AMIEL'S

JOUEN^AL

mS

"

JOUENAL

AMIEL'S
JOURNAL

THE

INTIME
OF

HENRI-FRfiDfiRIC

AMIEL

THANSLATED

WITH

AN

INTRODUCTION

AND

NOTES

BY

MRS.
Author

of

HUMPHRY
"

The

WARD

Histoiy

WITH

of

PORTRAIT

VOL.

NEW

MACMILLAN

IL

YORK

COMPANY

AND
AND

Grieve,"

David

LONDON

1895

All

rights

reserved

etc.

1893,

COPTBIGHT,

MACMILLAN

Bt

First

Edition

Edition

Vol.

(i

1891,

Crown

1894

S.

Gushing
Boston,

"

Reprinted

1893;

1895.

\Brtia
Co.

and

April,

and

August,

1885.

March

1890;

Nortoooti
J.

8vo)
1888.

January

1892;

August,

Globe

8vo)

October,

and

January

Vols.

(2

CO.

AKD

Berwick
"

Mass.,

U.S.A.

"

Smith.

Second

1889;
ber,
Septem-

ary,
Janu-

21 SI

AMIEL'S

JOURNAL.
VOL.

[Where

other

no

be understood

llth

in

raising clouds
roads, and

myself safely
just like
a

week

hours

orchards.

later

I think
The

the

among

of

sounds

The

open
voices
of

green

found
tains,
moun-

ing
stayof the

wafted
to
village are
my
barkings of distant dogs,
at the fountain, the
songs
lower

wind, which
urban
along the sub-

last year.

here.

"

of

of dust

installed

Saleve).

sur

storm

two

is to

place of residence.]

{Mornex

great

Geneva

mentioned,

author's

the

Apj'il1868

I left town
was

is

name

as

II.

window,
of

women

birds

in

the

carpet

of

the

thrown
plain is dappled by passing shadows
it by the clouds ; the landscape has
upon
the

charm

of

delicate

tint

and

sort

of

full of
Already I am
a
of wellbeing, I am
sense
tasting the joys of
that contemplative state in which
the soul,
it were
the
becomes
as
issuing from itself,

languid

grace.

210347

amiel's

soul

of

journal.

country

or

landscape, and

livingwithin

it

is

resistance,

no

more

of

of

which

The

heart

This

things.

res,

non

opens

in

pression.
myself the exto the immensity

I love

is what

ings,
surround-

with

to

seem

rebus

me

and

nature

Here

lives.

negation, blame
myself
; I feel

affirmative

everything is
with
harmony

of

multitude

feels

submittere

mihi

Nam

!
conor.

{Easter Day), Mornex,

The
day has opened solemnly
Eight A.M.
and
is a
religiously. There
tinkling of
April

\2th

1868

"

bells

from

valley :

the

be

breathing forth
have
must
Humanity
things considered, is
to

the

best

existed

on

sin, of repentance,

religion
life
In

of

the

is not

"

all the

"

and,

have

which

religion of

The

to

of

the

eternal

ashamed

be

aberrations

"

of

and

birth

all

ship
wor-

reconciliation

and

superstitions

praise.

of

those

scale

seem

Christian

the

not

new

the

fields

worship,

religion

spite of all

canticle

amongst

large

the

even

of.

of fanaticism,
all the

formalism,

ugly superstructures of hypocrisy, all the

fantastic
puerilitiesof theology, the Gospel
has

modified

the

Christian
better

than

Pagan

world

and

humanity
humanity,

consoled
is

not

but

kind.
man-

nuich
it would

amiel's

be

much

worse

this

without

ideal

We

beauty.

We

Jesus.

refuse

catechisms,
who

Just,

aloof

bow

ourselves

anything

yet
to

came

the

save

and

the

clergy,
do

to

not

the

before

with

and

Holy

love

divine

from

hold

have

and

of

suspicious of

be

to

Christian

; the

its model

yet

may

model

may

and

churches,
and

and

sublime, and

is

religion, and
religion. Every religion proposes
without

ideal

an

journal.

to

the

curse.

the best
always supply us with
when
of Christianity, and
tianity
Chriscriticism
the
has
religion of
passed away
will in all probability survive.
After
Jesus
will

Jesus

Jesus

God

as

Five

0^ clock

walk

through

Yves

woods,

Loup.
A

back

come

The

p.m.

"

been

I have

and

weather

cold

was

an

of

its multitude

fifes,has
hour

sung

ballads,

heavy
touched

under

in

of

window.

my

of

romances,

our

on

ugly.
country

songs,
but
The

the

Pont

du

gray.

"

sort,

some

its drums
for

crowd

has

drinking
more

and

songs,
or

has

muse

people,

long

riotously
The

all

and

and

blouses, and
going

been

number

and

for

Ce'zargues, Eseri,
returning by the

great popular merrymaking

with

faith

to

of Jesus.

God

the

shall

we

the

less
never

Swiss

amiel's

journal.

in
its gaiety.
graceful even
tliis is what
A
bear
in iiiglispirits
one
thinks
of. Tlie poetry it produces too is desperately
?
Why
vulgar and commonplace.
In
the
first place, because, in spite of the
democratic
of our
philosophies,
pretences

is

race

not

"

the

backs

whose

classes

bent

are

others.

rustic

are

when

he

of

poetry

tries

the

share

to

the

caricaturing it,and
democracy,by laying
is but

there

done

class

one

first-rate.

As

can

offence

judge men
recognised order,
them

to

the

naturally

of law
art.

individuals

There

place.

and
And

is not

without
certain
compare

then

mediocre,

more

than

they
more

If

before.

equality potentially raises

really degrades nineteen-twen-

it
of

tieths

us

deformed

ugly, more
passion for
average,

to

seem

exists,and

is

them

the

their
in

progress

fallingback

meanwhile
before

below

in

the

the

artists

their

in

has

that

only

can

that

men,

no

we

that

best

down

it

all

for

ceeds
suc-

copying

longer
according to a

we

the

or

in

not

everything

to

wrong

music

classes, only

cultivated

in

fact

ual
man-

aestheticallyinferior to the
In the next
old
our
place, because
peasant poetry is dead, and the peasant,

labour

it.

with

the

former
domain

domain
see

the

of
plying
multi-

bete-noii-e,the

amiel's

journal.

bourgeois, the Philistine, the presumptuous

ignoramus, the quack who plays at science,
and

the

the

equal
'

said

intelligent.
will prevail,' as
De
Canspeaking of the graminaceous

in
The

plants.

of

the
umph
triequality means
It is disappointing,
mediocrity.

of
but

era

inevitable

; for

it is

the

basis

of

of

one

after

Humanity,
itself

himself

of the

Commonness

doUe

thinks

who

feather-brain

time's

venges.
re-

having organised

the

dissimilarity of
individuals, is now
organising itself on the
basis of their similarity, and
the one
sive
excluthe
other.
true
principle is about
as
as
Art

on

doubt

no

Is not

will

universal

nature,

and

world

is

forth

of

negation

also

nature

has
works

her

forgive us,
Just

as

own

her

of

stones

for
the

in the

blind

So

pursuit
said

of

will

that

itself
of

of

the

for

the

brought
its

own

wicked,
for her
own
ment,
disappointwhat
she
at
hates, she
shroud, and piles up the

we

sum

material

know
of

the

God

tomb.

own
'

law

its force

has

it

been

labours

she
weaves

what

is the

as

all

the

levelled

been

destroyed

striving with
Life

all has

been

destruction

justice will gain.

levelling-down

when

all have

not

lose, but

what

not

force

is

universe,

may
we

always
and

well
do.'
tical
iden-

presents

amiel's

spectacle

journal.

of

not

diminution

of

nor

mentation
aug-

phosis,
metamorsimply of constant
it is not
so
impossible that the sum
and
good is in reality always the same,

but

of

therefore

that

all

compensated
this

progress

inversely

on

side

one

on

is

side.

another

If

that
to
ought never
say
as
a
period or a people is absolutely and
whole
time
another
or
superior to another
people, but only that there is superiority in
were

we

so

certain

and

man

useful

on

of

art

The

good between
the object of
competition

that

successive

or

the

energy.

hold
so

would,

spirituality,and

vitality into
would

in

difference

great

man

consist

into

The

points.

history would

the

be

these

principles,
transforming
latent

power

difference

same

nation
the

tween
be-

and

tion,
na-

simultaneous

of

mankind

extraction

of the

in
imum
max-

of
humanity from a given amount
animality. Education, morals, and politics
of

would
the

art

be

of
the

of

our

26th

only variations
that
living
"

pure

individual

April

1868

form

of
is to

and

the
say,

subtlest

art,

same

of

gaging
disenessence

being.
A
Mid-day).
sides a depressing

(Sunday,

all
On
gloomy morning.
outlook, and within, disgust with

"

self.

amiel's

Ten

P.M.

journal.

and

Visits

"

spent

the

evening

to-day

have

taught

I have

seen

the

with

blossom, and

springing

I have

spring.
of conduct
not

wisdom.

of

the

whole

the

breath

selves
them-

valley

natural

is

law.

the

faults
will

who

men

heart

whose

of
of

spectator

part of old
the

against

things

covering

the

old, and

grow

have

Many

lessons

under

been
the

on

alone.
me

walk.

hawthorns

afresh

up

in
I

bellion
re-

have

in
its
working of marriage
tened
frivolotis and
commonplace
forms, and lisI have
been
to trivial preaching.
a
of griefs without
witness
hope, of loneliness
the

watched

claimed

that

pleasantries on
the

to

merry

everything
'

me

with

Place

God

make

while

state

am

had

yourself

birds.

same

once

law

madness,

the

the

know
"

how

have

in

therewith

to

"

be

the

And
for

in

will

of

life ; work
serious

and

with

the

repeat

whatsoever

content."

After

and

harmony

the

accept

learned

to

message

more

to

August 1868.
and
feeling within
without, which

26th
of

has

of

of
religious use
yet day ; be at once

Apostle,

of

songs

listened

have

it is

cheerful

the

universal

the

pity. I
subject

one's

all the

'

storms

ances
organic disturb-

during

these

latter

amiel's

months

have

own

Individual

able

to

journal.

so
pinned me
closelyto
existence, shall I ever

reascend

into

the

intelligence,to enter again upon

and
impersonal life,to
old indifference
and

regain

of

mind

forgetting all

the

state

in
to

me

earth

and

become

ever

persuade

myself

close

upon

affection, and
and

me,

remember

my

that

and

that

all my

has

flown

away.

my

feel

needs

which

ever

Alas
it

! I

bind
I

cannot

for

possible

and

weakness
do

I have

faculties

ceed
suc-

Shall

cannot

that

plative
contem-

believe

I know

that

and

infirmity

see

terested
disin-

recover

Shall

spirit?
to

pure

the

humanity

to

pure

instant.

an

scientific

purely

be

subjective miseries,

towards

of

region

my

without
tion,
ambi-

no

declining. I
am
forty-seven years
old,
brood
of youthful hopes
are

that

So

there

is

no

ceiving
de-

awaits
myself as to the fate which
:
increasing loneliness, mortification
spirit,long-continued regret, melancholy

me

"

of

neither
mournful
the

old

desert

age,

confessed,

nor

slow

decay,

death

in

Terrible
to

consoled

be

to

dilemma
me

that

will

always

could

has

lost

Whatever
its

still desire
escape

me.

is still possible

savour,
escapes

Every

while
me,

all
and

impulse

amiel's

journal.

ends

in

and

weariness

depression, weakness,

Disconragement,
there

be

for

is the

dismal

series

and

begun

ever

disappointment.
which

life.

rolling up the Sisyphean

it not
simpler and shorter

Is

head-foremost
rebel

No,
solution
to

into
as

still what

we

for

death

"

which

the

hope

of

wounded

is

no

nothing
I must

from

for the

; but

wish

more

what

indifference
to

and

in

God
to

self-devotion.

not

; there

premature

it.

what

wishes

Absolute
in

that

the

self

wish

for

is wanted.
; I must

sacrifice,and
The

my

estedness,
disinter-

only reached
which
tramples
glory of God.
strength left,I
is

In

rancour

since

self

ill-humour,

secret

implied

that

the

permitted.

some

short,

ness
happi-

only suicide

is

perfect humility
I have

or

ficed.
sacri-

of

of

is the

pride, a little

rest

foot

this

is

in

be

Immolation

indifference

disinterestedness

under

up

useful

mood

for

one

self-will,our

our

give

"

is either

is

must

all !

is selfishness
claim

plunge

to

the

that

there
some

of

is but

dreams,

self,

to

present

It

must

once

rock

there

to

can.

aspirations, our
We

we

general order,
do
to
resign ourselves, and

to

accept,

gulf

may,

submit

to

"

the

we

must

re-begun, while

still

are

thy
apa-

cup

pass

from

which

rifice
sac-

AMIEL'8

lO

would
of

fain

and
friends
of

text

last

all ye

me,

thou

give

condemn

heart

has

missed

of

of
'

and

rest.'

God

"

growing
proval,
disap-

own

sermon.

you
us,

ing
suffer-

increasing

healed

weary

are

misery

and

and

power,

be

Sunday's

who

I will

and

declining

Wilt

'

bitter

weight of one's
the
disappointment

the

under

who

creature

of

is the

me

existing

; it is the

humiliation
old

of

shame

common

vocation

his

from

put away

living,the
as

JOURNAI-.

one's

the

was

Come

to

heavy

laden,

'And

if

is greater

our

than

cur

heart.'

21th
the

1868.

August
^

Penseroso

and

Still,this volume

is

the

breathes
Whenever

life.

collection
done

it I

it,and

to

should

which

often
have

which

of

had

which,
I

quote.

attained

may

self,the

has

be

harmony

thought

to

defined
of
with

like

to

ant
pleas-

gnomic
justice
I

another's,
that

feel

in

relative

truth

consistency

with

that
as

is

scant

it

were

sciousness
con-

my

little

such

inner

the

revive

this

over

soul,

my

tradition, it

own

lated
vio-

its lessons.
of

son

to

up

often

spirit of

wish

read

to

me

have

true

took

forgotten

true

of my
to

again.

its maxims

and

To-day

"

with

appearance

expression,

"

in

ity,
realother

AMIEL'S

words,

of the

sense

floated

the

and

and

us

mountains.
which

word.

morning,

between

Now

the

distant

peaks has
the zenith,

heaven,

down

streaming
convalescent

kindly,

all is well

after

softened

joy

yourself

that

of

its beauties.
darkened

that

are

you

the

life ;

to

but

The

soft,

and

the

sober

Say

us.

that

graces

the

of

of

well.

upon

summer

and
to

the
of
are

has

autumn

too

weather

is often

by rain, cloud, and

air is still

sends

entering

that

autumn

of

promises

now

tears

splendours

gone,

cloud,
pale rays

ends

of

has

dome

of

the

return

may

the

day

season

your

spring and
irrevocably

and

The

sky

larger,

grown

iis

blue

of

first behind

at

clear

;ipon

sun.

and

Thus

autumn

almost

swept

of rain

circle

whole

strip of

its appearance

to

mist

gray

the

made

mounted

the

lovely( Villars)."A
veiled
in
was
Everything

effect.
this

in

1868

September

autumn

gloom

ness.
inward-

sincerity, ingenuousness,
It is personal
experience

strictest

21st

II

JOtJRNAL.

mist,

but

still

the

delights
the eyes,
and
touches
the
yellowing leaves
caressingly : it is the time for fruit, for
for
harvest, for the vintage, the moment
Here
making
provision for the winter.
sun

"

amiel's

12

down

the

to

level

of

be

lower

they will

vreek

is

living barometer
has

time

the

than

we

This

to

that

us

farewell

say

next

are.

warning

to

come

chalet, and

the

come

already

have

of luilch-cows

herds

the

journal.

the

to

gain, and
everything to lose, by despising the example
and
of nature,
making
arbitrary rules of
stood,
( )ur liberty, wisely underlife for oneself.
There

mountains.

Is but

fact

I3th

life.

life has

My

"

the

to

reached

18G8.

November

two

by

Charles

sur

la

Methode,

de

elementaire

of

philosophy

Christianity,
of

dogmatic

am

1857

Philosophie,
is the

Secretan
considered

as

of

Subordination

religion.

reading part
SecrStan^
{Re-

"

books

cherches

to

obedience

May I recognise
September.
time, and suit thought and action to

it in

of

of

to

of

its month

the

nothing

voluntary

laws

universal

is

intelligence
f aitli,
"

to

such

Precis

The
1868).
philosophy of
the

to

nature

will, and
is

true

one

its

ligence,
intel-

of

will

get eral

are
no
Unfortunately there
signs of critical,or comparative, or hi: 'orical study in it,and
as
an
apologetic, in
which
satire is curiously mingled with
rificat
glo-

framework.

"

of the

religion of love,

"

it leaves

amiel's

upon

one

journal.

of parti pns.

impression

an

13
A

tlie compliilosophy of religion,apart from

parative
science
of religions, and
apart also
from
and
a disinterested
general philosophy
of
history, must
less
always be more
or
It is only pseudoarbitrary and factitious.
of
scientific,this reduction
human
life to

three

spheres

The

author

and
mind.

industry, law,

"

seems

profound
Not

only

to

to

me

mind,
is

and

religion.

possess

rather

ous
vigor-

than

free

he

dogmatic, but he
of a given religion,
dogmatises in favour
to
his whole
which
allegiance is pledged.
Besides, Christianity, being an
X
which
each

church

defines

author

takes

the

in

too

free

the

his

and

respect

to

enough

in

so

free

church.

own

that

is

; too

He

does

not

at

freethinker.

once

free

in
free

ticular
par-

satisfy the

believing Anglican,
Lutheran,
Catholic
Churchman,
he
or
; and
satisfy the

defines

Christianity,not
Christianityas a

to

the

way,

he

enough

historical

respect

its

liberty,and

same

way;
not

in

Reformed
does

This

not

Schellingian
type of speculation, which
consists
in logically
deducing a particular religion that
is to say, in making
philosophy the servant
of Christian
is a legacy from
the
theology
Middle
Ages.
"

"

amiel's

14
After

belief
is not

ocean,

but

cannot

take

it cannot

journal.

it cannot

what

judge

to

understand

in

its historical

the

in

place

it ;

is.

it

In order

must

we

the

therefore

ocean

Christianity

in

round

whole

of the

liever
be-

lives

all

see

view

fish

judge.

; but

judgment

comes

it

put

its proper

work
frame-

regard it as a part of the

religiousdevelopment of humanity, and so
judge it,not from a Christian
point of view,
must

we

from

but

point of view,

human

sine

ira

studio.

nee

IGth

1868.

December

painful

of

state

anxiety

friend, Charles
November

long

to

me,

that

Such

said

his last farewell

these

two

words

letter from

weeks

which

have
is not

imagination.

For

are

solemn

merely
that

which

of death

kind

and

is

to

us

tomb

the

of

ment.
testa-

sacred

acter
charof

effect

an

in

the

for

they love

those
a

me.

realised

feel

already participates to
seems
eternity. A dying man
beyond

to

seemed

have

many

looks, of

looks

30th

the dear

have

keenly

last

and

They

from

the

then

the

kind

no

how

most

poor

had

strong craving which

last words,

my

Since
.

and

"

to

as

the

in

am

Heim.

I have

invalid, who
How

"

on

brink

the

extent

some

; what

our

speak

to

he

says

amiel's

has

the

oracle,

effect

endowed

and

solemn

feels

his

nature

within

do

him

need

let

not

wait

us

demonstrative

they

or

the

the

hearts

dark

26th

haste

with

died

this

morning

soul

has

returned

to

men

suffer

are

to

Oh

illness

by
for

gladdening
travelling

Oh, be swift

kind

dear

Is he

happy

more

or

to

friend

beautiful

heaven.

or

short, and

is

are

My

until

love

us.

"

of

pitiful or

we

Hy6res.

at

always

or

who

1868.

December

ceased

be

to

just

time

those

journey

love, make

If

much

of

itself.

Life

the

Divine

hide

down

death
too

never

and

the

those

struck

are

with

have

we

be

to

towards

we

threatened

longer

no

the

to

depths

The

revealed

then

are

naturally

him.

as

Serious

escaping him,

before

an

him

upon

sight.

come

life

opening

grave

look

we

sentence,

second

with
words

who

15

of

us

upon

injunction

an

one

man

jourxal.

So
now

less

he

has

deceived

it is because
subject of women,
they
do
not
women
forget that they and
speak
that
altogether the same
language, and
words
have
the
not
same
weight or the
same
meaning for them, especially in questions
on

the

of

feeling.

Whether

from

shyness

amiel's

precaution

or

speaks

what

frankness
and

is because

she

is

perfidy, for

with

kinds

has

to

of
'

the

she

woman

be

shown

exercised

the

proportion

is too

lost the

power

much

of

to

pable
Caall

sible,''
incomprehen-

monstre

she

power,
of

terror

the

its

afraid

he
for

degree

of

is at

man.

more

possible grief

of

knowing it.
of
devotion, and

loves,

man

sum

in

of

bring about

may

second

and

delight

more

who

to

prudence

her, for

to

treason,

The

He

of

deal

good

all

of

is

ought

forbearance

raised

soul

need

evils without

of

The

ing
mean-

no

itself.

it

us,

of
a

the

doubtful

to

minable,
fugitive, irrational, indeter-

innumerable

once

of

has

be

to

seems

sphinx

She

her,

to

contradictory.

regard

kinds

Complete

illogical, and
deal

her, and

it is but

is mystery

she

something

great

is

riddle

over
more-

impossible

she

herself.

to

even

If

and

is.

self-knowledge

her.

never

of

really
be

to

complete

knows

it

seems

woman

thought,

herself

what

forbidden

is

wliole

she

of

part

artifice, a

or

lier

out

journal.

of

fers.
sufeach
fection.
per-

being duped

being magnanimous.

amiel's

of

Doubt

journal.

17

reality of

the

love

ends

by

final
everything. The
result of all deceptions and
disappointments
is atheism, which
not
always yield up
may
which
and
but
its name
lurks,
secret,

making

doubt

us

masked

thought,

the

as

is what

'Man
fortunes

beautiful

art

of

is

converted

the

is,' and

souls

follows

of

world

the

the

have

by which

kindness,

into

an

bitterness
the

gall of

into

experience

habitual

2Tth

that the
and

January

service

The

And

is

what
sin.

world

God

city
earth,
"

in

the

of

of

this

of

is

it

to

the

souls, the

here

you
a

holiness

establish

to

'

'

credit

revolution.

the

by

anity
Christi-

good

news.'

The

pardon

loving
Himself

the

by
of

kingdom

life of

have

it

for it.

then, is

world

reconciling

the

but

to

think

may

What,

"

'

in order

Jesus,
God,

1869.

proclamation
this
good news

The
and

lookers-on

nobody give us

rendered
?

it;

love

saintly alchemy,

spontaneous,

upon

supreme

gentleness, ingratitude
into benefits,insults into pardon.
And
transformation
so
ought to become
easy

and

of

last

his

depths of
explainer.

the

of his love.

The

human

within

spectre,

the

heaven

whole
'Love

of
ye

amiel's

another,

one

'

Father

perfection,

this

for

of

death

of

and

his

life,

the

Faith

in

punishes

is the

here

"

'Be
the

eternal, here

who

God,

with

good, and who

sinner, but his

our

the

the

life

is

you

one

am

salvation, joy.

fatherly love

pardons

as

'

loved

have

me,

for

as

with

one

ye

journal.

desires

is
the

and
not

conversion

motive

of

power

redeemed.

What
into

call

we

Christianity is

flow

which
of

currents

of

number

distant

vast

and

various

ocean,

spiritual
origin

certain

religions,that is to say, of Asia and

of Europe, the great ideas of Greek
wisdom,
and
Neither
especially those of Platonism.
its doctrine
its morality, as they have
nor
been

historically developed,
What

spontaneous.
in it is the
human

fused

become

that

holiness

man

and

and

in

and

one

sublime

and

Jesus.

tranquil

or

original
that

the

co-exist,
flame

mercy,
one,

in

specific in
sciousness
religious consacred

The

with

new

is

the

"

God

self-surrender,
and

become

What

Jesus

union

may

pity, justice and

God.
is

of

love

and

nature

into

together

Christianity
his absolute

divine

the

may

meet

is essential

practical demonstration

and

may

are

sense

of

through perfect

this

faith

profound,
of
his,

vincible,
in-

has

amiel's

become

become

the

of

journal.

the

religion;
From

of

faith

of

millions

this

torch

faith

men.

19
Jesus

and

has

millions

has

sprung

such
conflagration. And
the
radiance
the
brilliancy and
revealer
and
revelation, that the

astonished

world

in

has

vast

forgotten

has

and
benefactor
its

are

The

from

heritage

the

of

conversion

work
of

conversion

is to

faith

cannot

science.

region
of

arrive

our

is

an

psychology

is the

at

reach

anity
ChristiThe
into

attempt

an

illusion, since
resolved

into
of

however,

is the

What

we

Gospel.

eternal

it,

fessional
con-

region of history

the

time.

and

science.

entirely
transference,

of

which

Christianity

be

Christianity from
the

benefits

Biblical

extent

The

single

historical

into

Christianity

some

miration
ad-

past.

historical

philosophical
which

of

of

its

one

ecclesiastical

Christianity
is the

to

of those

whole

both

justice

referred

has

the

its

been

the

great

ing
crav-

trying

are

But

to

to

before

comparative

history
and
philosophy of religions must
assign to
must
Christianity its true place, and
judge
It.
The
Jesus
professed
religion too which
we

can

must

be

which

has

when

at

from

disentangled
taken
last

we

Jesus
are

for
able

the

religion
its object. Ai:3
the
to point out

AMIEL'S

20

JOURNAL.

of consciousness

state

of

cell, the principle

reached

have

shall

place

of

of

whom
human

providential revealers
God

of

is

What

admirable

the

arbitrary,the accidental,
the

fete, or
out
by

the

small

illuminations

poor

great marvel

local

miracles,

beside

of
with

sink

law

of

not

simply

miraculous.
of

the

village

so

put
the

meanness

into
the

are

sun,

their

will

the

is

procession,

the

doubtfulness,

and

of

tapers

the

upon

the

in

through

; it is

adorable

the

God

perishing

the

as

and

works

be

to

of

the

the

great

come

messengers

spirit

take
the

the

mass.

Just

and

as

the

it is the

will

will

world

the

in

religion.

supernatural,

the

geniuses
regai"ded
history,as

goal, for

our

extraordinary

the

Perhaps

primitive
Gospel, we

eternal

the

of pure

saliens

punctum

is the

which

cance
insignifiof

world

the incomparable
spectacle of human
spirits,
history, led by that all-powerful Dramaturgus

whom

\st

we

March

1869.

are

they

interest

as

but

are

is

call God.

an

wish

to

see

and

justice, of
special forms.
as

inexhaustible

illusions.
who

Utinam

Impartiality

"

rare

two

"

The

truly

number

is

which

Selfof

source

of

jectivit
ob-

venient
con-

beings

extraordinarily

JOUKX.VL.

AMIELS

small.

"What

is
the

as

principle of

that

truth

is useful

truth

much

as

is

men

governs

truth, unless

21

to

of

them, which
is

philosophy,

common

is made

fear

self-interest

that

say

the

to

the

for

but

us

not

we

or

for

humiliating, the
majority of people will neither
recognise
admit
it.
And
thus
nor
a
prejudice of
self-love
protects all the prejudices of the
themselves
the
are
understanding, which
result of a stratagem of the ego.
Humanity
has
always slain or persecuted those who
truth.

have
She

As

"

this

disturbed

this

only improves

only

progress

fact

is

selfish

in

which

of

repose

hers.

spite of herself.
she

desires

is

The
an

crease
in-

of

All
advances
in
enjoyments.
justice,in morality, in holiness, have been
forced
from
her by some
or
imposed upon
noble
violence.
Sacrifice,which is the passion
of great souls, has never
the
been
law
of societies.
It is too
often
by employing
vice against another,
for example,
one
ness,
vanity against cupidity, greed against idlethat the great agitatorshave broken
In a word,
the
human
through routine.
world
is almost
entirely directed
by the
the
law
law
of nature,
and
of the
spirit,
"

"

which
but

is the

leaven

rarely succeeded
expansion.

of

its
in

coarse

paste, has

raising it

into

erous
gen-

AMIEL's

22

From

the

humanity
that

point

of

triste

and

is

it with

compare
the

wasted

its

human
its

journal.

possible views
who

view

of the

optimist,

with

the

worshipper, who
cost

European

who

; and

of their

in

on

goes

offering of

Europe
their

of all

martyrs

but

the

as

the

the

and

hero-

tears.

its face

before

Indian

ics
fanat-

the

wheels

And

car.

symbol

We

yet

of what

is made

causes.

past

ever
what-

elsewhere,

life which

great

ideal

under

goddess's triumphal
are

the

of the

of those

themselves

sacrifices

these

of

all progress

veils

hypocrisy

throw

who

view

of blood

oceans

view

the

the

see

three

are

compares

that

sees

voluntary suicide

the

from

starts

present

the

we

altogether

not

there

history

pessimist,

has

has

Hence

of

ideal,

the

if
ugly. But
probable origins, we

race

time.

of

view

of

that

by

the

even

may

sanguinary goddess is
is only spurred
to
humanity
itself,which
and
by remorse,
repents only when
progress
say

that

the

measure

the

of

fanatics
eternal

protest
which

perpetual
and

its crimes

sacrifice

who

We

idols

fierce and

against

have
are

universal

an

ishness.
selfthose

and

visible, but

still exists

everywhere,

tangible
the

are

overthrown

only

sacrifice

everywhere

themselves
the

The

over.

runs

elUe

of each

generation

amiel's

sniffers for
It is the

the

23

joc'Rnal.

salvation

of

the

austere, bitter, and

of

solidarity. Perdition
and
other
through each

multitude.

mysterious law

and

in

redemption

is

the

of

destiny

men.

ISth
ever

back

am

(Thursday).

from

disgusted

and

come

town

1869

March

cell of mine.

piles of
And

walk
yet my
possible. I wandered
the

and

Arve,

all the

disappointments

all the

anxieties

took

like

heart

themselves

of

of

of

along

the

of

against
at

collar

that

I had

failed

which

life

task

failing me.
to the lonely

been
all
are

lulled

the

to

and

to

life,and
All

sleep
which

sorrows

reborn,

seemed

Ah!

the

the

like the

me

of

"

had

again,

in the

heart, and

my

iron

is

and

ure
vult-

The

me.

irreparable choked
of the pillory. It

spring

past,

they ranged

the

was

the

phantoms.

of

life

and

Rhone

present,

of

sense

now

saddest

the

faults, and

regret gnawed

"

future, laid siege to

the

in battle

death.

of

the

whirlwind

of my

account

and

memories

all the

my

here, ugliness,

one

was

birds,

sunshine,

melancholy,

paper,

the

repelled by this

life ; in

spring, beauty, and

outside

walk

of doors

Out

"WheTi-

how
the
start

had
old

me

that
rible
ter-

needs
into
appeared
disman

amiel's

24
which

had

once

been

It is

makes

thougli all

as

bewailed

and
when

in

foundations

escape
in

Age

the

banks

the

river

of

the

flowing past

forming

the

for

centuries,

two
so

many
the

saw

other

me

funeral

walls,

playing
children

them
or

of the

avenue

have

as

taken

been

dykes,
a

the

I looked

have

over

is

at

at
seen

ten

some

the

the

or

trees

which,

witnesses

; as

I recognised

paths,

child, and

running

gether.
to-

aspect,

cemetery,

processions

the

I had

servitude

which

years,

to

weight is equal

As

Rhone,

thousand

is still

but

mortal

his

self
one-

succeeded

oppressions

under

twenty

of

its

species of ephemera.

but

edifice.

the

"

its

to

impossible

have

last

from

cry

freed

servitudes,
and

other

Man,

the

comes,

all

of

that

heart,

shakes

it is

Time.

one

the

had

one

which

without

of age.

sudden

surrounding

all other

avoiding

reckoned

to

of

that

"

when

fatalities,there

other

left from

yoke

one

Just

feeling by work

which

that

supposing
all

think,

is,sends

cry

opened

afresh.

it

whole

the

from

wounds

to

all of

solitary captive that

its prison depths, a
Even

old

the

rises

heard.

groans

deadening

by amusement,

or

his

ceased

succeeded

had

conquered

themselves

had

one

and

gagged

and

more

journal.

that

which

watched
grassy

amiel's

of

plain

childish
of

the

steps,

all

felt

over

the

night,

the

of

life and

I
in

abyss

own

my

sharpest

sense

flight of

the

of

the

upas

tree

gazed

into

the

great

shadow

me.

those

which

swallowed

are

selves
them-

call

which

phantoms

will-o'-the-wisp sinks

the

as

The

marsh.

filled

From

floated

the

Ah,

"

would
With

be

ten,

Those

who

at

the

the

futility

quiet

gust.
dis-

alone

tality
immor-

having

eyes
at

I
ness.
weari-

blessed

thirty,

looks

one

at

at

sixty

scious
specially conpsychological metamorphosis.
are

thing, too, astonishes

universal

hiding

of

worth

twenty,

live

of this

Another

better

joys,

universal

to

different

what

life at

hope

the

disenchantment

Buddhism,

to

on

into

the

with

me

to

regret

our

and

existence,

our

ambitions,

our

of

nothingness

of

emptiness

the

I had

the

over

bore

which

that
the living
living beings. I saw
but
apparitions hovering for a moment
of the
ashes
of
out
the
earth, made
dead, and swiftly re-absorbed
by eternal

are

of

"

emptiness

things. I
darkening
implacable
up

Palais

Plain

25

journal.

conspiracy

sadness

of

the

them

which

world,

; it is

exists
for

for
ing
mak-

forget suffering, sickness, and

and
sobs
death, for smothering the wails
"which
issue from
house, for painting
every
men

26

amiel's

and

beautifying
it out

Is

youth,

of

thus

are

Or

life contain

much

as

However

themselves
truth.

Each

reel of

of it he

his

as

his

experience

same

and

happiness,

happiness

to

come

die, and

to

We

upon

special

has

down

again.

feed

than

grandsons

over

perhaps

own

he

as

sits him

and

sons

soon

does

men

illusion
his

truth

"

be,

unwinds

one

we

and

evil

as

may

upon

hope, and

end

lets

it

rather

sinister

equity

good

and

that

fear,

the

of

sense

realitj-.

childhood

from

veil

to

of

face

for

simply

careful

more?

hideous

tenderness

is it from

the

the

is it

or

journal.

the

begin

all pursi,e
the

escapes

suit
pur-

of all.

only
journey

The
the

great
And

objects
child, a
us
as

in

mortal

are

country,

the

tomb

friend,

church,

by

least

their

wife,

precede
as
long

may

alone

duty

in

affections.

at

or

us

lasts

we.

This

maxim

of anger,

another

to

swelling

with

saints

exorcises

spiritsof revolt,
nation,
indigvengeance,

the

discouragement,
and

ye

die,

furnished

serious

some

affections

even

help

can

life is that

of

and

duty

which

viaticum

ambition, which
tempt
the

of the

and
sap

rise

trouble
of the

one

the

spring.

after

heart,
"

all

East, of antiquity, of Chris'

amiel's

of heroes

tianity,phalanx
of

deep

us

under

example
Gth
The

Ye

"

of
Ye

soul,
who

but

have

strife,shelter

the

from

drank

too

fortify us

by

your

Alps

Magnificent weather.
their
silver
dazzling under

1869.

April

haze.

agony

palms,

your

27

both.

over

victors

forth

come

and

weariness

triumphed

ye

journal.

are

"

Sensations

crowding

of

kinds

have

been

delights of

; the

me

upon

all

walk

of a wonderful
rising sun, the charms
view, longing for travel, and thirst
for work, for emotion,
for joy, hunger
for
of happiness
and
of love.
A
life,dreams
to live, to feel, to express,
passionate 'wish
stirred
the depths of my
heart.
It was
a
under

the

sudden

re-awakening

poetry,

growth

renewing

of the

by

adventurous

wings
host

of

of
of
of

youth, a
the
soul,

desire.

flash
a

was

of

fresh
powered
over-

conquering, vagabond,

aspirations.

forgot my age,
duties, my
obligations, my
vexations,
my
and
me
as
youth leapt within
though life
were
as
beginning again. It was
though
caught fire, and
something explosive had
one's

in

soul

such

whole

were

mood

world,

scattered
one

to

would

experience

the
fain

four

winds

devour

everything,

the
see

28

amiel's

everything.

desire,

prison cell.

own

shirt, and
of nature

rekindle

would

into

one's

breath.

about

It

these

of

one's

off one's
the

gather

hair

whole

heart.
is

sunshine
cold

ye

enough

to

black
and

more,

once

tain
moun-

melts

its

ing
single gust of flamthe
brings
spring which
and
rections,
resurimprobable

with

crown

snowy

horror

and

The

into

enters

throws

arms

all 1

volcano

"

fain

of

ray

you

is

One

one

passions,

ambition

Faust's

universal

one,

joubnai,.

one

is

sudden

spring which, sending a thrill

and
tumult
of life through all that lives, is
the
powering
desires, of overparent of impetuous
and
inclinations, of unforeseen
of passion.
It
inextinguishable outbursts
the

breaks
and

rends
;

of

his

on

his

monk

convent,

school

the

on

the

of

curtains

the

mask

the

it makes

shadow

rigid bark

the

through

her

the

face

of

the

the

trees,
cism
ascetiin

tremble

room,

bench,

of

the

behind

maiden
the

child

sitting

old

man

bowed

his rheumatism.

under

'

Hymen,

Hymenaee

1'

real

indeed
Is Nemesis
April 1869.
than
Providence, the jealous God

true

than

24th

than

"

the

joy

good
?

"

God

darkness

"

grief
more

more

secure

more
more
tain
cer-

of

amiel's

victory than

the

man

Schopenhauer

or

understood

healthy
to

nearest

Leibnitz

"

best

is

universe

the

sick

the

or

bottom

of

29

pessimism or
the
truth,

it

Is

light?

wliich
which

jouunal.

who

man

things

and
has

"

it the

Is

timism
op-

best

sees

is in

which

the

right ?
Ah

problem of griefand evil is and

always the greatest enigma of being,

! the

will be

only
The
the

second

victory

of

of

good

in the

not

struggle, and
And

if this

since

it

endless

is

war

tion.

is
The

him

the

Deliver
And

to

as

us

that

but

in

sant
inces-

threatened.

ever

Buddha

not

an

good

interminable

right in
with
evil,

synonymous

of

self-annihilation,

art

The

from
end

of

of

reaching

Nirvana,

only

Christian

says

deliver

The
us

of

is to
of

means

Buddhist
from

caping
es-

ence,
exist-

renewed

art, the

evil.

of

machinery

vast

misery

the

supreme

deliverance.

implies

for

if

victory,

contest,

world's

suffering, and
the

of

good

life,is

art

the

"

But

assumed

and
perpetual restlessness
?
Repose
according to the
in annihila^
only to be found

means

Buddhist

evil.

success

life

regarding

has

result

infinite

being itself.

humanity

over

victory itself,then
and

of

existence

faith

common

consists

the

to

to

God
adds:

finite exist-

AMIEL'S

30

give

ence,

back

us

first believes
from

the

for

longs
The

dread

of the

second.

itself.

One

God.

unravelling the
What
destiny.
will

what

do

be,

will

"

for

of

that

thou

God

the

world

the

annihilation

be

for

or

be, will

is to

the

best.

individual

the

his

mittal
com-

to

skein

perhaps

good,
nothing more
in

leave

dise
Para-

the

"

Look

What

matter

the

first is the

the

order, and

in

art

And

wants

soul

to

soul

the

immortality
Faith

of

of

of

be.

and

is necessary,

of

and

of

viduality
indi-

all repose,

thing only

thyself
task

to

that

dissolution

the

eternal

upon

believes

obstacle

is the
he

enter

second

The

is enfranchised

he

will

he

the

nothingness

to

when

that

body

happiness

JOURNAL.

through

passage

taken
have
sides
with
Only he must
Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Zeno, against

life.

and

pessimism.

make

up

nihilism,
is
he

because

man's

of

system

duct
con-

diametrically opposite according

labours

or

his

increase

to

it,according
faculties

mind

his

the

religion of accident
also
he
must
Perhaps
against the Buddhist

materialism, against

he

as

at

aims

at

life

or

to

as

lessen

cultivating

his

systematically deadening

them.
To

employ

one's

individual

efforts

for

amiel's
the

increase
ideal

forward

the

sjirmis

had

it from

SOth

world,

good in the
is enough
for
victory of good

aim

Dei

31

of

modest

common

journal.

of

word

the

was

and

saints

To

help

been

the

us.

has

Socii

sages.

of

this

"

Seneca, who

Cleanthus.

1869.

just finished
*
Vacherot's
book
(La Beligion, 1869),
it has set me
ing
and
thinking. I have a feelthat
his notion
of religion is not
orous
rigApril

and

"

have

and

exact,

therefore

that

his

If religion is
logic is subject to correction.
to that of
a
psychological stage, anterior
it is clear that
it will disappear in
reason,
but
if,on the contrary, it is a mode
man,
of the inner
and
must
life,it may
last, as
long as the need of feeling,and alongside
the need
of thinking. The
tween
question is be-

and

theism

the

only

at

course,

if Universal

But

the

time

same

be

may
be
may

attach

without

solution.

God

and

in God.

is

of

youth.

Being can be felt and loved

as
conceived, the philosopher
orator,

himself

To

God

ideal,religion will

like the illusions

to

derogation.

this

the

religiousman

artist,an

an

of

category

vanish, of

If

non-theism.

me

or
a

he

just as
a

may

citizen.

worship

myself
religionis

or

He

ritual

incline

to

life before

amiel's

32
And

if God

even

life, so
and

not

the

sense

of

long

this

as

soul

the

Religion differs

differs

from

as

the universal

is

positive

from

intellectual

religious

the

philosophy
self differs

synthetic

as

with

penetrated

spontaneous

reflecting self,

life

is in

infinite

the

simple and

the

defined

were

negative,

state.

the

journal.

as

from

intuition

We

analysis.

are

religious state by a sense

mission
and
of voluntary dependence
on
joyful subof
the
and
to
principle of order
makes
man
Religious emotion
goodness.
conscious
of himself
place
; he finds his own
it is this perwithin
the infinite unity, and
ception
into

initiated

the

which
in

But

much
fine
,

is sacred.
of

spite

impressed
piece

of

reservations

these

the

by

work,

book,

which

and

serious

break

in the

ripe

am

is a

in

all

respects.
13th
and

1869.

May

through

the

"

blue

interstices

clouds,
a

bright

uncertaui
flickering and
rays.
it
tears,
Storms, smiles, whims,
anger,
is May, and
is in its feminine
nature
phase !
She pleases our
heart, and
fancj^ stirs our
sun

throws

"

wears

out

of

violence

our

her

reason

by

caprices and

of her

whims.

the

endless
the

sion
succes-

unexpected

amiel'8

recalls to

This
second

of

book

is in the
here
wise

to

the

the

Laws

of

abandon

seductions

of

however,

says

honoured

the

Tlie

'

therefore
the

to

code,

same

Wherever

seek

to

sex

It

'

themselves

women.'

the

IManou.

and

men,

of

verse

feminine

the

corrupt

never

men

33

213th

me

of

nature

below

journal.

women

are

And
satisfied.'
gods are
the husband
again : In every family where
takes
pleasure in his wife, and the wife in
'

her

husband,

again
a

One

'

mother

thousand

this

'

be allowed

no

elements

age

what

there

ought

herself

govern

than

knowing

delightful creature,

At

to

And

venerable

more

But

irrational

fragile and

concludes

is

fathers.'

and

stormy

is ensured.'

happiness

Manou

woman

she

as

in

are

to

pleases.'

porary
day, in several contemand
is
neighbouring codes, a woman
life.
minor
all her
of
a
Why ? Because
her
of
her
dependence
nature, and
upon
the
minutive
disubjection to passions which
are

Up

to

the

present

of
the

soul

and

obscure
to

all

energies

of

itself

madness
of

; in other

has

woman

mysterious

in

To

man

something

it,which

superstitions and
man.

cause
words, be-

weakens

belong

lends
the

law,

justice, science, and

philosophy, all that
is disinterested, universal,
and
rational.

amiel's

34

Women,

journal.

the

on

introduce

contrary,

into

everything favour, exception, and personal

a
as
a
prejudice. As soon
people, a
man,
in
feminine
literature,an
epoch, become
type, they sink in the scale of things. As
nation
soon
as
a woman
quits the state of subordiin
we

see

which

rapid

her

merits

increase

have

in

free

her

play,

natural

fects.
de-

malies
Complete equality with man
her quarrelsome ; a position of supremacy
her tyrannical.
To
honour
makes
her and
to

the

best

formed

will

her

govern

solution.

conscience

the

over

honour

of

Then

gaining
will

she

of

but

woman,
her

serious

has

fancy
be

able
make

to

sway

and

mentality,
senti-

serious

adhesion.

be

truly an equal, a
At present she
fellow, a companion.
The
moderns
at
are
only in theory.
the

upon

problem,

and

have

only

not
a

and

consent

women

hold

reason

shall

we

yet

education

and

effervescence
then

end

When

time

long

strong, noble, and

in whom

to

for

be

not

workis

so

work

solved

it

yet.
15th

1869.

June

Christianity
holiness
to

the

is
same

"

is that

frivolous

thing,

great defect

The

its

one,

its

of liberal
of

conception

or,

what

conception of

comes

sin

is

amiel's

35

journal.

of the baser
defects
The
superficial one.
in liberal
of politicalliberalism
sort
recur
Christianity ; it is only half serious, and its
is too

theology

sincerely pious folk

The

ness.

the

liberals

look

talk

whose

persons

as

worldli-

with

mixed

much

upon

is rather

offend
religious feelings
profane, and who
for rhetorical
subjects a theme
by making sacred
display. They shock the convenances
the
affront
of sentiment, and
delicacy of
familiarities
conscience
by the indiscreet
the great mysteries of the
they take with
inner

life.

They

be

to

seem

rhetoricians

special pleaders, religious

the
Greek
sophists, rather
the
It
the

is not

belongs, but

having

as

wisdom,

but

religious

matters

and

not

that

; it is

the

of

by

language
the

divine

or

the

over
us

grace,

as

bush,

of human
will.

which

power

to

impress

burning

it is holiness

love,

salvation.

who

the

in

guides

to

nature

through

speaking,

authority

those

to

like

even
folk, nor
the
empire

that

conquered

passed

having
and

clever

folk,

than

leads

which
the

to

scientific

souls
as

road

narrow

clever

mere

of

In

gives
tion
devo-

to the
sacrifice,which
heart,
goes
which
and
moves
persuades.
What
all religious, poetical, pure,
and
tender souls are
least able to pardon is the

36

amibl's

diminution

or

We

must

never

old, and
one

despoiled
the

ideal

point

men

behind

raise

to

gain

we

In

this

minds

ideal.

against

us

another

to

the

lofty summit
no

way

is

one

confidence, while

men's

forcing them

time

same

their

spiritual than

more

lofty still.

more

at

to

higher,

so

an

rouse

is

ideal, purer,

of

degradation

business

our

journal.

to

which

think, and

already
change to perceive new
tending towards
objects and goals for thought. Only that
ideal
is replaced is destroyed, and
which
aji
is only replaced by satisfying the conditions
of the old with
some
advantages over.
those

enabling

liberal

the

Let

virtue

kind

intimate

and

more

see

it active

in

offer

Protestants

of Christian

their

of

are

us

holier,intenser,

than

before
and

persons

; let

in

they will have furnished

the
by the Master:
proof demanded
will be judged by its fruits.
June

lowering
the

on

What
at

the

movement

1869

weather.

page

of

is life ?

tiny dead
is.

total, of which

us

their

Influence, and

22d

tacle
spec-

the
tree

Gray and
(.Vine a.m.)
of cold
A fly lies dead
!
book, in full summer
my
said to myself, as I looked
It is a loan, as
creature.
"

"

The
the

universal

life is

units

visible

are

sum

here.

AMIKL

JOURNAL.

yj

everywhere, just as an electric

throws
off sparks along its whole
face.
surLife passes
through us ; we do not
three ultimate
it. Hirn admits
ciples:
prin5
the atom, the force,the soul ; the

there, and
wheel

possess

force which
acts

acts

force.

upon

between

atoms, the soul which

upon

souls

anonymous

souls.

Then

he

Probably

fly would

my

distinguishes
and
personal
be

an

mous
anony-

soul.

