244 De Beranyer. 



when recovering from the shock were : "What was the use now of 

 all your holy water?" the good woman having 1 , at the commence- 

 ment of the thunder-storm, profusely sprinkled every part of the house. 



About this time the heart-stirring stanzas of the Marseillaise, and 

 the cannon from the ramparts of Peronne, announcing the deliverance 

 of Toulon from the English, aroused the patriotic sympathies of young 

 Beranger. He had already entered as an apprentice, when about 

 fourteen, at the printing establishment of M. Laisne, where he began 

 to acquire the first rules of grammar and orthography ; but his real 

 instruction, that which most of all contributed to the development 

 of his intelligence and moral sentiments, was the primary school 

 founded by M. Bellanglise, a former member of the Legislative 

 Assembly, who in his enthusiasm for Jean Jacques Rousseau, had 

 fancied an institute for children on the principles of that citizen- 

 philosopher. This seminary united the functions of a Jacobin club 

 and a federal camp. The lads were attired in something like a 

 military uniform; and on all public occasions they made speeches, 

 appointed deputations, voted addresses, and wrote despatches to- 

 citizen Robespierre or citizen Tallien. Young Beranger was the 

 most influential orator, and the regular state secretary in the compo- 

 sition of protocols. These exercises, while they stimulated his taste, 

 formed his style, and enlarged his knowledge of history and geo- 

 graphy, had also the effect of leading his mind to the early consi- 

 deration of national affairs, and, in a manner, of allying his youthful 

 feelings to the interests of his country. But in- this truly republican? 

 education the learned languages were not taught ; and of course De 

 Beranger did not acquire them. 



At the age of seventeen he returned to his father at Paris, with a 

 tolerable ground-work of information, and the excellent moral lessons 

 of his kind-hearted aunt. About a year afterwards, it would seem 

 that the idea of becoming a poet had first glanced through his mind; 

 suggested, no doubt, by his having attended some theatrical per- 

 formances ; and in consequence his first literary dream was to write 

 a play. He sketched out the plan of a comedy, that he named the 

 "Hermaphrodites," in which he proposed to satirize frivolity and 

 effeminacy in men, and the ambition and intrigue of women; but 

 after having read, with profound attention, the inimitable works of 

 Moliere, he relinquished, from respect for that great master, an 

 attempt of such overpowering difficulty. Moliere, as well as La 

 Fontaine, were, however, always his favourite authors : he deeply 

 studied their style, their verse, and their most minute details of ob- 

 servation. It was by such means, that he was enabled to discover, to 

 feel, and to estimate, his own degree of acquirement. 



These unsuccessful essays were, however, not without their use, if, 

 as we may fairly suppose, his songs have thence derived that dra- 

 matic cast which constitutes one of their greatest charms. Amidst 

 such profusion and such excellence, it is difficult to make a selection 

 that shall be within reasonable limits; but the following may be 

 safely quoted, as combining several of the various qualities that dis- 

 tinguish this eminent man's productions, and affording at the same 

 time ample proof of the versatility of his genius: 



