第71章 LAST POEMS--MORE MISSIONS OF CHARITY.(2)

Mr.Dickens,in giving the readings from his works in Great Britain,netted over 35,000sterling,besides what he received for his readings in America.This,of course,led quite reasonably to the enhancing of his fortune.But all that Jasmin received from his readings was given away--some say "thrown away"--to the poor and the needy.It is not necessary to comment on such facts;one can only mention and admire them.

The editor of Le Pays says:"The journeys of Jasmin in the South were like a triumphal march.No prince ever received more brilliant ovations.Flowers were strewn in his way;the bells rang out on his appearance;the houses were illuminated;the Mayors addressed him in words of praise;the magistrates,the clergy followed him in procession.Bestowed upon a man,and a poet,such honours might seem exaggerated;but Jasmin,under the circumstances,represented more than poetry:he represented Charity.Each of his verses transformed him into an alms-giver;and from the harvest of gold which he reaped from the people,he preserved for himself only the flowers.

His epics were for the unfortunate.This was very noble;and the people of Agen should be proud of their poet."[2]

The account which Jasmin records of his expenses during a journey of fifty days,in which he collected more than 20,000francs,is very remarkable.It is given in the fourth volume of 'Les Papillotes,'published in 1863,the year before his death,and is entitled,"Note of my expenses of the journey,which Ihave deducted from the receipts during my circuit of fifty days."On certain occasions nothing whatever was charged,but a carriage was probably placed at his disposal,or the ticket for a railway or a diligence may have been paid for by his friends.

On many occasions he walked the distance between the several places,and thus saved the cost of his conveyance.But every item of expense was set forth in his "Note"with the most scrupulous exactness.

Here is the translation of Jasmin's record for his journeys during these fifty days:--".At Foix,from M.de Groussou,President of the Communion of Bienfaisance,33fr.50c.

At Pamiers,nil.At Saint-Girons,from the President of the Society of St.Vincent de Paul,16fr.At Lavaur,from M.the Mayor,22fr.At Saint-Sulpice,nil.At Toulouse,where I gave five special seances,of which the two first,to Saint-Vincent de Paul and the Prefecture,produced more than 1600fr.nil.My muse was sufficiently accounted for;it was during my reception as Maitre-es-jeux.At Rodez,from the President of the Conference of Saint-Vincent de Paul,29fr.50c.At Saint-Geniez,nil.At Saint-Flour,from M.Simon,vicar-general,22fr.50c.At Murat,nil.At Mauriac,nil.At Aurillac,from M.Geneste,mayor,for my return to Agen,24fr.Total,147fr.50centimes."

Thus,more than 20,000francs were collected for the poor,Jasmin having deducted 147fr.50c.for the cost of his journeys from place to place.It must also be remembered that he travelled mostly in winter,when the ground was covered with snow.In February,1854,M.Migneret,Prefect of Haute-garonne,addressed a letter to Jasmin,which is worthy of preservation.

"It is pleasant,"he said,'after having enjoyed at night the charms of your poetry,to begin the next day by taking account of the misfortunes they relieve.I owe you this double honour,and I thank you with the greatest gratitude.As to our admiration of your talent,it yields to our esteem for your noble heart;the poet cannot be jealous of the good citizen."[3]

Notwithstanding the rigour of the season,and the snow and wind,the like of which had not been known for more than twenty years,Jasmin was welcomed by an immense audience at Rodez.The recitation was given in the large hall of the Palais de Justice,and never had so large a collection been made.The young people of the town wished to give Jasmin a banquet,but he declined,as he had to hurry on to another place for a similar purpose.

He left them,however,one of his poems prepared for the occasion.