{_8ame day.")
"

all up

in

The

national

churches

are

against so-called Liberal

Christianity; Basle and Zurich began the
Geneva
has entered the lists
fight,and now
too.
Gradually it is becoming plain that
historical Protestantism
has
no
longer a
raison
d^etre between
pure libertyand pure
authority. It is,in fact,a provisionalstage,
the worship of the Bible
founded
that
on
arms

"

is to say,
and
therefore
thesis

has

on

the

of

idea

book

of

When

relegated to

fiction Protestantism

tion,
revela-

divinelyinspired,and

authoritative.
been

written

crumbles

is

the

once

this

rank

of

away.

There

nothing for it but to retire upon natural

sciousness.
religion,or the religionof the moral conMM.
Kfiville,Coquerel, Fonoutcome.
tangs, Buisson,^ accept this logical

S1C347

amiel's

38
They

and

the

Their

is in

mistake

absurdity.
based

but

positive

duty of
something.
the

Church,

not

see

the

faith, while
be

tlie leaven

is

that
the

independence

the
we

arrive

method

"

could

an

from

have

bread

the
leaven

; but

Liberty is

the

enlightened
assembly of people

this

at

an

criterion

not

writers

by

solitary

the

of which

were

this

and

possibly found
for they might
differ completely
method.
results
of the
Suppose
the

losophy,
Phi-

union

That

bread.

will

They

upholds

it must

is not

principle of

seeks

one

be

principle of

the

thought.

good

is to

is different

the

granted ; but
agreeing only upon

faith

free, with

be

mistake.

right

the

the
as

other

of

whereby

means

is to

same

Keligion

and

should

confound

take

They
which

that

positive,

institution,which

the

be

to

different

is

what

lute
abso-

necessarily limits

element

individual, which

the

Science

by

People

investigation.

it is

realise

lives

and

and

examination

to

church

the

all

that

seeing

free

matter.

of

thought.

not

upon

on

sincerity ;
this

ism
Protestant-

legal fiction, and

a
living thing involves
logical
It may
be logical to demand
a
rest

every

church

of free

laggards

institutions
that

of

advance-guard

the

are

journal.

church,
to

as

of

the

paper
news-

all pos-

amiel's

Bible

parties,

it would

"

39

joukxal.

doubt

no

be

have
curiosity in journalism, but it would
A drawingno
opinions, no faith, no creed.
filled with
refined
room
people, carrying on
polite discussion, is not
a
a
church, and
is not worship.
dispute, however
courteous,
It is

ISth
the

July

1869.

the

victim

one

the other
and

of

Heine

Lamennais,

"

of

mistaken

his

kind.

common

sense

ing
want-

was

second

the

to astonish

first

The

"

vocation,

tormenting craving

mystify
in

of kinds.

confusion

mere

was

The
Frenchman
wanting in seriousness.
was
violent, arbitrary, domineering ;

German
a

was

horror

all

of

passion

with

jesting Mephistopheles,

Philistinism.
and

The

melancholy

the

Breton

was

; the

Hamburger,
all fancy and
satire.
Neither
developed
Both
of them, because
freely nor
normally.
of an
initial mistake, threw
selves
theminto an endless
quarrel with the world.
Both

were

fightingfor
truth

; both

their

own

revolutionists.

They

the

for

good

were

pride.

cause,

rather
Both

the

impersonal

champions

suffered

and

died

isolated, repudiated,

Men

of

magnificent talents,both
of small
wisdom, who

but

men

not

were

and

of

greatly,
reviled.
of

did

them,
more

amiel's

40
harm

than

others

wears

itself

good
It is

"

intellectual

20th

there, of
the
a

five

first

tagonism,
an-

greater

ous
dangerand

start

chapters,

his

himself

to

imagination

delicate
In

and

here

freethinker, but

flexible

the

reading

Analysed

Paul.
is

whose

lend

been

epicurism
eyes

to

these

the

of

man

graceful

who
takes
vulgar, and the man
tained
seriously is prejudiced. He is enterof conscience, but
by the variations

clever

neither

pleasure is
and

which

is

he is too
critic

writer

emotion.

will not

them

St.

him

have

six

or

the

still allows

religious

more

false

"

Kenan's

freethinker

fancies

make

to

The
the

power,

18G9.

bottom,

who

maintaining

to

badly.

July
again

over

him

life

begin

existence

first blunder.

is it for
to

in

and

themselves

to

lamentable

out

or

man's

journal.

to

to

laugh

concludes
understand

at

them.

nor

The

excludes

true
; his

believing,
enthusiasm,
barrassed
mind, unem-

without

profitby the results of

while
still maintaining a free
Such
of proa mode
by illusion.
ceeding
look
of
has
a
dishonesty ; it is
but
the
good-tempered
nothing, however,
irony of a highly-cultivated mind, which
be
will neither
ignorant of anything nor
to

AMIEL

JOURNAL.

duped by anything.
of

the

the

time

insight and
lith

future

for

idea

before

the

which

might

of my

rest

for which

shall

find

ever

impossible

them

this

What

again,

transformed

know

aspirations

the

And
nor

not

mind

feel

which

that

for

can

befalls

the

that
ligion,
re-

life ; for

in

wearing
man

bom

ent
differ-

to

as

rock

be

stifle these

myself
the

spiration,
in-

besides
to

neither

deceive

slow

all
true

what

myself, and

to roll for ever

to

for

ideal

possibilityof satisfying them.

and

thirst; a
joy. But

die and

is to

really want

world.

inner

might

affection

an

long

an

holiness, faith,

paradise, immortality,
and

die with

sympathy,

serious

which

inaccessible

and

or

love, for
heart

strength;

might

is for

to

quench

What

duty

fill my

to

work

; a

thou

search

my

wilt

What

thee

something

devote

cause

to

of

name

what

of
!

power

creature

thee

At

"

proofs

the

"

inconstant

defend

to

In

"

thou?

art

longing,

perfection.

scientific

1869.

who

dilettanteism

innumerable

hope appeals

peace,

its

of exultant

lies

My

is

what

wavering

what

in

August

Heaven,
"

It is the

Renaissance

same

4I

of

demned
con-

seem

Sisyphus,

away

whose

the

of

the

vocation/

amiel's

42
and

destiny

Christian
Jacobi

lieart

and

pride

of

will

width

; the

two

of

of
men

contrasts,

contradictions; humility
childish
less
simplicity and boundintuition
; analysis and
tience
; pa; carelessness

heart

and

enthusiasm

languor

and

dryness
anxiety ;

and

indifference

and

altogether a being incomprehensible

intolerable
to myself and
to others

passion

and

from

Then

of

state

fluid, vague,

the

feels

which

pride

irritability; kuidness

and

of

head,' like

pagan

and

'

and

mistrust

into

seething chaos

antinomies,
and

and

feebleness

of St. Paul

conflict.

perpetual

tenderness

mind

in

are

journal.

conflict

back

fall

indeterminate

all form

be

to

state,
violence

mere

disfigurement. All ideas, principles,

acquirements, and habits are effaced in me
like the
like the ripples on
a
lutions
convowave,
of a cloud.
My personality has the
and

of individuality. I
possible admixture
what
the
to the
great majority of men

least
am

circle

and

whole,
I

the

nominative
defect

this

less of

am
man

is less

because

home,

at

of

figures;

rectilinear

is to

man,

I have

self.
has
I

am

where
every-

lar
particu-

no

Perhaps,

"

good in it.
am
perhaps

perhaps rather
the

more

individual,

but

man.
more

on

the

Though
nearer

to

There
of

the

amiel's

species,in

journal.

My

me.

unsuited

43
whicli

nature,

for

is absolutely

practical life, shows

psychological study. It
taking sides,but it allows
all sides.
It is not
only
from
drawing
prevents me

great aptitude for

prevents
to

me

from

me

understand

indolence

which

conclusions

; it is

sort

of

secret

aversion

all intellectual

a
proscription. I have
of
feeling that something
everything is
wanted
to make
a
world, that all citizens
have
a right in the
State, and that if every
opinion is equally insignificantin itself,all

to

opinions

have

live

let

and

maxims

some

hold

live,think

which

truth.

upon

and

let

To

think,

are

equally dear to me.

My
tendency is always to the whole, to the
of things.
totality,to the general balance
What
is difficult to me
is to exclude, to
condemn, to say no ; except, indeed, in the
of the
exclusive.
I am
always
presence
fighting for the absent, for the defeated
for that portion of truth which
seems
cause,
to me
aim
is to complete
neglected ; my
thesis, to see round
problem, to
every
every
all its possible sides.
study a thing from
Is this scepticism ?
Yes, in its result, but
not

in

of the
their

proper

are

its purpose.

and

absolute
proper

place

It is rather

value
the

the

and

the

sense

infinite

reducing to
relegating to their

finite and

the

relative.

amiel's

44
But

here, in

is greater

than

perception
I have

gift,

the

same

my

power

is

thought, and,

critical

the

swallow

the

up

from
Alas

little

good luck,

have

been

made

inventiveness

genius.

to

deed
it in-

Is

"

lowed
al-

ambition,

more

different

of me,

out

and

or

man

might

such

as

my

of.

promise

gave

August 1869.
Schopenhauer.
"

terrified

almost

and

opinions

than

creative

more

over

of my

timidity, I have
intelligence in me

little

16th

speculative

timidity ?

! with

youth

my

to

energy

from

cal
philosophi-

; my

superior
the

not

ambition

my

way,

far greater width

I have
of

journal.

have

It has

"

to

me

see

ing
think-

been

struck

me

well

how

for
Schopenhauer's typical man,
and
ing
sufferhappiness is a chimera
'the
a
negation of
reality,'for whom
liveranc
of desire
is the
and
only road to de-

represent
whom

will

'

and

is the
the

system,
to

and

admitted

axiom

in any

is

is

the

I have

general

it here

an

and

way,

there

etc.

evil and
root
never

of

nihilation
an-

the

dared

although
in

plation
contem-

enfranchisement,'

only

this

life

impersonal

principle that life

a
good lies at

enunciate

have

individual

the

which

from

misfortune

But

'

Individ-

amiel's
ual

cases.

Western

mind, who

has

of

put away

the

of

from

him

modem
mind

of

in the

very

powerful

in

j', and

German

to

of the

successes

man

to

hobbies,

professes Buddhism

who

thrope
misan-

antipathy

European

to

hypocrisies,to
is
Schopenhauer

day.

his

Fraiikfort, is

prejudice,

current

45

I still like in tke

What

"

of

flow

journal.

all

sions,
illu-

the

full

absolute
midst

tachment
de-

of

the

orgie. His great defects

barrenness
of soul, a proud and
are
perfect
is
of genius which
selfishness, an adoration
with
combined
to the
complete indifference
rest of the world, in spite of all his teaching
of
He
has
sacrifice.
no
resignation and
And
love.
no
no
humanity,
sympathy,
nineteenth-century

here

Pure

between

us.

intelligence and

easily lead
once
appeal

me

to

to the

attitude

charity,

rights, and
29th

unlikeness

the

recognise

solitary labour
might
his point of view
; but
heart, and I feel the contemplative
untenable.

and

insist

devotion
even

Pity, goodness,
reclaim

the

upon

first

their

place.

1869.
Schopenhauer
August
preaches
impersonality, objectivity, pure
ness,
contemplation, the negation of will, calmand
aesthetic
disinterestedness, an
from
study of the world, detachment
life,
"

46

amiel's

the

renunciation

of all

disdain

of

all

to

approves

all my

aversion

to

the

journai,.

the

that

and

vulgar

covet.

defects, my

He

childishness, my

practical life,my
distrust

word, he flatters all

ference
indif-

crowd,

the

utilitarians,my

In

tation,
desire, solitarymedi-

my

antipathy
of

to

all desire.

instincts

he

justifiesthem.
This
between
pre-established harmony
the theory of Schopenhauer
and my
ural
natown
man
causes
me
pleasure mingled with
I might indulge myself in the pleasterror.
ure,
and

caresses

but

that

I fear

for this

and

that

virtue

in

science.
con-

consists

in

self-conquest.

Still some
August 1869.
chapters
believes
Schopenhauer.
Schopenhauer
of
innate
dencies
tenthe
unchangeableness
in the individual, and
in the invariability
of
the
primitive disposition. He

refuses
real

stifle

I feel that

30th
of

and

goodness has no
contemplative indifference,

Besides,
tolerance

delude

to

"

believe

to

in

towards

progress

positive improvement
Only the appearances
the
no
change below
confuses

the

man,

perfection,
in
are

incline

or

human

refined

surface.

temperament,
?

new

in any
in

being.
;

there

Perhaps

character, and
to

think

any

that

is

he

dividual
inin-

amiel's

is

dividuality

fatal

that

and

of

Liberty

result

the

For

Schopenhauer,

with

temperament

In

he

short,

at

view

of

that

which

vital

is

of

and

of

the

first
is

man's

of

matter

sation
sen-

alone

is

of

use

ments
ele-

two

historical

biography.

character

"

is identified

That

merely

point of

elementary

more

only

animal.

the

is

just as will with passion.

looks
simplifiestoo much, and

from

man

involuntary

matter

and

recent

more

nothing in the
being; character

our

fruit,and

is

character

morals.
for

of

primitive, that
able,
back, but is alter-

temperament,

{esthetics

or

47

voluntary or
Individuality

modifications.

psychology,

far

character

of

susceptible

it count

and

reaches

temperament

matter

journal.

sufficient

in

case

which

spontaneity

chemical

the

is

he

already calls
will.
Analogy is not equation ; a comparison
is not reason
and parables are
; similes
not
exact
of
language.
Many
hauer's
Schopenor

originalitiesevaporate
and

translate

to

come

them

into

when

we

close

more

precise terminology.

Later.

"

One

Lichtstrahlen
between

latter

is full

has
of
him

of

merely

Herder
and
marked

to

to

turn

feel

over

the

ence
differ-

Schopenhauer.
features

the

The

and

of

amiel's

48
observations
and

stand

which

leave

Herder

jourxal.

and

clear

less of

is much

from

out

vivid

page

impression.
; his

writer

the

ideas

entangled in his style,and he has no

brilliant condensations, no
jewels, no crystals.
While
he proceeds by streams
and
have
definite or
sheets of thought which
no
individual
outline,Schopenhauer breaks the
of his speculation with islands,striking,
current
original,and picturesque, which engrave
are

themselves

in the

difference

Pascal,

there

as

is

between

Bayle and

between

What

It

memory.

faculty

is the

brilliancy, and
Imagination.

same

Nicole

and

Saint-Simon.

which

gives relief,
to
thought ?

incisiveness
Under

is the

its influence

sion
expres-

concentrated, coloured, and

becomes

it has
strengthened, and by the power
individualising all it touches, it gives

and

it works.

into

glass

and

iron

and

own

stamp

borrows

gives back
are

he

steel ; he

into

idea

the

from

nothing

he

; but

He

has,

public opinion
will.

as

marks

gets hold
his

even

him

it were,

allows

sand
into

with

his

of.

He

stock, and

common

to

life

which

on

genius changes
glass into crystal, ore

every

much

material

of

writer

willingly reckoned

property.
and

iron

the

to

permanence

of

him

robberies
as

carte
to

private
blanche,

take

what

amiel's

31st

of

Augtist 1869.
mind
My

opposing

Buddhism,
at
a

has

been

of it ?

and

If

if it is

in the

is

suit
pur-

temptation, why

it,after having judged and

to

be

never

impersonality

consistent

I not

am

lumult

Shall

Christianity.

good, why

penhauer.
Scho-

Stoicism, Quietism,

"

myself

finished

I have

"

systems

with

peace

49

journal.

turn
re-

conquered

it?
Is

anything

happiness
fiction

and

of life

aim

deception.
dupe, who

which
of

leaves

religiousfervour.

me

Mai'a

the

with

for ?

and

eyes

I do

not

It would

of

me

an

know.
be

end

the

seeks, and

pessimism
It is

And

her,
My
then,

moments

difiicult to
I

for

it were,

as

intelligence
do

I believe

is it I

what

of

doubt

is indeed

artist.

stinct
in-

My

in my

at

and

eternal

an

he

Nature

I look

for

lure

mere

is

even

goodness, and
prevail. Deep within
in

I believe
will

with

ventional
con-

reason

by hope.

sceptical. What,

remains

in ?

Schopenhauer.

of

supreme

what

deceived

harmony

never

me

obtains

ever

and

the

individual

never

is in
Buddha

to

seems

The

is for

who

is that

of doubt

state

my

deepest

The

than

more

hope

Folly !
hope that good
say.

this

"

ironical

and

is a child
there
disappointed being of mine
hidden
a frank, sad, simple creature, who
"

amiel's

50
believes
all

in the

journal.

ideal,in love, in holiness, and

whole

heavenly superstitions. A
of idylls sleeps in my

nium
millen-

heart

; I

am

pseudo-sceptic, a pseudo-scoffer.
'

Borne

dans

L'homme

est

des

was

18G9.

of

that

the

of

he

day

mind.

body

refused

He

Church

; he

never

was

one

and

of
he

the

He

mysterious
He

would

the

'

he
was

Isis
died

to

the

they
Mother
of

the

sion
confes'

diocese

seekers

of

"

truth,
of

final moment

no

have

nothing

only

beyond

the

in the

ferings
suf-

of

any

great

God

except

one

unmarried,

sacraments

himself

allowed

any

the

belonged
of

the

of

bosom

in

his

moment,

the

it

as

before

energy

very

independent

the

hypocrisy.
with

the

arms

sixty-five

years

"

to

died

He

overcoming

this

in

loss

seems

evening

by

at

him

laying

What

Severus.

still wrote,
the

day,
Wednes-

Sainte-Beuve,

the

to

up

To-day,

; he

of

motto

Earth.

that

souvient

se

Laboremus

"

Septimius

of

are

voeux,

Yesterday,

"

1869.

harness, and
last

qui

Sainte-Beuve.

October

been

have

tonabe

ses

cieux.'

death

16th

dieu

un

0(to6er

Uth

infini dans

nature,

sa

or

to

do

rather

veil.

Being

of his

tary.
secre-

old.

His

amiel's

of work

powei
and

intact.

this

life and

I9th

by

Edmond

the

Temps.

French

this death

1869.

An

Scherer

the

last

the

article
in
of

prince

representative of

fact

The

all the

for

He

is to

the

value

tests

merit

the

of

every

is

perhaps

fine

who

one

mind.

the

leaves

fitting
bewas

The

"

greater

either

as

represents
say

the

fulcrum

the

public

public
reason,

scales, the refining rod,

work.

balance

melancholy,

critic acts

true

world.

article

The

B^ranger or
was
already
greatness
he
still helping us
was

judgment, that
the touchstone,
which

of

than

distant, historical

the

over

things

their

think.

manly

him

belonging
chatterers,

violence.

Sainte-Beuve

behind

Lamartine

to

oration

the

is, that

void

and

funeral
in

master

and

certain

a
a

"

about

Sainte-Beuve
him

bookmakers

the

breathes

so

thinking

admirable

on

makes

He

mediocrity

to

"

immense

was

is Scherer

What

critics and

to
to

of memory

epoch of literarytaste, the future

the

and

October

51

journal.

rarer

of

every

one

and

the

of judgInfallibility
ment
than
anything else,

of

qualities both

qualitiesdoes it demand
natural
and acquired, qualities

of

mind

and

heart.

labour,

what

study

and

What

years

comparison,

of
are

amiel's

52
needed

Like

maturity

fiftythat

the

his

of

the

bring

to

journal.

Plato's

critic

judgment
it is only

critical
sage,

rises

the

to

literary priesthood,

pompously, of his social function.

he
only can
hope for insight
modes

of

of

shades

Beuve
culture

and

being,

Sth
chilled
season,

for the

up

1869.

refined

This

thesis
such

that
it

as

anecdotes

thought.

cold

the

of

is better

same

mournful

left upon

to

the

is

of

of existence
us,

evil.

then

Like

existence
the

Greek

that
The

passed
encom-

If, in fact,

me.

and

non-

impression
youth.
my

Buddhism

which

illusion

as

life.

than

in

mistake

good

as

overshadowed

only

horror

me

me,

down

lays

not

the

of the

creation

death

has

Philosophy

book

is,is

credible
in-

an

Everything

"

morning:

melancholy

an

and
his

all, Hartmann's

and

life

Sainte-

physical immobility around

Obermann

the

all possible

the

I felt the

is

of

this

being, and

it

all the

me

terrible

black

of

service

December

Unconscious.

being,

into

And

facts

of

then

By

joined to this
infinitely
and
a
prodigious memory,

above

but,

it less

put

mastery

appreciation.

multitude
stored

for

at

height

true

or, to

to.

hides
makes
is

from

us

life tolerable
snare

Annikeris,

and
we

amiel's

ought

counsel

to

and

Buddha

for

labour

radical
the

"

Not

point, and
simply

suicide,

there

annihilation

that

again,
have

we

consciousness

troubles,

our

to

it and

and

the

of

point.

carried

Epicurism

must

philosophy

But

salvation

duty

and

faith

duty

lies

in

the

the
it

will with
that

this

the

of

in

farthest

despair.

depressing.

union

divine

all

cal
diaboli-

conciliation

the

is

tion
tempta-

as

its

is less

supreme

is

blasphemy !
the
phy
philoso-

to

the

at.

root

end

in

happiness,

individual
the

of

the

sonal
Per-

What

"

happiness

The

rection.
resur-

aim

possibility of

abominable.

hope

it

avoid

to

to

whereas

yet it is all logical; it is

And

by

life and

to

being
ought

we

of

again ; there is
difficulty. Death

is the

beginning

of

rise

to

ought

we

extirpation

causes

with

rather

or

Schopenhauer,

the

desire,

and

53

journal.

of

of

the

will, and

will

in

is directed

love.

It

is

as

true

that

real

happiness

better
good, as that the good become
the purification of trial.
Those
who

suffered

still

is

under
have

wanting in depth ; but

who
has
not
a
man
got happiness cannot
can
impart it. We
only give what we have.
Happiness, grief, gaiety, sadness, are
by
not

are

amiel's

54

strength

your

will

you

not

will

you
alone

can

from

us

be

rekindle
is not

who

have
;

those

who

have

are

the

the

apostles,

the

Gregory
Borgias, the

earth,

and

nature

intoxication

and

massacred
used

fanaticism

or

Her

benefactors

inventors,

hearts.

Her

Constantines,

the

HI.'s, the

Innocent

is, as
in

which
soul
"

it were,

is

light and
but

itself,influenced
was

going

to

appear

nothing
to

dream

heaven

which

history,

by fantastic
the

are

despised her,

pure

's, the

years,

drama
of

and

Caesars,

civilisation

illumined

idols

her

artists, the
all

about

Napoleons.

thousand

with

those

are

thoughts

and

the

VII.

claim

hunger,

our

Humanity

purposes.

the

are

Life

gourd.

great

and

so

"

others

and

muzzled

poets,

them,

up.

What

flattered

selfish

for

them

lift

of

her

her

of

energy,

masters

her, inflamed

Every

your

our

have

who

masters

but

thought
her

those

Give

thirst

our

sickly, and

them.

life.

and

but

and

to

and

and

health

your

weak

use

benefactors

The

her

of

revive

bread

our

the

to

weakness,

your

but

Bring

contagious.

nature

so

journal.

say

and
men

ing
representa

projection
by some

hallucina-

amiel's

tion
awake

still

And

the

is that

reason

from

starts

their

of

our

religion. Everything
is

religion which

if not

material

the

the

least

figures, at
shade, and

eral
gen-

men
see
religion makes
and
under
a
special
humanity
is a mode
of apperception, which

world

light ; it
can
only

when
scientificallyhandled
it aside, and
can
only be
have
we
replaced it by a

be

have

judged

It

Every

aspect.

we

of

it.

with

kaleidoscope,

our

colour, their light and

their

the

to

time.

or

deceiving light
the
light is our

changes

gives

the

across

race

the

mind

own

widest

are

world

real

the

see

illusion

dominant

who

Those

other.

or

"

55

journal.

cast

when

better.

23d
instinct

of

rebel

which

that

of

revolt,

in

radicale

Bose

is

which

the

the

is

us

time

also

us

us

the
That

is,then,
in

Kant.

condition

individual.

Sin

the

of

the

same

makes

an

in

like

of

enemy

duty,

reason,

is in

There

"

will stoop to

element

at

1870.

February

and

The
of
eternal

which

an

law,

not

even

This

wisdom.
of

root

all

yoke,

no

man

all sin

das

"

independence
individuality is
temptation
makes

us

of
ings
be-

sinners.
our

the

very

blood

marrow,
in

our

it circulates

veins, it

56

amiel's

is

mingled

rather

natural
Sin

journal.

all

with

am

wrong

in

consists

sin

the

independence
which
independence

the

Or
is

temptation

but

state,

substance.^

our

is

not

necessary.

voluntary
which

is

is bad

out

confusion

of

with

good

the

; it is caused

by

the

first
to
a
half-indulgence granted
We
the
shut our
to
sophism.
nings
begineyes
of evil because
they are small, and in
weakness

this

defeat.

our

contained

is

the

obsta

Principiis

this

"

would
dutifully followed
preserve
almost
all our
catastrophes.
We

will

caprice
have

to

the

opposed
tries

is

calls

natural

the
is

and

of

xos,

order

and

civilised

in

And

the

must

be

wise

man,

man

produce

mast

be

and

tested

righteous.

And

and

fractory,
re-

of

to

trary
con-

negative.
the

savage

constitutes

must

the

disciplined
a
produce
man.
be

patiently cultivated

tried

the

our

Christianity

But

us,

primitive stuff

to

therefore

which

man.

within

of

contemptuous

it,and

foundation

this

which

rule

to

will

insolent,

order, ungovernable

to

It

and

to

our

self

foundation

seditious, impious,

is

from

but

evil

our

maxim

us

master

say,

and

God,

all that

other

no

is

that

"

no

nature

have

of

germ

and

the

if he

righteous

wise

is to
man

man

become
must

amiel's

have

the

substituted

will, if

individual
And

this

is

the

of

which

spiritual
and

of

is to

become

being,

well

as

well

man,
the

as

the

as

his

saint.

heavenly

speak
as

for

regenerate

the

man,

Magi

the

God

will

this

Vedas

the

Gospel,

he

man,

new

57

journal.

Neo-

Platonists.

nth

1870.

March

music

of

under

my

windows

It

tears.

of

echoes

infinite
Such

of

ideal

ravishes

and

sad

whose

the

intoxicates

"

of

divine
to

inward

ecstasy,

heaven,

dream, and

If

transports

harmony
world

soul

Pythagoras 1 ages ago

harmonies,
surprised

these

our

dreaming
passion and
impressions

in the

spheres,

it is
is
our

music

because

"

of
preme
suare

ries
memo-

sweetness

heart.
you

O
heard

these

ments
mo-

knew

these

thus

carries

music

is harmony,

perfection, perfection
dream

is heaven.

quarrels and of bitterness, of

ugliness, and
misery, makes
long involuntarily for the eternal peace,
which
has
the adoration
no
limits, and
of

to

me

1 0

Plato

us

Paradise

of

almost

me

gic
indefinable, nostal-

; it set

happiness.
the

which

an

me

world,

the
morning
had
stopped

moved

exercised
over

power

another

band

brass

This

"

is

This
ishness,
selfl^s

for
the

58

amikl's

love

which

has

infinite

the

which

the

as

great,

order

has

no

of

pride

make

30th

universe.

; it

only

of

the

March
and

unjust

faith.

without

way

commit

is

It

"

mad

Nature

is

probity, and

without

alternatives

are

aversion, and

her

of

misery

is useless

of

instinct

of

hjrpotheses,
itself

to

the

greater

accuse

justice it

another

of

out

blind

revolts

"

and

imagined
made

it has

idea

the

satisfy

to

has

which
the

religion,

and

nature,

providence,

which

love.

only

the

law

this

own

In

sal
univer-

conscience, however,

human

against

for

in the

place,

"

The

two

fill its

redressing an injustice is to
another.
The
happiness of the few

number.

its

with

ambition

Certainly,

or

be

to

of

expiated by

force.

of

Her

gratuitous favour
only

God

and

us

harmony
to

heard

shameless,

being,

evil, in

desires

"

yearn

of

Moral

duly

1870.

we

limits

in

are

the

much

so

all necessary

at

we

its note

concert

that

; it is

us

as

is not

the

or

It is not

long

so

the

and

upon

us.

It

beautiful

being,

weigh

without

end.

no

It is not

for.

journai..

of

an

vidual
indi-

hypothesis

of

life.

these

we

is thus

have

declared

protest against nature,

immoral

and

scauda-

amiel's

lous

the

to

good, and
justice he
around

Fiat

that

he

that

is but

cheat,

and

is

has

humanity

not

chance

some

there is

conflict

and

moral

the

is

by

universe
that

no

to

conscience

just ;

And

faith.

the

world,

between

since

reality and
right.
that

necessary

exist,
be

explain

but

fixed

and

atheism

obstinacy

this

is

point. Nature
products of nature

the

the

it is necessary

done,

the

world

natural

be

must

means

on

done.

be

itself,this protest
of expressing a truth.
If

justice should

is bound

tery,
mys-

between

should

all

made

conscience, conscience
It

justicewill

of

on

injustice

the

mundus

act

in

himself

appearance,

an

that

great

believes

ground

may

maintains

59
Man

sense.

justitia,pereat

It

has

moral

him
a

journal.

of

not

why
we
are
always claiming and prophesying
justice? why does the effect rise up against
?
It is a singular phenomenon.
its cause
the
Does
from
protest come
puerile
any
of human
blindness
vanity ? No, it is the
deepest cry of our being, and it is for the
honour
Heaven

we

are

of

and

good ought
to be.

God

Such

Nature

will

eternal

will

that

earth
to

cry

may

be, and

is the
be

the

creed

pass

over

uttered.

away,

injustice ought
of the

conquered

triumph

is

by

time.

human

but
not
race.

spirit: the

6o

amiel's

1st
that

for

the

of

places

love, and

'

say,
and

man,
Thus

the

object of her
of

nature

who

woman

love
is

she

truly

fundamental

her
the

conjugal adoration,
he

that
has

made

the

himself
such

woman,

is

lived

has

despLsed by

one

the

disdained
The
her
she
make

who

woman

individuality

own

loves.
him

and

She

desires

greater,
more

of

the

God.'
in the

in the

the

line

realises

contrary,

life consist
should

in

ine
imaghe

sufficiently when
priest

of

half

of

that

that

Thus

man

he

cretly
se-

themselves.

truly seeks
in

beloved

perhaps

women

stronger,

active.

of

she

world, and

loves

able

herself

who

is but

by

justice.

glory

On

and

of

was

glory

make

should

who

man

gi*eat

order,

of

Paul

woman,

type.

of

speak,

to

man,

perfection of

absorbs

is,so

criterion

the

is the

and

then, that

St.
is

man

is

perfection

woman

the

the

that

sense

For

in the

ideal

thority
au-

rest

It

seem,

in the

The

the

source

reason,

her

man

in this

was

the

would

It

supreme

right.

to

to believe

evil.

or

it is not

but

excellence.

to

good

is

synonym

woman

is the

judges

is subordinate

passion,

It

which

what

inclined

am

love

that

decides

"

woman

"

love

1870.

April

journal.

her

to

the

love

more

each

merge
man

should
line,
mascu-

sex

plays

amiel's

its

appointed part
for

Woman

society.
owes

himself

peace

and

the

and

man,

man,

the

in

good

and

law
The

obtains
he

she

or

thing

and

woman

man

this

accepted

same

in

evil

an

be

may

the

her, weakness

in

strength

be

may

when

for

one,

each

only

happiness

to

and

all ;

recognised this
of things.
balance

destined

is

herself

owes

to

tined
is first des-

woman

man

has

6i

journal.

in

him.
is then

There

morality,
to

general

human

which

is

virtue
is

there

is the

sex

each

the

an

so

harmony

least

at

of

produced

the

the

our

sexes

America
this

ideal

democratic

of individuals

in

the
the

an

is

the

other,
of

ears

of

tice,
juslove.

social

and

state,

civilisation.

European
a

virtue

ears

whole

in

of

oscillation

represent

is

functions.

revolutionise
of

is

epoch, sometimes
Such

of

justice in

which

average

convert

in

love

for

teaching,

incarnations
to

of

tliis virtue

mutual

of

preaching

there

And

sex.

two

second

the
And

of

it its business

first

it were,

the
morality. Below
sexless,
evangelical and

occasion
the

of

makes

an

virtue

masculine

chaptei*s,as

preparatory

"

and

feminine

idea

of

graduated
on

the

the

order

road

to

by the introduction
principle of the equality
general equality of func-

62

amiel's

tions.
but

when

Only,
a

there

multitude

neither

young

women,

neither

all social

"

journal.

of

is

nothing left
individualities,

equal
old,

nor

neither

benefited

nor

benefactors,

nor

will

difference

men

turn

upon

money.

the dollar,
hierarchy will rest upon
the most
and
brutal, the most
hideous,
the most
inhuman
of inequalities will be the
fruit of the passion for equality. What
a
result ! Plutolatry
the worship of wealth,
of gold
the madness
to it will be confided
of chastising a false principle and
the task
its followers.
And
plutocracy will be in its
be
executed
turn
a
by equality. It would
ualism
individstrange end for it, if Anglo-Saxon
hi
were
ultimately swallowed
up
The

whole

"

"

socialism.

Latin

It is my

made

in

the

between

equilibrium
be

that

prayer

time, before

discovery

the

of

principles

two

social

ruin, overtakes

and

all its terror

the

an

may

war,

with

us.

But

always
by
ignorant and limited, and only advance
of contrary errors.
They rea^h
a succession
of evil.
They
good only by the exhaustion
it is

scarcely likely.

discover
their

the

heads

15th

way

1870.

masses

are

out, only after

against

April

The

"

all other

having run
possible issues.

Crucifixion !

That

is

amiel's

the

word

it not
To

but

Friday

curse

grief

do

of

the

the

is easier

than

to

fall back

into

the

triumph,

transmutation

of

the

of

glory,

symbol

of

salvation

of

the

death

of

death,
of

skies

of

pain ?
Grave,

of

subdued

and

Cross

martyrdom,

suffering

gibbet

into

What

does

the

not

the

if

mean,

defeat

the

grief,
into

of
?

of

thorns

of
the

fication
sin, the beati-

raising

where

where

Death,
is

is

the

to

thy sting

thy victory

this theme
brooding over
the just, peace
in the
midst
the
heavenly beauty of such
came

born,
religion was
say, of explaming
suffering.
a
Suffering was
it becomes

of

understand

to
"

new

life and

'
"

of

agony

and

agony,
peace

mode,
of

of

long

By

that

from

curse

the

"

fied ;

natural

voluntary sacrifice,the defiance

'

"

the

of

crown

crown

apotheosis

carnal,

the

it,

point of

Christianity
by the apotheosis

if not

Is

bless

has

its marvellous

into

to-day.

earthly,
what

wox'ld

by

the

By

man.

is to

so

meditate

to

Good

to

view

have

we

63

journal.

manity
hu-

"

that

new

is to

ing
understand-

which

man

purification of the
trial sent
soul, a sacred
by Eternal
Love, a
divine
to sanctify and
dispensation meant
ennoble
acceptable aid to faith, a
us, an
now

64

amiel's

strange initiation
of belief
is

All

into

O power

happiness.

remains
A

changed.

journal.

the

and

same,

certitude

yet all

arises

deny
the
and
the
tangible ; it pierces
apparent
of things, it places an
through the mystery
invisible
us

makes

of

And

so,

becomes

pyre

of

they sing
sacred

the

of

wish

to

ecstasy makes
with

speak

and

heaven,

life

face

visible

explain

what

they

for

the

are

what

unalterable

that

his

revolutionised
realised

mercy,

and

repentance.
in

heaven

feel, their

salvation

death,
of

over

love,

these

"

of

him

God, Jesus,
He

on

by
an

his

fire and

proclaimed
in the

granted
saying, There

to

'

sinner

the

forth.

of

by faith

one

thirst

the

gentleness
to
bring

pardon
his

of

in

world.

the

they

intoxication

inextinguishable

in the

when

and

with

an

By

and

executioners,
sense

union

kindled

cross,

joy

of

power

unconquerable

indissoluble

and

delirium

had

pardon

wild

mortality
im-

renewed

incomprehensible

eternity,
has

of

has

them,

tongues.

Crucified

hosanna

for

them

the

the

funeral

the

world

for

his

it

nature,

on

madness

self-sacrifice,
contempt

By

to

joy shining through tears, and

pain the beginning of joy.
for those
who
have
believed, the

tomb

they

behind

Father

shows

the

new

that

infinite

simple
is

more

repent-

amiel's

eth

than

over

ninety and

no

repentance,'

need

who

gate of

the

wholly, give
which

peace

upon

word

has

and

exact

more

world

this

is for

although humanity

God,

to

self
your-

and

the

will

scend
de-

eighteen centuries
been
spoken ; and

For

you.

grander

no

of

is not

humility

self, mortify
all

up

made

he

persons

Paradise.

rebellious

the

just

nine

into

entrance

Crucify

65

journal.

seeking after
application of

ever

complete

justice,yet her secret faith is not in justice

but
in pardon, for pardon
alone
conciliates
the spotless purity of perfection with
the
infinite
that
to weakness
is to
pity due
"

it alone

say,
of

of

that

it allows

while

holiness,

The

love.

consolation,

disarms

all
of

that

pardon,
Cross

The

it has

7th
to

1870.

May

its idols

retarding
the
curb

and

property
to

and

our

the

"

is to

is the

Therefore

the

say,

of

guarantee

of

been

resists

faith

all

lawless

robs

even

ble
irrevoca-

eternal
the

life.

Gospel.

clings

which

all innovation

conservative
of

the

its standard.

The

"

to

which

news,

of

news

idea

scope

proclaims

good
earthly griefs, and

its terrors

the

full

Gospel

ineffable

death

defends

and

preserves

force

religion
passion

to

for

; but
serve

is

it is
as

freedom,

amiel's

66
and

journal.

of
steady and quiet our restlessness
Curiosity is the expansive force,
temper.
allowed
unchecked
an
"which, if it were
action
lise
disperse and volatiupon
us, would
to

us

; belief

and
bodies

by

individuals

faith, develops

then, is

the

it is the

permanent

substance

hended
the

or

tlie divine

result

of

the

decide

the

Its

the
of

basis,

uncompre-

form

labour.

of

is
The

confused

tions,
intui-

which

presentiments,

first faith

the

ing
ferment-

changing

the

lives

knowledge.

is the

its intellectual

obscure

separate

unknown,

desire

adhesions,

unconscious

the

; its

tation
gravi-

Society

us.

while

"

principle in

of

science.

by

religion,

"

force

makes

of

mysterious,

intangible,
Its

which

cohesion,

and

the

represents

people, are then

in its history. All
of capital importance
between
the
history moves
religion which
is the genial, instinctive, and
fundamental
philosophy
which

of

race,

ultimate

is the

perception,

is to

that

and

the

philosophy

religion,
"

say,

of

the

those

clear

ciples
prin-

the
whole
engendered
of humanity.
spiritualdevelopment
It is always the same
is,which
thing which
will be ; but
and
which
this thing
was,
which

have

"

the

absolute

transparency

"

betrays
and

with

profundity

more

the

less

or

law

of

its

amiel's

lifQand

of its

metamorphoses.

aspect it is called
world

the

in

nature

God

is

for

taken

; there

God

immanence

aspect
in

present

God

it is not

but

God,

its fixed

In

; in its mobile

is not

nature

neither

am

God

nature.

or

but

nature,

67

journal.

is

Himself.
for

nor

scendence
tran-

alone.

1870.
Disraeli, in his new
May
that
the
two
novel, Lothair, shows
great
9th

"

forces

of

the

are

Revolution

the

free

present

Catholicism, and
lost if either

that

of

these

two

and

nations

forces

are

triumphs.

It is

idea.
exactly my own
Only, while in
in all
France, in Belgium, in Italy, and
Catholic
societies,it is only by checking
of these
forces
one
by the other that the
civilisation
State
and
be maintained,
can
the

Protestant

them

there

countries
is

third

between

the

two

enables

them

to

better

are

off ; in

force, a middle

other

faith

idolatries, which

regard liberty not as

of two
neutralisation
contraries, but as
moral
reality,self-subsistent,and possessing
its
force.

centre

own

In

the

of

gravity

Catholic

world

each
other.
liberty exclude
world
they accept each

in the

second

of force.

case

there

is

and

motive

religion and
In

the

other,
a

smaller

tant
Protesso

that
waste

amiel's

68

journal.

is the

lay, the philosophical principle.

the juridical and
social
expresses

Liberty
It

aspiration of the race.

society possible without
without

control,

limitations

which

take

there

as

is

no

regulation, without
individual

on

moral

all without

liberty,above
the peoples
well

But

limitations,
freest

legallythe

are

do

their

religious consciousness
for check
In
mixed
and
ballast.
States,
Catholic
or
freethmking, the limit of action,
being a merely penal one, invites incessant
to

contravention.

puerility of

The

believing

in

that

itself and
a

of

kind.

it, or
is

response

of

eyes

if there

this

law

of

is not

the

it ?

and

have
a

Him

God,

lawful

is

on

as

in

sciences
con-

impossible,

If

there

is a

side, and

our

it would

the

of

in all Catholic

everybody
and

clergy or
So long
equivocal

case

peace

of

which

majority

is the

first of all to convert

idea

are

is insecure.

must

will

the

reason

the

or

public

"

public
we

common

rather,

half

States

God,

lies

ambiguous

and

"

tain
main-

can

religious prejudice

depositories of

the

church

and

society

Where

the

it

Is

the

free

consists

keep itself together without

some

expresses

the

freethinkers

faith, without

common

God

the

be
to

useful,

necessary
the
to

same
recon-

amiel's

stitute,that

is to

69

journal.

lay religion,'before

say,

anything politicallysolid could be built.

straction
abLiberalism
is merely
feeding upon
itself
that
when
it persuades
free
individuals,
liberty is possible without
and

it will

when

individual

in the

education,

moral

liberalism

to

education,

is to

is

it

man

of

out

How

to the

conscience

of

Catholicism
who

are

obey,

in

possess

the

what

men

exterior
a

admit,

are

the
are

of

its

by

they

secret

truth.
the

revelation, cleverly made

patient priesthood.

and

to
are

clergy alone

the

of
in

self,
one-

disciples,

believe,

right,the

landed

science
con-

guide

told, because

measure

Ultramontane

to

perpetuity, and
law

walk

to

is to

evil ; but

to

never

of individual

emancipates

never

minors

and

and

has

majority, to be
one's
actions, and

of

master

they

preach

individual

government
one's

bound

as

of

attained

good

supposes
pre-

To

clothes

free,

To

have

who

be

emancipated,

judge

child

abdication

lead

to

which

population jesuitised by
the pleasures of dancing
press
lost a leg. How
who
has

swaddling

the

can

education,

for

possible

been

of

liberating religion.

upon

fruit

is the

liberty
foregoing

that

recognise

not

of

tice,
jus-

This

is

idea

of

an

use

of

by

AMIEL'S

7"
what

But
of

the

JOURNAL.

astonishes

is the

me

of

short-sight

do
south, who
that
the
see
question of questions is
do
now
religious question, and even
statesmen

that

recognise

liberal

with

incompatible

the

the
not

is

State

wholly
religion,

anti-liberal

an

not

and

almost

but

many,

turn

against each other.

libertyis to be saved, it will

equally incompatible with the

of religion. They confound
absence
dental
acciand
precarious progress
conquests
with lastingresults.
There
is some
probability that all this
noise which
is made
nowadays about liberty
end in the suppression of liberty ; it is
may
plain that the International, the irreconcilables, and the ultramontanes, are, all three
of them, aiming at absolutism, at dictatorial
not
one
Happily they are
omnipotence.

If

and

by
God

it will be
those

faith

the

wills

by

old-fashioned

the

faith

soul

to

the

enfranchised
of the

human

free

seekers

the

pious

race.

but

persons

world

children

who

after

eternal

whole

be
or

by
the

tion,
by religious convic-

be

to be

man

not

science,

of individuals

immortality and

the

of

men

; it will

materialists

that

diflBcult to

be

not

them

doubters, the

the

of

it will

also pure

holiness, by
who
speak

life,and
; it will

of

believe

the

prefer
be by
ancient

amiel's

June

6th

1870.

precisely in
philosophic, nor
the unforeseen,

eflBcacyof religion
is not
which
rational,

The

"

lies

71

jourxal.

that

eternal

; its

efficacylies
the

miraculous,

the

Thus

in

is to say,

that

"

religionattracts
proportion as it demands
the

to

aspires

explain

to

dissolve
the

profane mind.

them

other

and

constitutes
of

the

'

foolishness

possession of
those

who

the

When
of

the

masses.

wish

to

mystery,

to
on

which

it is mystery
of

'

mysteries,

religious instinct

essence

proselytism.

the

day,

ible
incred-

philosopher

It is

the

pursues

faith

more

all

light.

which

hand,

demands

power

into

tion
devo-

more

The

away

dinary.
extraor-

more

it becomes

as

in

get

worship,

the

the

came
be-

cross

it took

cross,

And

in

rid

of the

our

own

natural,
super-

enlighten religion,to economise

faith, find themselves
deserted, like poets
who
should
declaim
against poetry, or
who
should
Faith
women
sists
condecry love.
in the
of the
hensible,
incompreacceptance
and
in the
even
pursuit of the
with
its
impossible, and is self-intoxicated
gances.
own
sacrifices, its own
repeated extravato

It is the
law

forgetfulness of

which

Christianity.

stultifies the
It

is

the

this

cal
psychologi-

so-called
realisation

liberal
of

it

AMIEL^S

73
which

JOURNAL.

constitutes

of

strength

the

cism.
Catholi-

Apparently no positive religion can

tiie supernatural element
which
for

reason

to

seems

be

All

concrete

pure

air

the
a

for

the

of

cults.

as
long then
in need
of religion as
of morality, as
food

is

sanction

turn

So

from

long

so

and

long
faith,
"

will

charity, so long

away

truth,
so

religion

all historic

philosophy.

faith, hope, and

naked

is the

religions die eventually in the

and

masses

of

tomb

life of nations

motive

Natural

its existence.

vive
sur-

rest

in

the

ideal

presents itself

they adore

rightly
only

and

reason

pure

will

so

in

tery,
mys-

will

"

region

to them

the

they

where

the

attractive

an

form.

Qth

June

depends

1870.

At

"

the

upon

presence

the

single element
activity of man,

his

enterprises,

one

of

and

attaining

one

inevitable

To

implore

soul

in the
all

his

has
the

of

of

hope.

All

and
in

hope

kill this

like

height. To
something

law

absence

all
him

hope

senseless, spasmodic,

become

convulsive,

"

everything

efforts

Once

end.

an

fallingfrom

the

or

presuppose

his movements
and

bottom,

those

of

some

struggle with
childish

gravitatiorito

in

it.

sus-

amiel's

its action

pend

would

faith

loses

when

he

in the

to

says

would

still be

that

little

universal

riddle

the

world

of

Is this

the

raise

of

liad

the

life

immobility.

of the
or

to

attempted
the

and

secret

old

has

belief

behold

the

dead.
that

God

upon

the

left

already

it?

read

from

escapes

is

is the

Complete

'

; he

he

"

see

if life is

illusion

destruction

recorded

all

to

comes

absolute

living

meaning

who

passion

supposing

he

that

existence

brought

mortal
Judaja

the

is

happiness

movement.

finite

veil of Isis

the

face

and

deciphered

wheel

great

ble
incapa-

is necessary

mean

of

tesque
gro-

gratified,everything

blindness

has

who

vanity,' tjien

would

when

are

; and

snare

on,

but

illusion, the

an

spring of

disillusion
He

be

You

'

ideal

were

carried

be

to

to

is

ambitions

your

well

himself,

realising your
is
chimera, progress
perfection

doubt

efficacyof his efforts,

of

for

T^t

no

Very

prayer.
man

journal.

the

Kgypt

fact, Buddha

to

face
ra-sh
and
gave

ing
life is a nothkey to it ; the individual
this
as
soon
as
ignorant of itself,and
life is abolished
itself,individual
nothing knows
sion
in principle. For
the illuas
soon
as
its
resumes
vanishes.
Nothingness

the

eternal
error

has

the

suffering of
disappeared, time and

sway,

life is over,
form

have

amiel's

74
ceased

to be

journal.

enfranchised

for this

air-bubble

; the

coloured

the

infinite

space,

and

has

sunk

rest

in the

to

all-embracing
activity,

the

then,

and
suited

the

it is

to

is the

The

an

the

is

nation

an

of

free

being

and

eminent

Frenchman

value

his

but

not

each

possess

scarf, sword, or robe,

and
then
decoration,
"

"

in

he

the

an

The
bear

to

bly
assem-

individual

himself.

on

depends

; if he

of

sality
univer-

bring

which

science.
con-

majority.

can

force,

of

towards

attained

not

of the

in

men

ventions
con-

still show

intolerance

which

army

for

value

of

ignorant

liberty,and

adhesion

depends
his

mination,
deter-

majesty

are

have

number,

mass,

all

absolutely ignores

the

French

which

or

for

and

of individual

ideas

is

lute,
abso-

public

substitutes

essentially catholic

the

of

manner

truth, and

personal dignity
A

it is

of the vices of France

One

"

frivolitywhich
for

The

zero

only

if it

Non-being.

