C 241 ) 



DE BERANGER* 



THE name of no living author has been, perhaps, more extensively 

 known, than that of this celebrated chansonnier. His popularity, 

 strictly speaking, is all but universal in France ; and though literary 

 reputation cannot justly be considered as permanently fixed, 'till 

 Time has set his seal thereon, it may without much hazard be pre- 

 dicted, that the works of De Beranger have assured for themselves a 

 very distinguished place in their peculiar department. 



It is not our object to institute a comparison (a proceeding almost 

 always invidious) between this lyric poel and others who have trodden 

 a similar path ; neither is it our wish to deny or palliate his demerits, 

 whatever they may be. Doubtless, they have, according to the 

 regular and laudable practice, been duly magnified ; certainly, they 

 have not escaped severe judicial visitation. The punishment of fine 

 and imprisonment, (however ineffective such kind of correction has 

 always proved in similar cases, either to amend the delinquent or to 

 deter others,) has been [abundantly administered. The usual conse- 

 quences have followed : the infliction is submitted to with the proud 

 feelings of a martyr, and the victim's influence thereby incalculably 

 increased in every direction. 



In calling the attention of our readers to the chansons of De Be- 

 ranger, we shall decline entering upon a detailed or critical exami- 

 nation of them. We purpose merely, in the course of a brief outline 

 of events in the life of the author, to make some extracts from his 

 songs, by which an opinion may be formed of their claims to that 

 high degree of admiration for pathos, wit and patriotism, which his 

 countrymen have so enthusiastically bestowed. We shall here only 

 remark, that the versification is learned, graceful and flowing, and 

 the general character essentially and pre-eminently French. 



Peter John De Beranger was of humble origin, and born in Paris, 

 August 19th, 1780, at the house of his grandfather, a tailor, in the 

 Rue Mont-Orgeuil. He has recorded, with much feeling, in one of 

 his best known effusions, " Le Tailleur et la Fee," some circum- 

 stances of his early life, and a summary estimate of the tendency of 

 his writings. 



LA TAILLEUR ET LA FE'E. 



1822. 



Dans ce Paris plein d'or et de misere, 

 En 1'an du Christ mil sept cent quatre-vingt, 

 Chez un tailleur, mon pauvre et vieux grand pere, 

 Moi nouveau-ne, sachez ce qui m'advint. 

 Rien ne predit la gloire d'un Orphee 

 A mon berceau, qui n'etait pas de fleurs : 

 Mais mon grand-pere, accourant a mes pleurs, 

 Me trouve un jour dans les bras d'une fee ; 

 Et cette fee, avec de gais refrains, 

 Calmait le cri de mes premiers chagrins. 

 MARCH, 1837. R 



