第59章 [1731-1732](7)

It was necessary I should arrive at some place, and the nearest was best; for having lost my way on the road, I found myself in the evening at Moudon, where I spent all that remained of my little stock except ten creuzers, which served to purchase my next day's dinner.Arriving in the evening at Lausanne, I went into an ale-house, without a penny in my pocket to pay for my lodging, or knowing what would become of me.I found myself extremely hungry- setting, therefore, a good face on the matter, I ordered supper, made my meal, went to bed without thought and slept with great composure.In the morning, having breakfasted and reckoned with my host, I offered to leave my waistcoat in pledge for seven batz, which was the amount of my expenses.The honest man refused this, saying, thank Heaven, he had never stripped any one, and would not now begin for seven batz;adding I should keep my waistcoat and pay him when I could.I was affected with this unexpected kindness, but felt it less than Iought to have done, or have since experienced on the remembrance of it.I did not fail sending him his money, with thanks, by one Icould depend on.Fifteen years after, passing Lausanne, on my return from Italy, I felt a sensible regret at having forgotten the name of the landlord and house.I wished to see him, and should have felt real pleasure in recalling to his memory that worthy action.Services, which doubtless have been much more important, but rendered with ostentation, have not appeared to me so worthy of gratitude as the simple unaffected humanity of this honest man.

As I approached Lausanne, I thought of my distress, and the means of extricating myself, without appearing in want to my step-mother.Icompared myself, in this walking pilgrimage, to my friend Venture, on his arrival at Annecy, and was so warmed with the ideal that without recollecting that I had neither his gentility nor his talents, I determined to act the part of little Venture at Lausanne, to teach music, which I did not understand, and say I came from Paris, where I had never been.

In consequence of this noble project (as there was no company where I could introduce myself without expense, and not choosing to venture among professional people), I inquired for some little inn, where I could lodge cheap, and was directed to one named Perrotet, who took in boarders.This Perrotet, who was one of the best men in the world, received me very kindly, and after having heard my feigned story and profession, promised to speak of me, and endeavored to procure me scholars, saying he could not expect any money till I had earned it.His price for board, though moderate in itself, was a great deal to me; he advised me, therefore, to begin with half board, which consisted of good soup only for dinner, but a plentiful supper at night.I closed with this proposition, and the poor Perrotet trusted me with great cheerfulness, sparing, meantime, no trouble to be useful to me.

Having found so many good people in my youth, why do I find so few in my age? Is their race extinct? No; but I do not seek them in the same situation I did formerly, among the commonalty, where violent passions predominate only at intervals, and where nature speaks her genuine sentiments.In more elevated stations they are entirely smothered, and under the mask of sentiment, only interest or vanity is heard.

Having written to my father from Lausanne, he sent my packet and some excellent advice, of which I should have profited better.Ihave already observed that I have moments of inconceivable delirium, in which I am entirely out of myself.The adventure I am about to relate is an instance of this: to comprehend how completely my brain was turned, and to what degree I had Venturised (if I may be allowed the expression), the many extravagancies I ran into at the same time should be considered.Behold me, then, a singing master, without knowing how to note a common song; for if the five or six months passed with Le Maitre had improved me, they could not be supposed sufficient to qualify me for such an undertaking; besides, being taught by a master was enough (as I have before observed) to make me learn ill.Being a Parisian from Geneva, and a Catholic in a Protestant country, I thought I should change my name with my an y religion and country.He called himself Venture de Villeneuve.Ichanged, by anagram, the name Rousseau into that of Vaussore, calling myself Monsieur Vaussore de Villeneuve.Venture was a good composer, though he had not said so; without knowing anything of the art, I boasted of my skill to every one.This was not all: being presented to Monsieur de Freytorens, professor of law, who loved music, and who gave concerts at his house, nothing would do but I must give him a proof of my talents, and accordingly I set about composing a piece for his concerts, as boldly as if I had really understood the science.I tacked a pretty minuet to the end of it, that was played about the streets, and which many may remember from these words, so well known at that time:

Quelle caprice!

Quelle injustice!

Quoi! ta Clarice Trahiriait tes feux! etc.