July 1870.

2d

the

of

repose

desire, which

absolute.

be

in

thought

activity, and

of

the

must

of

absolute,

The

still be

with

burst

changeless

daughter

incompatible

has

misery

Nothing.

spirit,would

were

the

ality
individu-

upon

The

others

stripe, cross,
word, function
is

held

to

be

amiel's

something,

and

feels himself

he

It is the

symbol

it is the

public which
the

as

highly-trained
for

them

Himself

God

which

treats

without

true

claim

of

July

of

pretension

any

official stamp,

individual

1870

or

to

as

mere

the

either

possess

(Bellalpe)

value.

lous
marvel-

"

be

to

scouts

personal

mental
funda-

truth

sacrilege, and

conviction

separate

20th

the

has

omnipotence

the

usui-pation and

He

Their

social

that

upon

until

by decree.
is

thing
; every-

religious, and

is non-existent

dogma

tipathy
an-

founded

be

must

established

been

These
an

independence

ing,
noth-

have

races

military, civil, or

authority

from

his viziers.

social

individual

with

his merit

him

raises

creates

and

somebody.

establishes

which

Sultan

75

journal.

day. The panorama

grandiose splendour j it
of
mountains, a cantata

before

me

is of

of
symphony
Alps.
sunny
I am
dazzled
and
oppressed by it. The
of delight in being
is one
feeling uppermost
able
to
admire, of joy, that is to say, in a
which
is
of contemplation
recovered
power
of physical relief,in being able
the result
surrender
at last to forget myself and
self
myto

of

things, as

health.

befits

Gratitude

is

is

man

in

mingled

my

with

state
en-

76

AMIEL^S

thusiasm.

I have

just spent

continuous

delight

at

JOURNAL.

peak behind
overpowered

sensations

and

look, feel, dream,

Later.

Ascent

"

the

view

Combin
a

sees

behind
fields
side

and

The

Aletschhorn,

many

ribbons

which

wind

zones,

them.
one

the
about
I

above

Aletsch

"

Alps, bare rock and

principal types of mountain
shaped Mischabel, with its

grassy

of

from
the

the

see

snow-

southern

of

the

the

Jung-

the

group

diverge

peak
study

another,

of

of

the

you

the

and

different

one

and

group

whence

could

Furka

world

Monch,

the

to

turn

representative

is the

saw

if you

Bernese

near

two

series

Ticino

the

Polar

the

ness
steep-

reward

the

glaciers forming

Finsteraarhorn,

because

Furka

beyond

enormous

The

the

whole

the

peaks of
Alps ; while

of the

frau.

from

whole

of

only

between

runs

the

even

and

great is one's

Alps

you

climb,

to

stones

few

Rhaetian

could

Sparrenhom.

which

how

; and

Spar-

flood

me.

easy

embraces

Valais

the

of

think.

loose

path,

But

abysses.
the

of

masses

of

very

of

us.

of the

it is not

I)eak of

The

foot

the

renhorn,

of the

the

hours

two

like

so

glaciers
which

different

fields,woods,
snow,
; the

four

and

the

pagodaaretes

as

amiel's

journal.

"ji

and
its staff of nine
tered
clusflying buttresses
peaks ; the cupola of the Fletschhorn,
the
dome
of Monte
of
Rosa, the pyramid
of the Cervin.
the Weisshorn, the obelisk
Round

fluttered

me

and

brilliant

nothing grew
deadness

the

image

boundless

close

vast

of

an

On

effects

some

elastic

of butterflies

few

flies ; but

lichens.

of the
white

mountain

my

of

The

Aletsch

upper

street, called

icy Pompeii.

silence.

noticed

emptiness
some

multitude

green-backed

except

and

glacier,like
up

All around
back

way

sunshine,

"

starred

grass,

I
the

with

the
gentian, forget-me-not, and anemones,
mountain
cattle standing out
against the
sky, the rocks just piercing the soil,various
circular
side, stone
dips in the mountain
of thousands
of
waves
petrified thousands
der
tenyears
ago, the undulating ground, the
the
quiet of the evening : and I invoked
soul of the mountains
and the spirit of the
heights !

22d
which
has

1870

July
was

become

(5e"a?pe).

The

"

this
misty and overcast
perfectly blue again,

giants of the Valais

are

bathed

sky,
morning,
and

in

the

tranquil

light.
Whence
oppresses

this
and

solemn
pursues

melancholy
me?

have

which

just

78

amiel's

read

series

of

journal.

scientific

books

the

Laics

of Palaeontology,

the

Law

of Geographical

(Bronn

on

Ritter

on

Karl

Are
Forms).
of
this
they the cause
depression ? or la
it the
majesty of this immense
landscape,
the
splendour of this setting sun, which
brings the tears to my eyes ?
'

Creature

d'un

weighs

what
is the
The

of

sense

thine

of

like

thee

upon

names

eyes

jour qui t'agites une

hover

men

tells

that

this

impassive

nature

shall

disappeared, butterfly that

have

without

having
of

breath

sacred

for

the

wheel

dumb

he

withers

all that

the

universal
which

struck

is

scarcely

breathe.

I
I am,

in

me

this

"

What

I feel

is
sort

the

seems

and

of

great

me

of

veil,

her

mystery

giddiness.
to

"

the

is full

me

corner

with
It

turning,
"

enwraps

but
Like

is mortal.

illusion,

perceives

beneath

man

great wheel

Isis lifts the

who

my

only for myself,

not

grand

stirs
is

abyss

it is the

perhaps

What

infinite

for

of

stupor

anguish.

Job.

sunbeam

feel

Or

to-morrow

things which

terror,
race,

my

Buddha,

and

life in the

our

of

of

which

weed

lived.

eternal

shudder

the

me

"

before

reproach, and

secret

it well

nothingness

utter

great

know

"

heure,'

can

that

amiel's

hanging

am

of

abyss
face

'

thread

destiny.

face, an

to

death

by

79

journal.

above

^he

Is this

the

of

intuition

less
fathomInfinite

last

the

great

Creature
Ton

d'un

kme

heure,

jour qui t'agites una

immortelle

est

et

pleurs

tes

vont

finir.'

Finir

desire

When

depths of ineffable
are
opening in the heart, as vast, as
the immensity
which
surrounds
as
all these
Genius, self-devotion, love,

ing
yawn-

ings
crav-

"

quicken
Like

once.

sink

to
a

mad

of

under

forces

all

waves,

me

this

wearied

and

torture

about

hidden

time

inevitable

delusions

flattering
die

humming
evening

in
in

It

is out

lives

that

every

out

of

of

youth

Like

clod

fade
the

upon

your

myriads
of

earth

of

sight
Live

up

whenever
breathe
of

to

to

insects

the

offer

content

murmur

shall

in

yourself

away

darkness,
Be

life

flame

shade

the

prayer.

life without
of

the

And

dissolves

'Resign

Shroud

which

pardon.

agony

submission.

of

conscious

am

for

cry

at

me

sailor

shipwrecked

the

from

then

the

the

and

clinging to life,and at the same

rush
of despair and
repentance,

the

life

into

us

your
out

of

ter
Mas-

tiny

unknown

is built

up.

amiel's

So

The

infusoria

millions

law.

Amen

Am

what

Accept

order

and

restless

to

stood

will

talents

shall

do.

The

been

Unproductive

required
be

of

and

mistake

Scherer's
must

8th
exiles

and

phrase

accept

good.

lost

and

me

undefined
make

to

my
I

am,

my
ers.
powured
tort-

production

not

my

very

was

remorse

superfluity?
back

comes

ourselves

September

have

that

that

may

better

the

neutralise

nature

belief
me,

of the

enough
to

plainly

see

love
me

My

no

never

between

have

the

ingness.
noth-

will torment

nature

useless, and
by

are

order, in

in

Alas,

Yearning for the ideal will

reality. Vague
aspiration
desire

they

your

except

peace

in

ought

will have

no

end.

the

until

count

is
I

changeable
to

not

millions.

there

But

me

do

upon
'

journal.

as

1870

we

to

'

We

are.'

(Zurich)
Paris

me,

"

All

the

Edgar QuiBlanc, Victor

Hugo.
By the
net, Louis
help of their united
experience will they
the Republic ?
It
succeed
in maintaining
it
is to be hoped
But
the
so.
past makes
lawful
While
the Republic is in
to doubt.
look
it as
reality a fruit, the French
upon
a

are

returning

seed-sowing.

to

Elsewhere

"

such

form

amiel's

of

government

an

men;

in

instrument

of

lias
protection. France
placed sovereignty in the hands
tude
suffrage, as though the multialready enlightened, judicious,

more

universal

of

be

must

and

instruction
once

free

presupposes

it is and

France

journal.

were

and

reasonable, and

and

discipline the force

task

her

now

is to train

which, by

fiction,

is master.

her

government, but
be
to
proved.

now

wisdom
Let

us

capacity

it has

for

For

still
has
will

and
of
give proof of amendment
is not impossible.
Such
?
a change
wait
for it with
sympathy, but also

caution.

with

Ehine

is

wide

The

1870

September

12th

"

murmuring

under

stream

rolls

gray

ago

years

the

terraces

Rhine

the

green
goes

mantle
and

comes

which

hangs
; the
as

the

great

arches

over

the

the

twenty
its

shoots

heaven

fringe

waves

of

or

years

cathedral

spires towards

arrow-like
on

red

the

window.

my
its

old

The

{Basle).

against
along and breaks
bridge, just as it did ten

of

self-

upon

she
eighty years
with
revolution
liberty ;

confounded
she

is set

of France

ambition

The

the

; the

ivy

left bank

walls

like

indefatigable ferry-boat
it did of yore ; in a word.

82

amiel's

be

things

seem

to

turns

gray

and

Now

the

as

I
of

ttim

eternal, while
his

first

here

came

journal.

heart

middle

landscape

then

as

it at

to

return

old.

grows

student,

hair

man's

the

fessor.
pro-

ward
down-

and

nothing in
changed except myself.

has

age,

be
melancholy of memory
may
and
all the same
puerile,
true, it is inexhaustible, and the poets
The

monplace
com-

it is

"

times

have

At

bottom,

variation
to

of

eternal

an

die.

to

frantic

one

but

can

undulation

in

Supposing

is still

line

the

or

add

to

one

of

little

slighter
destiny.

or

the

series

little

of
dent
evi-

more

distinct

more

The

to

whole

nitely
nothing but a fluttering of the infilittle,the insignificantrepetition of

an

invariable

the

individual

theme.
exists

In
or

no,

truth,
the

absolutely imperceptible

things

in

oneself,

one's

these,

make,

may

greater

it matter

does

bom,

; but

excite

renders

to

conquer

and

phenomena

others

himself, what

man

fundamental
to

cause

be

love, to suffer,to

to

efforts

strain

may

life ?
to

"

would

rich, to think,

grow

however

so

theme

Some

of all

its attacks.

is individual

what

fact, whatever

one

to

open

live,to feel, to hope,

weep,
to

been

that

every

complaint

in

whether

difference
the

and

whole
every

is
of
de-

amiel's

sire is ridiculous.
is but
and

flash

the

planet

second.
of

of

the
it

feeling

sun's

individual

the

to

return

entirety
planet,
gaseous
for

even

infinitesimal

is the

nothing.
then, is

What,
that

"

is to

of

play

the

phenomena,

all the
of

amusement

Brahma

tation
manifes-

inexhaustible

some

the

theistic

of God

to

of

and

good

Himself

make

beauty

to

This
to

moral

the

of

to

for

tator
spec-

working

end

is it the

view,

souls,

From

purpose
the

augment

sum

by the multiplication of

beings
Him

some

is Brahma
unselfish

of

wisdom

in free
back

Or

and

point

performing

while

somebody,

serious

out

flash

differen
in-

incessant, fugitive,

possibilities,the

is Maia

"

The

of

is Maia

Nature

of all combinations.

And

the

all

nature
an

say,

series

is

duration

may

the

The

in its

Humanity

in the

without

state

83

journal.

"

His

facets

heart.

consciousness

But

may

holiness

own

conception

which

is

far

is it
afiirms

and
tractive
at-

more

more

it.

true

If

man

capable of conceiving goodness, the general

be
cannot
principle of things, which
inferior
be
to man,
must
losophy
phigood. The
of labour, of
duty, of effort, is
of
surely superior to that
phenomena,
indifference.
If so,
chance, and universal

84

amiel's
whimsical

the

be

would

Ma'ia

in

would

eternal

the

Brahma,

to

journal.

be

subordinate

thought, and

his turn

subordinate

Brahma
to

holy

God.

October

25th
function

to

the

1870

"

maxim

'

most

governs

all constitutions, and

them.

Democracy
it,but

'Each

(Genem).
this
worthy :
is

test

to

serves

forbidden

not

to

rarely does apply

she holds, for example, that
the
it, because
is the
wlio
most
man
worthy man
pleases
he
who
her, whereas
pleases her is not
she
always the most
worthy, and becaiise
that
reason
guides the masses,
supposes
in reality they are
whereas
most
commonly
apply

led

by passion.
has

takes

to

be

And

in the

end

expiated, for

hood
false-

every
truth

always

its revenge.

Alas,

never

democracy

whatever

one

may

justice, reason,
be anything
more

and

the

and

intellectual

heritage

of

say

and

few

harmony,

than

or

do,

goodness
special

elect souls.
excellence

dom,
wis-

will
cases

Moral
in

all

always be a rarity of great

isolated
All
that
price, an
ch"/ d'ccuvre.
the
be
most
can
expected from
perfect
institutions
is that they should
make
it possible
for individual
excellence
to
develop

its

forms,

will

amiel's

that

itself, not
and

grace

such

noblesse

as

excite

oneself

which

have

second

order

an

The

of the

means

26th

has

1870.

woman,

in

what

me
a

less

husband

is

but

the

She
and

her

bluish

spends
forwards

sister,who

have

trees

finger of

letters.

life !

to

the

errand-

The
my

going backwards

invalid

life

of

feet ; the

them.

just brought

ignore,

to

all,is mostly

Sirocco.

"

crowns

their

touched

or

do

life.

true

leafy
at

which

after

which,

political

October

sky. The
dropped

diminish

to

the

of

importance

importance

importance

negative.

revolutions

against

an

an

"

can
government
therefore, to
use,

no

or

only

either

wish

but

for

of

form

no

constitute

always

It is of

manufacture.

not

Virtue
will

beauty,

produce the
and
genius,

should

they

individual.

excellent

85

journal.

winter

has

woman

Poor

little

her

nights

from
is

her

scarcely

helpless, and her days are

passed in
labour.
and
Kesigned
indefatigable, she
without
complaining, till she drops.
goes on
Lives
such
hers prove
as
something : that
the true
ignorance is moral
ignorance, that
and
labour
suffering are the lot of all men,
and that classification
according to a greater
less degree of folly is inferior
that
to
or

amiel's

86
which

journal.

proceeds according

less

degree
belongs not
the

best

the

to

and

unselfish

of virtue.

best

Humble,

is what

dignity of man.
The
it written,
last shall
conscience

upon

thing.
for law,

Without

without

the

of one's

virtue,

of

neighbour,

the

"

science.

upon

whole

moral

without

worship

respect

duty,
in

"

is

Society

foremost

honesty,

without

the love

not

first and

is

Civilisation

and

therefore

first.'

be

'

rests

volim-

constitutes

And

true

to

most

constant,

this

"

but

is the

man

or

of God

kingdom
enlightened

most

the

man.

greater

The

tary self-sacrifice,
the

to

out
with-

word,

is menaced

and

decay, and neither letters nor art,

luxury nor
industry, nor
rhetoric,
oflBpoliceman, nor the custom-house

falls into
neither
the

nor

cer,

maintain

can

of which
A

the

foundations

founded

State

cemented

by

every

morality
what

humbly
a

good

and

The

an

the

unsound.

interest

alone
and

ignoble

ultimate

civilisation

is the

and

and

unsafe

ground

rests

masses,

edifice

an

upon

average
suiEcient

of

amount

is

of

is

whole

are

upon

fear

construction.
which

and

erect

the

Duty
practical righteousness.
who
upholds all. So that those
and
unobtrusively fulfil it, and set
example
sustenance

thereby,
of

are

this

the

salvation

brilliant

world,

amiel's
wftich

knows

righteous
but

nothing

thousands

homely
from

folk

ignorance

saved

to

preserve

decay.
passion

and

the

are

Ten

Sodom,
of
good
a people

thousands

needed

are

them.

have

and

corruption and

If

about

would

men

87

journal.

foes

of

popular morality, it

must

moral

and

tivated
malady of the culmodern
separation of
virtue, of thought and

the

intellectual

indifference
classes.

enlightenment
conscience, of
from

the

be

confessed

that

is the
The

honest

aristocracy
vulgar crowd, is the

and

threaten
danger that can
liberty.
When
society produces an
increasing
any
number
of literary exquisites, of satirists,
beaux
chemical
sceptics, and
esprits, some
be
inferred.
disorganisation of fabric may
Take, for example, the century of Augustus

greatest

and
railers
from

of Louis

that
are

the

mere

against

any

cultivation
And
away
nearer
was

egotists, who

duty,

common

remoteness

from
to

it that

of

are

ill which

consists
thus
true

the

Our

XV.

and

no

may
in

cynics
stand

in

lent
indo-

service

to

society

attack

it.

they fall farther

humanity,

Their

rid of feeling.

and

and

farther

approach
"What

nature.

Mephistopheles

intelligencecertainly, but

aloof

their

having got

demoniacal

and

lacked

goodness.

Not

88

AMIEL's

October

28th
how

1870.

completely
of

presence
Even

JOtTRNAI"

It is strange

"

is

justice

forgotten

international

great

to

see

in

the

struggles.

great majority of the spectators

the

are

of

judging except as their

personal tastes, dislikes, fears, desires,

longer capable

no
own

interests,

passions

or

dictate,

may

is

that

"

judgment is not a judgment at

livering
all.
How
people are
capable of demany
fair verdict
the struggle now
a
on
of
few
This
horror
!
going on ?
Very
equity, this antipathy to justice,this rage
neutrality, represents a
against a merciful
of eruption of animal
kind
passion in man,
fierce
is absurd
blind
a
passion, which

to

their

say,

enough

to

but

nothing
16th

look

and

every

love

and

descends
the

itself

recesses

it is

whereas

reason,

force.

1870.

November

something
we

call

bewildering

down

into

soul

pity.
upon
of

is
A
me

this

the

"

We

ineffable

and

of

depths
abyss,

an

struck

are

an

sacred

whenever

sanctuary

when

abyss

of

emotion

penetrate
man,

and

of
the
gentle murmur
prayers,
rise from
and
supplications which
hymns,
These
the
hidden
depths of the heart.
with
fill me
involuntary confidences

hear

of

mystery

of

sort

by

the

AMI

tender

and

piety

wonderful

as

divineness

the

fails

whenever

and

bow

am

and

dawn.

myself and
able, I strive

1870.

December

'Persistence

"

with

Speech

adore.
also

to

And,
console

unequal

I'apiditythat
to

summing
changes, but with
existence

one

another.

the

to

living being, the duration

to a geological age,
our
life,too, compared
impressions which
pass

duration
of

overwhelmed

across

looks,

one

of

thousand
in

us

feels

one

it is

has

bottomless

Which

is the

Where
and

seems

scarcely possible

anything

real

fixed

to

self
one-

so

one's

relative

that

distinguish whether

value.

point in this boundless

gulf ?

perceives the

other

an

by the infinityof infinites.

Everything

terror.

any
pared
com-

universe, seriously studied, rouses

The

for

age,

eternities,

the

to

such

planet

appear

"

Wherever

of

up

appeara

geological

instance, compared

hour.

title of

This

is the

Everything

eternal

Wechsel

im

Dauer

"

change.'

Goethe

by

poem

in

nature.

iu

divine

me

fortify.

6th

birth

ness.
shyto

seems

and

poetiy,

of

me,

experience

as

and

religious awe

wliole

The

89

JOURNAL.

ELS

Must

it not

relations

of

be

that

things,

"

words, thought, infinite thought

amiel's

90
The

journal.

ourselves

of

perception

within

the

infinite

thought, the realisation of ourselves

in God, self-acceptancein Him, the harmony
of our
will with
in a word, religion,
His,
Whether
here alone is firm ground.
this
happiness lies
thought be free or necessary,
with
it.
Both
in identifying oneself
the
"

"

Stoic

and

Christian

the
the

to

of

Being

selves
them-

surrender

beings,

which

the

and
the other
sovereign wisdom
God
St. John
sovereign goodness.
says,
Brahmin
is Light,' 'God
is Love.'
The
calls

one

'

'

says,

God

is

poetry.'

Let

And

man

the

inexhaustible

say,

us

Man,

for

'

God

all his

fount

of

is Perfection.'

inexpressible

insignificanceand

still apprefrailty,may
hend
of
the
idea
perfection, may
help
the
forward
die with
will, and
supreme
Hosanna

All

on

his

lips 1

teaching depends
and

upon

certain

sentiment
pre-

pi-eparation in the taught;

others
we
can
only teach
profitably what
can
they already virtually know
only
; we
what
give them
already. This
they had
law
of
is also
a
principle of education
can
only be developed on
history. Nations
the lines of their tendencies
and
aptitudes.
and
other
bellious
reon
Try them
they are
any
and incapable of impxovement.

amiel's

By
comes

despising
to

be

Its way
a

soul

The

of

bears

to

of his

own

the

much

man

contempt.
witness

which

itself.

beautiful

is

too

suffering is

is superior to the sublime

it lasts and

sublime

himself

worthy

91

journal.

does

not

cause
be-

satiate,while

relative,temporary,

and

the

violent.

Perpetual effort is
the characteristic
of modem
morality. A
the place of the
has taken
painful process
old harmony,
the old equilibrium, the old
all so
of being.
We
are
joy and fulness
fauns, satyrs, or Silenuses, aspiring
many
deformities
become
to
angels ; so many
embellishment
own
labouring for our
; so
worlcing
clumsy
chrysalises each
many
of the
the development
painfully towards
is no
him.
Our
ideal
butterfly within
longer a serene
beauty of soul ; it is the
of Laocoon
struggling with the hydra
agony
of evU.
lot is cast irrevocably. There
The
whole-natured
are
no
men
more
happy
candidates
so
among
us, nothing but
many
for heaven, galley-slaveson
earth.
4th

Nous

February

ramoDS

1871.

uotre

"

vie

en

attendant

le

port.'

AMIEL

92
Moliere

said

that

It is

towards

perfection

it

actual
but

are

the

progress
of

proud

so

is

Duty
imperfection.
be more
negative than positive
than
lessening evil rather
it is a generous
discontent,

to

now

we

that

pretentious

seems

banished

reasoning

possible also

reason.

only

JOURNAL.

means

good

; it is

happiness

not

of

unattainable

an

but

not

for

the

but

still not

incessant

suit
pur-

noble

ness,
mad-

goal, a

reason

it is

impossible,

an

home-sickness

pitiful,

pathetic and

"

wisdom.

has attained
harmony,
being which
attain
being may
it, has found
every
place in the order of the universe, and

The

and
its

the

represents

clearly
Harmony

as

is what

it

divine

thought

flower

or

seeks

nothing

ought

to

be

least

at

solar

outside

; it is the

as

system.
itself.

It

expression

right, order, law, and truth ; it is greater

than
time, and represents eternity.
of

6th

Olivier's
all the
into

Chansons

melancholy
veins.

my

complete
of

"

du

of the
It

much

reading

am

Soir

over

of

Just"

again,

and

seems

to pass

revelation

of

poet

is the

existence, and

melancholy
How

1871.

February

whole

world

reverie.
character

there

is in

Musette,

amiel's

Chanson

the

in

best

the

pieces of

lus, La

its

these

be

may

national

ballad,
which

the

of

the

upon

has
to

points
On

and
of

sort

kind.

pleasant

in

delight
of

prise,
sur-

playing

the

Juste

most

Olivier

might imagine a fairy

for
delicate
He
mystification.
gifts. He promises nothing and

have

hides

is emotion
a

thing
every-

triumphs.

only tricks

brilliant

sive
penround

the

are

poet

to

seems

passion

the

the

purpose

suggesting

these

author's

you,

and

dainty

"

there

the

on

slyness which
tricks

and

itself in rustic

Vaudois
side

and

especially Frere
To
masterpiece.
Serious

of

power

the

reader's

the

Homuncu-

satire, a resigned and

nothing,

But

Marionettes

expressing

in

in

the

'

disguised in gentle gaiety

badinage, feeling hiding itself

smile

wisdom
or

and

dela,

Helvetic.

song,

childlike

under

Au

are

added

fille!

ma

author's

intention

and

all

Trompeuse,

Jacques,

and

'

du

ness
fresh-

much

how

Gaite, and

and

Lina,

Chant

VAlouette, the

de

Setour, and

93

journal.

his

we

His
gives a great deal.
generosity, which
is prodigal, has
a
surly air ; his simplicity
is really subtlety ; his malice
ness;
tenderpure

and
the

fine

sweetest

his

flower
and

whole
of

the

dreamiest

talent
Vaudois
form.

is, as
mind

it were,
in

its

amikl's

94

10th February

journal.

reading for this

some
morning has been
vigorous chapters
of Taine's
History of English Literature.
Taine
is a writer
whose
work
always produces
a
disagreeable impression upon
me,
as
a
though of a creaking of pulleys and
of
clicking of machinery ; there is a smell
the
it.
His
laboratoiy about
style is the
of

style
science

1871.

and

chemistry
of

My

"

technologj'.
; it is dry
hard, strong

it is inexorable

forcible,penetrating and
harsh, but
altogether lacking
humanity, nobility, and
grace.
effect

taste,
upon

things

two

of

the

the

upon

and

author

agreeable
dis-

probably
phy
philoso-

moral

literary

his

upon

and

one's

on

heart, depends

and

charm,

The

it makes

which

and

ear,

in

The

for
principles. The
profound
contempt
which
characterises
the physichumanity
the
of technology
intrusion
logical school, and

into literature
and

Stendhal,
of which

and
from
The

which
a

book
but

it

inaugurated by Balzac
ity
explain the underlying arid-

one
seems

is sensible
to choke

of

manufactory
is

instructive

instead

of

no

these

mineral

in

the

gases

products.
gree,
highest deand

saddens

feeling whatever

pages,

like the

one

animating

parches, corrodes, and

It excites

in

stirring,
its reader.

; it is

simply

AMIEL

of

means

kind

of

future

of the

image,

instead
Cold

instead

of

we

and

dissected

Greek

replace the joys of thought,

of poetry,

1871.

Without

"

educate

of

her.

who
Germany
France,
by

equality

to

hierarchical.
French
that

that

"

these
the

is to
are

world.

of

worship

of falsehood

that

what

is

is not

appearance
The

say,

rhetoric

; the

say,

for

It is

effort

by

are

will

ture
na-

teach

the

science, and

not

valuable

is to

vainglory

and
the

ity.
real-

as

that

"

for

passion
in

to

will teach

who

smoke

tempting
at-

tions
genera-

the

prestige

false

by

regenerate

France

as

die

must

ten

will

Germany

their
who

present,

during

Revolutionary
the
Germans,

but

France

was

the

its destruction

crush

in view

It

Germany

ing
intend-

other, while

each

interests.

contemporary

flayed

science.

by

; it is

Apollo.

of

madness

death

the

see

nations

the

crucible

will

selfish

made

instead

of the

having apparently nothing

own

as

art, giving

life,the formula

exhalations

February

it,

the

Americaine,

from

of

divine

shall

15th

the

literature

this

imagine

the

vision

and

of

the

be

possible

as

algebra

lis

will

95

"

literature

different

JOURNAL.

information.

thing

"

noise

"

interests

of

which

is

religion

96

amiel's
I

being destroyed.
will

war

than

better

has

"

of

government
will

himself

things

before

gone

the

which

by

of

balance

new

in

individual

the

hope sincerely that this

which

any

Europe,

new

in

issue

journal.

be

the

dinal
car-

principle of society, in opposition to

the
Latin
regards the
principle, which
individual
to
an
a
end,
as
thing, a means
of

instrument

an

the

Church

of

or

the

State.

result

be

rLse of

the
an

the

ought to
society in which

It would

world.

resemble

producing

is made

pui-poses,

selfish

nobody

plays
bring

and

All

part.

stock, and

common

gladly

self-love

to

the

itself is

action, under
itself

for

is

selfish

hypocritical

their

talent

to

or

the

knowingly

wealth.

common

apparent.

sake

the

for

contribute

obliged
pain

plined
disci-

Nobody
of

use
a

submits

one

masterpiece.

great

every

of art, and

sake

coerced, nobody

make

should

we

organised, subordinated,

be

for the

and

moral

new

voluntary

ideal,

common

state

musical

of

and

equivalent, expressed in lay terms, to

universal
of
idea
priesthood. The
a

model

to

to

would

which

harmony
adhesion

free

from

submission
see

and

order

the

In

to

help

of

rebuff

on

Even
the

should

eral
genit

amiel's

ISth
that

the

vulgarity
inferiorityto

its

and

France

visible.

notion

no

place

have

Their

England,

The

elegance

there

'

taste

seems

aesthetics.

in it ; and

grace

of

clearly

most

they

difference

enormous

distinction

is between

ety,
soci-

societies

the

German

the

understand

cannot

novel

the

German

bad

'

in
no

of

are

of

has

is in

It

"

average

and

to

1871.

February

97

journal.

is

(what

manly,
gentle-

ladylike), and their stiff vornehmTheir

lichkeit.
imagination lacks
style,
training, education, and knowledge of the
world

it has

ill-bred

an

air

in

even

its

dress.
is poetical and
The
race
Sunday
and
ill-mannered.
intelligent,but common
and
wit,
Pliancy
gentleness, manners,
are
vivacity, taste, dignity, and
charm,
qualitieswhich
belong to others.
Will

that

profound
I

have

ever

their

soften

future

of

to-day

judge.
novel

As

of

'

novels
soon

good

society

all rivals.

Till

of

social

maturity

of

we

they
'

surface

ever

forms
that

as

faculties

the

to

their

soul, that

among

come

conquerors

and

the

observed

often

so

of

of all the

harmony

Germans,
the

freedom

inner

the

best

Will

learn
life ?

shall

are

which

to

is

It

be

capable

lise
civi-

able

by
to

of the

they will have

celled
ex-

finish,polish,
culture, are
beyond

then,

9?

amiel's

them

they

but

the

have

may

without

22d

best

society

young

whole

framed

which

made

as

if

were

ambrosia

on

with

In

but

need,

All

realism

word,

what

concerned
loftiest

the

is

call

we

have

suppressed
'

as

society

'

the

flattering
in an
it is moving
breathing the air
on

gods. All vehemence,

expression, all real suffering,
frank
sign
familiarity, or any
distasteful
once

behave

passion,

the

startlingand
milieu; they at

to

and

nothing

Anxiety,

existence.

expected

are

proceeds for the moment

illusory assumption that
and
ethereal
atmosphere

are

gray

the
girls, bright faces,
in
tapestries
soi^e Aubusson
charming
background, and
of distance
to the brilliantly-

they lived

interests.

of

ure
mixt-

happy

There

ages.

society people

brutal.

groups.

themselves

no

the

at

"

soft air

dressed

Soiree

"

there,

were

and

sexes

heads,

In

1871.

thirty people representing

About
.

little

vivre.

savoir

Febriiary

gave

feeling,

perfections of
unknown
to them.
be
They may
and
terly
well-meaning, but they are ut-

honest

of

of

humanity

delicacies, the

life,are

our

journal.

all

natural

all

careless

of

passion,

in this

destroy

the

delicate
common

amiel's

work,

cloud

the

the

general

the

sharp cock-crow

of

all

and

ears,

the

By

So

understood,*society
cultivated

; the

poetry

the

recompose

buried

of

world

I believe

that
a

represent

idyll

hold

reality are
of imagination.

is

form

of

deliberately
and

past

Paradox

Astrea.

these

dream

the

art.

body
every-

taste

classes
of

of
of

associations

for the

exchanged

work

of

associations

the

for

concert

and

intellect

concerned,

to

produce,

collaboration

instinctive

festival,and

of

sort

improvised

an

fairies

gatherings

it, a

spell

the

puts the

and

select

knowing

without

breaks

by

is like

It

effort.

which

enchantments,

flight. These

eyes

and

consent

tectural
archi-

raised

been

has

which

magical

the

palace,

whole,

99

journal.

or

the
no,

construct
fugitive attempts to rewhose
only end is beauty

reminiscences

confused

of

an

age

heart, or rather
gold haunting the human
of things
a
harmony
aspirations towards
which
everyday reality denies to us, and of
art alone
which
gives us a glimpse.
of

For
a
psychologist it
April 1871.
is extremely
interesting to be readily and
of the complications of
directly conscious
28th

one's

"

own

parts.

organism
It

seems

and
to

the
me

play of its
that

the

eral
sev-

sutures

AMIEL

lOO

of my

being

allow

to

myself
makes

once

whole

and

the

seeing

which

analyse myself.
all of a piece, I
whirlwind

living

the

on

of

groups

finds

its

at

myself,

in

Health

is the

perfect balance

organism,

with

all its component

the

outer

world

it

serves

my
are

nate
subordi-

consider

again

harmony

as

centi'al

the

all the

may

of

if not

tissues,

words,

it

far

so

my

itself from

of

possession

least

ahnost

that

monads,
and

Instead

I take

other

isolates

me,

being single,

cosmos.

atoms,

In

only

legion, multitude,

very

organs,

concerned.
monad

of

become

surface,

cells and

in my

of

surrounds

self,I apprehend

inmost

my

of

sense

Instead

Instead

"

enough
perception of

feeling like this

ishment
astona perpetual

curiosity.
world

loose

distinct

personal existence
and

just
clear

brittleness.

own

my

at
a

JOURNAL.

becoming

are

me
as

them,

itself.
between

our

parts, and
us

especially

of that
world.
acquiring a knowledge
Organic disturbance
obliges us to set up
and
fresh
a
more
spiritual equilibrium, to
withdraw
within
the soul.
our
Thereupon
the object
itself becomes
bodily constitution

for

of
it

It is no
thought.
belong to us
may

than

the

vessel

longer
;

in which

it

is
we

we,

although

nothing
make

the

more

pas-

AMIEL'S

weak

it with

identifying
In

self ?

the

for

is

return

into

dark

abyss of

kingdom
is

rather

the

it the

royalty

is to

of

Is

he

Paul

the

under

of the

under

the

idea?

Who

saw

Plato

of

much
one

influences

The

the

the

The

not.

sists,
sub-

the

"

the
?

sonality
per-

passing
Is

nitz
Leibmortal
im-

spiritualbody

most

theory

monad,

whole

of

the

to

develop

must

which

which

the

admit
affect

of

of

vidual
indi-

Leibnitz
to

us

the

an
lution.
evo-

is the

virtual

time

is not

infinite

exterior

clearly, St.

it opens

infinite

or

individual

form

because

is to

duration, of multitude, and

For

universe,

most

me

infinite

Only

form

the

eternal

attracts

too

idea

permanent
Is

or

that

which

merely

turn

Hegel right ?

or

thinking
into

idea,

it becomes.

remains

alone

the

say,

being in its
vesture

king

passes

that

"

spontaneity

spontaneity, or even
virtuality? I hope

pure

is its

primitive,

not

the

ness.
conscious-

the
question is, can
into
its envelope,

The

say,

of

there

of

saliens

punctum

consciousness

monad

in

consciousness

below

But

residence
rather

or

without

individuality.

own

our

thought,

study the

we

structure

ultimate

is the

Where

the

and

points

germ,

of which

life,a vessel

of

sage

1 01

journal.

within

actions

evolution

it.
and

of

the

I02

AMIEL

monad.

Its

JOURNAL.

independence

and

increasing quantity

the

infinite,

without

between

neither

mobile

and

zero

reaching

ever

nullity,for the
absolutely passive

completeness
be

be

must

either

monad

or

can

entirely

nor

free.

2lst

1871.

June

of
in

down

the

international

The

"

cialism
so-

otivriers, ineffectually put

is

its
beginning to celebrate
approaching victory. For it there is neither
nor
nor
memories,
property,
country, nor

Paris,

There

nothing and nobody but

Its dogma
is equality, its prophet is
and
Baboeuf
is its god.*
is the conflict
be
to
solved, since

religion.
itself.

Mably,
How

is

there

longer

no

between

of

and

differ

is to

pioneer

races,

the

suspect

salvation

individualism

Latins
of

and

humanity
of

the

between
?

duty, happiness,

that
is

old

of the

enemies

equality

munism
com-

will

and
Slavs.

will

brutal

end,

merely

races

the

its
the

nihilism, which

Russian

the

of

life and

of

Internationale

grave

common

servile

upon

of

society,
of man,

say,

radically.
of the

the

worship

the

that

"

so,

of

ciple
prin-

common

partisans and

the

respective notions

Their

the

single

one

existing form

the

liberalism

"

is

the
be

the
If

depend

American

amiel's

I believe

sort.

that

rather

are

learning wisdom.
balance

and

of

is to

is

nature,

than

with

met

which

means

in
the

means

"

blind

to

say,

only

ent
pres-

gives preponderance to
that
to the
passions,

masses,

instinct, to

of the

tempting chastisement
which
Wisdom,

Democracy,

the

103

nations

the

harmony,

individuals.
rule

journal.

impulse,

elemental

to

gravitation, to generic fatality. Perpetual

vacillation

between

only

mode

that

childish

in
the

love

of progress,

form

and

and

and

represents

which

prejudice

cools, adores

haste

same

it

because

of

its

becomes

contraries

falls
with

curses,

succession

unreason.

impression of
gives an
the
change which
people readily identify
with
Enceladus
as
improvement,
though
of

was

his

follies

opposing

at

more

ease

his

on

right, the weight of

the

The

same.

only equalled by

its

left

side

than

volcano

the

stupidity of
presumption.

ing
remain-

It is like

and
none
youth with all his animal
reasoning powers
developed.
Luther's
of humanity
comparison

peasant,

his horse

on

struck
not

but

that

me

I have

side

one
as

or

the

to

the

sort

right of
of illusion

the
as

of his

to

fall from

other, has

particularly happy

deny
no

always ready

is

Demos

drunken

on

one.

always
It is

democracy,
to

the

use

it

amiel's

I04
will make
as

of

wisdom

its

is the

Numbers

rule.

journal.

right, so long, at any rate,

the
exception and conceit
make
law, but
goodness

tion
nothing to do with figures. Every ficis self-expiating,and
rests
democracy
this legal fiction,that the majority has
upon
its side
that
not
on
only force but reason
it possesses
not
only the right to act but the
has

"

wisdom

for

necessary

action.

of
dangerous because
have
always
demagogues
feelings of the masses.
is

below

the

will

always

the

age

of

majority

barriers

of

sex

be

democracy

will

by handing

over

greatest
an

the

end

finally

will

be

for

him

good-for-nothing
of

no

account.

vate
pri-

masses

Besides,

be

lowered,

swept

away,

itself
of

the

and
absurd

all that

incapable.

Such

of its abstract
punishment
dispenses
equality,which
from
the necessity of self-

to

man

the
become

that

Public

from

that

of

child

that

there

self-

and

man,

is
the

self-improvement
law,

founded

worth, of merit, and

of

is

upon

equality, will destroy itself by

It will not
recognise the
consequences.
virtual

of

is

the

principle of
ignorant man

need

the

the

The

make

is most

training, the foolish

judgment, and tells
no

flattered

decision

the

all that

to

be

fiction

flattery;

average.

will

will

its

The

its

equaliti
in-

experi-

amiel's

; in

ence

and

and

kind

what

of

in

end

it will

the

The
has

Commune

material

of

regime

shown
the

to

comes

bour,
la-

triumph

residuum.

the

Parisian

the

of

105

word, it ignores individual

platitude

journal.

us

top

in

days of frantic vanity and universal

suspicion.
survives
is tough, and
all
Still,humanity
one
impatient
catastrophes.
Only it makes
tlie race
to see
always taking the longest
road
to an
end, and exhausting all possible
it is able
to
faults before
accomplish one
These
definite step towards
improvement.

these

innumerable

follies,that

to

are

be

and

must

The
me.
irritatingeffect upon
more
majestic is the history of science, the
intolerable
is the
more
history of politics
of progress
in the
and
religion. The mode
abuse
world
of the patience
moral
seems
an

be,

have

an

of God.

Enougli
and
us,

let

us

We

and

we

pessimism.

keep

decent

shall

sink

leave

the

with

If

our

the

on

it.

rest

in

help

no

silence

imprisoned

are

debt, and

is

There

to

Pay

thropy
misan-

race

vexes

the

on

ship,

same

your

God.

ter.
mat-

own

Sharer,

as

inevitably are, in the sufferings of your

kind, set a good example : that is all which
you

is asked

of

you.

Do

all the

good

you

can^

io6

amiel's

and

all

say
; and

the

truth

for the

submissive.

journal.

rest

be

lieve
be-

or

patient, resigned,

does

God

know

you

His

business,

do

yours.

29fA

1871.

July

So

"

long

capable of self-renewal
Goethe,

of

the

the

among

revival

of

by inward

about

is

Platonic

we

to

are

soul

be

must

for

recreating itself,
trying all its various
all its

vibrating in

is

man

main
re-

be a perliving there must

petual
youth within
us, brought
change and by love of the

The

sort.

If

art.

living being.
Humboldt,

and

Schleiermacher

masters

were

he

as

ever

modes,

fibres, raising up

terests
in-

new

for itself.
.

Epistles and

The
which

make

one

has

so

the

reading
him.
Why

been

have

love

little soul.

His

way
and

love, religion,duty,

something
is

no

ardour,

barrenness,
itself felt

that

his
of

has

Goethe

is excellent

liberty of

the

It

talent.

in

not

Because

of

ing
understand-

in it.

in him.

he

There
secret

egotism, makes
wealth

all the

do

patriotism has

ill-concealed

an

to-day

repulsive

generosity,

no

through

of

egotism

and

mean

of Goethe

Epigrams

is true

at

least

it,that

individual, and

and

bility
flexi-

that

this

the
much

it respects

the

is favourable

amiel's
all

to

originality.
for

anybody

burden

trouble
else's
with

for

and

has

the

dark

the

core,

he

of

in

nor

the

of sold

earlier
what

call

the

tendency
of

all the

represents,

generality
interest

of

the
The

exist

modern
For

and

Nature

herself

feeble, and
of
and

voice

The
of

the

ward
in-

tianity,
Chris-

our

time

only

one

the

stands

ship
wor-

outside

takes
in

the

time

conscience,

herited,
disin.

no

knows
the

not

It is

have

who

more

does

school.

deaf
man

no

oppressed.

our

his

The

enough.
of the

state

to

"

; he

of dissonance.

then,

spirit

mankind

Goethe

is

consciousness

and

Goethe

not

politicalaspirations of the

restlessness
for

'

to

the

subsequent

or

spirit;

the

than

He

prudent critics of

nature.

social

luck,

whom

to

He

than

on

Spinozist

religious

the

of

reflect

responsibility.

modern

'

evil.

thetic,
aes-

holiness,

to

the

unknown.

is

ignores

great time,
of

personal

in individual

believes

crises
are

of

problem

virtue.

in

himself

allowed

never

liberty

Greek

He

away

standard

his

moral.

not

it does

consists

love

no

liglitennobody

Christian

great

its

give itself

word,

Goethe
in

nobility, not

in

the

charity,

Perfection

; it will

of

out

go

; it will

in

"

107

it will

But

help nobody

to

way

journal.

plicable
ex-

sense

ing
nothvoice

of

amiel's

io8

regret
the

or

of

and

masters

All

needs

sufiering.

but

she

listens

She

she

hates

Later.
the

; and

Still

"

is

much

The

be

more

of

this

part of

favourable

her

sacrifice

crucifix.

and

sonnets

Goethe.
the

than

of

whether

the

the

science,

The

"

Gedichte
made

that

the

Epigrams.

are
pecially
esSpirits and The Divine
noble
in feeling. One
must
never
hasty in judging these
complex
Completely lacking as he is in
of obligation and
of sin, Goethe

Water

too

natures.

the

adores

poems

by

but

of

cry

to

knows

by the Elegies and

me

upon

left

of

her,

re-reading

miscellaneous

impression

she

made.

the

talk

hardly

whether

or

who

erty.
Lib-

exclude.

men

attracts

she

is

in

the

two

of

and

once

hears

religion ; pleasure
her

at

those

to

choice

two

to

that

choose

vocal

are

under

belong
and

his

at

guess

live

Nature

cannot

her

moves

who

himself,

humanity

even

laws, and

of

that

"

those

two

For

But

cannot

remorse,

troubles

worlds,

journal.

sense

nevertheless

finds

through dignity,
his school

Ibth

second

his

to

way

Greek

seriousness

sculpture

has

been

of virtue.

1871.
August
time, Renan's

"

Ee-read,
Vie

de

for

Jesus,

in

the
the

AMIEVS

sixteenth

edition.

popular
feature

if

Now,
the

deliverance

explain
the

sin

very

Christ

the

martyrs

The

author

is not

and

the

has

lacks

Christ

dried

moral

so

it

in

"

however,

man,

of

brought
word,

is bound
not

to

shirk

to

This
who

white-

inspired
tears.

many

seriousness, and

confounds

with
nobility of character
He
speaks as an artist conscious
sense
pathetic subject, but his moral

not

interested

possible

in

the

mistake

to

It

question.

the

epicureanism

imagination, delighting itself in an

spectacle, for the struggles of a soul
in
are

still

search

truth.

remains

some

strangles

of

with

of

sacred

it.

success

religionseriously,and
of his subject.
centre

marble

the

it is that

from

all in

at

part

no

men,

acteristic
char-

most

tianity
analysis of Chris-

explains

among

salvation.

The

tliis

plays

anything

Gospel

them

of

sin

is that

log

JOURNAL.

In

of

is

is

not

of

the

aesthetic

ately
passion-

Kenan

there

; he

priestly ruse

cords.

ness.
holi-

His

of

tone

a
more
indulgence towards
captious clergy might be tolerated,

contemptuous
or

but

less
he

should

have

shown

more

respectful

sincerity in dealing with the sincere

spiritual. Laugh at Pharisaism
as
but
folk.9

speak

simply

and

plainly

and
you

to

the

will,
honest

amiel's

no

Later.

of

thing

explained

it in

conceive

development,

is

fundamental

the
be

to

understand

To

"

journal.

able

be

to

that

"

is to
of

the
to

say,

life and

remake

to

scious
con-

of

unity

entirety both

its

be

to

it

by

without

means,

making a mistake,
It
adding or omitting anything.
first,complete identification of the

object,

and

clear

others

mental

process

without

to

To

judge,

to

for

2t"th

noise

shore

laid

"

every
not

dream

angels.

to

as
us.

the

is

simply
opinion.

the
the

weather.

The

happy

rises

peace,

from

though

ing
morn-

and

mountain
benediction

vulgar intrusive
religious quiet of the
No

oneself
in
a
might believe
a vast
temple in which
every being
natural
beauty has its place, i
of putting the
breathe
for fear
traversed
by
flight, a dream

One

church

dare

it is

upon

disturbs

scene.

and

of

(Charnex-sur-Mont-

in

fragrance

than

ence
transfer-

conditions

individual

bathed

heavenly

is the

judgment

1871
August
Magnificent

"

difficult

more

the

into

of the

seems

were

is

understanding

mind

enunciation

it
making
just interpretation.

full and

whereas

object,

and

by

of

power

understand

of the

reux).

the

then

"

AMIEL

'

Comme
La

autrefois

Ill

infini

I'hosauna

et

temps

I'ether

dans

j'entends

du

musique

JOURNAL.

des

mondes.'

In

these

heavenly

Pauline

rises

believe

the

cares,

universal

the

divine

of

the

and

joy
order,

Lord.

death

to bless

have

with

goodness

and

ourselves

tears, sin, pain,

have

inexhaustible

an

it is

the
to

We
so

or

in

notes

soul

breaks

vibrate

in

blessedness

the

and

the

into

enter

we

is

peared.
disapbut

as

become

ecstasy only

22d

into

harmony.

and

eternal

us

forgotten

all dissonances

whether

absorbs
and

miseries,

life,are

of

feel !

though creation were

symphony,
glorifying the God

vast

longer

the

'

of

cry

To
exist
passed avray.
In this sublime
happiness.

things
It is

praise

All

Labour

; life is

of

pause

one

!'

see

vexations

the

lips.i"

one's

to

the

moments

of

wealth

of

question

no

not.

