayed that he should be forbidden to exceed the limits of his power 3 as thus interpreted by themselves . The court took a different view of the case , and rejected their demand with costs . This trial has excited an extraordinary sensation in France . It would

      have done so at any time , but now more than ever at a moment when the spirit of political opposition , unable to find a vent in public affairs , casts itseli with avidity upon the only arena left open for it—that of philosophical and religious speculation . Never does it let pass an opportunity there afforded it for asserting those principles which will find their natural development in political emancipation . Under these circumstances , it is easy to conceive the importance attached to the following record of Lamennais' last moments , which was produced in the course of the trial : — On Sunday , the 26 th of February , 1854 , Joseph Montanelli and Armand Levy , who had spent the night in M . de Lamennais' apartments , and Henri Martin , who had arrived early in the morning , were all three in the chamber near the salon , when , about half-past one in the afternoon , Auguste Barbet came out of the patient ' s bedroom , and called them into it , making them pass before him . which had been ade his illness to induce him

      Reflecting on the attempts m during to retract , and fearing lest means should be taken to influence bis universal legatee , bv evoking scruples of conscience , so as to hinder the execution of his desire , M . de Lamennais wished to add some lines under his hand to his will . Not being able to do so , he dictated them . Henri Martin read them over to him . He said , " The beginning will do , " suggested a correction in point of style for the middle , and finally approved of the whole . Henri Martin recopied them , read them to him again , and he remained of the same mind . Being asked by Auguste Barbet and Henri Martin if he would have a public officer sent for to give an authentic form to this testamentaryinstruction , M . de Lamennais said it was needless , that for his niece a mere moral obligation was enough . He took the pen , raised himself up , begged Henri Martin to hold the carton , and signed . On entering the room Auguste Barbet had taken his place , standing , at the foot of the bed , Henri Martin sat at the head , Armand Le ' vy beside Henri Martin , near the open door of the salon , and behind Armand Le ' vy Joseph Montanelli , in such a manner as not to screen the light of the single window that illuminated the chamber and alcove .

      Wo all four returned to the chamber at the further end , in order that the patient might get a little rest . At three o ' clock Dr . Jallat told us that M . de Lamennais appeared to him to be extremely ill . Auguste Barbet immediately sent M . de Caux to the Abbaye-aux-Bois , for M . do Lamennaia' niece . We entered the patient ' s chamber : hia breathing was laboured . We had been for some moments kneeling near his bed , when suddenly bending on us a long and steadfast gaze , and pressing the hands of the two nearest to him , he said , " These are the good moments . " One of us said to him , " We will always be united with you . " He replied , making a sign with his head , " That ' s right , we shall meet ag . " David ( d'Angers ) arrived , and remained some minutes . Then came Carnot , who bad passed all the preceding night in M . de Lamennais' apartments , and almost at the samo time the patient ' s niece . wilt thou have ? Thou wilt have wilt

      Her first word was , " Fely , a priest a priest , thou not ? " De Lamennais answered , " No . " His niece rejoined , "Do , I beseech thee ! " But he said , in a stronger voice , " No , no , no . Let me be left in peace ! " A little time afterwards his niece having approached his bed and said , " Don ' t you want anything ? " he said , in a tone of displeasure , "I want nothing at all ; let me be left in peace . " Upon his saying , " Madame I" his niece thought he called her . He said , "No . " Sho asked was it the nurse he wanted ; he said , " Yes . " Henri Martin and Carnot went back into the study . When Madame de Grandvillo came she went to the bedside , and said , " I am Antoinette , do you know me ? " Ho said , " Perfectly , I am very glad to see you—but I have business with lny friends . " Ilia niece and her friend having promised to make no more uttempts , they remained at the foot on the couch praying . M . do Lnmennais felt thut he was dving : ho said to one of us , " It will be this night or the next . " to linn

      At a quarter to live , Armand Le ' being near the bed , De Lamonnais said , " Some one must go to M . Emile Forgues , No . 2 , Rue de Tournon , and tell him to coma ami see me to-morrow morning , or rather this evening . " Armand Levy repeated this to Augusto Barbet , and Carnot went to the Rue do Tournon with Henri Martin , and returned with Kmilo Forgues nt half-past five . Auguste Uurbet having notified to the patient tho arrival of M . Forguos , tho latter entered and bent down beside tho flick man . M . do Lamennais spoke to him of tho publication of hia works with which ho commissioned him by his will and codicil , and said , among' other things , "Bo linn ! They will try to circumvent you ; publish everything without change or retrenchment ! " Forgues nuid , " Your wishes shull bo executed completely , without bo much as a point or u comma being changed ; this 1 sweur to } 'ou . " Then returning to u » and going buck into M . do Lamenuais' study , Forgues repeated : " M . do Laineunuis said to me , 'I 5 c linn ! they will try to circumvent you ! ' I have sworn it , I will publish everything I ilnd 1 "

      __ _ __ _ In tho evening Armand Levy went up to M . do Lamonriaiu' nieco and Madame do Grandville , who were in tho salon . They eaid to him : " It is very sud to seoono die , and die like that . " " For , after ull , " observed tho niece , "it was he that made uic a

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      Untitled Article

      Critics are not the legislators , but the judges and police of literature . They do not make laws-they interpret and try to enforce them . —Edinburgh Review . »

      Untitled Article

      August 30 , 1856 . ] THE LEADER , 833

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 30, 1856, page 833, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2156/page/17/