FORMATION OF A METHOD (1828-1852) 25 



is a Spinoza multiplied by Artistotle. This is quite different from 

 the ridiculous metaphysics on which we have been fed.'^'^ In 

 the end, though he borrowed from Hegel on many points of 

 detail, we must agree with the well-considered judgment of 

 Rosea, himself an Hegelian, that 'Taine brings Hegel back to 

 Spinoza. '68 



At what point did Taine first begin to use Hegel? Student 

 papers already cited include frequent references to him, yet 

 Chevrillon quotes a note, dated 2 August, 1850, to the effect that 

 T have not yet read Hegel.' ^^ What Taine undoubtedly meant 

 was that he had not yet read him through, systematically and 

 critically. Such a reading was to be one of his chief preoccupations, 

 while he was a teacher in the provinces, during the first year 

 after his graduation from the Normal School. 



This reading of Hegel took place at a critical turning-point 

 in Taine's career. Despite his brilliant record, his application for 

 Tagregation''7 had been rejected by some reactionary members 

 of the committee because of his allegiance to the 'heretical' views 

 of Spinoza^i; from the point of view of an ultra-Catholic old aunt, 

 this had been a 'profession of atheism'. ^2 Shipped out to teach 

 at the provincial college of Nevers, he had accepted this fate with 

 his usual stoicism and a great show of cheerfulness, especially to 

 his mother; nevertheless, intellectually he was like a fish out of 

 water: 'Am I beginning to conceal my opinions, to treat people 

 with caution? Prudent as a serpent, strong as a lion!'''^ 



This was also the year when the abortive Second Republic 

 of 1848, which had been slowly dying under the rule of Louis- 

 Napoleon, was dealt the final blow by the Coup d'etat, confirmed 

 by plebiscite on 20 December, 1851.74 In the educational world, 

 the first result was a split between the sciences and the humanities; 

 the 'agregation' for philosophy was suppressed that year by H. 

 Fortoul, the Minister of Pubhc Instruction, ^5 and Taine began, 

 therefore, without much enthusiasm, to prepare for the fellowship 

 in letters. When the Rector at Nevers insisted that all members of 

 the Faculty sign a statement recognizing the Coup, Taine was the 

 only one who refused to sign. "76 On 5 February, 1852, he wrote 

 to Prevost-Paradol expressing his pessimism concerning the 

 political future of France: 



'I prefer to speak to you about business. Let us have a proper 

 understanding of our future. You ought to see now that the man 