We

have

the

great

cert
con-

the

silence

unison

with

of
the

joy.
September 1871 (Charnex)
Gray
friend
has
a
melancholy
day. A
"

sky

"

left me,

the

Everything
and

is unkind

passes
And

us.

lost,age

sun

gray

place

hairs

capricious.

everything

away,
in

and

of

all

we

sakes
forhave

amiel's

112

After
.

between

become

The

Behind

the

luxury

reach

which

superficial,

is

of

all

order

bizarre

special and

keen

Its

like

melody.

it is set

up

delight

beauty.
itself

the
in

to

exquisite

joy

faith, like

of

it is not

one

of

refined

the

madness

world.

thetic
aes-

veiled, secret,

little like

affects

for

taste

the

the

palpable,
another

grief ;

of

peculiar, and
perfume, or

'

expressive.

more

sacrifice,like the

the

in

face

less beautiful

moral
to
mysterious, akin
of beauty only reveals
sort
is all the more
initiated,and
It is

more

is like
"

discovers

for that.

tints

tones

it,

upon

altogether, hidden,

beauty

dark

softer

in rain

beauty

sense

the

the

to

; the

me

radiant, and

gladsome,

of

tears

doubt, but

no

the

for

country

of

traces

This

Chailly
rainy landscape

velvety,

more

ethereal.
with

showers.

two

great charm

and

walked

dinner

has

journal.

within

the

attraction

is

strange

some

WTien

mind

once

takes

one

finds

le d^a.in

d'au-

it,for

it

Son

bien

premi^rement,

puis

trui,'

pleasant to one's vanity not to be

herd.
of the same
opinion as the common
This, however, is not possible with things
and

it is

amiel's

"which

evident, and

are

for

the

beauty,

which

appeals

to

Classical

so

is

is

why

only

of

in them.

dislikes

considerations

aesthetic

she

passes

and

goes

can

do
on

looks

; she

sympathy

by

to

the

same

on

the

second

involuntarily and
artistic

fibre.

correspondence
outside
form

"

of

at

The

chapter

of

it is
; my

"

in her

the
between
nature.

in

her,
moral

only ;
beautiful,

charm.

by

does

has

for

not

it
the

perfect

inside

and

matter

She

reflection

friend

; she

once

more

heart

the

craving

between

things

is not

her
of

thoughts

she

For

lost

with

only

those

that.

chapter

the

is interested

nothing

is

are

the

dislikes, and

and

than

the

see

she

once

There
it

in

complicated

not

beautiful,

are

ugly.

are

places
with

does

likes

She

likes

she

those

relation

when

people

of

ugliness

love.
who

meets,

It

and

eyes,

upon

in

to

itself.

to

she

those

side.

retiring.

friend

my

immediately

herself

belong

unsealed

to

and

speak,

to

and

shy

its favours

This

vulgar,

belongs,
to

better

paradoxical

meditative

ceased

is incontesta

dreamy

itself

unveils

bestows

and

the

beauty

Esoteric

souls

escapes

; it has

all eyes

only

and

beauty

is

perhaps,

esoteric

our

which

beauty

Charm,
name

113

journal.

does

the

and
not

amiel's

114
suffer

from

As

it.

All

ugliness,she

for

shocks

me,

me,

scarcely perceives
only forget what
help being shocked.

can

cannot

defects

corporal

irritate

and

me,

the

being something
beauty in women,
ought not to exist, shocks me like a
solecism, a dissonance, a spot of
of
in a
out
word, like something
the other
On
hand, beauty restores

of

want

which

tear,

ink,

"

order.
and

fortifies

like

Olympian

'

journai,.

le bon

Que

Mais

miraculous

some

food,

ambrosia.

soit

demain

Des

like

me

je

toujours

camarade

chercherai

femme.

le

comme

divorce

entre

du

beau

n'est

eux

pas

nouveau,

Et

que

de

peu

beaux

corps,

botes

belle

d'une

ame,

I'un

Assemblent

will

et I'autre

finish,for

not

after

all

beautiful

oneself.

resign

'

point

soul

and
healthy body is already a rare
if one
finds
heart,
thing ; and
into
intellect,and courage
sense,

dainty
which

we
a

Happy

call

sigh, as
we,

do

which

without

We

to possess

does
what

in

do

without

blessed
common

the

gain,
bar-

ing
ravish-

beauty,

delicious

grace.
one

that

call

we

that

without

almost

with

well

may

one

must

one

and

seasoning
without
a

"

luxury.

is necessary.

amiel's
29th

jouknal.

1871.

December

115

I have

"

been

ing
read-

Balinsen

(Critique de V evolutionisme
des principes
nom
Hegel- Hartmatin, au
AVhat
writer!
Like
a
Schopenhmier).
in

water,

cloud

of

cuttle-fish
a

movement

every

ink

which

de

de
a

duces
pro-

shrouds

his

what
And
!
a doctrine
thought in darkness.
A thoroughgoing
pessimism, which
regards
the
world
as
absurd, 'absolutely idiotic,'
and
for having allowed
reproaches Hartmann

the

evolution

little remains
this

Of
the

of

of

is

there

in the

no

brain

poor

of

that
possible worlds
Its only excuse
worst.

itself to

destruction.
is

philosopher
their

that

tory,
contradic-

the

reasoner.

which

exists

is that

it tends

The

and

trary,
con-

anywhere

hasten

is

of

the

beings

will

hope

reasonable

agony

some

the

reason

all

shorten

universe

the

logic,while, on
is eminently
evolution

and

except

of

the

return

of

everything to nothing. It is the philosophy

of a
has
desperate Satanism, which
the resigned perspectives of Budnot even
dhism
to offer to the
illusioned
disappointed and disThe

soul.

protest and
the

world

This

curse.

developed from
the

individual
frantic

can

Sivaism

but
is

the

conception which makes

product of blind will, the

principle of everything.
The
acrid
blasphemy

of

the

doctrine

ii6

amiel's

naturally leads
epithets of bad

journal.

the

writer

indulgence

to

which

taste

prevent

in
our

the mere
as
regarding his work
challenge of
We
have
a
paradoxical theorist.
really
with
faith
in
to do
a
theophobist, whom

goodness
order

the

kills

he

all

all illusion

and
for

love

the

deliverance

In

of

the

consolation, all hope,

in the

of

of contempt.

fury

hasten

to

world,

to

rouses

and

germ,

substitutes

which

humanity

inspired
Mephistophelian
gall
Qakyamouni, that
which
defiles,withers, and corrodes
thing
everyit touches.

Evolutionism, fatalism, pessimism,

how

"

and

terrible
the

at

triumphs
that

doctrine

The

This

desolate

and

ing
expand-

the

is

contrast

German
and

its

startling

so

one

the

developing

thought,

axiom

of

God,' will bring back

mankind

to

is neither

optimist

declares

that

the

tifying
iden-

itself, and

existence

with

error

is

this

its greatness

thinking.
orgie of philosophic

it sets

'Evil

when

celebrating
!

see

growing

moment

very

is

nation

it is to

strange

ism
nihil-

Proudhon,
the

"

of

mass

theodicy, which
pessimist, but simply

Christian

the

calls eternal

nor

felicity which
life is accessible

Self-mockery, starting

from

anity
Christito

man.

horror

of

amiel's

stupidity
the

and

of

way

hypocrisy,

intellect
cries

brings

clear

the

mind

secured

conscience
for

of

advice

giving

its acceptance,

ballast
not

rather, have

to

have

must

we

or

all

which

to

duty, if it is
levity and despair.

between

Before

and

goal

have

must

conception

fluctuate

mind

of

last, unless

at

in

standing

this is the

"

us

The

out.

117
and

all wholeness

seriousness,

true

jourxal.

made

it desired.

If

begin by overrating
shall end
love, we
by treating
injustice.
It is

dangerous

luxury
and

of

grief ;
of

even

learn

We
of

the

with

the

of

1th

the

to

abandon

to

it

wish

it with

we

sale
whole-

to

the

of courage,

one

for recovery.

recognise

which

being

oneself

deprives

conscience

indignation

man

the

we

in

gentleness

mere

to

be

that

is not
of

blunting
incapacity for

confounded

charity,

or

the

serve
re-

humility.

February
can

all science.

do

1872.

nothing.

Without

"

But

faith

faith
can

stifle

ii8

amiel's

then, is this Proteus, and

What,
Faith

Being

is

the

action.
of

and

aspects

it is

Being

contrary

of

certitude

certitude,

of

journal.

its

without

proofs.

ple
energetic princiwithout
proof, it is
an

science.

its

Hence

effects.

two

whence

Is

its

two

point

departure

intelligence? No.
Thought
shake
or
strengthen faith ; it cannot
may
produce it. Is its origin in the will ? No :
favour
good-will may
it, ill-will
may
hinder
believes
one
it,but no
by will, and
faith
is not
Faith
is a sentiment,
a
duty.
for it is a hope ; it is an
instinct, for it precedes
all outward
of

heritage

the

that

which

The

individual

binds

isolates

cradle

the
union

with

is faith.
vague

The

Faith
Eden

issued, but

the

by

he

trace

is

the

which

individual

effort

in which

lies.

which

floats,
in

world, and

original union

reminiscence

of

that

individuality

our

life consists

he

the

is born

the

of this

from

he

He

with

to

with

love

the

it inhabited
anterior

being.

breast

an

from

him,

of

himself

maternal

whence

state

Our

the

to

humanity,

God.

; it is

whole

in which

with

birth

him

him, the ideas

enwraps

is the

at

himself

around

nature

Faith

individual

only detaches

difiBculty from

only

instruction.

the

in

the

nambulist
som-

personal
in

life

separating

amiel's

ourselves

and

that

is to

say,

neutral

matter

life and

things

may

be

so

kind

as

to

form.

able

and

But

the

is the

to

all

it

least is the
which

is

faith
of

things into

which

points

has

known

never

such

"

the

faith

mother

then

repeat

tongue
'

or

Quid

of

tolerate
is

all

of faith

the

us

at

That

childhood,
which

respect

different

stupidity

is

Such

doubt,
cannot

and

fanaticisms.
what

to

faith.
of

It

It is the

goal.

prejudice

mere

our

which

out

excellent

ignores science, which

understand

truth

the

of

us.

harmony.
to

we

hearts.

leaves

; it holds
us

original

our

as

never

higher

true, the
a

well

of

every

harmony
satisfy

may

as

of research

reward,

the

recover

the

before

die

which

of

its

in

Our

which

of

studies

our

may

conscience

postulate

stimulus

by

faith

need

bring

afresh, and

up

ourselves

personal

mind

works

perish completely

been

so

intelligentand free.
than
is nothing
more
which
our
experience

affected

We

have

to

in

milieu;

our

faith

primitive

119

reacting
it that
it consciously,
we
apprehend
make
ourselves
spiritual personalities

upon

"

from

journal.

jEsop

or

convictions

hatred,

We
said

may

of the

"

melius

lingn^,lingua quid pejus

e"dem

'

amiel's

I20

draw

To

the

truth.
the

only

subordinate

she

exalts

of

the

true

is

purification for
confessions, all sects.

all

allowed

be

judge

herself

world

from

the

fourth

is the

We

When

position of
the

faith

look

much

faith

thought

in trust

will

to

of

it will
the
come

the

is to

ideal
the
new

of

men

creed

be

force

found

those

been

have

an

belongs

wisdom.

the

After

labour.

than

It

to

is

besides, independent

have

solution

world

row
nar-

liberty will triumph

; and
never

energy

to

that

certain

The

bring

lightened
en-

vulgar

is this.

the

than

fanaticism

world

the

forward

more

more

th'^n

over

the

conquer

much

has

enlightened
will

tianity,
Chris-

Will
.

preme
su-

seventeenth

it.

difhculty, however,

The

will

truth.

future.

better

not

in

to

ever

must

place,

is enslaved

proof

Faith

second

the

the

ligions,
re-

the
"

to

judge

faith
faith

worship

of

has

century,

selves,
our-

of

only

faith

in

love

means

for

faith
the

supreme

all

of

it to

The

should

poison-fangs

must

we

journal.

to

pure
of

dice.
preju-

in

sion
divi-

whose

ness
busi-

hold

up

and

free

violence,
within

of

the

to

the

faith,

who

circle

will
of

tutions.
recognised interests, prejudices, and instithis just what
Is not
happened to

AMIEL'S

Christianity ?
the
It

After

Paul

impetuous
is

good

more

the

so

world

19th
Paris

be

is the

stone

possible

to

; but

The

miracle

is

of

supernatural

of

all

understood

thus

; and

far

phenomena,
rest,

definition.
is

of

will

Men

of

out

not

behind

nature

powers

prompting

action.

For

the

It is

and

pendent
inde-

the

Now,

proved
subjective

the

than
in

vision

the

all
the

miracle
of

psychical

the

crisis,

last

day
the heavenly
us
directing human

indifferent

only

and

be

that
a

"

good

miracle,

account
see

the

the

important

analogous to that of -^neas

of Troy, which
reveals
to

miracles.

from

is

might

question

the

besides,

perception of the soul

Divine

It

"

cannot

more

left

are

ural
supernat-

objective phenomenon
preceding causality.

experimentally
the

is not

the

in

idea

the

separated

be

an

The

on

that

no,

wrangle

stumbling.

agree

must

grain.

miracle

ideals.

on.^^

still goes

successive

the

by

"The

1872.

Synod

chaff

the

Councils.

bitter

is what

advances,

June

Divine

the

gradually improved

of

decay

gentle Master,

corrupted the
done
still Christianity has
and
than
harm
to
humanity,

But

Gospel.

121

the

and

this

that

true

JOURNAL.

on

there

are

religioussouls

no

who

AMIEL's

122

are

capable

God

in certain

of

will

recognising
given facts.

which

the

panentheism

more

religious

which

them

and

what

soon

as

have

their

the

local

their

faith

This

the

among

and

is there

races

the

clear, and

abhor

what

is

to

and
of God
and

find

always
understand

more

mental

form

its

"its

abstractions, and

their

"

ished
van-

for

there.

to

the

conquer

Cartesian

profound.

Women

miracle

more

universal

cle,
mira-

objective intervention
His

than

action.

by

They

incomprehensible
local

probable

inward

only

without.

only

to

than

visible

the

which

interpreted

fail

hardly
pledged

can

call

easy

past, prevents

because

miracles,

who

will

facts

lost.

prodigies

dualism,
also

the

is

them

to

seems

divine

super-

from

dramaturgy

unverifiable
them

for

them

to

all

times

ten

dogmatic

passion

comes

symbolically
must

their

that

"

seeing the facts

spiritual. They can

from

eternal

As

is

objective,isolated, and

are

adore

than

Their

naturalism.

Krause

They
last

these

"

of

trine
doc-

the

ti-anscendence.

understand

never

are

of

of

incomprehensible

are

fanatics

finger

the

reached

have

immanence

the

to

of

minds

The

JOCRXAL.

The

is doomed
to

remain

ical
psychologworld

Latin
to

petrify

for

ever

JOURNAL.

AMIELS

outside

the

central

hearth

inmost

Latin

shape

outside

and

cannot

from

me

weary

the

of

now

different
of

from

the

throw

up

and

of

faith

with

demonstrate,

to

comparison,
examination.
into

men

no

showing

But

to

assent,

and

persuade

parti pris,
a

scended,
de-

are

Catholic

the

arguments,

inquiry.

rather

They

previous

with

to

They

darkens

excludes

is to trick

is

truth.

enlightens.
them, from

and

have

the

which

which

information,
Their
object

begin

ful
doubt-

me

around

discover

to

which

must

make

dice,
preju-

procedure,

man

All

of

that

free

flecting
re-

entrenchments

all

furnish

the

affirm

not

that

of

examining, they
Their
beginning.
object

accumulate
than

artificially,

anybody.

as

they profess

because, instead

it, and

to

priori speculations

"

scholasticisms

what

which

eye

means

much

as

things,

mirror.

1872.

August

the

is exterior

distance, by

surface

SOth

outside

itself except

see

tive,
objec-

everything

It is like

itself.

only perceives what

which

determination.

remains

it

vided,
still undi-

are

or

makes

mind

because

and

ideas

where

life, that

of

sanctuary

without
The

123

temper

and

of

to

to

press
supme,

must

critical

amiel's

124

journal.

explain to me how the

sincerity ; he must
the
matter
questions
lies,point out to me
in it,their origin,their difficulties,
involved
solutions
the different
attempted, and their
must
degree of probability. He
respect
conscience, and my
libertj'.
my
reason,
my
All scholasticism
is an
to take
by
attempt
storm
authority pretends to explain
; the
only pretends, and its deference
loaded
dice
are
merely
illusory. The
The
the premisses are
known
unprejudged.
is taken
as
known, and all the rest

itself,but
is
and

is deduced

Philosophy
the

it.

from

therefore

and

mind,
is to

neither

pagan,

and

If

opinions of
historical

medium

worse,

but
'

Est

Philosophy
the

"

to

one

disturbs
or

in

have

there
ut

est

means,

consciousness

the
the

is

no

aut

ical
; it is crit-

thing only
ready-made

State

which
been

the

bom,

help
non

nor

democratic,

nor

it loves

Church

the

happens
the

it

Christian

individualist

nor

impartial;

truth.

"

monarchical

socialist

neither

independence of
religious prejudice.

political,or
neither
begin with

all social,
It

libertyof

complete

the

means

of the

"

pher
philososo

much

for it.

est.'

doubt
first,
of what

; and

wards
after-

knowledge

amiel's

and

of

degree, possibility.

limit, shade,

doubts

man

he

than

clearly,

of

has

duped

consists

The

be
the

the

first

desire:

to

end

its

error

that

mental

climax

the

be

see

of

final aim

deceived

is

its second.

is the

is

he

own
sees

his liberty

clearly
record.
critical

universal
the

all

; he

by his

foundation

and
of

to

of

power

understand,

from

He

which

ability to

principle and
Not

of

sanely,

more

for

intuition

universe.

intoxication.

neighbour

the

in the
has

Philosophy

fasting in

man

It is in this

in

"

soberly,

lucidity.

his

are.

his

to

as

willing playthings

judges

they

as

illusion

the

than

He

nature.

and

is like

the

are

too

it.

universal

of

perceives

things

suspects

weakness

own

illusions

no

reaching

midst

creatures

his

sees

philosopher

alone

less

he

and

chances

the

dinary
or-

philosopher is more
cautious,
cause,
unfitted
is thereby
for action, bealthough he sees the goal less dimly

others,

The

and

nothing

The

The

nothing.
but

of

consciousness

the

ignorance,

uncertainty

of

consciousness

the

means,

125

journal.

condition

it would

law,
of
its

of

the
fii-st

cipation
Emanof

real

The
knowledge.
philosopher is a sceptic
seeking a plausible hypothesis, which
may
explain to him the whole of his experiences.

"

126

amiel's

When
a

force

October

at

offere

1872.

M.'s.

the

and

the

and

of

for

been

have

These

not

taking

homes

English

are

deferential
and

one

both

to

seems

but

domestic

system

trustful, and

yet

themselves

know

also

when

they

no

know

children

are

that

to

they

behave

like

any

definite

their encroachments

they

smiling,

see

feels

loved,

but

of

the

in it

an

that

house,
to

comes

that

Our

obey.

must

order

of this

test

One

masters

and

istic.
character-

happy,

be

genius

reserve

great

trouble.

how

governed,

is the

are

They

and

English

the

every

place.

duty

with

is the

children

and

is well

of itself ;

which

children

command

to

duty tinged

self-control
The

how

go

the

its

has

personal
shows

parents,

little world

The

obey.

"

their

to

erence
rev-

master

guests,

everything

understand

and

his

to

on

upon

"

consideration
are

others, and

for

in a word,
duty
dignity. The

and

worth

and

"

respect for self and

they
they

does

They are the recompense

result
of a long-lived civilisation,
What
ideal untiringly pursued.
an
That
of a moral
on
order, founded

ideal ?

loci

it to, but

such

attractive.

very

to

found

has

his fellow-men.

it on,

dth
tea

life he

to

he

that

imagines

ne

key

journal.

limit
abuse

amiel's

of

power,

everything
be

may

their

127

round
and

Why

act.

principle

turns

gentle

cause
Be-

believe

to

Our

them.

affectionate,

grateful, and

not

are

arbitrary

an

it is

journal.

they know

that

children
but

they
of

nothing

self-control.
How

do

By

and
which

forms

decree
at

mothers

English
rule

which

firm

; in

only leads

and
what

is due

under

them

others, watchful

'God

"

and

what

home

is

which

every

in such

world

the

it

to

the

owe

In

the

right,'and
has

sense

tised
prac-

English

every

of

to

national
in

every

that

the

better

has

one

with

sweet

one

citadel, or

corresponds
is

my

household

English

they

conscience, and

over

and

has

forming characters
arbitrary authority,
of
justice,conscious

self-government.
feels something
one

motto

and

method

in

child

by law,
attempts

to

to

riable,
inva-

rebellion

of

amenable

yet

words,

This

restive

are

impersonal,

sult
re-

arbitrary

advantage

which

this

liberty,while

to

emancipation.

immense

is
other

for

man

attain

his

still,a ship in
place. Naturally

value

the

set

cost

those

family
producing
on

of

whose

efforts

life
it ;

tain
main-

it.

lith

October

1872.

"

The

man

who

gives

AMIEL'S

128

JOl'KXAL.

than

contemplation
his life, is
directs

than

an

than

to

himself

looks

on

rather

to

rather

actor, seeks

detachment

such

act

Is

to

be

respected

against

point, and

with

fits

Oriental

my

tendencies.
I

of

activity.

not

known

this, as

in

to

how

cuted
perse-

approve

to

else,

all

it is

a.s

Buddhist

and

dared

not

futile

in

always

quietism

have

have
In

has

morality,

Christian

this

on

years

useless

to

idiosyncrasy
be
to
fought

conscience, penetrated

western

myself,
myself.

bound

hesitated

wasted

self-reproach and
My

sin

always

have

existence

one
an

or

have

of

Is

illegitimate, immoral?

spectator

underetand

to

Is this mode

achieve.

rather

at

correct

have

mained
re-

perplexed, wavering
So
between
two
extremes.
equilibrium is
somehow
preserved, but the crystallisation
of action
impossible.
or
thought becomes
early caught a glimpse of the
Having
and

divided

absolute,

effrontery
have

I to

have
of

make

imposing

myself
I have

my

own

others.

to

seen

is

not

right

What

defect

I have

necessity

any

see

others,

upon

deficiencies
That

of

merit

indiscreet

the

individualism.

able

been

never

had

never

nor

for

for
ceeding.
suc-

nothing clearly except

and
the

the
way

superiority of
to

make

amiel's

With

career.

journal,

varied

aptitudes

intelligence,I had no
no
imperious faculty,
of
free

could

has

8th

turning

Louisa

side

over

! ^^

Siefert

all the

while
and

pierces

What

is

it

really

while

what

when
best.

was

indecision,

tue
vir-

by

myself free, yet

all my

fair

tendency,

and

faculties

1872

November

been

that

so

produced

rendered

and

dominant

discover

not

Equilibrium

and

I felt

capacity

I2g

cision
inde-

barren.

I have
(Friday).
the
Stoics
again. Poor
Ah
! we
play the Stoic,
the poisoned arrow
in the
lethalis
arundo.
wounds,
"

that, like
for

all

passionate

souls,

things which
are
contradictory
glory and
happiness.
the KeforShe adores
two
incompatibles
the Revolution, France
and
mation
and
the
she

craves

Two

"

"

of

contrary

France
of

combination
and

sensitive

between
"

that

Leconte

of
it

say,

extremes.
:

"

at

for

between

is to

dislocates

She

ear

wavering

itself is

two

while

verse,

talent

her

wardness
opposing qualities, inbrilliancy, noisy display and

lyrical charm.
of her

the

time

same

She

rhyme.
Valmore

and

de

Lisle

and

her

taste

is

She

the

rhythm
she

has

is

always
Baudelaire,

Sainte-Beuve
a

bringing

herself

has

gether
to-

scribed
de-

amiel's

130
'

Toujours

desirs,
joyeuse et foUe,
seule parole
tons
mes
plaisirs.'

extreme

Jadis, enfant
Souvent

une

Bouleversait

But

what

what

fine

3d

not

under

soul

1872.
under

w^as

it ; I

was

myself, deceiving my
being able to deceive
This

she
what

possesses
wealth

of

December

dream

mes

en

instrument
of

strength

imagination

journal.

which

power

incompatibles

What

"

illusion

an

and

yet

playing a comedy to
imagination without
my

exclusive, of identifying

consciousness.
have

dreams

together,

wonderful

strange

of
yes

of

uniting
and

fusing
what

is

is what

no,

symbolical in
In a dream
them.
our
individuality is not
itself ; it envelops, so
shut
within
to
up
speak, its surroundings ; it is the landscape,
included.
and
all that it contains, ourselves
if
But
if our
imagination is not our
own,
it is impersonal, then
personality is but a
tions.
of its general funcspecial and limited case
for
be tlie same
A fortiori it would
is most

thought.
without

and

most

thought might exist

out
possessing itself individually,withAnd

embodying

if so,

itself in

an

ego.

In

other

amiel's

dreams

words,

journal.

lead

personality, and

should

be
who

dissolved
of

Ma'ia.

limbo
the

is

the

universal

Dreams

of
human
the

which

he

is the

is

; he

plaything of
invisible sprites.
The

the

who

man

of

state

the

only

know

manufactured
to

he

would

that

the

life,as
nervous

what

dreams

are

life,and

organic
point of a
which

from
tained
at-

never

called, but

so

dreamed

would

completed

its

would

be

not

or

able

genesis of

life issues

waking

of

issue

personality ;
like a crystal, incapable of
So
crystallisation means.

be

guessing

is

he

and

have

in

of

self
spite of him-

never

never

mind

dreams

vibrations

properly

the

the
from

impersonal

state, and

understand

into

who

in

would

had

the

become

phenomena,

unknown

dream

who

man

to

way

various

should

humanity,

vidual
indi-

The

man

spectator

the

limits

thought which

excursions

passive and

an

phantasmagoria

The

of

locale

of

semi-deliverance

prison.

is but

the

the

on

are

things,

from

conscious.

dreams
in

idea

of

even

longer

no

the

to

us

enfrancliised

imagination
of

131

an

this

from

the

emanation

again

life.

Thought

series

of

from

the

ascending

is called nature.

the

fine flower

is the

is

dream

highest

phoses,
metamor-

Personality

amiel's

13*

of

by means
profundity
and
of

thought

what

makes

journal.

lost

it lias
for

up

in

recovers

the

in

rich

receptive passivity by the

of that empire over
self

inward

extension,

accumulations

ilege
priv-

enormous

which

is called

liberty. Dreams,
by confusing and
pressing
supall limits, make
feel,indeed, the
us
attached
to the
severity of the conditions
and
tary
volunhigher existence ; but conscious
thought alone brings knowledge and
allows

to

us

capable

of

act

that

"

is to

and

science

of

is

say,

alone

perfection.

Let

take

us

then

sons
pleasure in dreaming for reaof psychological curiosity and
mental
let us
recreation
never
speak ill of
; but
is our
strength and our dignity.
thought, which
Let
us
begin as Orientals, and e'hd
as

Westerns,

for these

the

are

halves

two

of

wisdom.

lith

1872.

December

sleep

; and

now

"

I wake

deep
up

and
to

less
dream-

the

gray,

has
kept us
lowering, rainy sky, which
for so long.
The
air is mild, the
company
general outlook depressing. I think that it
of my
is partly the fault
windows, which
not
are
clean, and contribute
by their
very
dimness
to this gloomy
aspect of the outer

world.
them.

Kain

and

smoke

have

besmeared

amiel's

Between
there

are

eye,

the

and

us

"

infinitely variable
bathes

inclined

in the

twice

to

What

Heraclitus

No

say:

landscape twice
kaleidoscope, and
the

the

second

delusion

the

stable
does

truth

and

even

see

not

itself

all the

better

sees
common

than

eternal

good

faith

that

what

may
any

what
with

to

ing
deceiv-

lending

oneself

without

becoming

between

in

mind

of

common

to

the

or

in

measure

of

cannot

ceive
per-

what

and

is

its dreams

sense,

universal

dupe.

it

ence
experi-

rising superior

to

its

that

assumes

it confounds

"

consists
and

the

of

Madness

fact

the

madness

difference

imagines
reality.

madness

fact.

is, is

; while

it is

got hold

fact, and

what

it

Wisdom

vivendi,

sanity sees,
while
by the belief
sane
sanity. The

necessary

be

lishes
estab-

what

with

to

itself, and
it has

that

confounds

sense

one

another.

modus

and

men,

is

mind

sound

things,

same

Illusion, raised

regular relations,
between

the

spectator
?

power.

feel

window

No

river.
sees

for

over,

said

same
one

madness

is

under

of the

tissues

the

health,

screens

many

of our
cell, mist,
window-panes
and
all
rain, dust, and light itself

smoke,

man

how

things

Mood,

133

journal.

It

both

and

in

illusion
is

best,

on

amiel's

1^
the

for

whole,

how

to

with

the

be

serious,

in

the

enter

his

fantastic

from

of

the

palace

pain

; it is also

that

which

sin ; and
moral

and

serious

into

the

which

is

that

me

limit.i*

rives
capacity, arreality is but

delivers

What

of dreams

us

pain, personal

of

obligation,or
the
two, the pain of
is love ; in short, the

the

sense

it

What

saves

from

us

is conscience

Ma'ia

to

its

all

that

combines

order.

good

seems

of

game

with

reaches

dream.

again

of

gay,

It

intuition

dream

knows

its intellectual

in

the

at

who

part

Universe.

mind,

The

taste

tragi-comedy

intellectualism

here

the

to

the

play

to

the

is called

of

man

with

gay

Mai'a, and
grace

journal.

the

ceries
sor-

conscience

the opiumlike
dissipatesthe narcotic
vapours,
hallucinations, the placid stupor of
indifference.
It drives
us
contemplative
into

wheels

it is

from
may

the

with

contact

terrible

wheels

within

sponsibility
resufferingand human
crow,
bugle-call,the cock; it is the
which
to flight;
puts the phantoms
the armed
chases
man
archangel who
artificial paradise.
Intellectualism
an

of

human

described

be

of

as

itself ;

Alas

other
famine

Alas

intoxication

moral

the

the
replaces it, on
of fast, a
state
a
thirst.

an

energy

hand,
and

scious
con-

which

represents
a

sleepless

amiel's

Those
of sin
is

who
are

fixed

journal.

have

the

135

most

just those who

gulf between

frivolous

idea

that

there

suppose

good

people

and

others.

ideal

The

makes

for

herself, the

understands
of

the

mother

in which

manner

duty and

the

life,contain
Her

community.

and

wife

the

which

faith

she

fate
the

becomes

conjugal ship, and her love the

the future
animating principle that fashions
of all belonging to her.
is the salvation
"Woman
of the family. She carries
or destruction
star

of

the

its destinies

Perhaps
should

be

in the

it is not
free

abuse

her

folds

desirable

in mind

; she

freedom.

philosophical

without

of her

that

to

combustion
that

In

of

azote

She

thought.

woman

ately
immedicome
be-

cannot

losing

It is

her

cial
spe-

all that

is

manners,
to

slacken

analogous

in vital air.

there
is a priestess
loving woman
fection,
afof some
a pious guardian
past
of which
the object has disappeared.

every

of the

of

would

is the worship of
gift,which
of usage,
individual, the defence
Her
is
role
beliefs, traditions.

the

mantle.

"

136

el's

AMI

journal.

the

"

of

translation

the

all is great ;

of the

old

"

; in

the

of

idea

of atonement
of

saviours

of

is to

of

say,

it is

magnificent

How
small

the

which

the

tution
the substi-

shows

for

1873

(4 p.m.)

all the

is the

fication
glorithat

"

civilisation.

type

is the

law

for the

and

individual

theme

the

mation
transfor-

poetry,

as

colossal

this

life of

of

Areopagus

human

of

adventures

beside

seem

waits

the

truly

religious

Prometheus

Eumenides

and

of Athens

sublimity

it is the

justice,and
and
pardon

; the

men

the

it is civilisation

implacable revenge.
which
the martyrdom

us

greatest

jealous hands

the

the

metheus
Pro-

crisis in the

Eumenides

of the

The

depict

Prometheus

from

wrenched

in

are

Both

profound

In

reading

Lisle.

have

they

prophets.

humanity.
gods

de

Eumenides

where

revolution

been

^schylus,

of

Leconte

and

of

I have

January 1873.
seven
tragedies

6th

how

passion

tragedy,

of

destinies

of

tions
na-

31s" March
'

En

quel
Se

Men

For
a

vague

an

"

songe

plonge

ccEur,

hour

past

anxiety

; I

et

que

veut-il ?

'

been

the

prey

recognise my

old

enemy.

I have

of

amiel's

It is

...

of

sense

peace

is

in

anguish

Tu

creuses

Le

gouffre

the

'

sourdement,
des

feel

never

mental

is
sun,

just as

discoloration

the

inexorable

rents

of

of

the
shame

it

vie,''the

brings

born

in

of

of

existence
the

soul

day

In

with

are

for

the

light
sun-

it that

stain

upon

rouse

of

Is

the
it

then,

the

or

it illumines

also

Does

the

bear.

to

face,

distinctness

is

thirst

the

out

hair, so
?

weather,

stress

painful

wrinkles

heart

obscur,

I do

than

phenomenon.

of
bright hours
flooding the whole
the

la

azur,

o'clock,
difficult

torture

of the

with

in fine

three

the

or

strange

day,

strongly

more

ton

la reverie.'

de

et

Love,

endolorie,

brises,

tes

is most

me

This

garment,

sort

about

anxiety,

happiness.

of the

effrayant de

le vide

the

hours

to

r"me

conspirateur

languers

afternoon,
which

nor

d'oiseaux,

and

scars

in
any

us

case

capable of
melancholy,

kindling in us the passion for death,

suicide, or annihilation, or of driving us

of

feeling is one
hope, and there
tinguish
can
clearly disits remedy.

evil

anguish

what

dans
pitie',

sans

all the

time
I

the

chants

tes

Of

and

with

it because

printemps

Avec

void

unmixed

want

neither

'

of

sense

137

something lacking
God
The
perhaps.

"

of pure

journal.

or

to

amiel's

138
which

that

is next

of

the

They
from
'

Le

his

own

the

of

sept fois dans

of

one,

but

in the
the

and

first

cry

is often

brilliant

moment

forgotten

case

product
of daylight
From

is absent

his

senses

the

by all the world.

deux

sent

nous

dumb

second,
bewildered, a

; in

and

lost

forsaken

creature

crime

the

follows

man

passion

his

of

divin.'

either.

other, God

himself

feels

En

which

the

from

as

le neant

temptations to
darkness, but the

be

not

the

escape

the

most

must

horror

"

of desolation

sense

'

in the

with

connected

he

a
lonely man
him
they make
long to
misery and solitude,

talk

People

ening
death, the dead-

to

by tlie pursuit of pleasure.

senses

trempe

coeur

akin

rouse

himself

of

journal.

qui

instincts

la

bra vent

raisoD,
I'effroi du

Cast
Ccear

3d

solitaire,

Their

of her

two

turned
Women

have

"

of

an

curious

preachers

la soif du

have

been

niece

has

children, and
enthusiastic
way

and

of

to

see

my

just arrived
the

tion
conversa-

lecture.

temperament

speaking

orators.

poison.

'

Hyacinthe's

Father

on

et

prends garde

toi

April 1873.

friends
with

bonheur

of

They

pore
extem-

imagine

AMIEL

that

inspiration
and

such,

the

has

of what

all

of

word,

it, diminishes

of

and

hates

admire.

would

It

their

love

miraculous, prefer

it

never

so

rich

and

feeling

asks
in heart

distinguished
is

to

combine

say,
a

and

multitude

effects, the

art,

the

the

believe

the

superstitious,
it wishes

to

forced

to

be

It

wishes

do
of

the

as

lieve
be-

work

of

science, and
women,

have

orators,

known

the

to

it is that

imagination,

of

bear

feeling, and

work

never

the

high.

on

cannot

is

of

it fallen

from

it to

how

making

value

the

what

themselves

have

the

to

sex

vex

itself

meditation,

gone

share
to
give the smaller
to thought.
larger share
that
imagination can
reason,

where

in

understand

to

and

the

of

The

dent,
acci-

metaphors,

whole,

for them

baker.

ture
lec-

left to

the

thing, and they prefer to

from
down
Heaven, or sent
They ask for bread, but
idea

really

is

The

have

is

with

calculation
which

that

prepared
and

this.

as

naif and

more

women,

is marvellous

labour, the
in

But

care

ignore

to

been

all

is

been

of the

length

everything
greatest

nothing has
the
plan, nor

neither
even

be

crowd

of what

explanation

in which

nor

from

radiates

there

Could

childish

139

inspiration

that

wanted.

JOURNAL.

never
"

how

facts, ideas,

that
to

and

amiel's

t4o

impulses,

into

women

that

jocrxal.

complex

one
never

there

is between

the

popular harangue, which

mere
passionate outburst,
didactic

for

Therefore,

mounts

upon
from

issues

Evidently

who

trouble

to

of

be

of

saying

this

latter

enthusiasm

things, ignores

obstacle

and

is

and

all calm

liche

'

an

inspired

will

the

never

QuintUian,

derstand
un'

Fit

but

like

is

acts

the

perhaps

enthusiasm

blindness.
the

shades

of

For

value

of

difference,

all sensible

criticism

The
judgment.
Ewig-Weibexaggeration, mysticism, sen'

favours

timentalism,

to

the

by

the

confuses

their

facture
manu-

themselves

which

is very

two

'

poeta.

accepts

and

They

enlightening force,

which

who

discourses

born.

nascitur

into

orators

speech,

midnight lamp,
simply
give

enthusiasm

The
an

divide

laborious

the

orator,

its hearers.

assembly.

artizans

their

souls,

is to

them,

women

; the

of the

unfolding

of which

convince

to

dazzled

of the

groups

aim

but

nothing
the

of

nique,
study, reflection,techas
nothing ; the iniprovisatore
the
tripod, Pallas all armed
his lips, and
the
conquers
plause
ap-

count

aid

and

something

prove

and

the

process,

ence
differ-

excitement

is

of

the

suspect

even

siastic
Enthu-

unity.

"

all that

excites

and

startles..

amiel's

It is the

enemy

rational

view

criticism

and

much

too

of

and

science, law
and

things,

by

fancy.
feels

the

over

reins

the

of

my
me

Justice
virile

are

imagination,"
When

one

is

superstition
one

for

makes

infirmity.

before

and

women,

to hand

it

of

only

excess

reason,

come

Catholic

that

is not

and

they

feeling, reverie,

very

and

had

have

weakness

of its

conscious

calm

antipodes

towards

indulgence

more

science.

The

of

the

things,

nature.

former

and

of

141

clearness,

of

sympathy

feminine

now

journal.

how
to

flects
re-

tained
main-

needful

the

'

it

Eternal

Womanly.'
2od

1873.

May

of France
has
the

lies in

always
same

as

her

believed
do

to

fundamental

The

"

error

psychology.
that

to

say

it,as though

France
a

thing is

speech

were

though rhetoric were

capable of
acter
modifying the tendencies, habits, and charof real beings, and
as
though verbiage
efficient
for will, consubstitute
were
an
science,
action,

as

and
France
of

education.

proceeds

cannonading,

thinks

things
ruins.

that

so

or

she

; and

she

She

has

by
can

bursts

of

eloquence,

of

law-making:
change the nature

produces only phrases

never

understood

the

she
of

and
first

amiel's

142
line

of

Montesquieu

relations, derived
will

She

journal

not

from

the

notions
of

duty

"

from

the

of

things.'

her

has

of

in which
is

way

then

she

to

to

ganise
or-

nature

own

the

religion, of

manner

and

downwards,

necessary

incapacity

she

of

Her

children.

up

her

which

society,

are

nature

from

liberty comes
from

the

that

see

Laws

'

vidual,
indi-

law, of

she

brings

plant

trees

is astonished

at

Universal

suffrage, with a bad

religionand a bad popular education, means
between
perpetual wavering
anarchy and
the red and
the black,
dictatorship,between
Dan
and
between
ton
Loyola.
the

result

How

scapegoats

many

before
breast

in

it occurs

her

to

penitence

will
to

France

beat

fice
sacriher

own

terday,
YesAugust 1873 (Scheveningen).
clear and
Sunday, the landscape was
distinct,the air bracing, the sea bright and
of
colour.
an
gleaming, and
ashy blue
beautiful
There
effects of beach, sea,
were
distance
and
dazzling tracks of gold
; and
ISth

upon

below
the

"

the
the

in
The

bands

middle

place

of

sky,
the
was

the

after

waves,

and

mists
very

drawn

vapour

before
of

full.

had

sun

the

All

it had
sea

sunk
across

peared
disaphorizon.

Scheveningen

amiel's
and

the

had

streamed

Hague,

The

played

and

the

the

ing
amus-

tables, and

and

the

bathers.

Wagner,

some

What

waltzes.

some

capital,

terrace,

innumerable

strangers

orchestra

Auber,

the

to

on

at

the

143

villageand

the

out

themselves

swamping

journal.

some

all

was

world

doing ? Simply enjoying life.

thousand
thoughts wandered
through

brain.

my
had

taken

Judaea,
all the
and
had

make

to

Egypt,

united

from

in the

saw

Germany,

Moses

from

zones

history it
possible ;

much

what

Greece,

centuries

all the

how

thought

to

Batavia

formation

Gaul

Napoleon,
Guiana,

to

of

this

ing.
gather-

The

the
of

industry, the science, the art,

the
geography, the commerce,
religion
the whole
human
are
repeated in
race,
human

every

combination

before

see

is
all that
the

our

own

has

any

into

the

phenomenon

is

feels

in

oneself

allowed

workshop

of

the

what

we

given

reference

ment
mo-

to

interlacing of
threads
which
Necessity
production of one
single
One
stupefying thought.

been.

ever

thousand

ten

What

at

eyes

and

inexplicable without

weaves

"

the

of

presence

glimpse
Nature.

This

of

Law

itself

the

The

mysterious
ephemeral perceives

eternal.

matters

the

brevity

of

the

Individ-

amiel's

144

ual

centuries, and
but

for

occupied

of

reproduction

the

make

which

is

motive

has

but

one

variation

of

law

and

goodness

within
To

with

the

of the

limbo

of

contemplate

give back,
moved

to

of

all

universe

the

would

all that

adore,

of

to

sleeps

concert

one's

over

and

note

is

which

sand, is all

was

and

receive

the

Spirit

who

insects as we
such
are
expected from
and
meaning
enough to give motive
fugitive apparition in existence.
After

the

possibilities,

Creator,

uttered

have

monad

Omnipotence.

and

grain

one's

The

created

the

but

are

wealth

exhaust

to

variations

; the

same

truths

infinite

in vain

share

all

the

symphony

single truth.

one

seeking
the

the

ceaseless

and

universal

the

are

life,in all

of

hymn

always

the

represents

the

modes

up

The

themselves

with

ever

thousand

hundred

fain

worlds

the

the

generations,

the

that

seeing

span,

journal.

the

; it is
to

our

paved

the
the
hotels
and
two
esplanade behind
alive with
roads
leading to the Hague were
fancied
oneself
One
might have
people.
upon

of

one

the

just when
"

there

and
tumult

the

had

great Parisian

theatres
were

cabs.

are
so

emptying

disappeared,

selves
them-

carriages,

many

Then,

boulevards

when
the

the
peace

nibuses,
om-

human

of

the

AMIEL'S

starry heaven
the

dreamy

the

shone

glass

real

has,

screen

itself between

only

me

the

False

and

was

of

no

desire.

to

all

and

longings

been

in

false

I very
me

de

give

being able

longed for,
without

; for

detail
what

to

j'aime

wish

taking

was

ity,
timid-

delusion

has

been

est

of

perhaps
like

too

than

the

"

simpler

was

satisfy it.

to

have
of

nature

my

whole

trouble

might
the good

it

fatalite.'

ma

all that
the

in

share

it

that

obtain

what

of

putting aside

large

que

up

been

of all natural

desires,

I renounced

even

in

result

discovered

soon

to

Fatal

have

mutilation.

had

ce

idea; it has

Fear, too, has

peur

looker-on

doubt.

all

foolish, self-inflicted

La

enjoyment, the
things, leaving

of

systematic

What

interposed

beforehand

this

always
?

me

intellectiial

by

renunciation

ambitions,

has

were,

the

of the

role

aggravated
This

it

contact

shame,

ashamed

me

Way

murmur

and

life
as

me

possession, the

Not

distant

it which

is

What

"

between

come

for

Milky

ocean.

Later.

'

and

resplendent,

of the
the

by

145

out

glimmer

answered

only

JOURNAL.

en

to

bloc,
mine
deter-

attracted

stirring up

amiel's

146
trouble

in

oneself

inaccessible

the

lack

regret

looked

logic,

to

overtake

end

the

to

the
am

only

life makes

but

the

health,
the

and

conscience
athirst
; and

19th
have

"

that

love

been

ascetic

of

cries

soul

when

for

holiness

all, I

system
makes

Logic

consequence;

body

wants

for

beauty,

out

pride asks
for

yearns

the

have

to

; the

the

our

for

sideration,
con-

the

peace,

whole

being

for
tion
perfechappiness and
complete
tottering, mutilated, and inwe,
cannot
always feign philosophic
for

we

life,and

Why

of

ought

suffer.

thousand

for

insensibility ;
'

imagination

heart

eyes

theorem.

"

upon

especially now,
whiten.
But, after

not

demand

one

me,

me,

suffer, but

cannot

is

and

man,

have

contemplation

enough for
hair begins to

been

should

man.

have

founded
the

exceptional principles with

ordinary

of

conduct

at

fashion.

stoical

true

allowed

I have

spirit all possible

in

singular

with

sometimes
and

in

of

images

treasure

disillusions,
Only,

evoking

and

anticipated

Thus

journal.

why

we
"

stretch
say

hast

1873
August
had
a
morning

out

our

it under

to

thou

wards
to-

arms

breath,

our

deceived

me

'

(Schevenitigen).
"

walk.

It

has

been

AMIEI,

in

raining
clouds

the

all
and

green

the

drab,

has

put

threatening but
lingering mood.
and

floods

life.
sheet

kitten's

in

smaller

of

came

it

across

itself

might
organic life
by

have

the

shores

the

dunes

of

living
can

of

and

creatures
we

the

doubt

the
I

on

eras,

vast

immemorial

at

the

mountains
who
but

have

that

sea-sand

detritus

the

of the
ment
monu-

age,
of

built

molluscs

architecture

of

God.

If

good workmen
the

all

Farther

"

generations

laboured
like

form

that

me

only
preceding

countless

who

how

of

rowed
fur-

crumbling shells,and

be

pyramid

or

up

well

the

of

in upon

had

by analogy, and
earth
reproduces

planet.

the

nook

water

individual

bank

borne

was

of

and

phenomena

like
itself

repeats

versal
uni-

pink palate of a
a
dappled
sky.

the

or

little fraction

each

the

like

mouth,

Everything

shores

hidden

which

folded

and

clouds,

the

feeding

in

found

fine sand

of

no

foam, gathering up
tide, carrying the ships

the

no

with

them

for

air

in

her

making

destinations, and

their

to

time

same

is

serious

sands, visiting her

her

up

bathing

her

She

with

business, in

her

the

at

veined
the

on

large

are

sea,

is about

She

.I47

There

night.

round

of labour.

heaping

JOURNAL.

of
are

the

preceded
our

death

dust
us,

will

amiel's

148
be

serviceable

as

which

be

upon

prey

life,and

our

lent

been

and

law

the

as

has

borrowing

journal.

is lost ?
service

temporary

of

existence.

and

devour

that

Mutual
to

seem

Only, the strong

the
the
weak, and

inequality of lots within

equality of destinies wounds
of justice.
the sense

concrete

ing
noth-

the

stract
ab-

and

quiets
dis-

and
A new
spiritgoverns
{Same ^ay.)
will succeed
inspires the generation which
It is a singular sensation
to feel the
me.
one's
self
feet, to see onegrowing under
grass
dress
admust
intellectuallyuprooted. One
one's
men
contemporaries.
Younger
will not
listen to you.
Thought, like love,
will not
tolerate
hair.
Knowledge
a
gray
"

loves

herself
do

in

the

olden
does

know

what

do

to

to

tion
civilisa-

Contemporary

days.
not

used

Fortune

as

young,

old

with

proportion as it deifies physical

experiment, it despises moral
experience.
ism
the
One
therein
sees
triumph of Darwin-

age

in

is

; it

have
with

of

soldiers

young
age

state

in its leaders

strength and
In

point

strong

or

the
of

it

war

must

only put

can

when

mettle

fact,

and

war,

they

have

up
the

of veterans.
one

disappear, either

must

either

constantly

be
re-

amiel's

149

journal.

juvenate oneself or perish. It is as though

of our
the
day had, like the
humanity
immense
to
migratory birds, an
voyage
make
no
across
longer support
space
; she can
weak

the

great assault

The

hard

her

the

upon

laggards.

