212 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



In seeking for a solution of this matter I found: in the last number 

 of the Gazette a valedictory article, no doubt by Jautard, entitled 

 Tant pis, tant mieux — rather cleverly written — in -which he rings the 

 changes on this phrase. He begins with, "■' The newspaper is about 

 to be suspended — tant pis, which may be translated, " so much the 

 worse." " On the other hand many claim that being generally lauded 

 it will be continued — tant mieux — so much the better." This goes 

 on through twelve short paragraphs, in which he brings in the different 

 noms de plume, which subscribe tio the different articles in the Gazette, 

 in each finishing the first part with tant pis and the last with tant 

 mieux. His concluding paragraph may be here translated : " Thus, 

 when all is well considered, there will be found the worse and the 

 better ; so much the worse for some, so much the better for others." 



This article, according to my conclusion, is the origin of the Tant 

 pis, tant mieux of Laterrière who, having spent nearly a year in prison 

 had no knowledge of La Gazette Littéraire, and who, therefore, when 

 he heard Jautard speaking of his article. Tant pis, tant mieux, jumped 

 ito the conclusion that this was the title of the paper, especially as the 

 phrase fitted in with what he had learned of its character. Jautard, 

 if at the time he saw Laterrière's mistake, did not take the trouble 

 to correct it and so it was given out, taken up and passed on by some 

 of our best writers. Tant pis, tant mieux then is not the title of a 

 paper, but only that of an article. 



Laterrière gives Jautard a most unenviable character, representing 

 him as satirical, as sophistical, as a lawyer so brazen faced that nothing 

 could astound him, as a drunkard, as false, as a liar like the devil 

 and as a great gourmand. He hated all things English, was Jesuit- 

 ical, full of prejudices, and above all things, most undesirable as a 

 friend. He appeared to be well educated, but without culture. His 

 influence over Mesplet, which seemed almost supreme, was very bad, 

 for the latter hardly ever spoke without taking the cue from his editor. 

 Mesplet's education was much inferior, as he was simply a working 

 printer; nevertheless, he appeared not to be devoid of ability and of 

 a general knowledge of things. He is described as a cheat, almost 

 as big a liar as Jautard, and of such an evil genius, which, had it 

 not been ameliorated by his wife, who was a superior woman, would 

 have led him to do many things unworthy of an honest man.^ 



Such is the portrait of Mesplet and his editor drawn by Laterrière, 

 who seems to have conceived an antipathy towards them, as well as 

 they towards him; while he was at the same time attracted by a fourth 



^ See appendix No. SO. 