Future

makes

all who

is, 'The

motto

the

on

pitilessto

and

Her

way.

help

or

fall

the

by

take

devil

the

hindmost.'
lacked
strength has never
we
altars, but it looks as though the more
talk
of
the
more
justice and
humanity,
that other
god sees his kingdom widen.
The

2Qth

watched

now

this

shore

go,
Breton

from

indigo
colour
It turns

different

should

of

the

of

to

splashed
amusing
air, like

the

gray.

The
a

Englishman

the

all,

Its

the

nor

scale

emerald, and
a

scape
land-

attains

Atlantic,

is

the

above

never

Sea.

blue

itself ; it has
an

the

flint to

blue,
with

It

Ionian

from

runs

aspects.

from

is

blue-green

upon

colour, effect,and

as

"

it with

class

Mediterranean.

the

beats

widely different
and,
Basque
ocean,

it

or

the

which

sea

many
I

far

As

{Scheveningen)

the

under

whole,

the

Baltic.

to

1873

August

have

On

of

worship

of

when

turquoise shade
here

sea

and

busy
or

is not
serious

Dutchman.

AMIEL'S

ijO
Neither

polyps
the

What

life

sea

is wonderful

against

Nature

has

allows

herself

the

to

different

from

the

sea

is

the

air

the

same

polder, heavy,
others,
of

dune,
who

is

is

him,

single

dune

outside

"

and

the

there

gray
and

dred
hun-

altogether
The

of

air

is

trying

there

tenacious,

meditation.

the

in

of

man

to

the

is the

man

the

slow,
patience
of

shore, the

seasoned,
the

and

the
sea,

persevering,
two

agree

in methodical

of effor-t.

August 1873
is rainy,
it is

Hollands

pale, phlegmatic,

harbour,

persistency

weather

she

inundation.

it.

two

are

daring. Where
calculating prudence,

22d

but

of

is

sunburnt,
is in

man

power.

destruction

there

way

patient himself, and

of

of

life-giving,bracing, oxydised
inland
is soft, relaxing, and
warm.
Dutchman

every

struggle

Stepmother
ject
subaccommodating,

the

that

meagre.

formidable

lives in
inside

low

at

and

for

weed
sea-

managed.

occasional

air

the

she

sands

poor

Httle
be

to

thousand

The

is

and

done

be,

the

is the

miserly

she

though

In

jelly-fish,neither

nor

crabs, enliven

nor

water

JOURNAi.

time
I

(Scheveningen)
the

whole

favourable
have

"

The

atmosphere
to

thought

liking for

such

AMIEL8

days

as

with

oneself

the

these

inner

like

but

reverie.

is like

It

is

those

the

full moments,
such

times

Our

very

strange

and
the

devotion,
are

soul, instead

is conscious

coloured,

upon,

from

without

possible

to

; she

adores.
eternal

her

She

with
intellectual

and

of

is in

single

She

tastes

at

pression
im-

her

longer played
motion,
affected,

equilibrium

the

and

at

become

changeless

all

the

totality

own

contemplates

the

sees

are

being polarised,

self-surrender

; she

and

she

and

the

of

phenomena

the

mony
religious state, in harthe general order, or
in
at least
For
harmony.
holiness, indeed,

is wanted

more

is in

but

; it

no

in

enwrapping
She

is

set

Openness

rest.

time.

She

to

because

so

of herself.

substance.

own

mind
which

worship

which

its

turn

of

dispersed, localised, in
or
thought, feels her
and

life to

our

state

of

ing
noth-

are

sensations

in

live

to

peaceful,

We

feel

we

moments

empty

possible

key.

silences

converse

quiet and

are

but

thought,

one's

it

minor

centre.

very

not

they

in

song

make

and

life

revive

they

I5I

JOURNAL,

"

of

harmony

self-devotion,death

will, a

to self and

fect
per-

absolute

submission.

Psychological
which

is

perfect

peace

but

"

that

virtual

"

harmony
is but

the

amiel's

152
the

zero,
not

that

over

all

moral

able

storms

assail

There

and

equilibria,that
and

man

Later

make

conquest,

that

regenerate

mistakes

natural

the
man.

do

Why

"

areth,
Naz-

of

that
of

two

"

doctors

they
noses
diag-

Because

in their
sufficientlyindividual
their treatment.
or
Tliey class a sick
under
of their
some
given department

not

are

man

nosology,
a

principle.
happinesses,

and

(Scheveningen).

often

so

fresh

of

peace

two

of Greece

of the

that

the

of

that

kingdoms,

two

"

is not

indeed

are

of nature

whatever

face

to

by

it.

of fact

peace

victorious

is

is real, positive, tried

ills,which

may

which

peace

and

that

; it is

potentiality of all numbers

experience,
The

journal.

special

it

whereas

possible

unique

case,
that

invalid

every

so

is

example.

coarse

method

really

How
of

is

ing
sift-

judicious therapeutics ?
Every illness is a factor simple or complex,
which
second
is multiplied by
a
factor,
the
individual, that
invariably complex,
is suffering from
is to say, who
it, so that
the result
is a special problem, demanding
should

produce

"

special solution,

the

remoteness
or

from

of

the

the

country

more

so

the

patient from
life.

greater
hood
child-

amiel's

The

journal.

individual

methods

the

is to

their

who

doctor

is

ideal
with

the

seize

claims

Their

care.

far

are

does

know

would

be

the

of

and

higher

of

nature

the

of

model
a

saint, a
Uth

doctor
about
start

back
of

and

storing
re-

Such
number

life,they
tories
laborame

ficial,
super-

divine

things,

once

and

The

genius,

the

sea

and

them
in

think

to

that
a

throat

fever
I

that

Genevese

my
am

coming

radicallyworse
than

can

dence.
impru-

without

The

"

I have

says

days

write

not

tell

(Amsterdam).

not

three

dare

strength

at

He

does

for another

from

and

of God.

man

me,

ing
suffer-

sympathy.

be

September 187
has just gone.

I
friends

should

doctor

to

and

intuition

to

seem

profane, strangers
destitute

inner

dowed
en-

life and

transcendent

they

To

man

profound

nothing

you

ignorant of essentials.

doctor

lack

mentary
ele-

too

read

not

the

unity of

knowledge of
of the soul, intuitivelydivining any
disorder
of whatever
or
kind,
by his mere
peace
presence.
is possible, but the greater
a doctor
of them

have

they neglect

investigation

bottom

the

me

is that

who

of
;

to

which

principal grievance

against the doctors

real problem, which
the

153

when

state

went

154

amiel's

there, and

that

time,

have

only

my

money,

trouble,

my

hopes.

journal.

wasted

my

and

my

This

fact
on
contradictory double
side an
one
hopefulness springing
eager
after all disappointments,
afresh
and
on
"

other

if

to

us

we

whim

the

by

were

be

can

"

wills

almost

experience

an

be

invariably
like

explained
of

wills

or

the
favourable
un-

either

to

us

up

all illusions

natui'e, which

deceived

the

act

as

so.

is the

Scepticism

from

wiser

but

course,

it tends

in

livering
de-

paralyse
in taking
life.
consists
Maturity of mind
as
seriously as
part in the prescribed game
believed
in it.
Good-humoured
though one
compliance, tempered by a smile, is,on the
us

whole,

the

oneself

to

error

best

line

in

imprisoned
to

we

with

its laws

against
once

has

it

only

have

ends

denied

an

air

existence,

the

of

we

good grace
in impotent

untary
vol-

liberty.

must

mit
sub-

; to

rebel

ourselves

lends

one

optical illusion,and

an

concession
Once

take

to

to

rage,

the

when

solution

of suicide.

Humility and submission, or the religious

poinjt of view ; clear-eyed indulgence with
of
the
touch
of irony, or
a
point of view
attitudes
these
two
are
worldly wisdom,
"

JOURNAL,

AMIELS

ills of

minor

in

of

other

greater

ones.

the

intellect

the

or

Christian

flesh,heart, and

of

the

either

that

good,

be

can

from

refuge

doubt

no

the

and

existence,

the

patience,
doubt

that

on

this

with

it

those

to

tormented

feel oneself

by

of nature

is

grace,

who

are

and

of

moital

the
there

"

courage

faith

for

Monotheism

existence.

allow

of the

be

can

of

of

so

the

lation
inexpressible consowearied, burdened,

by pain and

life.

fidelity,the

the

the

of

harbour
this

of

sea

idea

suffering.

for and
individually cared
God
gives a special dignity

to

struggle

least

idea, the strength

and

carries

beauty

life's

the

as

tempests

generations,

Church,

to

are

believe

must

that

rewarding
submission,

travellers

many

and

immortality, serving

happy

no

is

we

things at
fatherly

of

grief

ings
suffer-

trial.

purifying

of the

whole

the

that

or

There

If

grip of despair, we

escape

make

to

worst

soul.

rest

stoical

the

of

the

bear

to

us

the

needed

is

the

health

least

enduring

either

sort

for

sary
perhaps necesThe
pessimism

at

of

means

optimism

possible for

is

supposes

as

But

of life.

it

life,the

Schopenhauer

and

is sufficient

second

The

possible.

I55

But

To
tected
pro-

and

lightens the
does
the study

maintenance

of those

156

amiel's

local

revelations

upon

which

These

infantine

an

upon

called

are

Islamism

Christianity,
founded

journal.

chimerical

MosaLsm,
religions,
and

cosmogony,

history of humanity,

bear

modem
confronting with
and
geology ? The
present
in trying
which
consists
escape,

they

the

claims

the

science

of

both

which

science

and

contradicts

can

omy
astron-

mode

of

satisfy

to

faith,

all the

of

"

ancient

of
beliefs,and the faith which, in the case
and
incapable
things that are beyond nature
them
of verification, affirms
her
on
own
this mode
of escape
responsibility only,
"

cannot

last for

conception

demands

to it.

bewildered

methods,

Every

ever.

the

method,
which

the

scientific
and

two

method

between

contradict

each

responds
cor-

stands

of transition

age

between

cosmical

religion which

Our

fresh

incompatible
and the religious
the

tudes,
certi-

two

other.

of the two
must
Surely the reconciliation
be
is
law, which
sought for in the moral
also a fact, and eveiy
requires
step of which
for its explanation another
than
the
cosmos
of necessity.
Who
knows
if necescosmos
sity
is not
of liberty,and
a
particular case
its

condition

not

laboratory
beings who

Who

knows

if

nature

of thinking

for the fabrication

are

ultimately

is

to

become

amiel's

free

of

existence

supposed
of time,

the

and

space,

open.

of purpose

from

But

question

eliminate

idea

the

is

matter,

remains

dogma.
may

pendently
souls, inde-

Platonic

faith, less logicalthan

the

deed
in-

the

fiction of

We

and

Biology protests,

creatures

157

journal.

and

guiding conception of
highest being of our planet, it is a fact,
in
fact
which
postulates a meanLag
a

the

history of

nature,
the

yet,

My
?

is

straying
I have

because

"

studies

universe.

the

thought

why

in

end

I may

that

the

as

conclusions

Later

on.

believe

All

my

none.

creed

My

"

creed.

paths

interrogation, and
or
arbitrary
premature

draw

I draw

no

vague

of

notes

not

in

has

melted

away,

in

good, in the moral

oi*der,
and
in salvation
is to live
; religion for me
die in God, in complete
and
abandonment
is at
the
to
the
of
root
holy will which
and
nature
in the
destiny. I believe even
News
that
is to say, in
Gospel, the Good

but

"

the

reconciliation

faith

4"^

October

dreaming
which

love

in the

floods

of the
of

1873

long
my

sinner

pardoning

{Geneva).
while
room

with

in

with

Father.

I have

"

the
a

God, by

been

moonlight,
radiance, full

IS8
of

amiel's

in

dim

It

it,and

like the
a

the

arrives

noise

of

at

and

itself

intangible,

is made

of

all the

in

heart, mingling

sires
deof

sorrows
sonorous

vague

It is

unsatisfied

stifled

the

of

up

mingled sounds.

soul, of all

of the

and

which

waves

reverberation

the

light is

duced
in-

analysis loses its

nothing articulate.

indefinite

fused

thousand

mind

ghost-like that

something

is

of

state

by this fantastic

us

and

in

way

The

mystery.

vague

so

journal,

whole, and

in cloudy murmurs.
dying away
All those
imperceptible regrets, which never
the consciousness, accumulate
individually reach
definite
result ; they
at last into
a
become
the voice
of a feeling of emptiness

and

aspiration

itself.

In

vibrations

the

of the

heart

of

note

and

solitary

your

shining

in upon

you

feel in

full

the

are

us

our

is

moon

you

through

initiates

you

old

if you

road, which

of

how

know

path

what

me

tone

is

I shall

best

the

lamp

tell you

The

fundamental

your

will

proof

"

and

out, and

hope

the

when

room

JEolian

these

indistinguishable

reveal

Tell

situation.

whole

is all

indeed

up

being,

our

of

tone

of

melancholy

is

tone

thousands

make

accents

and

youth

these

that

their

dying
are,

happy.
life

at the

is the

high

right moment

AMIKL8

into all

JOURNAL.

experience.

is normal

Wliat

roads

Each
not

begins

fault

one

avoided

individual, and

and

The
is not

afresh, and
been

has

man

The

the

lates,
accumu-

race

dies

experience
result

the

is that

with

tutions
insti-

knowledge

and
the

man,

young

as

though
al-

fallible

"

His
their

not

them.

to-day than he
So that absolutely there
is progress,
cumstances
Cirrelatively there is none.
the
improve, but merit remains
is better, perhaps, but
whole
he
is only
positively better

different.

does

less

not

was.

change

but

do

we

cultivated,is just as presumptuous,

and

man

or

descendant.

wiser

increases

same.

first

the

Individual

more

ever

that

world

the

remotest

become
such

reason

one

seldom

experience of

but
the

of

by his

collective

for

us

it is very

man

Cross

wholesome.

regret having taken

to

come

anxiety.

convenient,

most

once

most

tempt

may

another, but
not

is at

honest, and

most

for

matter

59

itineraries

Exceptional

suspicious, and

are

show

defects

form,
him

and

but
to

the

be

his
total

the

virtues

balance

richer.

thousand

and
things advance, nine hundred
ninety-eight fall back : this is progress.
There

is

nothing in it
something, after all,to

to

be

console

proud
one.

of, but

amiel's

i6o
4th
the

1874.

February
du

Origines

Havet.^*
I like

like

it for

am

still

Christianisme

by

"

book

tlie

and

the

reading
Ernest

dislike

and

independence

its

it for

I dislike

journal.

courage

insufficiencyof its
the
imperfection

ideas, and

it.
;

mental
fundaof

its

categories.
clear
The
autlior, for instance, has no
his philosophy
of
idea
of
religion ; and
is a
Jacobin.
history is superficial. He
' The
Free
he
Thought
Republic and
that.
and
This
curt
cannot
get beyond
scliool of opinion is the
refuge of
narrow
have
been
of independent
mind, who
men
'

"

scandalised

it leads

; but

montanism

colossal

the

by

fraud

of

rather

ultra-

cursing

to

understanding it. It is the

of the eighteenth century, of which
criticism
is purely negative.
But
the general result
is only the half
of the philoVoltairianism
sophic
history than

to

Hegel frees thought in

mind.
different

Havet,

regards

way.

too, makes
Catholicism

I know

very
the

well

and
that

scientificallyit

with
the

that

matter

mistake.

He
with

synonymous

as

and

same,

is
but

another

Christianity

Roman

does

very

Church

Roman
with

of

Church.

the

her

sound

is inexact.

the

similation
as-

tactics
"We

ought

amiel's

not

identify Christianity with the

the
Gospel with
religion in

to

even

Gospel,

nor

It is the

general.

clear

to

in

i6i

journal.

business

of

these

away

which

critical precision

perpetual

Christian

fusions
con-

practice

and

Christian

To
tangle
disenpreaching abound.
ideas, to distinguish and limit them,
to fit them
into their
true
place and order,
is the first duty of science
whenever
it lays
hands
such
chaotic
and
complex
upon
tanglement
Enthings as manners,
idioms, or beliefs.
is the

and

clearness

successful

it

psychological
the

the

science

of

the

game

and

of

best
be

of

out

which

incoherent
of

turn

1874.

the

moral

and

issue

from

formation

truly scientific

The

"

force, and

Republican

day

thought,

and

The

possess

been

the

of nature

errors

would

February

always
of

serious

man.

already
to

ideas

ideas.

sketching

16th
who

of

Babel

present

or

life ; order

of

signs

it is the

now

the

was

tissue

fancies

the

are

of

thought.

Formerly
were

condition

view,

multitude,
even,

ing
accord-

right, have

persuaded
that

and
these

Cleons
by the
enlightenment, wisdom,

reason,

are

conjurors

also
and

theirs.

quacks

The
of

i62

amiel's

universal

of

in

pretend
they pull the

of which
The

oracle

it

creates

it is the

clever

supposed

the

courtiers

of

but

The

honest

nothing

but

be

preach

to

its

elders.

we

tell

seeing
It is

that

on

and

mistaken,

and
one

the

and

more

of

of

that

that.

that

they
the

worship

to

the

it is

are

masses,

the

We

it cannot
more

than

when

masses

wise

of

age

maturity.

it knows
the

the

method,

trite

tell it that

we

corrupt

and

far-

giftof infallibility.
Montesquieu's subtle remarks,
wise
men
heap together
you

possess

of

if

is

favourites

average,

that

the
it

justice, and

them

an

not

We

them

for

and

time

of

what

the

old and

an

odious

childhood

corrupt

brain

politician should

represent,

childhood

all the

practice

reason

his business
who

less

the

none

multitude

it

despotisms,

of all tyrants ; it is

to

reign by flattery

To

common

all

the

pretends

the

to

suggests

invent.

to

been

it

is the

who

man

and

multitude,

it manufactures

itself,while

for

piece of

premisses of which

that

proclaims

brain

is

revelations

whose

tlie puppet

threads.

falsity:

the

instrument

an

adore

to

it supposes

juggling, for
it knows

make

radicalism

of

theory

adore

to

They

it.

has

order

to flatter

been

suffrage has always

crowd

the

journal.

amiel's

less wisdom

the

that

the

ism
Radical-

obtain.

will

you

pretends

163

journal.

above
thoughtless
heap together, the
people, you
be the enlightenment resulting.

illiterate,passionate,
all, young
greater will

first,but

the

to

that

passion

of

support
of

is

of

mind

material

The

democracy,
laws

which

but

the

right
rests

radical

The

theory

and

ripened

everything

tends

truth,

to

of

impetuosity
that

"

the

material

the

is to

general
only
is

by

be
no

rightly
means

fundamental
is to

say,

reason,

confound

good with good itself,and

wisdom.
suffrage with universal
a legal fiction,which
assumes
upon
to

do

the

are

its form

"

of

proposition

the

masses

express

property.

the

therefore

by

idea,

force, and

takes

utility can
justice, and
shaped by wisdom, which
universal

the

tion.
resolu-

just

wise

which

and

to

the

is

clear

or

but

neither

gives

All

one.

good,

and

that

repartee

is instinct

be

leading

engendered

masses.

the

of

; but

account,

never

the

bad

crowd

may

numbers

law
of

temper
into

is

crowd

force

is

capable of producing

the

bad,

be

may

instinct
nor

joke

the

the

doubt

no

instinct

; the

passion
passion

"

got from

be

can

is

thesis

second

The

of

number

greater

a
error

the

versal
uniIt
a

164

amiel's

journai,.

real

equality

of

enlightenment

among

those

whom

it declares

is

may

not

even

if

the

desire

the

these

electors
that

deceived

be

may

It

and

public good,

they do, they

merit

electors.

that

quite possible, however,

and

as

to

frage
sufrealisingit. Universal
it is an
is not a dogma
instrument
;
according to the population in whose
it is placed, the
instrument
is serviceable
of

manner

"

and
hands

deadly

or

27th

social

the

individual

No

of

party
the

on

'

world

his

own

side

of

and

dine,

ice

the

greatest of
calls

walk,

itself

we

like that.

right, whatever

it does.

are

East

sovereign

the

caprice

is called

opinion,

than

is law.

custom,
what

it believes

to

powers

nality.
origi-

make

to

be

'AH

the

; it is

ereign,
sov-

dress,

We

we.

This

is

we

always

subjects of

The
the

good

every
ice

it
to

of

slaves

The

does

thinks
be

we

in, like

come

toe

decides

what

of

world.

What

the

things,

wishes

one

Padishah.

the

before
of

his

prostrate

more

wishes

out,

go

all

result

; every

not

this, and

above

certain

all

peoples,

strongest,

are

therefore,

one,

the

Among

"

gifts

is the

is the

proprietor.

ridicule

fears

ridicule

and

1874.

February

in whom

the

to

We
the

ure
pleas-

appeal
or

says

is called

beautiful

or

amiel's

good

is

called

as

these

fashion.
ice

the

165

journai..

such

Among

is the

brain,

the

taste,

reason,

tions
na-

the

science,
con-

and

the

The
individual
of
all.
finds
judgment
for
him
without
his
everything decided
it.
He
is dispensed from
troubling about
the
task
of finding out anything whatever.
Provided
that
he
peats
reimitates, copies, and
the
furnished
models
by we, he has
all that
knows
He
to fear.
nothing more
he
need
entered
has
into
vation.
salknow, and

April 1874.

29th
At

the

the

of the

end

it seemed

to

imagination

little

when

bnshy

underwood,

was

than

it is

since

this

mind.

I looked
I

that

me

of

terrace

side, as

eastern

Strange

"

path

child,

down

and

which

the

once

which
ran
was

least

open

at

the

page

of

in

existed

there

through
thicker

forty

the
then

years

from

my

image so dead
and
sciousness
so
forgotten set me
thinking. Conto be like a book, in which
seems
turned
the leaves
by life successively cover
hide
in spite of their semiand
each
other
although the book
transparency
may
; but
be

revival

slope,

more

impression disappeared

The

Treille, on

La

saw

It is at

now.

reminiscence

an

of

the

present,

the

amiel's

i66
for

wind,

few

first pages

the

And
hide

each

past

at

the

seconds,

into

successive

is to say,

time

mysterious
till then

phrase

glory

we

which

is

often

so

If so,

would

death

till then

to

and

be

divine

its

then

the
toiled
the

and

beauty
laboured

seen

the

; and

nothing

of

the

of which

history,

own

the

be

then

ning
begin-

order,

and

ciate
appreWe

had

conductor

the

should

had

we

order.

find

our

of

ourselves

delighted
but

concert

universal

the

under

and

him

general

the

that

we

passing glimpses.

understand
of

dead

arrival

country,

one's

to

that
and

brow

before

felicity. Till

surprised
had

we

great mountain,

plan, would

should

we

the

out

in

ourselves

of

newly

are

but

meaning

divine

orchestra

become
We

had

eternal

sacrificed

Shall

the

overlook

to

in the
of

but

of

spread

had

able

that

"

secret

like

be

top

sees

he

the

who

configuration of

whole

To

the

at

he

from

passage

enwraps

of those

whence

our

its

this

countenance

traveller

all

see

the

to

cease

or
unity, the poem
episode of our existence, which
have
spelled out phrase by

And

we

eternity

to

in

understand,

then

back

simultaneous

the

to

from

shall

death

Is

leaves

these

other, and

once

blow

may

view.

will

death

at

journai..

own

hearers.

little

amiel's

in

path

the

mist

would

dazzled

our

vellous
mar-

distances

boundless

and

before

open

suddenly

and

panorama

167

journal.

Why

eyes.

not?

Slst

May 1874.
philosophical poems
She

has

desolation
in

me

of

Hartmann,

by

of

sense

stirred

often

so

and

Comte,
and

passion

has

attacks

Darwin.

What

What

thought

power

She

and

been

has

that

verse

philosophy of Schopenhauer,

the

tragic force
and

in tine

which

Ackermann.

of Madame

rendered

the

reading

been

I have

"

for

courage

the

thing,
every-

tremendous

most

subjects.
Science

is

implacable

religions? All
false conception
if the

scientific

incapable
what

man,

durable

of

city

immortality
Buddhism

nature

and

We

Despair

shall

soul,

the

proves
to

peace
is not

to

build

without

an

have

God,

without

of

and

But

certainly.

bringing harmony
happen

from

start

conception of

will

all

it suppress

which

nature,

situation.

moral

of

those

; will

hope.

without

present themselves

Stoicism

possible alternatives.

as

But

if

even

finalityin

the

has

at

ends

we

suppose

he

aims,

and

is

there

it is certain

cosmos,
which

that

that

if

so

no

man

the

68

amiel's

notion

of

end

journal.

limited

well

be

although

nomenon,

science

may

very

science, and

vice

conceptions

of

which

give

must

if these

in

are

two

opposition,

way

to

phePhysical
by moral

one.

But

world

real

limited

versa.

the

I still incline

is

purpose

or

believe

that

is the

nature

is
soul
that
the
virtuality of mind,
fruit of life, and
liberty the flower of
that
all is bound
together,

and

that

Our

the

"

cessity,
ne-

"

nothing

view

of

the

lonians,
Plato

through

more

the

to

the

point

or
"t"v"riKol,

it will

But

thinkers.
once

without.

philosophy has returned

modern
of

done

be

can

have

and

to

uralist
nat-

pasa

totle,
Aris-

through

through the philosophy of goodness

'purpose,' through the science of mind.
'

and

3d

1874.

July

is

sense

which

last

I return

"

to

am

calmer

will be

reckon

losses,

"

up
I

for

my

lay

back

not

the

to

situation

my

no

doubt,

lost to

ever

denied

privileges

stress

on

me,

what

to

is

; but

me

well

as

realise

all that
to

It

self-consciousness.

disagreeable to me,
all that
is hopelessly
and

of

it does

But

obligations of

and

mon
com-

childishness

brought

soon

is

now

of

piece

against

quite capable.

am

long.
advantages

Rebellion

"

'

as

have,

my
and

amiel's

only

not

which

to

without

shame

'

These

Ni

one

si haut,

become
I

am

my

has

country,

Am

for

am

which

mind

may

being

determin
formless, inof

price
former

my

habits

to

seems

to

be

to

me

take

so

that

me

what

value
once

that

him

am

to

; I

itself

to
a

of

sure

easy

accidental

an

taken

inhabitant

an

piece of arbitrary

their

man

new-bom

avocation,

quite

even

seems

to

the
my

ever

never

an

European,
that

It

again, and that all

beginning life over
acquired capital has disappeared at a

stroke.

the

fluid ; it

suddenly

the

.'
.

All

in

with

ni si bas

are

faculty.

ing,'
noth-

or

"

lapses into
state,

himself

some

brusque

critical

that

times

content

and

thing

some

all

alternative.

second

such

at

me

'

ends

always

me

the

of

adoption
seems

for

I escape

so

of

dilemma

terrible

that

from

And

I want.

what

on

169

"

journal.

sex,

being

of
be

choice.

body,
species.

man,

me

I cannot

of

structure*

something
to

this earth

appears

am

It

else,
mere

possibly
which

the

purely relative, seriously. When

has
the
touched
a
man
absolute, all
it is seems
might be other than what
is

indifferent.

private

ends

All

these

excite

ants

his

pursuing

mirth.

He

amiel's

170
looks
he

down

from

the

the

earth

beholds

the

sun

of

point of view
of

days

the

from

ward
thenceforthose

important

things
makes
and

burlesque,

A day perAugust 1874 (Clarens).

fectly
iant.
beautiful, luminous, limpid, brill"

passed
'

the

absurd.

prejudice

all

ridiculous, passion

effort

the

finite

the

be

to

from

pondering

sees

heights of

life

infinite,and

the

hold

men

7th

his

insignificance of

the
which

of

the

Hindoo

he

his hovel

upon

from

the

Brahma

distance

the

moon

considers

he

journal.

Oasis

sensations,

the
'

in the

morning

delightful.

was

and

sweet

churchyard

Innumerable

serious, peaceful and

Around
me
me.
passed over
were
Russians, English, Swedes, Germans,
the shadow
sleeping their last sleep under
The
of the Cubly.
vast
one
landscape was
were
deep and mys.splendour ; the woods
terious,

solemn,

the

butterflies

were

trees

of

of distant
the

"

of birds.

murmur

the

full

roses

tender

blown

; all round

noise

of

wings

me

the

"

caught glimpses through

mists,
blue

of
of

soaring
the

tains,
moun-

lake.
.

Two

me.
conjunction of things struck
ladies
were
tending and watering

little

AMIELS

grave

two

children.
had
'

who

dead

are

thinking of you,
pilgi-image of the

are

the
to

suckling their
double
protest against death
poetical in it.
touching and

something
you

the

me

that

me

which

words

surrounded

is

like

such
It

sleep

am

death

here

to

spot in

Here

instinct

sleep

"

clear

was

rest.

on

seemed

is the

Clarens
to

living,

carrying

"

memories

with
a

!'

ear.

like

should

least

race

of

the

; we,

at

or

in my

Oasis

the

171

were

nurses

This

Sleep,

JOURNAL.

with

hope.
is

Hope

forbidden

not

submission

the

are

it seemed

the

to

future

indeed

with

to

and

(Clarens).
that

wide
that

me

Incessant

me

startled
these

can

will

leave
the

in

never

situation

be

me

no

future,
are

not

closed

breathing
even

to

in
me,

by

misery

one

way
not

All

hope.

is

deliverance

space,

of

that

such

one

my

What
.

^^

circle

my

it

Is

eyes.

is that

in

another

into

humiliation,

hoped for, and

succeed

ing
wak-

things apply

growing

my

On

"

staring

was

slavery becoming
heavier,
action
!
steadily narrower
hateful

and

peace

essentials.

1874

September

1st

but

us,

one.

as

to

in

even

ties
possibiliIt

is

amiel's

172

difficult for the

a

dumb

second

Three

?
is

appeals

combination
mediocre

die

would
I

be

and

belong

to

human-kind,

good

and

view.

The

horrible.

The

is

My

and

turn,

Well,

useless

organic
been
anything but
as
long as it could.

lasted

quickly

inches.

by

of

and

never

his

has

man

stoicism.

our

has

To

die

to

; it has

Every

agony.

nature

points

improbable

from

escape

inevitable

principle of things

God

first

to

man

indifferent

An

"

Satanic

just

natural

against

rage

Noon.

journal.

mit.
sub-

all must

I shall

privilege ;

Rebellion

submit.

the

better-endowed

and

my

lot is

all,

After

senseless.

of

half

superior

the

to

average.
third

the

But

give joy. Only is

particular Providence
of
all

Is this

ends

our

actual

makes

objective we

truth.

life, and
upon

The

moral

may

being

sufferings by using natural

inner

education.

Is

What

the

he

with
of

subjective

as

moralise

facts

posing
im-

faith

this

what

may

cumstanc
cir-

laws

the

hold

educational

compatible

of

can

there

therefore
for

us

faith

knowledge
But
Scarcely.

directing all

heroic

nature

alone

view

it tenable

our

trials

our

of

point

for his

cannot

his
own

change

JOUllXAL.

AMIELS

he

calls

God

the

wills

To

will

of

brings

him

both

nature

and

our

But

God,

desires

for

great
is

the

death

will,
Evil

consists

say,

for one's

or

willing what

what
In
been

He

takes

my

own

say,

the

but

friendship

surest

still left

to

bear

of

absolute

desires.
that

"

is to

consists

in

destiny assigned
in renouncing
commands,

from

in

us,

of

basis
and
; I

all

of

what
that

"

has
is to

independence

material
am

to

us.

case,

is health

me

us,

consenting

refuses

or

us

slavery

the

to

Health

me

ish
self-

the

God

from

"

our

our

self

particular

taken

over

lot, in submitting

one's

forbids

He

what

of

Righteousness

willingly accepting
and
to
espousing
in

of

it

vanity, pride, sensuality,

own

health.

even

faith

immolation

living for

in

the

makes

what

filial sacrifice

the

suffering

pain, the victory

one
thing necessary

over

sin, the

unto

is,

ourselves

Christian

the

is but

There

if

console

is

God

if

; and

may

of

advantage
triumph

death.

other

This

indifferent.

equally
hand,

are

we

suffering.

what

existence

continued

our

the

then

us,

will

to

peace.

sanctification

our

purifies

and

God,

morality
on

173

comfort

neither

called

poverty

nor

the

are

upon

hell

isolation.
cut

off, means

marriage, travel,

'

amiel's

174

study, and
It

journal.

forbidden

work

in

life reduced

means

endangered.

or

attractiveness

and

utilityby five-sixths.
Thy will be done I
September

lith
walk

long

and

conversation

(Charnez).

"

with

We
.

Seated

path.
high mountain
turf, and talking with
open

followed
the

1874

wandered

eyes

over

heart,

blue

our

immensity

of the
smiling outlines
shore.
All was
ing,
friendly,azure-tinted, caressI was
The
soul
to the sight.
reading
Such
an
ence
experiwas
profound and pure.
A few
is like a flight into Paradise.

below

and

the

on

us,

the

"

of
climbed
the
broad
light clouds
spaces
made
the
long tracks
sky, steamers
upon
the

feet,

our

sails

white

were

lake,
sea-gulls like gigantic butterflies quivered
its rippling surface.
above

dotted
and

at

water

21st
wonderful

bluer,

the

over

or

vast

distance

of

the

1874
September
(Chamex)."A
has
the
lake
been
day 1 Never
It was
the landscape
softer.
chanting.
enunder
But
tragedy is hidden
"

the

eclogue

; the

flowers.

All

phautoms

which

serpent

the

for

future
three

crawls
is
or

the

under
dark.
four

The

weeks

AMIEL'8

have

been

behind
for

able

the

'

croit

ne

On

sent

Sent

this

now

There
or

no

butterflies

fields,some
colchicums,
brown

able

digging

the

the

of

end

of

on

this

"

is soberer,

less emphatic.

leaves

; I watch

the

with

nearing
colouring

; there

is

no

thing
Every-

sun.

measured,

Energy

turf

are

; the

late autumn

more

are

nuts,

The

We

of

we

pear-trees, gray
the walnut-trees,

fine weather

out

is all

the

thickly-strewn

colouring of
to keep
now

the

they

colour

reddish-brown.
the

and

growing

down

changing
the

the

in

chicories

apple harvest.

the

Flowers

fields

the

beating

potatoes,

tinging

is the

In

white

walls, and

privet

turning red on
plums, yellow

shades

need

find.

few

geraniums
old

the

thinning and

and

the

to

beginning

them
on

of

and

happy,

daisies

yellow

wild

of

few

or

some

berries

were

are

blue

been

still left.

"

fragments

among

and

rare

la mort.'

et

going.
birds, but

are

la telle

have
is

me

etoile,

maux

more

becoming

are

happiness
are

blue

deuil, les

75

waited

all sides

on

son

derriere

que

le

for

Eixmenides
in

plus

fortnight

the

as

bay, wait

at

Hemmed

On

For

keep

to

door,

Orestes.

JOURNAL.

more

is gone,

fugitive,
youth

17^

amiel's

is past,

prodigality
The

over.

towards
with

melancholy

not

much

it

extract

are

not

are

to

in

the

profane

understand
world

be

of

it

let

leaf

is

like

to

birth

of

withers

try

at

; may

and

is

us

we

fruit

falls.

the

to

the

we

if

we

anything
it

is

watch

to

effable
in-

this

fades

have

the

it
its
; he

beholder
divine

if

deceive

To

grow

of

piety.

sweet,

ideal,

youth

least

of

poetry

there

the

is bliss

the

with

Merely

of

its

which

adoration

love.

garland
us

kind

gives
of

and

individual.

If

it.

the

maturity

graver,

religion

sacrifices

is

crime.

life

the

brow,

obedience,

as

it, and

which

unfolding
When

form

of

it with

modest

trembling

in

and

birthday.

my

mark

the

approach

impression

sees

mony
har-

position,

consonances

girl's love

to

would

and

by the

from

young
must

in

more

keep

liberty

is measured

can

tends

harmony.

value

We

will

It

summer

and

wane

once

age

distinguishing

so

is

different

these

The

the

on

own

my

end, the

an

it

Sunday

All

at

is

year

winter

next

journal.

marvel.
on

our

virtues

better, gentler,
vine, while

its

amiel's

know

To

of

work

how

journal.

to

old

grow

and

wisdom,

asks

who

of his

improvement
moral

art

of

than

I could

else

one

any

breathe

I be

Could

vulnerable

there

were

the

defence
task.

from
of

At

time

tinuous
con-

and

miss

to

is

have

accept
bird

it, but

had
what

and

am

not

realised, and

for

to
on

my

very

me

while

ground
that

at
as

shadow

that

comes

if

as

is
the

already a hopeless
only living on out

without

know

me

me,

and

desires

know

to

me,

bad

sensitive,

under

no

perching

choke,

the

I
be

must

that

bottom,

will

before

is

spite of

had

know

complaisance

desires

In

"

way.

career

health

my

self-delusion.

the

inward

fragile,more
People talk

still

slipping

neither

more

more

and

towards

January 1875 (Hyeres)

sleeping-draught I have
my
if
as
night. Once it seemed

of

but

nothing

2d

aU

living.

life.

waste

for

cult
diffi-

most

nature,

own

master-

religious submission,

and

liable

tlie

progress

contentment

less

life

of

is the

of

one

chapters in the great

He

177

my

long time
all.
I simply
though it were
a

window.
well

of

one

of

I smile

that

my

at

visi-

amiel's

178

journal.

has

wings and will

comes
resignation which
of melancholy
a kind

tor

life

at

and

as

or

me

should

wish

and

leave

to

to

of

His

as

who

end

the

; I

good,
of myself.

memory

rebellion
is

and

ful,
use-

those

some

without

; that

all.

about

of

desire

God

will.

and

187 5

(Hyeres).

still

too

resign

The

"

French

Gioberti, apprehends

to

form

truth, and

of

gerates
exag-

that

it acts

realities

with

which

the
the

word

talk

the

abstract

world
to

shadow

for

reality, and

of

you

thing,

the

the

of

state,

in his way

as

it
stance,
sub-

appearance

formula

Frenchman

feel

for

for

intellectual

religion,of

family,

Is

hands.

It takes

of
the

die

upon

in

them

be

by isolating it, so

the

It lives

out
with-

to

to

me

tender

outward

the

works.

If you

done

according

solvent

for

have

all be

into

it
a

love

hope

22dJanuary

only

and

hope that

will

to

Let

myself

mind,

death-bed,

get well, or
I

weakness

relic

much

his

bitterness

to

them

wish

without
this

looks

It

regrets.

loved

have

The

despair has

sweetness.

it from

sees

longer hope
to be happy.

no

from

it without

judges
vain

man

stay long.

not

truth.

assignats.
art, of
of

of

guage,
lan-

duty, of

speaking

amiel's

that

his

thought

that

he

lips

the

; for

empty

is not

but

plausible

about

it.

words

become

noblest

example,

"

ject,
sub-

its substance,

it in its essence,

something

say

He

core.

the

into

penetrates

never

understand

179
outside

remains

its inmost
to

journal.

striving
only to
On

thin

his
and

mind, idea, religion.

superficialand yet not

an
comprehensive
extraordinarily
; it has
fine edge, and
penetrating power.
yet no
Its desire
is to enjoy its own
resources
by
the
of the
help of things, but it has none
respect, the disinterestedness, the patience,
and
the self-forgetfulness,
which
pensable
indisare
if we
wish
to see
things as they
Far
from
are.
being the philosophic mind,
The

French

it is

counterfeit

mere

enable

remains

all that

is

Abstraction

it,for

any

it does

problem

not

ever,
what-

ing
incapable of understand-

living,complex,

and

concrete.

is its

incurable

fatal

of

solve

to

man

and

its

is

mind

original sin, presumption

defect, and
plausibility its

limit.

The

French

language

has

of

power

no

expressing truths of birth and germination

it paints effects,
results, the caput mortuum,
but

not

native

the

the

cause,

force, the

motive

development

whatever.

It

is

power,

of

any

analytic

the

nomenon
pheand

i8o

amiel's

journal.

descriptive, but it explains nothing, for it

and
avoids
all beginnings
of formation.
processes
With
it crystallisation is not
the
mysterious

itself

act

from

state.

It is the
thirst

The

In

that

to

of

centre
"

to
so

he

the

number
be

it may

outside

solid

act.

French

sion.
pas-

is
the

ferred
pre-

inside,

that

which

profits, opinion

is

to

is

; the

unit

must

be

royalty,

outside

others, playing

individuals

which

from

writer

fashion.

outside

of

or

newspaper,

the

day,
other

any
"

are

them

turns

added

the

of

of

to

man's
French-

always

him

To

the

say,

gravity

master

temporary

to

always thinking

favourite

the

material,

gallery.
zeros

many

into

is

that

appearance

which

That

of

the

to

is not

truth

the

to

conscience.

him,

for

reality, the

fashion

shines

jjroduct

substance

state

everything

to

the

fluid

the

passes

which

by

All

this

is

of
the
result
an
exaggerated
probably
the soul's forces
weakens
sociability,which
vestigat
of resistance, destroys its capacity for inand
personal conviction, and

kills in it the

21th
whole
a

worship

January
atmosphere

limpid

clearness.

of

1875
has

the

ideal.

The
(^yeres).
luminous
serenity,
"

The

islands

are

like

amiel's

Peace,

I meanwhile

And

soft hours

boundless

look

glide

golden

away.

long

the

catch

the

it.

Above
These

bly.
indescriba-

me

they

me,

carry

me

beguiled out of myself, dis-'

in sunbeams,
breezes, perfumes, and!
impulses of joy. And
yet all the/
what
not
pine for I know
intangible
feel

away.

solved
sudden
time

to

others.

impress

intoxicate

They

while

on

tame

it with

long to share
delicious
mornings
I

stream.

space

quietly

bird, happiness, and

wild

aU,

in

swimming
splendour,

swans

i8i

journal.

Eden.
Lamartine
described

this

on

fragile

the

reason

feels

PrSludes

in the

oppressive effect of

human
for

has

nature.

it is that

itself invaded

by

admirably
happines.s

suspect

finite

the

creature

infinite,and

the

produces dizziness, a kind of

into
a
longing to fling oneself
To
feel life too
great gulf of being.
invasion

is to
to die
"

Pathetic

Ten
end

to

and

my

initiated

and

walk

death

in

other

the
the

for

; and

like unto

into

beautiful

o''clock
the

for

become

to

means

be

to

yearn

the

that

the

the
tigo,
ver-

the
tensely
inman,

gods

great mystery.

illusion.

evening.

day

this afternoon

has

"

From

been
to Beau

one

perfect,
Vallon

82

amiel's

Arcadia.

into

woodland
a

fit

reminded
of
that
in

kind

the

what

be

with

little tower
the

and
which

ing
draw-

or

that

certainty
Greek

was

of

sense

blance
resem-

of

scarcely speak

the

the

found

out

of

garden,
taken

been

Odyssey.
French,

any

certain

We

have

of

turn

any

overgrown

an

might

owner

husbandman

made

rock,
of

view.

into

bring

may

which

it, and

see

and

the sea, which

striking was
always near, though one

more

to

not

without

made

feels

which

Horace

much

And

valley

felt

of

landscape had
the

may

ode

an

Tibur.

the

it.

one

of

me

wild

nymphs,

overshadowing

ilex

an

dition
expe-

have

of

dance

an

was

would

which

for

like

was

Here

corner,

setting

there

It

long delight.

one

was

journal.

He

but

for

could
not

was

lated
dignity. I transthe inscription on
to him
his sun-dial,
Hora
est henefaciendi,^ which
is beautiful,
and
be
an
pleased him
greatly. It would
inspiring place to write a novel in.
Only I
a

grave

'

do

know

not

have

decent

have

figs,like
\bth

just

whether
room,
to

live

and
upon

little den
one

would

would

tainly
cer-

milk, and

eggs,

Philemon.

February

been

the

reading

1875
the

(Hyeres).
two

last

"

have

I"iscours

at

amiel's

the

of

lingering
Academy,
idea.
weighing every

French

word

and

writing is
it is the

for

all the

art

courtesy

smallest

of

'

loss

of

pleasure

mark
who

also

are

could

Democracy
in

and
France

this

give points

for it is the

court

and

of

to

that

drawing-room
by
good company,
continued

Athenian

those

literature

all rival

peoples,

refined

and

yet

produced

life,by
of

means

for

world

and

of

which

sense

and

complicated
and

fruit

social

education

as

have
genre

tinguishi
dis-

is the

gentlemen.
invented
it,

also

never

acy
Leg-

"

of the

men

are

itself

tradition,

breeding,

delicate

may

vigorous

who

the
the

criticism

eloquence

of

'

being gracefully

criticised.

of those

men

letters

of

men

of

with

without

monarchical

kind

particular

dainty,

truth

ease

making

the

kind

This

possible ;

; of

person

it is from

as

this

finesse

of

every

intellectual

manners

the

to

over

expressing

and

sincere, and
a

of

sort

appearing perfectly at

of

art

183

journal.

by

literature
mutual

centuries.

This

product is as original in its way

eloquence, but it is less healthy

less durable.

Americanised
without

hope

\Qth

April

If

ever

this genre

at

France
least

becomes
will

perish,

of revival.

1875

(Hyeres).

"I

have

al-

amiel's

184
ready

journal.

of

leave-taking.
slowly tlirough the
hill,gathering a
recollections.
that

when

back

the

expand,

to

of

its

instinct

take

accept

reason

to

be

the

will

cold

found

in

no

real

been

which

ego,
own

to

is to

tranquil
triumph in

instinct

of the

universal

order,

word, good ; that is

himself
directly in

seems,

in

then

disillusioned
Peace

reconciliation

and

spent.
mis-

daily
submission,

peace.

of the

Then,

it has

of

destiny

God.

ill ;

of God.

when

feels

of

look

we

the

the

obey

the

four

him

when

not

renunciation

brings

loved

delight in its

is to

of

happens

is but

the

regret

ourselves

and

sovereignty, and

own

The

of

inviolability,if

soul, which
to

Life

"

revolt

between

between

sense

1875.

of

what

accuse

feel that

and

spent

now

death,

castle

study

little,or

own

August

full

better

we

the

images

am

have

too

our

oscillation

wandering
up

It is like

life and

upon

16th

him

it is like

or

of

dies

loved

having

harvest

more.

friend

and

emotions

been

streets

which

and

various

have

made

not

in

months

Already

have

country,

the

through

gone

only

destiny,

with

the

is

religious sense

to say,

the

only,

when

presence

does

the

man

of

will

amiel's

acquiesce.

Nay

acquiesces

when

submits

the

its

to

the

hardness

of

sublime

of

it cannot

say,

and

happiness either

object,
may

but

after

cult.

deserts

28th

by

has

It

it will

it is in vain

"

that
mit
sub-

never

"

me

possess

not

or

jamin
Ben-

it is

Madame

to

word

of

propos

struck

the

to possess

de

importance,

Stael

the loss

"

irreparable evil, the acquirement

an

pressing necessity.

good
And

was

of supreme

matter

its

vary

hungers and

(Geneva).

To

consideration.
consideration

it

is

have.

it will

"

it,

faith

well

soul

it,

Sainte-Beuve

Constant

of it

or

idols, but

The

1875

August

used

hope

or

its abandonment.

to

word

around

it must

happiness, and

everything

lack

void

very

its former

another

thirsts

of

may

That

itself to

the

object

some

renounce

demand

from

It

it.

to

Almighty.

resign

it shrinks

essential

"

the

famine,
the

only completely
The
soul
only
fate by virtue
of
compensation

it adores.

lovingkindness

is to

it

more,

discovery of

185

journal.

thing?
how

The

is

character

and

aggregate

of

it

What,
of

esteem

gained

life,combLued
services

obtained.

It

rendered
is not

of

then, is this
the

public.

honourable

By
with

and

exactly

certain
of
a

cesses
suc-

good

amiel's

i86

journal.

conscience, but it is something like it,for it is

the

witness

from

from

if not

without,
Consideration

within.

the

witness

is not

celebrity, fame,

tion,
reputa-

glory ; it
has nothing to do with
is
savoir
faire, and
of talent or genius.
not always the attendant
in duty,
It is the reward
given to constancy
It is the
to probity of conduct.
homage
rendered
to a life held to be irreproachable.
still less

It is

little

less than

power.

The

of

source

life.

the

such

an

I have

idea

public,

has

to

be

I have

suffrages
seemed

eyism

to

from

dependant

and
me

against
rebelled.

an

act

which
I

having

ever

in

place
desire

for

little of

so

fact

my
sideration
con-

tive
mo-

conscious

of

I suppose,

shows,

of
my

tive
nega-

even

nor

justice ;

it, to solicit its

graces,

homage
pride
never

asked

neither

upon

have

than

more

it,not

good

its

I, at

am

audience, the gallery,

had

never

expected anything
and

Here

been

The

the

importance.

me

even

all.

me

the

to

not

at

for

that
the

been

and

misfortune

smallest

curious, but
has

that

loss of it is

idea

It is

once

little

sideration
enjoy public cona
happiness and

"

this

given

To

daily suffering.
without
fifty-three,

of

age

at

and

esteem,

admiration.
is

the

than

more

or

has
and
has
even

always
fiunktively
instinctried

to

amiel's

gain

the

goodwill

nor

so

much

And

yet

smiled
and

have

kindness

and

been

of

an

joy

to

elector.

others,

never

I have

indifference

it.

to

to

almost

lead

to

know

that

silence
with

the

your
killed

world, which

is

do

you

silence

as

soon

dation.
degrait.

by

my

pointed
disap-

have

allowing
I

retreat.

only

its

to

eager

is angry

speak,
as

an

consciousness

and

when

you

irritable

isolation

into

me

me

consideration

Probably

and

force

to

"

public expectation by thus

over-sensitive

down

thought of

even

lost

give,

to

hunt

seemed

"

myself,

of

unworthy
I have

an

to be

me

ready

so

was

goodwill. But to
and
reputation,
of

esteem

what

consideration

Perhaps

vote

newspaper,

or

loved, encouraged, welcomed,

obtain

effort

coterie

the

as

upon,
to

the

of

it would

187

journal.

action

own

speak. No
a
doubt, to be silent with
perfectly clear
hold
conscience
not
must
a
a
man
public
office.
I now
indeed
say to myself that a
to
professor is morally bound
justify his
students,
position by publication ; that
authorities, and public are
placed thereby
has

in
is

in

healthier

necessary

you

the

relation
for

world, and for

his position.

the
But

his

wish

to

towards

good

prox)er
this

him

; that

repute

in

maintenance

]X)int of

view

it

the
of
has

amiel's

88
been

not

famUiar

to

and

of

to

while

the

and

all the

subsidiary
ability ;
my

able

been

has

felt that

I have

been

isolated.

systematically

everything slip

let

loved

being

for them

have

not

inmost

my

any

better

Does

not

than

all this

make

I made

of
of

country

What
?

conscience

failure

Are

taken

my
my

have
all

my

the

hope
had

them

of
saken
for-

will, I
against my
in solitude, because
peace

satisfied

barren

lot, a
have

found

even

been

taking any
own
sake, I

as

by

liberatel
de-

and

of

my

soon

and

hermit

me.

have

as

for

and

despair and

Premature

talents

my

all

known

I have

deepest discouragement
constant
portion. Incapable
in

for

full of sadness

the

interest

myself

opinion,

been

and

disappointment,

bend

to

hostile

heart

of

best

the

to

with

my

deavoured
en-

lectures,

never

struggle

I have

me.

give conscientious
post

my

I have

but

to

one

discharged

have

duties

journal.

of

has

my
up
a

been

not

heart.
a

life ?

melancholy
What

use

cumstance
gifts,of my special cirence
half-century of existI paid back
to
my
the

documents

have

ence,
correspondtogether, my
these thousands
of journal pages,
my
notes
lectures, my articles, my poems,
my
than
of difierent
kinds, anything better

produced,

amiel's

withered
have

leaves

been

me

anything

been

had

comings

and

no

count
ac-

goings,
When

And

worst

up

in the

of
vice
ser-

its secret

have

have

price

souls

had

some

value.

been

it

not

been

great order, still

missed

happiness

least felt its

own

existence

has
in

it has

few

tions
affec-

given joy
if in

Besides,

nothing,

If it has

have

hidden

its

its

sweetness,

inspired

; it will

few

much.

its

treasure,

It will

has

its

mean

nothing.

life used

ever

adored

some

of great

has

for

"

vive
sur-

life of

"

what

to
name

my

will it

nothing

"

been

not

reward.

the

scrawls,
up,

has

it

Will

and

object, or sacrificed to
Its sufferings will have
future
hope.
vain, its renunciations
rifices
useless, its sacwithout
gratuitous, its dreariness
ward.
rehave
No, I am
wrong
; it will

any

to

great many

all is added

of

whom

anybody

great many

all,it

To

useful

to

single day, and

189

journal.

will

itself

understood

harmony
loved

it.

with
If

it

and

duty, it has at
nothingness, and implored

pardon.

Later

There

is

affinityin
with
the
Hindoo
me
that
genius
mind,
vast, imaginative, loving,dreamy, and speculative,
on.

"

great
"

but

destitute

of

ambition, personal-

190

AMIEL

ity,and
the

will.

Pantheistic
of

effacement

least
and

in

which

keep

is to

of

form,

any

own

person,

opinions

or

all matter
Grief

tio.

but

us,

of

the

and

be

also

has

found

be

in

to

What

determinatio

is

; to

be

the

principle

"

does
est

from

us

man

my

it

nega-

particularises

love

us,

delivers

is well

essence

years

I have

moment.

localises

thought

man

at

usefulness, interest,

own

...

be

by

indifference

my

Omnis

To

nature

prejudice in favour
nationality, or individuality

my

are

up

Hence

whatever.

of

these

"

West

What

"

great

horror

the

Still the
me.

the

developed

been

in

difficult

in

nature,

my

has

its part

in

action,

to

circumstances.

had

self

gentleness,

slaughter, antipathy
all present

disinterestedness,

the

womanish

whole,

JOURNAL.

ity.
personal-

thing, to

poor
man

in

man

"

alone

that

is to

desired.

Yes,
what

but

in

of

becomes

individual

to

aspirations

Brahmanic

these
the

duty

of

subordination
Pleasure

may

the

lie in

ceasing to be individual, but duty lies in

performing the microscopic task allotted to
The
us.
problem set before us is to bring
tion
our
daily task into the temple of contemplaand ply it there, to act as in the presence
of

God,

to

interfuse

one's

little

part with

amiel's

So

religion.
of

life,all

journal.

only

can

is

that

of

paying

are

and

with

So

and

are

ciled
recon-

fear

the

order

in

we

we

work

we

from

delivered

are

that

universal

So

So

meanest

feel

to- the

will.

life and

death.

the

we

may

tribute

our

detail

the

nobility.

consecrate

So

eternal

the

of

beauty and

and

dignify
occupations.
we

inform

we

passing, temporary,

insignificant,with
may

191

and

at

peace.

Ist

September

for

de

some

Stael,
word

every
at

at

with

what

When

is

misery,

been

article

my

ing
work-

Mme.

on

labour, what

I write

line, so

every

I have

"

hours

but

effort

1875.

and

anxious

for
my

publication
stumbles

pen
I

am

ful
pain-

find

to

ideally best expression, and so great

of possibilitieswhich
number
open
at

me

demands

Composition
decision, and

pliancy

I cannot

must,

we

We

must

be

not

it

If

and

fuse

we
so

absorb

to

are

to
treat

always

wrong.

is the

before

step.

every

ideas.

the

We

which

it into

our

no

longer

give anything
be

sess.
pos-

the

tyrants

and

form,
it.^^

of

subject brutally, and

trembling
must

together materials

speak,
our

concentration,

be
own

lest
able

we

to

are

doing

transmute

substance.

This

amiel's

192

confident

of

sort

whole

my

effrontery is beyond me :
tends
to that
ity
impersonal-

nature

respects and

which

it

object ;

the

to

journal.

is

subordinates
love

of

itself

truth

which

from

ing.
concluding and decidI am
And
then
always retracing my
I work
in
steps : instead of going forwards
afraid of having forgotten a
a circle : I am
point, of having exaggerated an expression,
holds

back

me

"

of

used

having

all the

time

ought

and

of essentials
I do

know

fatal

thought
of

nor

have

the

it were,

as

of the

of

awe

to

and

of

I have

of the

it, and

book,

would

have

always

I have

of

masters

best

undergone

was

useful.

much

the

essay,

oeuvres
chef-d''

that

study

serious

writing,

scruple against trying

secret

I think

sort

was

picking

against
When

me,

what
a

the

the

to

of

ever

useful

ashamed

tiousness,
conscien-

given

never

thing,
any-

whatever.

detail

to

article, an

an

of treatment.

sacrifice

to

methodically
apprenticeship ; it

writer's

been

of

art

making

way

thinking

anything
unprofitable

have

the

to

been

up

slavery
I

reality

In

place, while

at breadth

how

timidity,

Hurtful

have

to

give

to

of

out

aiming

not

how

word

to

felt,
prise
sur-

literature,
to

pieces.

always postponed
art
a

of

writing, from

secret

love

of

its

amiel's

beauty,

and

witli

lightness,and
natural
gift
the

on

habits

opposed

it, and

to

of

notation

for

it both

the

and

the

October
M.

to

It

of

his

The

the two

"

As

in

have

writer

French

the

in

ing
listen-

been

after

straining
is the

sense

desire

to

rest, he

his

he

and

see

things

has

extreme

of

freedom
"

points
of

The

was

of

it in

his

great

large striking
is

constant

pi'incipal merit

they

as

full

simplifying

historical
are.

openness

thought, and
hall

shows

defect

great
has

he

method

subject by massing

divisions

want

; you

clear, instructive, compact,

matter.

of

art

(on the Ancien

the
University hall.
substantial
piece of

extremely

an
"

skill

immediate

first lecture

delivered

was

work

1875.

Taine's

Regime)

of

tific
scien-

material

the

habit

'two

living unity of the thing,

operation of thought.

sustained

25th

of

habit

passing impressions.
lies between

But

away.

exhausts

composition

the

developed
the

the

ease,

which

dies

have

mind,

of

that

me

without

impulse

analysis which
offered

given

assurance,

contrary,

Practice

respect.

have

and

ity,
stupid-

own

my

own

my

would

routine

193

with

furious

am

and

journal.

reality,his
For

of

mind,

precision of

crowded.

the

guage.
lan-

amiel's

194
26th

October
; the

secret

principle

beginning

enigma,

and

no

fact, all

that

has

become

is

did

not

become.

the

creation

sents
repreinitial

it is the

; for

nothing else, it simply

make
anterior
things which
occasion, a surrounding for

among

but

It

thing
any-

of

consequence

milieu,

of

act

of

'Jiat lux,'' the

the

and

explains it. In
be
explained
may

beginning

always

to

not

insoluble

the

miracle,

is to say,

an

retrospectively,but
vfhatever

or

farther

go

individuality

Every

"

that

"

even

may

are

individual

every

mystery

We

defined.

say,-

of

origins

All

"

irrational, inexplicable,

something
be

1875.

life is

collective

journal.

an

which

witnesses

are

of

its

pears
apa

it,

appearance

it comes.
understanding whence
als,
individutrue
are
no
Perhaps also there
and, if so, no
only,
beginning but one
the primordial impulse, the first movement.

without

All

on

this

two

sexes

men

in

man

reduced

to
even
one

would

animal,

the

animal

to

but

be
the

only individuality left would

ter,
to a living matliving nature, reduced

plant, and
be

the

to

be
hypothesis would
again might
; man

the

upon

the

hylozoism

still

Thales.

However,

but
hypothesis, if there were
beginning, relative beginnings
remain
to us
as
multiple sym-

this

absolute

of

amiel's

bols

of

the

absolute.

analogy, would
of

history
of

eye

life,called
sake
and
by

Every
in

represent

philosopher

miniature

would

world, and

the

the

195

convenience'

for

individual

journal.

be

the

the

to

uucroscopic

pendium
com-

of it.

history of

The

what

until
it

translated

and

embodied

SOth

1876.

January
two

steps off,to

hear

the

Luthier

was

dainties.
It is

steeped

fresh
This

writes

For
in

pleasure
young

the

Monnier's,

the

piece

and

every

to

one-act

author,

little

is

cois
Fran-

of

ary
liter-

pearl.

line

is

taste.

is like

about, vibrating

has, besides

it

dinner

sensations,

one's

maestro

After

"

by

poetry,
to

has

truth

crowd

Cremone,

of fine

feast

the

Marc

de

read

comedy in verse,
Coppee.

Pure

has

by contagion.

went

It

is

become

not

it.

by

communicated

be

must

some

or

assimilated

be

ideas

eloquent soul
gifted personality

some

humanised

cannot

of

does

truth

philosophic

popular

formation

mind.

the

frees

the

and

delicacy, point,

the

violin

passionate
grace,

he
; he

all that

ig/6
a

amiel's

writer

wants

journal.

make

to

what

is

of
out
naive, heartfelt, and
track, acceptable to a cultivated
How

is the

literatures
attacked
art

of

like

our

beaten

all the

writing, and
life with

And

it is

contraries

veloped
de-

adroitness

advanced

most

indeed

which

of the

delights of

the

skill and

the

himself

resources

boasted

only by

Rousseau

own.

letters with

savage

the

society.
return
to
nature
through art:
problem of all highly composite

to

there

simple,

tliis

charms

us

tion.
civilisa-

marriage of
this
spiced

gentleness, this learned innocence,

simplicity,this yes and

this

culated
cal-

no,

this

foolish

irony

such
of

wisdom.
combinations

advanced

when

the

smile

too

which

in

says
your

within

that
:

"

I understand

but

yet

not

I have

and

we

the

tion
satisfac-

is best
of

curve

pressed
ex-

the

lip

charm,

but

the

illusion

both

from

; I

you
; I

slave

subtlety
understand

see

of

; I

am

of

any

am

open
; you

other.

sensations,

to

perception ;
each

am

yield to you,
complaisant,

; I

without

proud
the

once,

I feel your

from

but

taste

by

our

kind

ambiguous

at

fused

And
this

of

epochs, epochs

meanings
of

the

sensations

two

work

dupe
and

am

for

Gioconda.

La

by

tickles

artificial

contrary

of

supreme

which

and

ask

men

like

not

It is the

have
we

are

talent,

quits,

amiel's

1st

1876.

February

talked

of

for

are

understand

is

different

soul

modes

of

that

by

faculty
critic

all

to

live

but

of

it because

the

into

all

the

imagination

because

the

intellect

which

itself

for it is not
power

as

have

It

is

the

little
little

so

only

and

the

trate
pene-

can

realise

by

gives birth,

"

to
to

be

itself to be

the

intellect,

the

"

dupe

But

nised
tyran-

categories

the

it is in

the

fear

it may

imagination.

allows

terrified

in

shrinks
it creates,

which
it is

allowed

of man,

in

held

within.

phantoms

or

fessed
con-

very

philosopher who
of being,
states

life from

over

they

to

possibility.

the

have

self-judgment.

excused

when

be

almost

they

to

ent
differ-

most

it must

But

circumstances

and

the

the

general imprisoned,

of

When

under

profitby

few

are,

suspicion

thinking being
points of view, and

being.

their

animals

be

all

because

the

in

very

in

are

from

to

of measurement.

sort

his

teach

their

the

place himself

vice

the

easier

small,

the

possible for

is

Men

we

multiple of herself, whereas

requires
incapable of analysing what

is

It

evening

much

so

than

greatness
she

This

"

infinitely great and

The
great things of

the

infinitelysmall.
universe

197

journal.

of

to

wrong,

critical

anything.

198

amiel's
in the

Now,
is
the

notion

of

than

more

than

the

creator,
The

the

mind

it creates

created

the

has

is

not

son

wants

free

to

not

more

view

point of

mind

The

rectifying.

The

space.

father.

the

from

superstition of size
dupe of itself,for

the

merely

journal.

itself

of
gives it a false notion
itself,but it can
only attain this freedom
by reversing things and by learning to see
which

space,

in

space

mind

the
How

space.

that

is

times

of

more

In

why

mind

in

this ?

God

is present

taking up
leagues, nor

cube
a

of

state

the

is concentration.

nor

the

of

Simply by
virtuality. Space is

its

to

without

millions

do

it

can

reducing space
dispersion ; mind
And

instead

hundred

thought

thousand

hundred

less.

times
the

where,
every-

universe

pies
occu-

of

single point ; but in the state

dispersion and
analysis this thought
but

heaven

the

In

the

same

contained
their

not

It
state
to

him

way,

in

the

that

of freedom
at

is to say,

mind.

will either
he

must

Man,
their

before
his

be

and

time

inferior, but

is true

for

of heavens

own

he

quires
re-

its expansion.

number

are

is

mind,

as

superior.
can

body

reach
must

speck or world
indejjendent of

this

appear

that

"

it.

So

amiel's

long
a

the

mind

animal

and

The

restless

mind
be

cannot

mirror.

noise.

itself

animal.

being the subject of phenomena

itself phenomenal
of
; the mirror
if it

image,

an

self still feels

persed,
spatial,discorporeal, it is but a soul, it is not
of itself only as the
; it is conscious
is, the impressionable, affectionate,

as

active

was

There

be

can

no

The

one.

point which
is an
object.
pereeiver.

the
least

at

volume

as

whole,

to

solve

than

the

"

place of
for

may

only for
which

problem

applied

of
as

to

F.

me

as

Poesies

It

the

good
book,

attempt

art.

ought

traduites

Atniel, 1876.

The

lation
verse-trans-

special

poetry.

rected
cor-

Here

an

French
a

it
the

The

metres.

regarded

be

the

supposes

satisfied

new

my

Etranghres
littiratures,par H.
Les

things
some-

morning
Etrangeres.*

the

who

one

This

"

and

considered
science

exists

perceptible

pleased
more

without

hands.
thing off my
ends
theorising which

one

prose

deal

the

itself,and

proofs of

is

piece of

The

1876.

May

take

is not

be

all the

And

cannot

not

some

phenomenon

16th

echo

means

experiences something.
together

could

image,

an

Consciousness

some

199

journal.

de

It

is

not, I
diverses

amiel's

200

think,

do

to

journal.

discredit

any

to

philosopher,
applied psychology.

for, after all,it is nothing but

joy, pride, hope ?

that I feel nothing
It seems
to me
Hardly.
at
all, or at least my
feeling is so vague
that I cannot
doubtful
and
analyse it. On
rather
the
tempted to say to
whole, I am
myself,
result,
But

Much

and

energies

my

And

is successful.

good,

in

interest

my

small

verse-translation

does

Already
mind

in itself is

how

nothing !

about

ado

work

what

for

labour

much

how

"

the

yet

relief,any

I feel any

Do

it is

matter

fading

clamour

for

my

thing
some-

else.

volume

To

is

affair.

In
of the

it,and

failure.

I do

not

of

"

kind,

same

; but

the
I do

believe

I find

the

see

literary
Lilliputian

with

in

believe
my

own

Car

le neant

peut

seul

bien

ity
futil-

intrinsic

insignificanceof
not

other
of relative

sort

in

its

work

cacher

success

public

the

; I

properly speaking, and

of something
soap-bubbles for want
'

the

this

me

ambition,

no

to

say

quite indifferent,
work
comparing
my

satisfaction

or

self

inmost

attempt

of

Scherer

the

work

Edmond

will

What

have

I blow
to

do.

I'infini.'

AMIEL

JOURNAL.

201

Self-satire,disillusion,absence
be

may

but

freedom,

of

they

dice,
prejunot

are

strength.
12th

My

1876.

July

has

cough

cannot

holidays
better

have

in

heurs,

que

'"moi''

is

trunk
cut

of

the

Soon

circles

Already
which

I shall

'

series

of

this

to

I have

last

how

issue

from

which

the

inversely
it.
whole

Birth, life,death

mature
premalThis

the

nothing else

Death

point

been

successive

have

'

reduces

; the

back,

us

of

refuge.
guished.
extin-

are

into

I understand

how

Life
brief
assume

is

but

the
we

of

meteor,

is before

course

in

zero

return

we

it

as

tric
concen-

that

all modes

us

tion
destruc-

inaccessible

foretaste
and

night, and

de

ever-narrowing

all forms
see

this

have

every

precedes it forces
a

trary,
con-

Moi.''

bears

mathematical

by

the

more

taut

which

intellect.

bare

for

consciousness,

branches

which

that

which
were,

central

all the

than

reste-t-il?

the

mutilation.

to

vous

away,

left

the

seems

'"Apres

or

the

painful experience,

decay

On

of demolition

process

It is

change

health.

ever.

weather

any

of

trouble.

"

than

fine

the

state

on

worse

made

my

the

rapid.

been

that

see

Trouble

"

fresh

me.

meaning

AMIEL^S

202

to

each

at

US

oneself

see

is

and

makes

dwell

me

food

supplying
spite

of

own

case

my
a

nature, and
value.

The

stand

To

modes

being would

of

finite

our

of

the

to

may

for

indeed,

embittered

the

be

answered

into

at

absolute

prophetic,
come

human

of
to

being

all

general
imder-

possible

sufficient
"

which

may

by

everything

reach

in my

tion
occupaleast

at

for

tioned
condi-

are

progressive happiness

The

process,
and

asks

intelligences,
time.

by

be

of centuries

hundreds

for

in

situations, and

into

consciously

enter

osity.
curi-

fellow-men.

of my

numbers

of

me

of similar

multitude

I find

specimen

enables

sample

capable of
myself,

in

me

repulsions, is that
genuine example
therefore

own

my

psychological

interests

What

upon
still

are

my

work
fire-

horizon

my

perforce

for

world,

splendid

narrows

miseries

these

miseries,

of the

more

illness

when

; but

practical psychology.

and

vaster

"

fugitive

own

spectacle

the

prefer indeed

which

is

one's

To

darkness

in the

of

this

"

existence.

our

firework

witness

phenomenon
I

of

phase

as

become

to

JOURMAL.

that
for

under

the
once,

at

be

soned
easily poi-

and

clamours

bound.

But

aspirations
they could
the

which

ambition

are

it

essarily
nec-

only have

action

of

the

AMIEL

cause

their

goal.

absolute

soul

because

consciousness

of

the

that

itself

Thought

of

achieved
ages,

the

to

the

ends

beginning
with

the

Such

also

history

the

It

with
the

of

comfort

the

of

away

mind

the

marrow

driven

we

with

main

are

the

and

essence

ogy,
psychol-

on

is to
of

oneself

be

in the

Everything

else

but

the

if

still

things,

There

us,

of

sciousness
con-

drama.

still connected
axis

of

back

feel

creation.

and

question

universal

from

Or

of Aristotle.

conception

idea.

end.

possession of itself

the

subject, to

the

in

taken

the

at

the

at

xcas

the

unfolding

be

to

is the

differs

absolute

story.

very

of

Such

itself at

of

gradually

succession

personal psychology,
to

centre

the

then

occupied

keep

the

in

the

was

being,

thread

one

the

gradual

even

be

him,

sciousness
con-

history of the mind

of approximation

The

it knows

is

humanities.

of

is

to

long

it advances

rather

of

the

absolute, and

two

If

which

to

ised.
real-

be

It is the

thought

Hegel.

is, according

will

is eternal.

and

of

doctrine

reach

to

can

perfection

through

races,

them

only imagine the

the
absolute
exists; our
a
possible perfection is

The

guarantee

203

will enable

which

same

JOURNAL.

is
may

mains
thought reby a magic

world.

But

we

amiel's

204

jourkal.

ing
noththought and speech. Then
of
remains
but simple feeling,the sense
and of death
in God,
of God
the presence
the last relic of the human
privilege,which
is to participate in the whole, to commune
lose

may

"

with

absolute.

the

'Ta

vie

est

eclair

un

qui

dans

meurt

son

nuage,

Mais

r eclair t'a

26th

1876.

July

friend

s'il t'a fait voir

sauve

It

idleness.

to

up

with

accompanies

kind

every

all the

us
a

from

the

subject, it

repetition, it

of

and

caprices

meander-

to itself
life,and proposes
definite end.
This journal of mine
resents
repumes:
volof a good many
the material
of time, of
what
prodigious waste

ings
no

frees

all round

necessity of looking
puts

private journal is

"

le ciel.'

of

the

inner

thought, of strength ! It will be useful to

it has
for
even
myself,
nobody, and
to practo shii'k life than
rather helped me
tise
the place of a conit. A journal takes
fidant,
"

that
a

substitute

country

and

is, of friend
for

wife

or

production,

public.

It

is

substitute

a
a

; it becomes

for

grief-cheating

and
withdrawal
of escape
device, a mode
;
the
it is,though it takes
as
but, factotum
place of everything, properly speaking it

represents nothing

at

all.
.

amiel's

What
soul

makes

is it which

and

of

general course
history can
my

anything,
distilled
of pages
from

the

which

but

forest

cask

one

of

Smyrna
rose-garden
phial of perfume.
This

of

mass

of

in his

life.

so

time

what

to

this type
achieve
of the

something,

anything
type is

more

and

further.

are

whole
one

is

be

only

terested
in-

vidual
indi-

own

shall

never

So

human

type,

human

song,

have

done,

after
this
we

can

complete,

and

as
are

century.

burden

The

"

life,and

my

the

of

end

myself.

do, century
of

tracted.
ex-

work

the

lived

the

bark

be

his

over

consciousness
is

and

each

kindred

my
will

in

perhaps

have

of

thousands

produce

romance,

repeating

burden

the

rise

myself, it
materials,

talk, the

them

shall
in

myriads of
doing, and
To

read

own

body
any-

cinchonas

to

goes

written

Even

to

life consists
and

teach

quinine.

twenty-nine
years,
may
worth
nothing at all ; for

have

its destiny.

still to

has

essence

whole

worth

of

its
disentangled from
and
simplified. These
but the pile of leaves
are

be

must

tions
acquisi-

interest

even

or

its

the

Before

of

of its different

story of

the

stages of progress,

history

the

stratification

It is the

205

journal.

and

scarcely

realisation
the

bur-

2o6

amiel's

den

more

kind

are

and
have

puppets
'

Trois

to

rebel

To
the

that

of

into

dream

millions

of

and

dream

do

the

France

be

To

forty

phantom

of the

attain

12th

itself

and

astronomy

is the

meaning

hope ?

our

make

of

universe

to

an

us

make
tant
inhabi-

"

the

nothing
microscopic
a

this is all

we

can

to.

September

1876.

"

monad
be

cube-

who

men

to

Jupiter

forty

much

more

raise

to

up

of
For

The

matter

to

from

cries,the value

millions

conscious

knows

which

they

or

escape

puerile.

it is absurd

any

moon

to

durations

which

matter

of the

and

tempests.

do

"

trj-

quantities sensibly

ambition,

of infusoria

of chalk

and

efforts

gulf at last,
thing.

centenarian

are

make-believe

these

inch

of

!'

vent

almost

"

our

anger,

the

is

"

same

to

"

geology
regard such
what
view,

tiny

our

the

the

"

same

and

"

of

point

our

issue

to

us

of all

the

whether

s'en

puis

much

very

insect

equivalent,
this

or

et

duration

an

enable

tliis

against fate

the

that

ever

done

inevitable

When

up

but

falls

comes

if circumstances

joyous one,
propitious,

p'titstours

everything
and

journal.

What

is your

own

amiel's

journal.

particular absurdity

207

simply

Why,

that

you

yourself in tiying to understand

wisdom
without
practising it, that you are
preparations for nothing,
always making
that
live without
living. Contemplation
you
the courage
which
has not
to be purely
exhaust

which

contemplative, renunciation
renounce
completely, chronic
there

"

is

irresolution,
weakness
and
there

is your

lies in

capacity
to

The

misery.
to

direct

direct

uselessness

of

by

excess

of

abundance

talent.
of

the

to

motion,
is

numbers,

has
A

1876.

September

been

Doudan's

fascinating

Lettres

book

imagination, thought,
them
never

knew

all.
the

Wit,

How
man

much

utter

at

bility
immo-

zero

from

farce,

gossip

grace,

these

"

finitely
in-

can

reading to-day
et Melanges}''

My

"

of

the

the

strange

sad

Idth

be

at

comedy ; the
poorest
laugh at its absurdity.
a

by

arrive

To

capacity
in-

dream

short

"

of it

side

becoming

in

infinitelygreat stopped
seems
little,in what

itself

strength

comic

others

oneself,

rigible,
incor-

accept

itself into

transform

cannot

the

will not

which

ticism,
scep-

but

convinced

not

not

contradiction

Inconsistent

case.

your

does

himself.

subtlety,

letters

regret
He

sess
posthat

was

2o8

amiel's

Frenchman

of

sublime,

to

journal.

best

the

love
his

still

of

of

led

from

living,and

and

within

him

his

which

world

he

; but

reminds

He

20th

and

so

achieving

To

"

Thus

that
a

tion
frac-

material
in this
the

for

best

nothing

of Joubert.

wits
by
satisfy another's
him
of two
pleasures, that

thing and

He

that

success

cared

he

me

September.

one

best.

appreciated by

was

society of Paris, and

else.

to

necessary

are

while

circle,he

recognised equal of the

scarcely lacked anything except
of ambition, of brutality and
force

hold
with-

but

own

the

was

too

to

public,

the

ne

sion.
expres-

temper,

perfection,

talent

delicat

un

Sainte-Beuve's

quote

Fastidiousness
keen

type,

of

be

witty

the

bestowal

of

is

to
on

ing
understand-

guessing another,

double

stroke.

Doudan

speaks out his

scarcely ever
thought directly ; he disguises and suggests
it by imagery, allusion, hyperbole ; he overlays
light irony and

it with
with

gentle

The

more

from

the
there

and

mischief

the

thing

thing said,
is for the

to

the

interlocutor

concerned.
and

delicate

ways

feigned anger,
assumed
humility.
be
guessed differs
more
prise
pleasant sur-

of

or

These

expression

the

respondent
cor-

charming
allow

amiel's
to teach

man

and

them

and
as

pedantry,

will without

he

offence.

is

and
aerial
in
something Attic
and
fiction
gay,
; they mingle grave
such
ti-uth,with a light grace of touch

neither

have

will without

he

what

venture

to

There

what

209

journal.

La

been

Fontaine

of.

ashamed

like this presupposes

victorious

free and

Such

would

Socratic

physical

over

Alcibiades

nor

delicate

badinage
equal mind,

ill and

inward

contents.
dis-

playfulness is

the

exclusive

in
natures
heritage of those rare
subtlety is the disguise of superiority,

whom
and

taste

faculties

its revelation.
and

personal

What

cultivation

distinction

it
it

balance

requires

shows

of

What

Perhaps

would
have
been
only a valetudinarian
of touch, this
capable of this morhidezza
feminine
marriage of virile thought and
is excess
it
caprice. If there
anywhere,
lies perhaps
in
certain
a
effeminacy of
sentiment.
but

Doudan

what

is

put

can

perfect

with

up

but

nothing

"

ing
nothwhat

is

is rough,
absolutely harmonious
; all that
harsh, powerful, brutal, and
unexpected,
throws
him
into convulsions.
Audacity
boldness
of all kinds
This
repels him.
"

"

Athenian
of

of the

Eoman

time

Epicurus in all

and
disturbs

intelligence
"

him.

matters
a

is

of

true

ple
disci-

ing,
sight, hear-

crumpled rose-leaf

amiel's

2IO

'

Une

ombre,
nait

What
creative

this

and

classical

the

his

horizon.

the

German

painting he
philosophy

he

he is

of

but

man

he

for

to

the

and

Mid-day.
the
the

Attic

"

the

is not

has

never

and

music

Kant.

become

To

In

up

sum

ingenious taste,
critic,still less
He

was

mirable
ad-

an

had

author

an

himself.

I must

in

to

volume

this

knows

delightful letter-writer,

concentrate

second

in

exclusive.

artist.

or

he
In

first-rate

have

correct

through

at

is

element
He

and

less

or

that
"

for him

exquisite and

talker,
chosen

his

Nature.

more

The

"

literatures.

stops

is not

might

of

out

is

range

Fontaine

La

France,

of

strength,

Renaissance

Humanity

poet, philosopher,
who

don-

first.

it at

of

is

Slav

is

His

the

He

bible

force.

and
horizon

or

is

thought

nothing of Asia.
much
larger than

lui

tout

wants

as

world

say,

made

rien,

softness

muscular

wide

as

is to

souflBe,un

un

la fievre.'

all

not

journal.

order

he
wait

review

preliminary impression.
have

whole

charm

originality and

now

volume,
of

it, and

was

diviner

more

lingering over
meditating on

distinction

organisation. Doudan
psychologist, a

once

gone

of
a

the

keen

of

man's
trating
pene-

aptitudes,

amiel's

trainer

of

minds,
talent, capable

and

21

journal.

of

infinite

of

man

taste

and

nuance

every

of

want
a
delicacy ; but his defect was
of persevering energy
of thought, a lack of
patience in execution.
Timidity, unworldhim
liness, indolence, indifference, confined

every

the

to

made

him

first

him

second,

better

part.

Was

it not

who

men

esteemed

were

equals

of

said

the

same

after

the

men

makes

mock

lovers
favours.

those

thing.
who

are

of those
who

deserve

on

In

men

will

afraid

of

but

cannot

yet
their

think,

not

her.

and

in
we

as

Descartes,
Fame

the

that

did,

trembling

the

chose

fame, and

who

allies ;

my

he

he
do

all famous

achieve

never

But

remarked

who

superiors

or

fire

likely

very

by

to

and

which

indeed

no

"

be

Goethe

in

fought.

neighbourhood

find

field

the

have

place, it would

the

the

literary counsellor
of

to

blame

to

mean

the

judge

rather

ought

in

of

rule

run

She

ful
respectforce

her

public is won
by the bold,
imperious talents
by the enterprising and
the skilful.
in modesty,
It does not
believe
of impotence.
which
it regards as a device
The
but
contains
section
of
a
golden book
the true geniuses ; it names
those
only who
have
taken
glory by storm.
The

"

AMIEL'S

212

15th

November

L^Avenir

JOtJRNAI..

1876.

des

Religieuz

ing
read-

been

I have

"

lises,
Civi-

Peuples

'I'he theory
Laveleye.
of this writer
is that the Gospel, in its pure
form, is capable of providing the religion of
of
all
that
the
abolition
the
future, and
Emile

by

de

religiousprinciple,which
of
much

the

The

feared

is the

of

means

that

belief

in God

transition

he

civilisation

forgets

and

whereby

Japan

But

it is

contrary.

and

dotal
sacer-

does

life.

China

enough

ligion
re-

pure

not

without

last

can

in another

that

as

superstition.
according to him,

into
the
Christianity passes
of the
Laveleye
Gospel.

think

is

Catholic

as

method,

Protestant

ism
social-

the

demands,

moment

present

be

to

is what

the

Perhaps
the

prove

determine

to

be
shown
if it can
against Atheism
would
that
bring about
a
general Atheism
After
moral
all,
a lowering of the
average.
however, this is nothing but a religion of
him

utilitarianism.

And

it is useful.

is not

belief

it is truth

established, proved, and

"

the
may

which

is

still say
"

alone

tific,
scien-

"

truth

rational

capable of satisfying nowadays

awakened

world,'
longer in

because

true

but

perhaps,
the

revelation

all

classes.

'faith

governs

of the

present

of

minds

faith
or

in

the

priest

"

We

the
is

no

it is

amiel's

in
of

and

goodness

be

to

good

is the

point.

is the

there

"

that

"

justice and goodness depend

How
are
particular religion?
made
free, honest, just, and

any

men

happiness

science

Do

question.
upon

Is there

in science.

and

reason

213

journal.

through the book I perceived

new
applicationsof my law of irony.
many
contradictory aspirations
Every epoch has two
which
are
logically antagonistic
Thus
the philoand practically associated.
sophic
On

my

way

materialism
the

moment

Darwinism

equality, while
the

of

right

the

action.

real

beings

far the

By

beings can
it,under

only
the

at

abroad, and
life

is

which

wills.
"

that

conceive
of

form

home,

not,
what

is to say,
concrete

the

self

would
bility.
immo-

of human

action,
a

"

practise

or

of

war

of

war

wills

it

So

wills

law

refutation

of the

of the

that
that

that

not

I call the

realisation

petition
com-

nations

self.

with

combat

mated
ani-

brought

number

bloody

and

is

are

perhaps

war

finallywar

it wills

Itself,the

greater

perpetual

Hence

and

repose,

on

Absurdity

with

Harmony

peace,

mean

with

itself is based

contradictions, absurdities
into

ent
pres-

in love

stronger.
life

with

interwoven

was

the

at

Darwinians

find

we

century

liberty. And

of

champion

last

the

of

of

it

irony
self by

absurd.

amtel's

214
Is such

Struggle
harmony,

result

is the

is

; it

by

also

and

the

out

way

result

of

acknowledge
external

history of

tion
pacificaof

limit
laws

whole

the
be

Conflict

selfishness

The

is

which
than

is
will

that

of

of

of

animality
history. The

essentially zoological ; it

late

human

becomes

of

means

difficulties.

other

the

man

traries,
con-

movement.

resi)ect would

of

no

almost

govern

of

enslavement

or

the

force.

and

suppression of resistance

Mutual

conquered.

harmony,

association

fierce

the

means

not.

principle of

destruction

the

better

is the

I think

?
of

caricature

brutal

inevitable

which
is

War

journal.

in

day,

the

and

then

souls, the souls alive

only in the beautiful
and
tion.
devoto justice, goodness, enthusiasm,
The
itself
angel shows
rarely and
with
difficultythrough the highly-organised
The
divine
aureole
brute.
plays only with
the
and
brows
a dim
fugitive light around
of the world's
governing race.
Christian

The

of the

citizenship
of eternal

pursuit of
world,
stronger

law
of

offer many

nations
of

irony.

heaven,

They

the
or

more

thirst
active

profess

exclusive

the

has
good ; and never
perishable joys, the

or

tions
illustra-

for

the

worship
hungry

love

conquest,

than

among

the

of

this
been
these

amiel's
nations.
the
a

Their
of

reverse

false

droll

their

of

conscious
of
so

official

the

the

No

of

law

common

one

life, and

not

position.

it.

in the

fraud

of

the

of

be

must

its

The
of

understand

to

and

man

his

He

state

irony,

for

of

himself

after

all

to

of the

be

must

native

stupidity of
delusion.

constant

falls under

philosopher himself

its

Japanese

the

of

daily
of

ridicule

the

civilisation.

moon

nation

Every

perceive the burlesque contradictions

Christian

an

course

feels

man

with

application
irony. The deception is
comes
that
the delinquent beof

one

Under

the

Is

it is but

"

unconscious

gives itself the lie

exactly

smuggler

conscience.

one

is

motto

aspiration.

real

flag they play

ease

215

journal.

the

law

having mentally stripped

prejudice

"

having, that

is to

personality,
he finds himself
slipping back perforce into
the rags he had
taken
off,obliged to eat and
drink, to be hungry, cold, thirsty, and to
behave
like all other
mortals, after having
wholly

say,

for

laid

behaved

moment

is the
in wait

aside

point where
for

him

; the

for his

and

him

dusti

thou

art

like
comic
animal

own

no

This

other.

poets
needs

are

lying

revenge

flightinto the Empyrean,

Thou
art
by their cry :
!
nothing, thou art man

themselves
mock

the

his

"

2i6

amiel's

26th

1876.

November

novel

St.

de
of

thousand

novel

leaves

world

is

bartered

whole

and

great deal

make

novels

in
what
"

one

"

up

The

the

of

feeling

in

strange

me.

been

I have

they

"

has

mask

Cherbuliez.

of Victor

part of his work,

what

make

most
are

so

thinking
Perhaps
disputable

much

ing
want-

And

simplicity, feeling, reality.

knowledge, style, wit, and

how

much

mastery
; I cannot

Cherbuliez's

thought

of

language

but

mind

admire
is of

is

who

of

stories

1876.

Lower
who

one

but

no

Ath December

yet

is

feeling
painful impression upon
is

the

for cleverness.

These

there

which

of

is there

conscience
the

; these

character

of

type

subtle, refined

air

an

neither

and

elegance of
immorality.

gets little

corruption

to

is not

There

not

heart

This

have

women

witty,

his

sad.

one

strangely near

not

the

is

Mephistophelian

The

it.

Empire.

jewelled
sparkling with a

It

But

moiselle
Made-

de

fiance

precious stones,

from

artificial

Le

Maur.

lights.

just finished

I have

"

Cherbulicz,

of

mosaic

journal.

lety
subt-

everywhere,
!

He

and

astoHishes

him.
immense

range,

clear-sighted,keen, full of resource

; he
Alexandrian
an
exquisite, substituting

is

for

amiel's

feeling

the

irony

which

of

say

him
of

order
But

which

makes

leaves

them

render

to

the

persuade

have

minds
the

After

inspired
Victor

style. And

claims

In

does

every

union

invisible

disturbed.
is

he

not

homage.

This

respect

are

beside
and

bond
vital

found

not

is

bond

tion
voca-

writer

model

mystery
must

in

is

his

and

the

friendship,
; in

^s-

love, but

our

which

; in

best

in

respects

foremost

win

marriage, confidence
life,patriotism ; in the
points

he

has

there

in

Such

critical

beauty,

exquisite,

our

certain

is

is first and

He

writer.

come

convinced

the

; what

therefore

consummate,

who

religious life,

or

is serious

he

; for

mind

function

work

moral

and

is

positive element

The

Cherbuliez's

goodness, not
thetically he

place and

affirmation,

souls.

still he

leaders

negative

the

Lucian

those

as

the

the

charity.'

the

well

as

heart.

their

of

men

of

enfranchise

man

and
liberatoi-s,

the

"

who

service

order

would

from

risen

never

ungrateful.
Augustine, but

an

Those

Lucian.

Pascal

be

not

the

earnest

men

the

to

217

free;

has

thought

worth

is not

He

'
"

must

we

journal.

the

he

"

not

filial

be
lation
re-

esteem

collective

religiouslife,faith.
left

untouched

by

amiel's

2i8
for

speech,

journal.

almost

is

them

touch

to

to

profane them.

genius supply

of

Men

the

history, while

the

ideas

is

for

needed

force

intellect.
life

human

with

the

make

can

breathe,
great
And

of azote.

"

be

must

and

5th

great deal

of

weight

of

bined
com-

history,

resistance

there

to

quer
con-

drag.

to

1877.

January

make

so, to

be

three-fourths

with

"

of

which

must

oxygen

deal

of

balance

atmosphere

an

sive
pas-

Stupidity

genius.

necessary

To

the

but

are

modification

the

by

supplied

dynamically

men

of

limiting,slackening,

filter,the

critical

of

mass

substance

the

This

"

morning

am

chitis
altogether miserable, half stifled by brona
walking
difficulty the brain
weak
this
last the
worst
misery of all,
for thought
is my
only weapon
against my
of all the
other
ills. Rapid
deterioration
"

"

"

bodily

vital organs,
laid
Men

upon

me,

what

long

as

mental

does

the

dull

continuous

brain-decay

pity you

but

of

powers,

trial that

for
that

faculties
soundness

"

to

is the

old
"

trial
I

outwardly ;
nothing, so

intact.
the

of

suspects

one

matter
are

this

no

growing

waste

last

This

has

boon
been

amiel's

journal.

so

students

granted

to

for

it

little.

too

Alas,

Sacrifice

believe

by

many

I know

; but

joy.

The

going

on

doing good
became

motive

one

wish

to

view

of

soul,
has

nothing

of this

religious

of

moral

anything

in

seeing monads,

there
and
after

is

of

cycle

nothing

balance

of

me,

been

to

whole

the

it is not

or

it will
of

atoms,
tary
momen-

and

disappear.

we

progress,

enough,

the
Is

for

increase, profit,

mere

chemical

play
Brahma,

combinations.

having created,

one

any

individual

then

destinies,

symphony

appropriate

but

Stoic

planet

Well,

we

No,

the

individual
our

us,

of

that

the

"

its

of

in the

of

gainer
"

the

for

and

is not

When

universe

consciousness

unchangeable,
this enough
not

the

simple.

the

And

creation.

others,

its note

Supposing

"

and

is

out
with-

me

inevitable,

the

wasted

the

sounded

there

to

will it have

use

be

to

which

lessens

education

is it then

"

of what

if

and

us,

self

the

would

pure

accomplished

have

dence
Provi-

resignation to
set an example

This

rather,

watchful

remains

morals

we

a,

blind, who

Only
manly

of

anybody.

to

when

easy

and

lowers

me

that

asked

mutilation
in

sacrifice

must

hoped

us,

God

fatherly

that

almost

is

it laid upon

219

draws

his

creation

AMIEL

220

back

into

JOURNAL.

gulf. If we are
of the
universal
mind, may
least profit and
by us !
grow
the

the

it !

the

If

trustful

rejoices Him
intellect,let
intention.

in

consists

whatever

it

it

of

the

inevitable

the

without

and

diminution

is
Him

natural

than

back

into

the

gradually

from
the

organs,

is put

back

begin

by

clearness

bit

That

out
with-

of

destiny, to
loss after loss,
with

us,

sink

just

as

play

of

vision

at

which

the
we

end
must

no

this

"

Involution
We

The

the

which

is

is

as

gradually
issued

we

faculties

grandiose apparatus
by bit into the box.

instinct

of

destiny

descend

To

us.

darkness,
it.

gramme
pro-

destiny

of

or

that

the

not

not

before

zero

of

in

diminution,

evolution.

as

of

we

doubt

Is

through

after

is demanded

what

and

of

revolt

limit

other

soul

plan. His

we

religions call God ?

the
stream
murmuring

pass

the

be, provided

are

And

title

anonymous

His

can

existence

our

joy of

greatness

into

distinctly. Well,
decay, sickness, death,
see

the

of

the

realise

we

theological language,
glory of God.
Religion
of
the
filial acceptation

the

Will

Divine

If

at

iu

the

to

mind

have

thaa
enter

us

that

humility

more

This,

live

is to

God

will, may

supreme

laboratory

of

comes

learn

life,
We
a

to

AMIEL's
bear

with

to

our

own

failure

once

exhausted, iinds its due

theme

refuge
6tk

and

employ

without

1877.

and

culture, of

what

going,

of the

in

and

the

of

the

ing
even-

of

general

the

of

want

keeps the world

assured

of

the

talked

it is which

midst

decay.

spent
we

ideas,

and

"

the

a'iiarchy of

ing
murmur-

silence.

in

repose

February

with

221

and

upon

musical

journal.

of

march

universal

science

passion

and

superstition.
What

is rarest

in the

the

method,
of

proportion,

one

of

and
hearts

is

in

the
of

state

impartiality,
are

advance
ahead
of

for

common

state

passion,

and

sense

will, and

fortuitous

the

and

which

have
than
am.

opinions

trouble

of

other

no

this

The

sires
de-

the

they
which

press
exare

taking seriously,
account
to give of

childish
art

their

accident
that

so

always

are

their

worth

wills

of

desires

equity,

impressions

intelligence,

not

themselves

to

their

their

human

in which

openness
Men's

of

of

merely

because

the

view,

capacity

unattainable.

source

critical

is fair-mindedness,

distinguishing.
of human
state
common
thought
confusion, incoherence, and presumption,

The

is

the

world

of

one

finding truth

am,

is

AMIEL's

222

littlo

very

practised

there
even

is

furnish

weapons

may

serve

for

power

of

our

such

to

our

of

use

inclinations, but
who

truth,

rebels

who

and

hates

he

may
as

or

and

his

prejudices,
to

us.

animal,

covetous

intellect

satisfy
who
cares
nothing for
pline,
against personal discito

thought
Wisdom

in

rouses

confusion, and
as

as

are

tongue,

or

disinterested

it

because

himself

hand

of self -education.

idea

him,

knowledge

disagreeable

wilful

We

us.

appetites and

own

makes

his

the

of

and

is

among

gratify our craving

cism
self-knowledge, the criti-

but

is unwelcome
Man

cause
scarcely exists,bepersonal humility, nor

vanity

our

; it

truth

enough

covetous

who

no

of

love

any

journal.

him

offends

disturbance

he

because

and

will not

see

is.

but
are
majority of men
tangled skeins, imperfect key-boards, so
of
restless
or
specimens
stagnant
many
makes
their
situation
and
what
chaos,
almost
hopeless is the fact that they take
The

great

"

pleasure
who

man

5th
over

There

in it.
believes

is

himself

no

curing

sick

in health.

been
I have
thinking
April 1877.
the pleasant evening of yesterday, an

experience

"

in

which

the

sweets

of

friend-

amikl's

the

ship,

charm

pleasure, and
comfort, were
happily
aesthetic

rose-leaf.

there

soul

The

and

of

wholesome

party

not

to

an

cheer

burdens

celebrated

instant

the

those

who

of

so

bear

precious privilege.
joy in helping

and

of

courage
to find

long

to

exercise

I feel most

does

or

to

to

noble

we

it

are

do

of

deep

which

soul,
the

by sympathy

me

hearts

blessing and

is

We

the

possessors

are

worthy,
and

that
is

ligious
re-

strength

minds.

not

of

sort

the

renew

purely

strongly
can

illuminate

To

There

ourselves

of which

power

sorrow-laden

many

suffering lives, is

and

others

making

depths

last

the

pleasure, and

much

gave

"

Is
not
only.
best happiness

the

happy

an

which

in

milieu

which

"

of vacation
me

form

rest.

may

day

he

is

that

excellent,

is

imagination,

sympathetic

to

'all

is honest, all that

the

in

crease

Because

lovely and

is

attractive

not

mingled.
inter-

'

and

for

and

combined

of

sense

good report,' was

The
bility
incorruptigathered together.
cent
of a gentle and
quiet spirit,'innoto duty, fine taste
mirth, faithfulness

all that

the

general

was

Why?

all that

pure,

understanding,

mutual

of

There

223

journal.

prised
sur-

of
and

we

seriously.

man,

in

all that

beautiful, great,

224

or

AMIEL

is but

good,

something

or

JOURNAI..

the

and

organ

some

higlier than

one

feeling is religion.

This
takes

with

part

but
the

scene,

the

poet.

and

but

the

lends
he

but

anniliilates

he

This

is

prophet

hears

feels

movement

the

So

long

as

the

when

in

conscious
in

with

harmony
vibrate

we

tears

in

unison

Self

must

it

is

the

Holy

it

is

God

who

which

in

child
of

within, the

his

of

audience.

self

we

; when

universal
with

the

mother

young

bondage
the

who

personality

of

mood

as

him.

of

him

to

little

as

Genius

use

when

limited, selfish,held
are

of the

call, the

are

we

is

rather,

or

alter

may

of the

preacher watches

he

voice, hand, will,

when

the
the

in

mediary
inter-

of which

self in him.

the

perforce disappear
Spirit who
speaks,
acts.

is the

author,

possible the higher work

is making
a
momentary
emotion
deprives
pure
and

joy

respectfully careful

is

that

himself,

he

them

himself.

sacred

source,

not

He

help,

efface

the

not

of

religious man

of

of which

phenomena

these

The

tremor

vehicle

the

are
we

order,

God, self

in a perfectly harmonious
Thus,
disappears.
self
hear himcannot
choir, the individual

unless

religious
moved

he

state

makes
is

one

of

contemplation,

false

note.

deep enthusiasm,
of

The
of

tranquil ecstasy.

AMIEI.'S
But

how

rare

harassed
the

wicked

the

state

by

duty,

us

ures
creat-

poor

necessity, by

by

world, by sin, by illness

which

but

it is for

state

225

JOURNAL.

alas !

the

inward

produces

ness
happi-

foundation

the

of

of

It is

ence,
exist-

days, is
of
made
action, effort, struggle, and
up
therefore
dissonance.
Perpetual conflict,
interrupted by short and threatened
truces,
there

"

texture

common

is

picture of

true

our

human

our

condition.
Let

hail, then,

us

heaven,

as

the

foretaste

of

economy,

these

brief

moments

harmony,

these

Peace

it

as

is not

only

result

peacemakers,
children

For

April
again the

ten

years

the

lie to

the

prophet

the

1877.

storms.

know

we

librium,
equi-

momentary

'

they

but

perfect

Happy

shall

be

are

called

the
the

common

sense

whit

Hugo

have

been

turning
of Victor
Paris
Hugo (1867).
after event
event
has
given
of
prophet, but the confidence
in

therefore

Victor

for

of

of God.'

26th
over

of

from
blessed

more

two

dream,

accident.

an

"

between

in itself

the

as

halts

echo

an

his

"

own

diminished.

imaginings

is

not

Humility and
are
only fit for Lilliputians.
superbly ignores everything

226

amiel's

does

He

that

he

that

of the
pride is a limitation
limitations
a pride without

that

has

journal.

foreseen.

not

of soul.

If he
with

himself

could

with

other

nations,

more

truly,

and

mad

But
be

never

among

always

give blinds
astonishes

moves

him

always

some

excites

and

in

shake

of

the

Voltairean

of

inflation

the

of

misfortune
a

nation

his

role,

that

should

prophets who
he

should

he

it

most

not

have

scourged

devote

himself

few

powerful
better

is

not
can-

shafts

made

It is

it

public

poet

of

understood

those

because

he

shrivelled

and

saner.

the

him

have

genius

He

him,

in
A

would

to

constantly

so

that, unlike

and

has

him, which

great poet

his

stronger by making

He

There

in

note

will

fire.

charlatan.

irony

ments.
judg-

madness.

him.

malaise
The

me.

these

gold is
insight with

provokes

and

annoys

the

into

; his

of

that

falsity of

for

accounts

reader

things

only light he

; the

like

you

France

his command.

with

reason

simple

be

cannot

his

pare
com-

fairness

lead, his

with

mixed

to

extravagant

Titanic

the

to

childishness,

these

and
ness
little-

see

fall

not

proportion and
the strings at

is vowed

He

would

he

would

exaggerations,

is

and

men,

see

mind,

learn

but

other

not

Hebrew

they loved,

proudly

and

sys-

amiel's

tematically
Hugo
2d

which

is not

evil.

Each

caricature

that

no

the

is

one

and

with

from
the

of

and

all

is

north

I should

man,

deserves
have

to

with

the

south, of

or

find

proof
crush

something

to

struck
of

defects

lucky for a
preference for

no

in

by

critic.

perhaps
of

best

one

alternately

am

qualities and

conscious

am

all.

each, which
I

that

is

is not

of

counterbalanced

them

among

others,

learn

to

is France

nation

There

belonging
the good

men.
country-

down

bow

Which

"

his

; Paris

peoples,

1877.

May

worth

world

is the

is Paris

227

flattery of

the

to

France

journal.

west

the

or

fects
de-

east

difficultyin stating my
I myself
own
predilections. Indeed
am
in the matter, for to me
wholly indiiferent
the question is not
of liking or of blaming,
one
of

but
view

understanding.
My
point of
is philosophical
that
is to say, impartial
and
The
impersonal.
only type
is perfection
in
pleases me
man,
"

which

"

short, the

ideal

I bear

man,
no

admiration

the
men,

noble

fine

As

man.

with

and

for

specimens

for

the

national

study him, but

him.

of

I
the

can

I have

only admire

race,

the

ganiuses, the lofty characters

souls, and specimens of these

great

the

and
are

to

328

amiel's

be found
The

'

in all the
of

country

feel

the

Brazilians

the

with

(to quote

the

chosen

inclination
the

Germans,

Poles,

the

'

choice

my

greater

no

French,

ethnographical divisions.

Staiil) is

de
I

journal.

souls.

towards

the

or

the

the

Swiss,

Italians, than

the

dame
Ma-

lish,
Eng-

towards

Chinese.

The

sions
illu-

of

patriotism, of Chauvinist, family,

or
professional feeling,do not exist for me.
the
is to feel
tendency, on
My
contrary,
the
with
increased
force
ties,
lacume, deformiand imperfections of the group
to which

is to see
belong. My inclination
things
ality,
individuown
as
they are, abstracting my
and
suppressing all personal will and
towards
desire
; so that I feel antipathy, not
towards
this or that, but
prejudice,
error,
I
stupidity, exclusiveness, exaggeration.
fairness.
love only justice and
Anger and
with
me
are
merely superficial;
annoyance
partialit
imfundamental
the
tendency is towards
and
detachment.
Inward
liberty

and

aspiration towards
I

what

for

care

June

1877.

Borneo

and

Juliet

work
for

is

entitled

orchestra,

take

and

ith

with

the

"

of

these

"

pleasure

have

Hector
'

"

true

Dramatic

choruses.'

are

in.

just heard
Berlioz.

the
The

symphony
The

execu-

amiel's

tion

it leaves
out

reason

this
to

the

make

To

is

Romeo
and

challenge
of

the
to

is

The

common

that

plement,
supin idea.

of

levity.

there

is

hierarchy

violated

never

has

is

put

with

is

things

impunity.

together

pictures, without

the

tion
viola-

of

no

To

an

It

"

dramatic

piece

sense.

natural

musician

symphonic

of

which

is

mere

absurdity.
inferior, the obscure,
the
higher and
clear,

the

for

in

Juliet

no

substitute
vagne,

Juliet

in

things

to

out
a

it

explain

as

to

come

is false

"

derogation,

and

Romeo

which

orchestra

simple narrative

material,

man

voice,

human

the

to

is interestin

suggestive,

When

"

subordinate

To

annex

and

impression

my

way.

cold.

one

work

The

extremely good.
careful, curious,

was

but

229

journal.

series

inner

any

of

nection,
con-

string of riddles,to which

a prose
text alone
supplies meaning and unity. The
is allowed
to
only intelligiblevoice which
a

in

appear
:

in

his

the

work

could

sermon

chords, and
moral

But

the

the

play

is that

is

of

itself

of

not

therefore

play

has

is not

been

Friar

be

rence
Lau-

expressed

plainly
the

elbowed

sung.

play,
out

and

by

recitative.
The

being

musician
able

to

of

give

the
us

present
what

is

day, not
beautiful,

amiel's

230

himself

torments

to

is but

of

as

musician

is

he

he

is

when

he

Thirty

years

ago,

cannot

art

ought
well

nth

to

say,
was

true

and

solid

however,

that

the

ence,
audi-

is

1877.

one,

seemed

I
went
Yesterday
the
Fontaine, and noticed
He
has neither
butterfly

La

my

in him.

omissions

He

rose.

the

fairly full

satisfied.

July

through

There

from

"

utilises

quail, nor

in him.

dates

fruitful

no

; there

which

lizard.

self.
him-

conduct
neither

me

Infancy

in it.

beauty

nor

to

seems

wholesome

very

him

pression
im-

same

his

by

me

genious,
in-

lesser.

the
the

Berlin,

at

as

the

achieve

to

compass

I heard

of Christ, which
His

trying

left upon

was

itself ;

is cleverness

learned, inventive, and

greater

nor

new.

quackery.

critic

but

is

what

us

simulating genius

Science

me.

form

Berlioz

nor

give

to

originality, false grandeur, false genius

is wholly
antipathetic
laboured
This
art

False

journal.

For

Louis

dromedary,

the

is not

the

neither

crane,
nor

single echo

of

the
alry
chiv-

him, the history of France

XIV.

in reality, over
only ranges,
neither
miles, and touches

His
a

the

geography
few
Rhine

square
nor

amiel's
the.

Loire, neither
He

sea.

takes

writer,
what

what

his

all this

with

what

painter, what

the

nor

dolently
subjects,but infrom
where.
elseready-made

them

But

mountains

the

invents

never

231

journal.

humorist,

what

am

never

tired

the

great

period, for

adorable

an

observer,

an

story-teller!

of

reading him, though I

know
half
his
fables
In
the
by heart.
of vocabulary, turns, tones, phrases,
matter
idioms, his style is perhaps the richest of
skilful

most

combines,

archaism

way,

finish,the Gallic

it

and

the

in

and

French

the

classic

elements.

Variety, satire, jfireesse,feeling, movement,

terseness, suavity, grace,
gaiety, at times
even
nobleness, gravity, gi-andeur,
thing,
every"

is to

"

the

be

happiness of
the
sayings,

of

found

in

the

him.

And

then

epithets, the piquancy

the

felicity of his rapid

sketches
and
unforeseen
audacities, and
the unforgettable sharpness of phrase ! His
defects
are
eclipsed by his immense
variety
of different aptitudes.
One
has only to compare
his
Woodcutter
'

and
to

Death

'

estimate

the
with

with

the

artist

and

his

work.

picture

of

the

that

of

in

difference

enormous

the

Boileau

critic

La

poor

who

Fontaine

peasant

order

between

found

gives
under

fault
you

the

amiel's

232

monarchy

journal.

; Boileau

shows

under

perspiring

but

nothing

you

The
heavy load.
first is a historical
witness, the second
a
academic
From
La
mere
Fontaine
rhymer.
it is possible to reconstruct
the whole
society
of his epoch, and
the old Champenois
with
a

man

his

beasts

has

remains

of
and

men

and

Molifere

is not

His
its

the

possessed.

ever

weak

tinge

what

side

He

Homer

has

women

as

many

traits
por-

Bruyere,

humorous.

is his

epicureanism,
This,

Lamartine

from

with

doubt,

no

dislike

religiousnote is absent
is nothing in him
which
with
Christianity, any

France

La

as

more

of grossness.

made

only

was

him.

his

The

lyre ;

shows

any

there

contact

knowledge

of

the

sublimer

tragedies of the soul. Kind nature

his
is his goddess, Horace
prophet, and
Montaigne his gospel. In other words, his
horizon
pagan
very

is that
island
curious

in
;

of

the
the

perfectly sincere
Rabelais,
much

more

the

and

Moliere,
pagan

Renaissance.

full Catholic

paganism
naive.

Saint
than

of
But

This

it

is

so

indeed,

Evremond,
Voltaire.

is

stream

are

is

It

though, for the genuine Frenchman,

costume
mere
or
a
Christianity was
pose
has
nothing to do with
something which
the heart, with
the real man,
his deeper
or
as

"

AMIEL

This

nature.

233

JOURNAL.

division

of

is

things

common

in

It is the
natural
effect of
Italy too.
politicalreligions: the priest becomes
rated
sepafrom
the
the
believer
from
layman,
the

ISth
a

July 1877.
in

character

that

is

I said

close

and

three.

and

tricks

Subject

and

they

occasion

it

but

quadruple

of

nyms,
syno-

often

in

isms
manner-

of weakness.

must

govern

the

supplies

by

the

two

; the

trebling
suggesting at

and

phrase

end

of the

tremities
ex-

of
once

idea

enrich

may

it

by

of enumeration.

fond
so

of

many

corrections.
in

expression,

Avoid

signs

are

series

the

being

Indecision
am

your

by single epithet
the doubling of a word
gives

beginning, middle,

force

In

too

only

gives completeness

care

Procedure

of

while

Take

gamut

works

Beware

gives strength ;
clearness, because

the

too.

whole

across

passion for

delicate

the

come

myself

to

pen

of words.

use

with

and

your

of

series

just

weakness

through

run

you

novel

your

for

search

sincerity.

I have

"

and

synonyms,
"

from

worship

man,

this

principal defect, I
are
plurality of phrases which
my

successive
I

journal,

am

approximations

especially fond

where

I write

as

of

it

and
them

comes.

amiel's

234
In

serious

composition

practise oneself
word

of the

"

for

once

of

ways

hits

would

the

use

should

saying things

whole,
well

the

indeed
I

and

to
too

see

cure

many

decided

more

to

single

promptly

have
first.

hesitation

be
of

delivered

shaft

all.

of

myself

in

the

is,on

two

it

But

category.

my

journal.

mind

at once.
Singleness
right way
of phrase implies courage,
self-confidence,
clear-sightedness. To attain it there must
be no
doubting, and I am
always doubting.

And

yet
'

the

on

"

Qaiconque est loup agisse en leap ;

C'est le plus certain
de beaucoup.'

wonder
the

by

attempt

it

would
A

for
bush

and

it not

be

has

as

make

for

with

self

it

pleases

is

clearing. Hence

bom

least

different

the

vantage
ad-

the

shades

of

mere

and

any

manner,
at

imitation

is but

private journal, which

meditation

which

If
being sincere.
terse, affirmative, resolute,

to become

were

character

wavering

scruple,

thought,

my

gain anything

rendering all

of
of

should

assume

My

and

doubt

to

mine.

is not
of

whether

vehicle

reverie,

beats

without

being boimd

to

Conversation

definite

end.

gradual

process

all these

the

about

of

synonyms,

thoughtthese

amiel's

Affirmation

oneself.

upon

inquiry

takes

thought

follows

and

repetitions

these

"waverings,

235

journal.

time

the

necessarily

is

be

brief

line

which

may

and

returns
;

irregular

an

one.

I
there

is but

order

indeed

conscious

am

to

all

among

it I wish

that

in

be

to

know
pen

is

it

sometimes
turned

and

over

it and

qualities which
already

of

sure

Or

which

has
I

it better.

may

think,

of

have
style cannot
belong to thought which
itself,and only seeks to
others.
is

one

function

The
of

observation,

analysis, contemplation
article

or

essay

; that

of the

2lst

July

starry

sky,

converse

private journal

experiment,
of the

idea.

disentanglement,
skein.
Evidently the

itself to

communicate
of the

which

; it is like the

in hand

winding-off of
form
corresponding
is

mind

of verbal

that

over,

apprehend

the

the

itself

idea

the

in

choice

shade
the

render

but

my

series

that

of

search

accurately

most

may

^^

my

and

it;

through

instinctivelygoes
modulations

like

are

make

to

bottom

at

right expression

one

find

that

1877.
"

is to

book

"

is to

Jupiter

before

my

provoke

that

tion
reflec-

demonstrate.

superb
and

a
night,
Phoebe
holding

windows.

"

Grandiose

amiel's

236
effects

of

of

light

sonata

shadow

from

about

contradiction

artist,which

is

This

prose,

the

between

good

of
much

very
of
of

wTiting
truth

record

date.
with

if

wavering.

between

authentic

and

is

for

love

for

fact

or

by
truer

facts.

than

fine

sage
pas-

in

his

eyes

tion
rectifica-

the

this

on

beautiful

rather

style.

will

he

the

to

precious
a

love

necessary,

him, for
is

keen

material

more

And

the

poetry

phrase

is beautiful
which

of

critic,which

still keener

discovery of

the

than

the

has

has

exact

times

of

learning, is, in fact,

and

is his
phrase. Science
his object ; his object
is ten

the

choice

Renan
he

the

out

true, between

writing, and,

sacrifice

of

of

art

characteristic.
but

brings

old-fashioned, and

and

science,

ume
vol-

delicate, individual, and

hesitancy

beautiful

the

literary taste

the

opinions

borrowed,

are

He

true

very

of

d propos

between

the

...

Renan,

lost

was

feeling.

makes

"

"vangiles.

of Les

true, and

in

gulf

wafted

prayer

picturesque

admiration

and

July 1877.

remark

"

The

yard.
court-

black

the

repentant

the

over

from

rose

purgatory.

SOth

shaxie

and

like

in poetry,

the

journal.

point

beautiful
virtue

of

than

any

Rousseau

am

piece
a

kind
mere

also

amiel's

the

thought
able

to

all the

Tacitus,

desired

writer,

great writer.

behind,
work

which

stir

might

the

thoughts,

generation
only glory
weaned'^
not

"

be

this

and

of Darwinism
or

of

of force

compatible
the
the

that

in

not

were

is to

the

law

of

say
the

justice will

of
with

growing

threatens

"

But

maximum

the

The

"

higher human
of animality.

The

"

1877.
"

justice.

would
ity
van-

of vanities.

vanity
August

llth

book

if ambition

ambition,

my

also.

wish

ment
monu-

able
imperish-

of men,
feelings,the dreams
after
this is the
generation,
which
I could
wish
for, if I were
from

ism,
material-

conception

have

its
be

cannot

Justice

triumph

turn.

the

is the

spring
off-

right

independence
liberty for others

same

words, it is respect for man,

the
small, the feeble ;
immature,
of those

human

states,

voluntary

involuntary

for
it is

collectivities,

nationalities

associations,
or

'

to

individual

other

guarantee

an

the

even

be

to

leave

perennius,

aere

yet, if

be

To

the

tion
tempta-

it,and

it would

anything,

that

French

bewailed

often

survives

well

know

be

may

Tacitus

is the

temptation

; I have

but

chroniclers.

aesthetic

chronicler

same.

correct

237

jouknal.

unions

"

"

those
the

ob-

AMIEL'8

238
ject of

which

is to

and

That

for

their

justice.

to

right, but
only so long
which

simple

tyrannise

same

way

the

tyranny

of

consists

art

goodness

so

blind
the

throughout
the

Greed

and

gluttony

the

salon

chorus
What

the

ical
med-

of

of
in

there
*

our

disease,
of

the

appetites
the

see

law

same

emancipation
ascent

the

of

of

of

being

wisdom.

starting-point,

generosity the goal.

1877

August

are

the

upon

life,happiness, justice,and

intelligenceand
2lst

and

inflicted

conquest

continuous

vented
in-

in

are

As

untamed

increasing

"

individual,

towards

in the

and

has

light,and
throughout

conquest

animal.

human

he

justice

stronger.

in the

ferocities

nor

nature,

of rebuffs

consists

obtains

protest

brute

by

the

is not

artificial

from

series

an

stronger

industry is

made

injury

until

man

Human

advances

the

is

of

cold, darkness, weight,

over

emancipation

an

use

fact, which

artificial warmth,

machinery'.

the

make

is neither

there

as

the

piness,
hap-

of

aspiration

right of

of

sum

purposes

It is like

resistance.

the

should

some
own

The

increase

satisfy the

to

individual.
others

JOrRNAL.

(Baths

has

Lorelei

been
'

country

and
is

of Ems).

"In

performance in
other
popular airs.
a

only

done

for

woi

amiel's

ship

is done

also

and

music.

Voices

trait

which

nor,

specially German

balance

certain

to

in

Later.

the

of

the

Germanic

the

Latins

; it makes

clumsy

the

thought
principles
"

first

to

of

combination,

action,
welcome

and

ments
prosaic ele-

race.

Perhaps

"

spirit of artistic

disinterested

harmonious,

is

English,

nor

The

impersonal

of

It

religion.

French

think, Italian.

common,

back

of

is neither

devotion,
is

for poetry
Germany
blend
together ; art

in

privilege

the

shares

239

journal.

mind

wisdom

of

The

only.
the

to

really proper

is

"

governed

are

pendence
inde-

craving for
the tendency

to

Slavs

rather

by

community,

go

and

the

lective
col-

by

dition,
tra-

prejudice, fashion ; or, if they

break
through these, they are like slaves in
real living apprehension
revolt, without
any
of the
law
in things,
inherent
the
true
is neither
law, which
written, nor
arbitraiy,
usage,

"

nor

at

imposed.
; the

Nature

the

Russian,

root

of

the

the

relations

Immanence

by step,

The

problem
between

decides

wishes
the

Frenchman,
stop

or

German

at

the

God

the

meaning

The

question

and

transcendence,

get

Spaniard,

conventions.

is in

to

the
"

of

of

world.

that, step

everything

amiel's

240
If

else.

the

mind

things,

it is not

them.

If

truth, it

And

so

6th
of

because

what

other

different

of

knowledge
the

which

thing

because

counterfeits

of

earnestness,

which

The

babble.
is

behind

society
tive

it,or

what

there

in

chatter

it

repeat
books

rances
igno-

are

degrees, and degrees of

are
quite deceptive. One
of

is

this

verbosity,

this

society

talk

we

about

of knowing

it,
"

belief, thought,

worst

the
are

we

that

thing
any-

know

we

because

of

talk

know

words, this pretence

of

use

We

"

v^e

inexhaustible

thoughtless
careless

it, or

plagues

worst

think

we

Church

tlie

to

before

So

it.

native

outside, by

(Geneva).

people say

about

us

of

to

of

world

Latin

it, and
talk

conform

from

bondage

years

we

to

ing
get thought despis-

you

1877

many

about

of

the

November

love

tell

in

have

you

so

and

external

is destitute

its truth

get

Nature,

to

upon

mind

must

radically

is

called

the

revelations.

"

journal.

all the
of

it

while

is,that

babble, these

love,
are

as

itself for

or

mere

self-love

ignorances

general ferociously
mistakes

these

of

affirma-

opinion,

Parrots
have
beas
principle.
prejudice poses
as
thinking beings ;
though they were
imitations
out
as
give themselves
originals;

"

amiel's

and
the

demands

politeness

is the

Language
instrument

and

all

of

increased

by

this

unconscious

periodical

press,

kind

universal

confusion,

fraud,

enormously

are

education,
by all

and

wearisome.

of this

the

of

acceptance

vehicle

of

evils

241

the

It is very

convention.

the

journal.

other

the

the

by

proc-

at the
present
vulgarisation in use
time.
deals in paper
few
Every one
money;
live on
have
handled
ever
gold. We
bols,
symand
the
even
on
symbols of symbols ;
have
we
never
things
grasped or verified

of

esses

for ourselves
know

and

judge everything,

we

we

nothing.
seldom

with

originality,
with
individuality, sincerity, nowadays!
worth
the trouble
of listening
who
men
are
The
self in the majority is lost in
to !
true
How

meet

we

"

the

self.

borrowed
than

else

than

and

whose

rank
The

gait
in nature

immense

candidates

for

Virtuallywe
ought
not
race.

to

succeed

be,

few

of

bundle

more

How

inclinations

animals

are

men

men

Semblances

the

us

est
high-

majority
humanity,

in

to

thing
any-

"

language

whose

"

recall

alone

anything

are

but

of

species

are

and

nothing more.
we
might be, we
do
practically we

realising
and

our

the

type

counterfeits

of

of

our

men

amiel's

242
fill up

the

habitable

islands

and

and

town.

the

of

them,

and
and

call

the

soul.

name

the

are

of

samples

bear

Are

humility.

one

his

out

but

feel

towards

indignation
are

chained
in
to

the

so

labour

lose

one

race

to

may

be

pitiful

bring

we

death

lot

to

blame

no

all will

of

and

we

be

may

whatever
in

and,

misfortune,

each

Let

rouse

another,

by mutual

tened
lis-

be

charged with
^1 shipwrecked,

neighbour,

and

fect
per-

curiosity

our

impatience

our
our

to

salvation, and

Whatever

bettered.

and

be

to

thing

geniuses, the

the

that

not

we

own

himself

the

deserve

who

men

insight

diseased, condemned
work

the

of

divine

deserve

should

them

on

within

noble,

the

should

the

"

hidden

of

race.

them

regard lo
curiosity that

with

men

think

puissant,

all deserve

but

to,

heroes,

individuals

few

Very

and

are,

that

only

the

respect

trustworthy,

harmonious,

saints, the

country

goodness, inspiration
is loyal
force, who

and

The

the

and

short, and

in

to

and

creative

man,

the

carry

man

true, faithful

higher
we

they

intelligence

of

man

they

just

the

wish

we

what

which

ideal

the

If

people

earth,

continents,

the

forget

must

we

journal.

We

us,

ions
compan-

have

recrimination

thing
every-

and

amiel's

journal.

243

eacli
be
silent
to
Let
as
us
reproach.
othei-'s
weakness,
helpful, tolerant, nay,
other
each
!
tender
towards
Or, if we
feel

cannot

feel

pity

satire

May

which

brands

make

oil

ideal

the

and

for

reason

make

to

of

which

the
We

contempt
it

the

us

anger

avail.

more

beautiful

more

the

wine

and

of

are

from

away

least

at

we

may

put

we

scourges

the

Samaritan

it is

tenderness,

good
may
; but

for

reason

tenderness.

9th
of

of

^^

Parnassus

Their

to

and

moral

sympathise
but

It

is

alone
We
but

an

what

urns

is there

ness,
feeling,seriousin
a
word,
pathos
I cannot
bring myself
"

life.
with

such

the

standing
under-

of

way

talent

The

stuff and
of

agate and

shown

matter

is

tonishing,
as-

wanting.

are

imagination

to

stand

everything else.
find metaphors, rhymes, music, colour,
not
not
humanity.
Poetry of this
man,
"

factitious
but

effort

ers
haunt-

lacks

work

poetry.

of

urns

the

sincerity, and
soul

modern

The

"

carve

mside

but

onyx,
ashes.

"

1877.

December

substitute

kind

what

reminds
all the

can
me

of

epochs

may
one

for

beguile
make

at

one

twenty,

fifty?

of

it at

of

Alexandria,

Pergamos,
of decadence

when

It

of

beauty

AMIEL

244
hid

form

of

of

JOURNAL.

feeling.

strongly

It is

simple people.

share

nance
repug-

arouses

it

though

as

tion
exhaus-

the

poetical school

this

which

thought and

of

poverty

in

only cared

please the world-worn, the over-subtle,

it ignores all normal
the corrupted, while
habits, pure affections,
healthy life,virtuous
It is an
steady labour, honesty, and duty.
to

affectation, and

it is

because

affectation

an

sterility. The
in the poet something
better
desires
reader
than
a
juggler in rhyme, or a conjuror in
find in him
looks
to
a painter ot
verse
; he
thinks, loves, and has a
life,a being who
feels passion and
conscience, who
ance.
repentis

school

the

Composition

struck

is

with

process

combination,

of

ary
thought puts together complementinto
fuses
talent
harmony
truths, and
most
qualities of style. So
contrary
there
is no
effort,
composition without

in which

the
that

without

reward

The

living
by
out

pain

"

and

giving

something,

kind
of

is the

of

such

in all

as

even,

bringing forth.

birth

that

is to

magic, makes

opposed

charm.

something

say,

which,

living unity

attributes

spontaneity, thought

solidityand

to

as

and

ness
orderli-

tion,
imagina-

amiel's

The
of

things

as

; his

he

that

so

His
lies

his

sifts

the

its
his

different

by

approach

formula

duce.
repro-

herd

common

when

is

success

own

senses,

comparing,
and

more

which

and

sides

shading, distinguishing, and

to

or

impressions, by returning

own

times,

tlie

to

distrusts

He

from

them

upon

understand

to

superiority

only partial.
he

in

this effort, even

in

for

"

is to

wishes

vision

clear

ness
justice and fairhimself,
get free from
no
disfigure that
way

are

may

he

which

they

effort

for

strives

critic

true

245

journal.

at

ferent
dif-

moderating,
so

ing
endeavour-

more

nearly

represents

the

to

maximum

of truth.

Is

it not

tolerant

the

sad

who

natures

are

most

of

that gaiety
gaiety ? They know
means
impulse and vigour, that generally
speaking it is disguised kindliness, and that
if it

were

mood,
The

still it is

art

which

which

that

both

How

affair of temperament

mere

blessing.

is

grand

in artist

wisdom

and

and

the

presupposes

much

and

in

yet simple is
tion
greatest eleva-

public.

folly is compatible
and
prudence ? It

with

mate
ulti-

is difficult

246
to

amiel's

discover

how

soonest

We
to

natural

of their

must

try

to

correctly,

see

arrive

time.

the

at

Tact,

deserve.

speak

to

Julia.

difiBcult

very

reverie

all,we

out

do

have

which

is the

What
shut

in and

details
The
the
the

no

of

cousin
find

life,

man's

hermits

The

the

it

busy world,
place in action.

of
and
But

change at seventy, and

and
lady, half-blind
living
her point
no
longer extend

not

good, pious old

in a village, can
form
of view, nor

of

my

life.

by

in

all these

"

relations

old

spot,

stop

to

from

understand

scared

are

the

on

respect.

Letter

"

to

feel themselves
after

and

student's

especially a

act

occasion

kind

These

to

moment,

proper

1878.

neighbour's
in good

spiritof things,
the point, to
to

the

grasp

cultivation

April

22d

who

presumption.

measure,

our

their

get rid

so

give practicable advice,

to

those

are

utilise

to

and

experience,
time

folk

cleverest

The

say.

journal.

relation

link

idea

any

with

by

of
her

which

existences
own.

these

encompassed

as

they

are

daily life,lay

hold

on

the

souls,
by the
ideal ?

is
religious aspiration. Faith
them.
saves
They know
plank which
meaning of the higher life ; their soul
link

of

amiel's

for

is athirst

their

but
know
of

how

to

things

understand

them,

to

them

to

they

it is for

more

the

casket
is

of

range

of

bottom
it be
of

1878.

May

lilac and

My

heart

is full
the

of

old
an

sky

brooded

over

Many

with

to

us

Let

age.

opportunity
eyes.

back
just come
heard
nightingales,

orchard
of

in bloom.

trees

impressions

showered

the

chaffinches,

golden

hawthorns,
gray,

certain

nuptial splendours of
stirred
painful memories

the

them

I have

grasshoppers, the
A
dull,
primroses.

the

their

thoughts.
gold at the

orioles, the
and

open

affectionate

"

white

by

to

treasured

it

on

show

them

give

to

solitary walk.

it

cannot

advances

may

honourable

saw

upon

they

them

grain

some

itself to

showing

from

we

most

business

our

10th

that

every

in

mature

to make

approach

of their

always

things

language, to enter
of
ideas, their modes

respect, induce

the

darkness,
scarcely
the

and
If

us

is

their

speak

must
feeling. We
noble
side, and,

There

heart.

us,

We

about

ripe

the

of

light.

are

of

to

their

into

talk

but

earth,

the

of

are

experience

is full

is full

soul

opinions

moral

their

intellect

their

247

Their

Heaven.

defective, but
great;

journal.

fleecy

melancholy
vegetation.
afresh

in

amiel's

248
Pre

at

me;

Villereuse,
of

youth
walls

were

once

of

the

filled

of

score

had

and

nightingale

and

good.

mood

roads

of

gift, an

it cannot

aptitude

"

of

tender

be

feeling
soothed,

taught

discerning

time, the

of green,

the

sagacity

deceives
throw

for

off the

or

of

need

of

of

long,
trail.

and
It

all
and

tact

demonstrated,

or

genius

means

under

truth

hunter

it.

Is above

alteration
the

and

ups

of

it ; for
of

is the

mony,
testi-

dust

no

of
It is

texts.

.whom

whom

an

ances
appear-

in

loss

me.

conceal
disguises which
discovering it in spite of the errors
the
frauds
of tradition, the
or

and

brought back

matter

Critical

art.

for

me

I had

now

singing-birds,
inexpressible

Criticism

intuition,

an

which

first trills

the

remoteness

feeling.
1878.

May

it Ls

did

peaceful

bloom

flair;

and

me.

I found

at

of

abundance

me,

Its

19th

"

and

greet

took

an

delighted

to

myself
of serenity

felt

I
;

eyes

possession of
little path, a very kingdom
fountain, thickets, gentle

downs,

the

flood

heart.

my

contemplation
with

But

at

phantoms

"

dreamy

treeless.

grateful, melted
certain

sad

changed,

shady

Jargonnant,

at

phantoms

with

rose

and

waste

I'Eveque,

"

The

jourxal.

nothing
ruse

talent

can

of

the

amiel's

knows

who

(T Instruction,

Juge

from

secret

The

but

everything,
nothing, and

to

cultivation, absolute
cal

capacity,

delicacy, savoir
phrase-making
26th

the

against
overwlielm

and

How

can

cannot

lias

in

worst,
a

months?

full
which

wliile
few

make

which
die

is

of
I

about

; the

it to

fresh
line

forward

Will

before
death

me

be

or

slow

in

tainty,
uncer-

the

to

yet all is doubtful.

years

every

of action
and

on.

go

misery

confusion
look

to

progress

plans when

some
on

struggle

by suffocation,

begun

any

it

decide
so

grace,

I wake

vain

stimulates

made

witli

even

situation

still

I shall

one

day brings

sary
neces-

gift of happy

of

tide

me.

already

teclini-

morning

sense

same

the suffocation

it has

the

Every

"

mountain

and

1878.

July

with

up

vivre, and

of

accuracy

tilingsare
reckoning

many

critic,without

the

to

claim
pro-

learning, general

sympathy

how

"

fice
sacri-

and

out

probity,

human

general view,

of

dupe

will he

find

Competent

trutli.

hoods.
false-

the

be

is to

which

duty,

his

an

understand

convention

no

extract

can

will

he

to

terrogat
in-

to

thousand

critic

true

how

and

circumstances,
unknown

249

journal.

Have

only
or

few

will

it

amiel's

250
come

me

upon

How

I to

am

how
with

as

the

and
do

for

here

be

help

from

chance

must

be

who

has

set

to

"

depend

fain

speak

good

his

most

others

any

would

and
as

how

friend
but

"

affections

which

he

is almost

sure

distract

his

refuse

to

the

see

of

who

the

to

he

would

he

counsel

try

would

seen
unfore-

with

one

?
are

that
tion,
atten-

position

it is.
And

while

health?
like
a

things

and

own,

for

not

become

end

dence
indepen-

upon

knows

will

good

the

thousand

He

alarm

not

price

there

do

new

not.

time

is

die

know

mortifying

upon

these

and

sense

dares

He

of

experience
How

he

I to

am

first

the

great

so

what

or

How

everything

contingencies
will act

catastrophe
they come

as

dignity

Everything
badly ; but
no

days

fill them

calmness

can

sudden

bear

I to

am

journal.

free

one

fetter

strength
.

we

wastes

"

flow

by
like

away

owe

more.

drift

Is

it to

think
For

those

love

who

struggle

so,
we

death

into

self-preservation

desperate

this

limit
the

weeks

let oneself

to

resistance

duty ? Do
to
prolong
utmost

the

what?

candle.

smoking

without

and

for

(wait

certainty?)

"

water,

Is

wait

but

must

it

then

to

is

us

its
one

feign

amiel's

-which

hope

do

we

feel,and

not

discouragement
Well, why
really full.

succumb

are

in

of

those

ardour

the

cool

bound

hide

of which

absolute
is

251

journal.

not

the

the

heart

Those

generosity
who

who
to

not

still battling,

are

still

enjoying.
lead
to the
Two
same
sult
reparallel roads
paralyses me, physiology
; meditation
condemns
me.
My soul is dying, my body
the
is dying.
In
direction
end
is
every
me.
own
melancholy
closing upon
My
the
medical
anticipates and endorses
ment
judgYour
which
journey is done.'
says,
verdicts
result
The
two
point to the same
And
that I have
no
longer a future.
yet
'

"

is

there
which

is

it all

side of

bad

Another

refused.
have

have

not

no
am
am

vain

inward

strength

strength

the

regard
reason

is still

hope,

to

submit.

to

to

assent

contradiction

the

not

the

inclined
In

!'

Absurd

and

I believe

longer, and I believe still. I feel that

realise
that
dying, and
yet I cannot
already ? No,
dying. Is it madness

is human

is

and

in

the

act

it

and

I
I

it

; it is life

contradiction, for life

death

incessant

it affirms

taken

nature

itself which
an

mind's

'

says,

dream.

it ; the

which

incredulous, and

as

asserts

me

means

daily resurrection

denies, it destroys and

;
re.

AMIEL'S

2$3

journal.

bles
scatters, it hum-

constructs, it gathers and

exalts

and
is to

die

heart

of

be

to

partially
whirlwind

of

invisible

the

live

To

oneself

in

the

forces

opposing

"

moulded

type

these

by

if this form
contradictory currents
all my
ing
presides over
changes of behas
itself general and
original value,

two

"

which
"

does

what

the

game

not

whether

it matter
months

few

It has

done

represented
These

types

unique

after

of

Glory
and

rarer,

newer,

The

rest.

seemed

has

type

fame

"

no
only they have
Creator, and for a

To
be

feel one's

indifferent
of

measure

but
more

last

to

is the
the

types

common

one's

sign of vanity

other

interest
small

own

its
To

types

souls

; we

the

too,

of

number

viduals.
indi-

but

take

To

the

for

except

to

the

profitable,

misery

is

raison

d'etre

mourn

that

than

are

it is better.

understand

profitable.

proof

fragilityis well,

own

to

tury
Cen-

beautiful

more

race.

itself in fashioning

"

to

the

manes.

"

employs

century

them.
one

shadows

are

longer, or
to do, it has
combination,

it had

what

on

years

or

certain

it carries

particular expression

one

feel

to

"

time.

same

enigma.

an

If

tlie

at

is still

for oneself

ought only

to

is

regret

amiel's

which

that

has

oneself, is
that

had

one

At

It

is

not
to

faithful

monad

one's

7th

1878.
realism

of

with

connection
artistic

illusion

wishes

ism

of

true

portrait

good

other

On

words,

the

makes
we
we

the
we

see

other

itself

is

It

what

give
to

us

deathlike
'

say,

is

the

eye.

When

our

wax

aim

Keal-

object

tion,
imaginawe

!'

It is alive

'

at

lends

see

in

"

it life.

figure produces

; its frozen

lifelikeness

impression

on

ghost

!'

In

lacking, and
see

we
on

the

imagination

in

terror
a

the

have

; the

charm

say,

hand,

dation.
degra-

we

to

we

our

other

of

sort

deceive

to

and

not

sensation

only

protect

realityitself.

entrap

to

poetical and

that

does

with

is

art

not
a

to

sary
neces-

painting, and, in

in

which

being confounded

to

To-day

it, of

of

unharmed,

idea,

"

self.
one-

function.
it is

alteration

against

talking

and

type

one's

to

November

been

proof

one's

preserve

remain

it is

live, but

to

necessary

evidence
to

worth

true

our

regret

importance

time

same

of

to

involuntary

attached

the

ignorance

value, and

real

furnish

to

253

journal.

wliat

side.

the

us,
one

demand

is

given

and
case

it ; in
us,

and

Art, then, addresses

imagination

everything

that

amiel's

254

appeals
to

sensation

to

outside

almost

the

set

this

work

poetical faculty

when

the

we

can

leads

the

imitation,

pure
their

author

iodised

is

lives

by

leave

not

only
way

to

with

substantial

but

the

of

the

soul.

most

real

and

objective

which

Style

soul,

; but

and

personal

expansion.

what

short,

which

is
of

things, and
readily

more

the

expression
call

style.
tional,
only collective,hieratic, na-

long

room

is

ovra

expression

into

it

with

our

in

"

presence

hence

for

the

as

interpreter of the
makes

with

is the

still,it

in

touched

poetry

itself

throws

be

may
so

become

The

itself in their

others

pearances
ap-

con-

because

soul,

mode

than

these

become

nature

us

only a reminiscence
emotion, an
image vibrating
without
life,a form
weight,

forgets

an

soul.

is

nature

because

mirror,

appearances,

Poetry represents

its

our

spiritualvisions, fixed dreams.

are

soul

cold

us

machine,

plate, and

Art

of

it

copyist's painting, realistic reproduction,

Mere

work,

to

complete

to

artist

art,

ought

art

us

And

thing.

below

of

in

imagine,

to

is

only

art.

ought to stir us
perception of
do

journal.

artist

community
in

we

still

the

; it tends

to

is

proportion

as

individuality and

society
favours

amiel's

There

is

Under
it

the

that

pretence

of

fragments

faux, just

much

as

who

thing

as

to

are

"

esprits

me

who

those

statue

pedantry is
can
only see

our

Those

constantly guilty.
the

the

pulverise

we

study

to

want

we

absurdity of which

an

by truths.

killingtnith

of

way

in detail

more

it is

255

journal.

disfigure

good critic ought to

be master
of the three
capacities, the three
he should
of seeing men
and things
modes
them
be able simultaneously to see
as
they
the

The

fragments.

"

are,

they

as

be, and

might

they ought

as

be.

to

Modern
made

of

up

varied

which
measured
in

implies.
the

Tlie

historical

and

twenty

countries,

trained

and

all the

arts, the

of

modified

association

the

it

combination

to-day, fashioned

geographical
and

superiority

very

of

by
of

influences

thirty centuries,

by all

the

sciences

supple recipient of

and

all literatures

product. He
entirely new
affinities,
relationships,analogies everywhere,
is

finds

Its

skilful

man

ours,
col-

easily felt than

complexity,
the

contraries,

electuary
subtle

and

more

defined.
tlie

delicate

savours

be

can
or

consists
of

is

culture

but

an

at

the

same

time

he

condenses

amiel's

256
and

suras

He

leave

to

final

is elsewhere

smile

of

reveal

to

seems

what

up

is like the

soul

him

the

impression

of

in

them

to

and

them
that

the

spectator

then

first there

only

certainly under

mystery,

things

scattered.

Gioconda, which

so

expressed in

understand

once

La

more

things are
To

journal.

have

once.

have

must

we

ferent
dif-

many

it at

come

been
of

out

captivity
and
then
deliverance, illusion followed
by
disillusion,enthusiasm
by disappointment.
He
is still under
the spell,and he who
who
has never
felt the spell, are
petent.
equally incomWe
well what
have
we
only know
first believed, then
judged. To understand
be free, yet not
have
been
must
we
always
The
truth
it is
free.
same
holds, whether
a question of
love, of art, of religion,or of
is a first condition
patriotism. Sympathy
and
of criticism ; reason
justicepresuppose,
at their origin, emotion.
so

What

is

an

who

enters

the

spirit of

persons,

shortest

with

and

?
A
intelligent man
and completeness
ease

things and
who

be

must

arrives

the
at

intention
an

Lucidity and

route.

thought, critical delicacy and

these

are

his attributes.

man

into

of

end

by the
suppleness of
inventive

source,
re-

amikl's

kills

Analysis
once
ground

kind

I have

1879.

trying

perfectly easy
with

has
view

to

and

reader,
these

every

pity.

no

his

when

over-delicate
to write

finds

one

them

and

its

playfulness of
of
analytical temper

be

folk

the

one's

who

it is
one

word

the

favourable

not

serious

quiet

between

is not

dares

has

glass,and treated
each
inscriptions, in which
been
deliberately engraved
an
eternity of life. Such

the

everything ;
heartedly if
and

between

commentary,

One

nates
germi-

magnifying

disproportion
writer

to

letters

like monumental
character

mine

It is difficult

and

from

Letter

"

of

susceptibilities.

with

grain

friend

been

studied

The

spontaneity.
flour springs

into

January

This

257

more.

no

Sd

journal.

to

natural

attach

difficult

must

ease

of
self

weigh

write
every

the

style.
with

importance
to

the

to

open-

phrase

word.

taking things in the sense

which
to have, entering into
they are meant
the tone
of other people, being able to place
the required level ; esprit is that
oneself
on
which
sense
just and accurate
divines, appreciates
and
weighs quickly, lightly,and
Esprit

means

amiel's

258
well.

mind

The

Muse

is

journal.

winged

must

have

the

Greeks

"

play, the
knew
it,and

its

Socrates.

ISth

the

self of

My

life is

yesterday and
without
unity

actions

my

under

of

in

of

form

the

terday.
yes-

between

self of

to-day.
because

action,

escaping
mental

My

gaining

wrote

gulf

are

of memory.

occupied

the

themselves

control

the

letters

singlenight digs

for

impossible

It is

"

what

remember

to

me

1879.

January

power,

of

possession

consciousness,

from

itself
to

seems

letting go its hold on all that generally

peoples the understanding, as the glacier
off the stones
and
throws
fragments fallen
be

into

The

crystal.
facts

or

only

to

with

thought,

"

is for

ambition

It

finds

of

its

its

own

easily into

emotions,

too

that

an

pure
loth

is

material

many

Thought
is to

The

enriched

clings
itself,

to

say,

process.

to

mind's

experience.

pleasure in studying the play

faculties, and the study passes
tion
Reflecan
aptitude and habit.
nothing

becomes

for the

mind

memories.

psychological

the

only

trivial

remain

it may

philosophic
itself

overweight

to

that

its crevasses,

more

registration of
and

ideas

which

than
the
pass

an

tus
appara-

impressions,
across

the

AMIEL

mind.

JOURNAL.

259

whole

is carried
moulting process
is not
so
on
energeticallythat the mind
only unclothed, but stripped of itself,and,
The
wheel
to speak, de-substantiated.
so
around
the
turns
so
quickly that it melts
The

mathematical
cold

alone

axis, which
it is

because

thickness.

All

"

dangerous.
So
long as one
living, so long,

and

impalpable,
is natural

this

remains
has

no

but

enough,

very

"

is numbered
that

is to

the

among
as

say,

is

one

still

of men,
sharer
a
plunged in the world
their
interests, conflicts, vanities, passions,
and
is bound
to
duties, one
deny

of

oneself
must

one

subtle

this

one's

having
and

age,

special

of

the

within

certain

individual

position,

name,
In

spite

impersonality,

limits

being

of

special

with

and

house

feed

and

accounts

short,

one

must

There

are

days

to

desk

me

under

after

his

like

"

when

hand,

at

I
my

make

bound

details

wonder

his

up

affairs

all the

all these

when

dream,
my

to

behave

space,

surroundings,

himself,

look

all

imprisoned

friends, enemies, profession, country,

to

of

must

one

and

time

ual,
individ-

separate

position of

resume

an

consciousness

sphere of activity.

temptations

the

be

to

consent

of

state

in

world.
seem

at

the

body itself,
"

amiel's

26o
I ask

when

journal.

myself if there

is

before

street

geographical and
is indeed
real.
topographical phantasmagoria
Time
and
become
then
mere
specks ;
space
in
I become
sharer
a
a
purely spiritual
; I

existence

if all this

and

house,

my

myself

see

sub

specie ceternita-

tis.

enables
simply that which
infinite
finite reality in the
to
us
merge
ently,
it ?
Or, to put it differpossibilityaround
mind
the universal
is not
virtuality,
Is

the

mind

not

latent

universe
the

be

of

germ

If

its

so,

would

zero

infinite, which

the

by

mathematically

is

double

the

pressed
exzero

(00).
Deduction

of

formula.

The

mind

; and

mind

they
The

are

have

radiations

reflections
set

for

in

from

motion

itself ;

that

ence
experiin

the

sometimes

arises

him

to

the

original, fundamental,

the

may

reveals

which

within

principal Being,
like

mind

there

spark

divine

existence

of

in

individual

human

the

that

"

infinite

the

the

series

within

universe

than

more

us

of

the

by

our

mind

great show

Brahma,

tained
con-

radiation
the

Divine

appeai-ances

reality parallel
of

is

generating

its

is but

radiations

the

all

which

to

our

own.

imperfect

are

of fireworks

and

great

art

amiel's
is

with

because

only

great
the

Divine

261

journal.

of

order

conformities

its
with

"

which

that

is.
Ideal

conceptions
of

such

the

is

contrary,

Law

alone

the

fragmentary

mind

is
as

The

real,

and

passing.

ideal

The

pation
antici-

mind, and,

Eternal.

is eternal.

imperishable

The

it is

because

such, perceives

mind's

order.

an

capable of them

the

are

is then

on

the

of

something better, the

mind's
involuntary protest against the present,
of the future
the leaven
working in it.
It is the
the
supernatural in us, or rather
the
and
super-animal,
ground of human
progress.
himself
with

with

hope

He

with

facts,

has

who

no

is ; he

what
which

for

him

ideal
has

contents

no

quarrel
identical

are

just, the good, and the beautiful.

But
radiation
why is the Divine
fect
imper?
Because
it is still going on.
Our
of
planet, for example, is in the midcourse
its experience.
Its flora
and
fauna
are
still
is

the

The

changing.
its

nearer

complete
in

evolution

origin than

of
its

humanity

close.

The

spiritualisation of

the

nature

singularly
of our
species.
by error, evil,

and
it
difficult,
Its performance
selfishness, and

to

seems

is the

task

is hindered

death,

animal

ment
ele-

be

without

counting

amiel's

262
telluric

journal.

edifice

The

catastrophes.

of

science
of
happiness, a common
morality and justice, is sketched, but only
A
sketched.
thousand
retarding and perturbing
hinder
this giant's task, in
causes
common

which

nations,

part.

At

the

and

races,

yet constituted

its

general

All

our

as

education

attempts

at

humanity is
physical unity, and
is not
begun.
yet

moment

present

not

take

continents

order

been

have

yet

as

indeed, the
crystallisations. Now,
different
bine
are
beginning to compossibilities
sal
(union of posts and telegraphs, univerround
the globes,
exhibitions, voyages

local

international
and

common

the

great

binding together
which
fractions
of
humanity,
A
language have kept apart.
interest

religion and
year

there

in which

Ocean
"

the

to

talk

been

and

centre

into

communication

with

year

The

cohabitation

to

possible

tends
the

becomes

problem
of

the

is

to

the

mark

the
become

individuals

to

make
of

the
lantic,
At-

other

garden of

how

work
net-

Indian

each

become

has

earth

chief

enough

fantastic

the
; the

is

from

the

and

of

bringing

Mediterranean,

epoch.

Man's

has

the

such

real

are

railways, running

of African
coast

Science

etc.).

congresses,

his

new
ceivable,
con-

the
man.

the
spe-

amiel's

cies

possible

for each
the

successive

equilibrium
labour

of

law,
and

at

is to

say,

to

epoch

the

law,

the

hlin

it.

order,

Division
in

explore

to

secure

every

industry, science, art,

morals, religion, politics,

once

education,
economical

befits

which

allows

direction

that

how,

263

journal.

relations,

all

"

in process

are

of birth.
Thus

everything may
by the mind, but

zero

which

zero

contains

be
it is

the

innumerable

return

may

19th

perception
of

too

00

"

in

has

no

within
finite
in-

apprehending
from

issue

may

0,

or

it.

to

1879.

January

places

in

zero

real

the

to

and,

mind

The

than

possibility.

"

universe

difficultyin tracking

more

fruitful

the

particular, humanity.

back

brought

"

voluntary
; it

vivid

Charity
curb

insight

goodness
of

acuteness

on

and

screens

"

softens

; it refuses

the
to

see

rays
too

clearly the ugliness and misery of the great

intellectual
it.
True
hospital around
ness
goodis loth
to recognise any
privilege in
itself ; it prefers to be humble
and
charita^
ble ; it tries not

face,

"

that

on

see

is to say,

and

puts

to

airs of

errors

what
the

stares

it in the

firmitie
imperfections, in-

of humankind

approval and

; its

pity

encouragement.

amiel's

264

journal.

its
triumphs over
help and raise.
may
It

often

has

It

praised weak
from

in his

which

to

"

is

process

and

newer

him

is
?

so

Throw

cricket

the

the

"

ingenious

more

the

not

; and

charity commands.

it is what

Intellect

cratic.
aristocratic,charity is demo-

is

the

general equality
with
the inequality
pretensions, combined
considerable
practical
merits, creates
In

of
of

difficulty;

democracy

get

some

prudence a
others, by using

safer
and

than
kills

of

spite

in

of

corrective
kindness

is

wound,

no

kind

time

masters,
be

runs

We

"

no

evil

at

the

be

at

the

nor

wary,

love

knowingly

and

rash,

ingly,
will-

sive
succes-

cannot

and

risk

hundred

it thinks

hundred-and-flrst.

must

inflicts

; it

generous

experiences,

two

frankness

their
as

making

by

nothing.

and

serve

it

it

whole,

the

reserve

Charity is

same

on

kindness

On

perspicacity.

of

out

muzzle

their

We

'Never

of

mind

the

into

yourself

tell

why

was

smoking
necessary
give un-

the

cricket

The

from

; it

sense

it

Vinet

not

was

not

add,

pain.'
nightingale

critical

own

that

that

If so, it

'Quench

charity.

flax,'

remarked

been

things.

failure

any

repulsions

own

can

we

selfishness.
that

we

may

amiel's

be

not

who

like

forget

never

be

must

clever

the

able

it is the

sacrifice

love

to

owe

soul
the

the

is in

holds

selfof

the

to

are

be

said, It is only
'

all the

of

the

Piety

and

learn

to

religion
philosophy ;

which

"

will

and

self
her-

is in

in

life

where

soul,

confine

to

conscience,

Divine

the

grandeur

first

At

"

domain

own

of

order.

we

has

depths

with

'

1879.

she

recesses

first if

place of science

her

inmost

claims

The

know

charity

afterwards
to

and

interest

who

who

January
the

which

We

being deceived

to

Bossuet

great souls

2lst

world,

of God.

it not

there

the

interests.

own

satisfied

be

children

Was

their

conscience.

must

of

ones

submit

to

265

journal.

the

the

secret

communes

the

universal

daily renewing of the

inner
ideal, the steadying of our
being, agitated,
troubled, and embittered
mon
by the comis the

accidents

of

the

spiritual balm,
to

restores

to

'

us,

received
while

us

of

us

Thou
"

thou
: overcome

existence.

precious
and

peace

pardon

loved

art

give
canst

thou

;
;

overcome

evil with

"

is the

cordial

which
It

courage.

of

and

Prayer

It says

duty.

love

; thou

die

must

anger

good.

minds
re-

hast
labour

"

ness
by kindWhat

does

266

amikl's

blindness

the

journal.

of

opinion

ingratitude ?

or

neither

bound

advienne
in

follow

to

que

speaking

3d
is

to

governed

and

Thou

ce

ample
ex-

dois,

que

hast

thy

witness

conscience

sensible

The

"

is

politician

considerations

by

art

!'

thee

1879.

March

Thou

understand
mis-

or

common

Fais

pourra.

thy conscience

Grod

the

succeed.

to

nor

matter,

social

of

able
utility,the public good, the greatest attainstarts
good ; the political windbag
vidual,
from
the
idea
of the
rights of the indithe
abstract
tent
exrights,of which
is afi"rmed, not
demonstrated, for the
is precisely
politicalright of the individual
what
is in
question. The
revolutionary
school
always forgets that right apart from
with
one
tion
noleg. The
duty is a compass
of
right inflates the individual, Alls
with
him
others
thoughts of self and of what
"

him, while

owe

the

for

question,
devoting

The

for
which
hand

State
a

it

and

himself

"

power.

to
a

principle,
only.

or

combatant
In

the

other
his

extinguishes

becomes

every

ignores

either

shop

common

capacity
cause.

an

self

in

arena,

fights for
case

of

self-interest

with

rather

side

his

is the

own
tive
mo-

amiel's

opposite

State

careers

for

the

be

called

should

he

State

merit

of
his

that

"

rights

task

of

the

rendered

earn

in

the

good while
merits, by a voluntary
be

own

to

do

humility.
individualism

Extreme

moral

of the

substance
to

subordinate

and

to

think

for

dissipates

the

It leads

individual.

everything to himself,
the world, society, the
State,
chilled
I am
by its lack of
the spiritof deference, of the

him

made

; in

should

he

two

give proof

to

on

say,

should

his

suppressing
act

is to

provide

to

individual

services

by

his

Church

ought

and

Church

267

journal.

him.

gratitude, of
instinct of solidarity. It is an ideal without
grandeur.
beauty and without
zeal
But, as a consolation, the modern
winism,
for equality makes
a
counterpoise for Darwolf
just as one wolf holds another
in check.
Neither, indeed, acknowledges
The
fanatic for equality
of duty.
the claim
be
to
eaten
affirms
his right not
by his
neighbour;
that the big
much

so

the

devour

the

has

states

little,and

Neither

better.

the

other

Darwinian

the

word

to

say

the
of

the

adds
one

fact
"

nor

love, of

eternity, of kindness, of piety, of voluntary

submission,
All

forces

of self-surrender.

and

all

principlesare

brought

268

amiel's

into

action

result

at

is,
truth

in

once

the

on

itself

struggle

journal.

is hateful
shows

pitted against

error,

that

mere

of

is to

being

say,

in love

nature

itself

against

The

fragments
A

monsters.

reconcile

cannot

it

sight;
something else

for

longs for harmony,

nance.
than
perpetual disso-

the

to

and

beauty

error

against party

halves

with

but

nothing

party

monsters

"

the

it dislocates

because

us

The

But

good.

whole,

and

world.

this

condition

common

of

human

indeed
be
accepted; tumult,
society must
hatred, fraud, crime, the ferocity of selfinterest, the
tenacity of prejudice, are

perennial
it ; his

heart

human

see

is

set

but

philosopher sighs

the

in it ; his

is not

history
catch

to

from

of

is to

; his

height

music

the

ambition

over

ear

eternal

the

spheres.
15th

1879.

March

over

Les

and

histoires
few

I have

"

de

Parrain

man

chapters

turning
by Stahl,

been

of

Fils

Nos

et

nos

writers
Legouvfi. These
press
into
tlie service
wit, grace, gaiety, and charm
of goodness ; their
desire
is to show
Filles

that
so

by

virtue
tiresome

persuasive

is not

so

dull

people
moralists,
as

nor

sense

common

believe.

They

captivating

are

story-

amiel's

tellers ;
This
its

they

pretty

appetite for good.

of theirs,however, has
the

rouse

manner

dangers.

269

journal.

moral

wrapped

in sugar

up

it may

feared

goes

down

that

because
of its sugar.
only goes down
mon
Sybarites of to-day will tolerate a serflatter
which
is delicate
to
enough
literary sensuality ; but it is their
their
which
is charmed,
not
science
conwhich
is awakened
: their
principle

certainly,hut

it

The

their
taste

of conduct

instruction,morals,
They

genres.
and

direct

combined,

and

keep

untouched.

escapes

Amusement,

to

be

may

but

doubt

no

if

wish

we

them

apart.

be
to

shall

simple effects,we
The

are

tinct
disgled
min-

obtain
do

best

well-disposed

which
child,besides, does not like mixtures
have
something of artifice and deception in
them.
obedience
quires
Duty claims
; study reapplication ; for amusement,
nothing
is wanted
but
To
convert
good temper.
obedience
and
of
application into means
is to

amusement

intelligence.
the

fashion

These

weaken

the

efforts

to

will

make

and

the

virtue

praiseworthy enough, but

if they do
honour
the writers, on
to
the
hand
other
the
moral
anaemia
they prove
of society. When
the digestionis unspoilt,
much
to
so
persuading is not necessary

give it

taste

are

for bread.

amiel's

2^0
22d

(Ascension

1879

May
and

journal.

delicious

It

is

ascension

of

the

by

of

yearning
bom
soul

this

distant
and

young
a

Saviour

of

expansion,

this

all

like
springbirth.
is

men

ward
heaven-

I feel

clear.

windows

the

self
my-

of

the

tions,
lines, tints, reflec-

Forms,

and

contrasts,

general play and

"

voices

new

nature.

sounds,
the

blue,

...

again

are

the

indeed

them.

symbolised

limpid

"

The

"

weather.

sunlight, the air

twitterings of birds ; even
of the city have something
in

derful
WonDay).
ing
Soft, caress-

harmonies,
of

interchange

things,
it is all enchanting
The
is
!
atmosphere
steeped in joy. May is in full beauty.
Ii*my courtyard the ivy is green
again,
the chestnut
is full of leaf, the Persian
tree
"

lilac
with
the
of

beside

red, and just about

wide
openings to
the
old
College of

Saleve

above

Voirons

the

the
some

the

flightsof

landing,
the

Tranchees,

Perugia

or

lead

of

through

St.

the

Malaga.

to

Antoine,

the

one's

south,

the

see

Cologny ;
steps which, from
between
two
high
to

left

and

hill of

recall

city of

flushed

right

Calvin

Verdame

Rue

old

the

of

is

flower

to

trees

the

above

three
to

from

little fountain

the

terrace

the

while
ing
landwalls
of

imagination
glimpse of

amiel's
All
of

the

bells

ringing.

are

worship.

historical
with

mingles
musical,

the
All

scene.

all the

celebrating at

the

Crucified.

And

what

who

have

are

over

glory

the

those

many

nations

"

of

doing
the

honour

the

"

"

globe

moment

ways

the

the

this

other

in

of

Christendom

of

prophets, and

other

Divinity

picturesque, the

scattered

are

hour

pression
religious im-

impressions

peoples

Churches

is the

It

and

the

poetical
the

271

journal.

the

Jews,

Mussulmans,

the

Buddhists, the Vishnuists,

the

They

Guebers

days,
ideal

for

the

faith

themselves,

All

Here

fear.

the

we

of

all

pray,

bear

have

All

long

with

the

feel themselves
Author

of

men

recover

great

order

approved
the

universe.

some

of

and

binds

which

of

ible.
Invis-

the

equally

are

desire,

adore

beyond

and

to

link

All

and
to

all

bow,

witness

the

than

greater

Spirit,

nature.

the

existence.

something

soitow

of

individual

the
in

raising man

at

smallnesses

and

other

religion, some

some

peoples together.

creatures

to

all

beyond

evil. Good.
all

of

sacred

other

solemnities,

all aim

"

sorrows

have

see

life

and

present,

all

all have

But

end

above

All

rites, other

other

beliefs.

have

hope and
lost

mony
har-

things,
blessed
All

and

by

know

AMIEL

272

for happiness.
suffering is, and yearn
feel the need
know
what
sin is, and
of

what

All

pardon.
Christianity
is the
with

God,

He

chastises

2Sth
and

term

the

exposition

the

wound

up

of

wished.

The

itself.

In

hour

order

into

and

counted

This, however,
the

into

given

the

attained.

achleye

normal

the

The

series

of

is

of

speed

complete

rial,
mate-

my

and

pomt.
cult
diffi-

material
to

the
of

of

part

more

lectures,

ordinary

divided

whole

one's
of

number

the

upon

small

It

right proportions

parts, and
be

divide

to

of

have

very

professorialscience.
matter

stitch

by

I finished

calculated

every

is but

attractive

returned

this

minutes,

moral

philosophy, and
the precision I

has

do

to

new

of

year.

with

circle

lecture

modern

course

my

that

gratitude.

Last

academic

that

and

and

holiness

"

sinner

ity
Christian-

motive

of filial

air

plicity
sim-

certainty

achievement

1879.

of

the

loves.

He

It made

June

of

everything,

new

the

it the

to

of

spite

furnished

giving

original

the

of

because

strength for
perfection.

its

to

means

in

loves

reduced

reconciliation

by

God

my

JOURNAL.

mine
deter-

different

delivery

lecturer
seances,

to

may
"

the

amiel's

journal.

273
scientific

But
a
unity being the seance.
at something
course
ought to aim
at a general unity of subject and

this

Has
reasoned

class?

cannot

liked

me

this

hope

so.

It

if I have
in

have

work

been

tell.

Have
I

year

to

seems

aimed

never

at

to

but

sure,

they have.

Only,

have

been
; I

(Vestime

succes

oratorical

any

my

students

my

it cannot

than

more

sition.
expo-

useful

not

am

me

pleased them,
case

any

of

of

"

substantial, closely-

concise,

kind

more

success.

a
only object is to light up for them
complicated and difficult subject. I respect
and
I respect
class
myself too much,
my
rhetoric.
too
much, to attempt
My role is

My

to

help

them

understand.

to

ought

be,

to

instructive, well
A

paying

to

off the

all

has

the

nothing
scholars, or
his

master;

turing
lec-

things, clear,

put together, and

lecturer
court

above

Scientific

to

ing.
convincdo

with

business

is

with

ing
showof

one

study and
impersonal
exposition.
To
seem
yield anything on this point would
I
utilitarianism.
to
me
a
piece of mean
hate
of
savours
everything that
cajoling
serious

and

coaxing.
to

forms

of

All

throw

coquetry

such

dust
and

ways
in

men's

are

tempts
at-

mere
mere

eyes,

stratagem.

pro-

amiel's

274
fessor
do

is the

the

journal.

priest of his subject ; he should

honours

of

it

and

gravely

witli

dignity.
1879.
September
perfect. Being, imperfect
9th

replaced by

horrible

in

tonic
Pla-

the

is

Non-being

Idea, which

the

this

there

because

system,

'

only

beautiful

becomes

sophism

is

Non-being

'

"

is, and

which

the

vacant,

is divine.

ideal,

The
should

superiority
has

kills

Ideal

pheles.
work

your

happy
that

No,

you

is not

no,

you

see

you

and

have

not

good

all that

by
It is

Mephisto-

succeeded;

no,

are

not

no,

you

find

not

existing.

content

like

side,

actual.

and

No,

shall

of

and

says

its

on

advantage

present

great

so

Real, which,

which

voice

claim

to

enjoyment

the

disparaging
the

the

to

incomparable

the

The

allowed

be

not

chimerical,

the

you

do

rest

"

all

cient,
is insuffi-

insignificant,overdone, badly done,

ideal
is like
The
thirst for the
imperfect.
the
only quickens life
goad of Siva, which
Incurable
death.
to hasten
longing that it
is,

it

lies

at

the

root

suffering and of the

It destroys happiness

both

progress
in

the

of

of
name

individual
the

of

race.

nity.
dig-

amiel's
The

only positive good

therefore

evil,and
ideal

is

Thought
is action

so

real, and

the

real
of

perfume

singly without

is

hurtful

evil

an

it be

is

tempered

by

inclination

as

without
is

good

its

trary.
con-

it

is

little'

'too

is

one

defined

be

may

moderation

calmed

if it

strength;
destroys

Excess

Duty

the

will; gentleness

and

wisdom.

equally against
evil,apathy another.

an

roverie

when

much'

'Too

energy

with

it lessens

fatal

of

The

dangerous

stupefies the

sin

as

fused

corrupt

is

turn
re-

is

thought.

Nothing
and
complement

when

contemplation
character.

action

self-devotion

it

the

state

ideal.

the

upon

is

to

without

becomes

its

when

order,

without

Self-examination
encroaches

275

and

unless

poison

order

to

equilibrium.

the

journal.

happiness,
tempered
;

and

by self-control.
Just
but

life is

as

is in

us

to

think

It

only

intuitive

is not
of

in

little

conception
and

that

is

so

yet

few

years,

good

which

the

this

difficult

detached

spirit.

self-knowledge, a little
of the ideal, a little religion.
much

even

that

for

It is not

own.

perception
There

this

our

oneself

needs

us

in us,

inherent

is not

lent

only

we

are

it is

sweetness

in

selves,
nothing of ourgranted to us to

amiel's

^jffi

each

summon

journal.

other

and

life,joy, poetry

to

holiness.

application of the law of irony :

his disciples
Zeno, a fatalist by theory, makes
heroes:
Epicurus, the upholder of
his
disciples languid and
liberty, makes
Another

effeminate.

; the

point
the

ideal

The

make

Epicureans

interest.

morals,

and

free-will,
"

second

principle;
aspiration,

slavery
is

then

matters

is

it

same

way

the

the

the

of

great

formers,
re-

Jesuits

theoretical

tendency,

secret

is the

aim, which

the

conscience.

the

not

of

first founded

the

yet

an

systems

predestination, the

for

liberty, the

tlie

of

out

two

them

before

and

are

What

In

whereas

duty,

ideal

an

worlds.

two

is

tendencies,

Two

Jansenists,
for

ideal

Stoical

sive
deci-

is the

pursued

the

essential

thing.
At

every

domain
of

of

the

its
and

what

certain

empire

Faith
offer.

which

in

has
It

contagion.

is

the
A

the

domain

the
faith

has

its

proofs, but only

bom
spontaneously
souls ; it spreads

no

commanding
among

lies, beyond

knows,

man

unknown,

dwelling.
itself, to
in

there

epoch

rest

great

by
faith

imitation
is

but

amiel's

great hope
of it ; time
last

at

becomes

and

farther

the

had

which
its

weakness

At

what

infirmities
The

ancients

who

is at

develops

the

and

of

contemplation
it

because
relative

2d

to

alone

and

it is

given

perceives

1880.

"

smile

stupid,

upon
but

the

only

happy

Whatever

morning.
emotion,

me.

I do

sweetness

not

of those

them

spirit
truly,

in

of

within
fire.
my

their

in
be

this
the

out.
with-

sense

mother

whether
hours

rest, of

and

not

am

may

know

the

most

sense

Silence
deep quiet even.
A
quietly-burning
The
comfort.
portrait of
to

spirit of

value.

proportional

January

man

ested,
disinter-

to

things

see

the

old

The
and

our

embitter.

or

sympathetic

necessarily
contemplation,

before

age,

right.

were

once

clearest,

weaken

which

come

feeling, distance.

old

in

comes
be-

strength

view

our

Then

impossibility of

of

Surely

truest

eye

is

age

it.

its

the

verification,exaltation

seizes

knowledge

examines

we

it,until

strengthen

made

once

as

tlie founder

from

for

passion

277
certitude

distance

and

it,questions, and

upon

all

which

farther

raove

journal.

of

seems

dazed

or

peaceful
charm
it

of silent

of

equals
medi-

amiel's

tjB

journal.

tation, in which
Desire
done

are

the

Existence

It

is

and

that

which

express

to

languages

and

can

incapable

this

resting

of the

is

and

memory

longer
and

only

render

the

soul

conscious

the

the

is

in

they

are
centration,
con-

this

state

reflects the

sky,
profundities.

own

into

swallowed

only soul, and

their
in

up

is

no

individuality
which
something

of itself in its
It

universal

to

is

life,

Divine, of God.

anything

and

motionless

quietude,

are

nor

particular

life ;

re-absorbed

memories

of

words

the

this

its

of
then

the

situation, for

of

which

ocean,

separateness.

feels
of

moral

divine

master

are
Things
principles ;

this

expressing

of

awaits

adores

find

to

vibrations

localised

state

struggles

simply

but

difficult

is

It

which

state

neither

who

enjoys.

dominical

happiness as
it, the happiness

more,

any

tension

It is

grave.

anchorite,

wishes

without
the

the

understand

Orientals

mode

self-consciousness.

disturbance,
the

beyond

to

ethereal

most

pure

soul, perhaps

care,

reduced

is

harmony,

of

without

the

is, to

state

of the

our

the

and

sadness

fear,

simplest form,

being,

it

and

away.

of

glimpse and
dise.
joys of Para-

contemplative

of the

foretaste

have

we

It

a
no

itself,it

sensible

atom

longer appropriates
is conscious

of

amiel's
void.

no

Only

have
humble
combines

which

which

is
the

return

of

joys

above

Plotinus

its most

of

being

that

the

to

of

especially

is

to

enslave

of

in

in general,

and

incessant

aim

is to

crush

They
and

know

For

feeling.

; their

end.

vision

Americans,

for

for

the

the

gold,

in means,

the

nations

for

interest

is the

Nirvana

"

eager

nature.

will,

nor

existence

pleroma,

western

life

dominion

non-

form.

little of this state

are

of

moral

Proclus,

the

devouring

and

reflection
the

very

They

haps
per-

existence, which

attractive

and

its

both

and

It is clear

in

is neither

unity,

Soufis

and

Yoghis

intellectual
to

279

profundity this
voluptuous
state, which

yet

the

being,
and

the

known

and

journal.

show

have

activity.
power,
men

for
and

obstinate

an

not

them

thought

They confound
being with
individual
being, and the expansion of the
self with
is to say, they
happiness, "that
do
live by the
soul ; they ignore the
not
unchangeable and the eternal ; they live at
the periphery
of their
they
being, because
unable
to penetrate
to its axis.
are
They are
they are
excited, ardent, positive, because
much
effort, noise,
so
superficial. Why
greed?
struggle, and
stunning and deafening
"

it
of

is
the

all
self.

mere

When

28o

A\nEL'S

death
I

they recognise that

comes

why

then

admit

beautiful

when

not

\/ only

when

say,
which

who

orations

They

have

the

last

the

'Let

how
had

but

of

this

brave

the

my

eyes.
thing
every-

man

ual.
spirit-

speakers paid homage

devotion,

from

him

to

constancy,

of

how

whole

The

the

elevation

1880.

"

to

the

dead.

live

and

funeral

ceremony

Hoar-frost

and

is

general aspect

and
in

newspapers
This

to

the

grave.

noble, moral, and

the

February

gloom

out
last with-

antique dignity.

an

1th

terrible

his

over

tears

die.'

to

losophe
phi-

just read

the

learn

Bersot,

the

to

brought

intellectual

us

of

stoic

delivered

character,

and

like

I have

of the

Each

that

article

fecole Normale,'

'

manly,

was

death

...

days

is

is to

of

feeling

the

laboured

complaint.

four

the

the

who

that

"

service

"

on

bore

disease, and

In

1880.

of

Activity

holy

the

"

away.

Schfirer

director

in

it is so,

sooner

it is

not

February

Edmond

the

it

it is spent

passeth

Gth

by

JOURNAL.

has

nothing

Paris

tell

and

in

bright

with

common

of

London,

and

which

fog,

like,
fairythe
the

us.

silverylandscape

has

dreamy grace,

amiel's

fanciful

to

the

of

coal-smoke.

to

another

taken

of

countries

the

The

unknown

is

which

charm,

281

journal.

and

sun

trees

tliose

to

belong

to

seem

in

creation,

both

which

white

has

As
at
one
place of green.
gazes
and
these, alleys, these clumps, these groves
lace-like
toons,
arcades, these
garlands and festhe

feels

one

their

is

no

wish

for

else ;

anything

and

self-sufficing,
all the more
because
the ground powdered
with
with
the sky dimmed
mist, and
snow,
the smooth
soft distances, combine
to form,
of colour, and
a general scale
a harmonious
charms
No
ness
harshthe eye.
whole, which
beauty

anywhere
beguiled
dinner.
and
a

all is velvet.

"

subdued

tints
of

and

to

Qth
so

the

charm

much

the

voracious.

'"Vae

yellsthe crowd,

of

after

fete,

to

seem

has

which

without

Life

"

for

worse

soon
stragglers. As
he
Achillis gives way
under
foot
by the

and

be,
set

sunshine,

spectator.

1880.

February

or

winter

paint something

ment
enchant-

before

are,

itself to

yet

My

is that

impression

coquetry

mere

both

out

me

The

the

original

the
as

finds
young,

victis,

which

rushes
weak

on

and

man's

himself

the

tendo

trampled

the
vae

"

eager,

the

debilibus/^

in its turn

is storm-

282

amiel's

ing the goods of

is always in some

other

he

still occupies

some

little he
be

to

sure

by

mean

must

think

and

generous

his

and

There

souls.

by

peopled

"

ourselves

exceptions

of the

still

is

coveted
!

console

of the

"

such.

are

he

however
he

goods
world

To

race

himself,

possess,

Mean

else.

one

some

or

man

since,

way,

make
space,

and

envied

Every

man's

may

envy

may

world.

this

small

however

journal.

we

noble
What

traveller

The

crossing
surrounded
himself
the
feels
desert
by
creatures
thirsting for his blood; by day
his head
vultures
pions
fly about
; by night scorinto
his
tent, jackals prowl
creep
do

the

rest

matter

"

camp-fire, mosquitoes prick and

him
with
their greedy sting ; everytorture
where
enmity, ferocity. But far
menace,
sands
beyond the horizon, and the barren
peopled by these hostile hordes, the wayfarer
few
loved
faces
a
pictures to himself
and
kind
heai'ts
which
looks, a few true
around

his

follow

him

When

all is
a

but
in

in their

are

the

end

and

its

and

oblivion

or

always
; there

and

"

said, indeed,

greater

we

dreams

lesser

is

no

number

escaping

our

poition.

is
.

"

selves
our-

of years,

and

Destruction

worm.

defend

we

conquered

smiles.

our

devoured
the

grave

destiny,

amiel's

How
thin

as

still.

nutshell,

leak

the

Let

or

but

skiff

My

great gulf 1

is the

near

283

journal.

fragile

more

even

widen

is

little and

A
mere
navigator.
from
me
idiocy, from
nothing separates
The
slightestbreach
madness, from death.
is enough to endanger all this frail,ingenious
calls
itself my
edifice,which
being

all

is

and

my

for

over

the

life.
the

dragonfly symbol i^ enough

its f raUty ; the soap-bubble
is
to express
of
all this
the
best
poetical translation
illusory magnificence, this fugitive apparition
of the
is we,
and
tiny self, which
Not

even

it.

we

miserable

A
three

Sadness

four

or

times

nights, possibly,
I

realise

that

it

by

bronchitis.

my

One

restlessness.

"

ened
Awak-

night enough.

...

suffocation

would

ter
win-

of these

be

will
well

come.

keep

to

myself ready, to put everything in order.

To
begin with, let me
wipe out all
give
personal grievances and bitternesses; forilland
one
all,judge no
; ifi enmity
As much
will, see only misunderstanding.
.

'

as

lieth

On

the

no

eyes

in you,
bed
but

of

be

at

death
for

peace

the

etern'U

with

soul

all

men.'

should

things.

All

have
the

284

amiel's

littlenesses

of

life

tion

of the

and

pity.
as

against

Christian

Father,

forgive us
who
forgive them

we

stinct
in-

humility
passes,
tres-

our

trespass

were

thyself as though the coming

forward
thy last, for thy days hence-

shall

nth

to

adorar

"

natural

Our

now

us.'

Prepare
Easter

'

left

nothing

God.

back

us

fight is

The

past blessings,

of

ways

leads

be

of

remembrance

but

disappear.

should

There

over.

journal.

be

February

few

and

1880.

evil.

"

Victor

de

La-

prade^o has elevation, grandeur, nobility,

he
What
is it, then, that
and
harmony.
Hence
lacks ? Ease, and perhaps humour.
of
the
monotonous
solemnity, the excess
emphasis, the over-intensity, the inspired
one
gait, which
air, the statue-like
annoy
which
in him.
He
is a muse
never
lays
and
aside
the cothurnus,
a
royalty which
to
off its crown,
even
sleep.
never
puts
of playfulness,
in him
The
total absence
simplicity, familiarity,

is

great

defect.

the
ancients
is* to
the
as
Laprade
French
tragedy is to that of Euripides, or
of
the
locks
XIV.
the
to
as
wig of Louis
wearisome
His
majestic airs are
Apollo.
there
is not
and
If
factitious.
exactly

De

amiel's
affectation
of

in

of

and

fine

as

posing, a
attitudinising. Truth

this, but

as

pathetic,

more

cold.

are

'If

De

kind

sacerdotal

professional

not

tliere is at least

them,

theatrical

285

journal.

varied.

more

Was

it not
is

Laprade

it is

sort

is

living,
images

more

Marble

Musset

who

poet, then

said,
not

am

one'?

2.1th

February
translating twelve
by Petofi.
They
There

savour.

of

the

these
of

have

fourteen

or

have

finished

little poems

strange

kind

of

is

something of the Steppe,

of madness,
in
Mazeppa,

East, of
songs,

1880."

which

to

seem

What

riding-whip.

to

go

force

and

the

beat

passion,

wild
and
brilliancy, what
!
One
grandiose images, there are in them
feels that the Magyar
is a kind
of Centaur,
and European
that he is only Christian
and
Hun
in him
tends towards
The
by accident.
what

savage

the

Arab.

2Qth

1880.

March

Banniere

Bleue

at

the

of

form
who

of

memoirs.

tells the
from

the

been

reading

history of the world

under
the
Genghis Khan,
It is a Turk, Ouigour,

La

time

I have

"

story.
wrong

"

He

shows

side, or

the

us

tion
civilisa-

other

side,

286

amiel's

and

the

Asiatic

scavengers

of its

journal.

nomads

corruptions.
himself

Genghis proclaimed
God, and he did in

of

known

empire
from

Blue

the

Sea

the

to

of the

the

by

of

his

which

he

shafts
into

issued

there

of

tramp

the

est
vast-

solid

most

and

pires
em-

the

tumult

the

continent

western

vast

of

overthrown

were

From
the

from

banks

the

to

archers.

certain

realise

horsemen

his

threw

scourge

Baltic, and

world

ancient

the

history, stretching

to

vast

the

of

fact

plains of Siberia
sacred
The
Ganges.

the

the

as

appear

results:

the

fall

involving the
Empire,
Byzantine
of discovery
in
Renaissance, the voyages
from
both
sides
of the
Asia, undertaken
and Columbus
that is to say, Gama
globe
;
of the Turkish
the formation
Empire ; and
Russian
the
Empire.
preparation of the
This
tremendous
hurricane, starting from
the high Asiatic
tablelands, felled the de^
the

"

caying

whole

the

the

worm-eaten

two

world.

flat-nosed

historical

purified our
at

and
ancient

yellow,

the

is

oaks

which

thirteenth
ends

the

through two
great Chinese
which
protected the ancient

descent

of

upon

Europe

devastated

century,
of

of

The

Mongo/s

cyclone

buildings

and

and

broke,

known
walls

empire

world,
that

"

of

the

amiel's

Centre, and
of

world

that

and

ignorance

of

which

made

ought
with

men

barrier

superstition round

Christendom.

Tamerlane,

287

journal.

the

of

little

Attila, Genghis,

to

in

range

the

memory
and

Caesar, Charlemagne,

roused
whole
They
Napoleon.
peoples
stirred
the
into
of
depths
action, and
nography,
ethhuman
life, they powerfully affected
they let loose rivei'S of blood, and
renewed
the
face of things. The
Quakers
will not
in

that

see

history

as

in

like the

war

are

and

volcanoes

do.

there

'

Nos

patimur

can

yet
bear

been
more

to

revilers

what

corrupt
the

about

ruin
the

they

men,

violent

ration
resto-

world

the

itself,

chastises
in

human

regulator

certain

No

as

mala.'

they put

Evil

of

air.

longBe pacis

tempests

thunder, storms,

discovered.
than

of

not

vitiate

Catastrophes bring
of equilibrium
brutally to rights.
and
the tendency to
supplies the place of
not

of

know

they
to

law
The

tends

tend

Nature.

revilers

Civilisation

large towns

is

things
who

has

civilisation

proportion of

and
injustice, coiTuption, shame,
this
has
When
been
crime.
proportion
reached, the boiler bursts, the palace falls,
the scafEolding breaks
institutions,
down;

abuses,

288

amiel's

journal.

cities,states, empires, sink

evil

contained

wliich

in

preys

it,and

by destroying
perfect, nothing can

19th
either

able

And

nated
elimi-

death.

escape

at

or

life.

my

I have

myself to anything,
I have
myself with anything.

had

the

risking
of the

of

quantum

illusion

irreparable.

the

ideal

itself to

due

keep

not

to

tent
connever

for

necessary
made

have
from

me

or

all events

fit

to

ing
noth-

as

stiffness,delicacy

or

of

characteristic

been

it.

misfortune

the

virus

Inadaptablility,

"

mysticism

to

disdain, is
the

1880.

May

The

if it is not

ends

is

is

organism

an

upon

ruin.

into

use

kind

any

of

It was
thus
with
bondage.
marriage:
have
satisfied
me
only perfection would
;
not
and, on the other hand, I was
worthy
of
So
perfection.
that, finding no
satisfaction
in things, I tried to extirpate
...

desire, by

things enslave

which

has

been

ray

refuge

stronghold. I have lived

life, in the world, yet not

in

"

much,

desiring nothing.
which
corresponds

mind

is called

women

in

fact
to

like

both

it,since
is

broken
the

despair.

; detachment

the

my

It

pendence
Inde-

us.

is

impersonal
it,thinking
a

with

what

heart

; and

characteristic
When

one

of

state

in
it is
mon
com-

knows

amiel's

that

will

one

with

that

all

with

parted

is to say,

that

towards

one

31sf

illusion

1880.

May

and

simplest

illusion,and

to

temperedly.
existence, we
and

not

over-

quarrel

with

it

in

are

any

human

it comes,

as

It

good-

inevitable
we

out

got
live.

to

take

must

be

to
must

as

effort

be

one

the

accept

Plunged

not

ror
hortragically,without
without
misplaced
sarcasm,
too
exacting expectation;

bitterly,nor

too

help

no

"

end.

not

us

Besides,

subtleties.

is best

is

There

ingenious.

life

incessant

attainable

Let

"

human

the

"

content

speak, left
golden hair,

makes

that

be
to

so

the

cut

could

one

can

has,

apparently

an

what

possess

nothing less, one

has
world, one

the

of

never

loved, and

have

289

JorRXAL.

too

without

petulance or a
cheerfulness, serenity, and patience, these
let us
aim
Our
ness
busiat these.
are
best,
is to treat life as the grandfather treats
"

his

granddaughter,
grandson ; to enter

or

childhood

fictions

when

and

ourselves

we

them.

It

looks

kindly

human

race,

There

the

is

into

have

probable

is

upon
so

nothing

grandmother

the

long

the
as

evil but

the
of

her

of

pretences

youth,

even

long passed beyond

God

that

Himself

illusions

they
sin

are
"

of

the

innocent.

that

is,ego-

amiel's

290
tism

and

his

one

may,

mind

one's

always with
is always

rests

feet

one's

as

for

as

frequently,

errors

is

sort

one

And

revolt.

changes
some

journal.

on

rest

but

him.

Travel

point

of

as

and

truth,
of

point

some

of

error

somewhere,

some

upon

man

error,

the

globe.
less
or
Society alone represents a more
individual
must
tent
concomplete unity. The
with
in
the
himself
being a stone
in the immense
machine,
building, a wheel
a

word

in

the

He

poem.

is

of

part

the

of all
family, of the State, of humanity,
the
formed
by human
special fragments
interests, beliefs, aspirations, and labours.

loftiest

The

souls

this

their
vast

are

universal

symphony, and
full and
willing collaboi'ation
which
and
complicated concert

of the

give

who

those

are

scious
con-

who
to
we

call civilisation.
In

principle

the

all the

itself,limits
race,
that

and
on

it

mind

limits

is

capable

which

of

pressing
sup-

it discovers

in

of

language, nationality, religion,

it must
be
mitted
adBut
or
epoch.
the more
the mind
spiritualises

generalises itself,the less hold it has

other minds, which
no
longer understand
or

know

belongs

to

what
men

to

of

do

with

action, and

it.
for

Influence
purposes

amiel's

action

of

jourxal.

is

nothing
of

291
useful

more

combined

thought

than

with

rowness
nar-

energy

of will.

of

those

action

minds

the

profit ;

they

know

liberty or
However,

the

before

do

great deal
of

nothing

joy

of

to

mean

for

To

doubt

no

infinite.

the

put

class

one

is

man

every

cess,
suc-

pleasures of

the

penetrating

not

another

dwarfed.

things, belong

in

gigantic,

are

and

small

are

imprisoned

fame,
but

dreamland

of

forms

The

happy

History is made
according to his nature.
and
by combatants
specialists; only it is
perhaps not a bad thing that in the midst
of the
devouring activities of the western
be a few
world, there should
Brahmanising
souls.
This
.

soliloquy means

reverie

turns

itself

upon

That

what?

"

as

do

dreams

impressions added
together do not
always produce a fair judgment ; that a
private journal is like a good king, and
permits repetitions,outpourings, complaint.
that

These
.

effusions

unseen

of

jEolian

vibrations

theme,

with

thought

involuntary
that

are

the

versation
con-

harp

not

we

bear

no

gios,
arpeg-

unconscious,
within

us.

piece, exhaust
melody, carry out
no

compose

achieve

but

itself,the

of
Its
no
no

AMIEL'S

292

life of

they

but

programme,

JOURNAL.

1 880.

Stendhal's

"

typical,the

first of
of

series

naturalist

scoff at the

their

Stendhal

heart,

faithful

touched

nor

amuses

has

honest

as

science.

it

of

honour

him

with

the

ant,

monkey.
morality

And

this

leads

direct

contempt
the
of

level

of
for

of

the
man,

the

after

who

no

the
moral

terial.
ma-

Taine's

neither

is

everything

adventuress

the

no

sions
pas-

artist's

whom

separate

sense,
uals
Individ-

as

who

but

women,

preference,
It

humanities,

vice

and

press
sup-

human

is subordinated

the

The

and

and

men

literature

the

novelist

faith, nor

neither

history, to
of

knave

which

governed by

are

painter

angry,

the

"

him

In

is

even

opens

moral

play of
joy, the

observer's

is the

the

they

the

and

Stendhal

of free-will.

irresponsible

passions,

well

of

claim

It is

novels,

intervention

the

are

book.

class.

Chartreuse

La

remarkable

de Parme.

and

innermost

man.

1st June

the

the

express

ideal.

nor

natural

to

longer forms

longer gives
rank.

part
man

It classes

and

the

indifference

to

beaver,

immorality.
is cynicism,
whole
school
whom
they degrade to
brute
worship
; it is the
to

strength, disregard of

the

soul,

want

amiel's

of

generosity,

of

the

to

No

impunity

he

great thing

will

belief
and
and

Necker

de

is

mind

free

loftiness

and

in it is of
and
with

science

religion, of
book
is

fine

enthusiasm

solid

wisdom.

the

book.

of view,

What

what

sonableness
rea-

"

of

classic

piece
we

Geneva

and

"

work

of

and

cultivation
Here

beneficent.

and

is sound

literature, the

Genevese

perfection

"

high

such

heart,

! Everything
dignity of manner
observation,
high quality,

book

shows

of

have

central

which
so

the

much
true

tradition

country.

Later.

"

of
reconciliation
style. The
the ideal, of philosophy with
psychology with morals, which

proud

be

is

reading Madame
again. L''J^ducation

fairness

attempts,

the

am

admirable

an

and

thought,

"

Saussure^i

moderation

of

but

with

even

with

greater things still.

1880.

progressive

may

coarse

goodness, capacity for

thirst
after
devotion, the

June

It

be

naturalist

in

1th

nobility,
it is inhvr-

word,

be

doubt,

holiness, are

the

; in

culture.
no

of

spite of all protestations

can

man

refined

most

in

contrary

manity.

293

reverence,

itself

shows

which

journal.

I have

finished

the

third volume

amiel's

294

Necker.

Madame

of

journal.

elevation

The

and

and
seriousness, the
delicacy, the sense
perfection of the whole, are
beauty and
racies
inaccuor
astonishing. A few harshnesses
of
the

author

How

rare

is

June

and

1880.
of

loss
and

obliging
multitude
but

it

and

questions.
produces citizens.

of the
title to

made

21th

for man,

1880.

June

and

friends

"

we

paid

in

bad

work,

is its excuse,
; in

one

and

evil

profit
by

interest

the

philanthropist, indeed, it is a
respect, for, after all,social

are

its

is unfavourable,

individual

This

tolerable

than

lesser

men

It makes

of

more

hand

take

to

one

every

its absurditie

upon

its effect

the

develops

it

exists;

is

regime
other

regime has

Every

things
the

on

it

it, for

this

thing
every-

is true

dwell

to

emotion.

in which

Democracy

"

On

others.
but

by

with

everything

time

and

I feel for

matter.

book

defects.

weaknesses,
than

find

it is to

mere

not

respect mingled

is sincere

26th

do

language

not

serious
tions
instituvers".

vice

visit

resumed

the

eyes

to

my

sation
conver-

yesterday. We
threaten
democracy

of
which

derived

from

the

talked

legal fiction

and
at

of

the

which

the

root

ill^
are

of

amiel'8
the

Surely

it.

everywhere

journal.

remedy

consists

the

upon

295

truth

in

insisting

whicli

racy
democ-

is its
systematically forgets,and which
the
on
makeweight,
inequalities
proper
of talent, of virtue, and
merit, and on the
respect due to age, to capacity, to services
"

rendered..

Juvenile

ingratitude

favour

; and

lay

country

social

because

strenuously
their

resisted

he

must

when

There

all

lay

to

be

must

the
a

on

more

in

are

the

stress

constant

effort

of

rights of
of

business

of

the

institutions

more

prevailing tendency

the

all

jealous

forms

the

only

stress

individual, it is the

the

and

arrogance

the

duty.

on

to

zen
citi-

correct

All

things.

this,

it is true, is

palliative,but

human

hope for

nothing but
society one cannot

Later.
thetic

Alfred

"

de

writer, with

thought,
possesses

strong

and

Vigny

is

meditative

supple

more.

sympa^
turn

talent.

elevation, independence,

in

of
He

ness,
serious-

and
originality, boldness
grace
; he
has
paints,
something of everything. He
describes, and judges well ; he thinks, and
has
the courage
His defect
of his opinions.
Ues

in

an

excess

pride and reserve

of familiarity and

of

self-respect,in a British
horror
which
a
give him
of letting himterror
a

amiel's

296
self

This

tendency
popularity as

go.
his

might

one

French

has

does

like

not

dignity

in

as

but

master

stoics

God, duty
and

and

made

It

this

reason,

crushed

those

passionate
1st

is

looking

my

over

waste

the

this dull

or

upon

own

of

sense

to

Oh

escape

rash

for

crises

not

it

has

to

the

(^Three o'clock). The

oppressive ; I ought to be
"

and

notes,

thinking

Inward

of heart

itself ?

or

it ?

of

do

from

and

self,for

or

the

of

sense

soul
of

"

or

fear

know

danger

in

not

has

"

running

regret

misery

efforts

time

or

"

morrow's
to-

trouble

merely

and

of

distaste

it

Is

sorrow

Is sadness
root

no

ness
strict-

Such

yielded
opinion.

of

decaying

it leads
for

their

merely
anything

discontent.

"

conscience,

; it

recognising

all

examinations.

strength

in

1880

temperature

preying

about

it ; it is

in

have

who

current

July

emptiness

much

up

irritates

and

as

The

impatient by
repudiated Protestantism

solemn.
very

length

faith.

or

conscience

and

tower,

annoys

piqued

shut

with

crowd.
cared

never

inviolabilityof personal

the

at

arm's

troublesome

race

writer

at

jured
in-

naturally

has

holds

he

whom

public

journal.

mad

to
"

but
it ;

decisions.

something

to

amiel's

importunate

stifle the

How

rebellion

yearning
the

the

after
omen

Clemence

pathetic appeal

went

the

voice

of

Geneva,

together.
*

law

to

the

infinite

what.

is

It
some

It is

The

'

am

in

our

to

hour

an

the

Geneva, Geneva,

Clemence

and

Country.

God

an

went

called
of

as

great voice

vibrations

"

out

it

sounding
of

eight

come

take

been

on

bring about

bay

Bubmitted

to

by
the

rejected by

4044). -[8.1

for

and

be

"

at

am

People
peace

State, adopted

was

Aspiration,

has

quarter

serve

and

It

one

day

of Church

'

May

deep

For

remember

sun

just

bell's

heart.

my

half -past

The

solemn
has

The

ears.

"

rain.

this

vain

its prey.

(Sunday,

morning).

on

and

avenging Himself.

God

1880

heavy

for

our

sleep

not

is restless

"

July

athirst
know

of

rage

what

of

ible
invis-

happiness, which, like

of

calling

4th

the

bottom

this

"

are

for

"

animal,

God

of

We

instinct

wild

in

lies

love

for

"

there

father

gorge

it may

all

and

want

the

the

that

so

of

we

at

heart

the

At

it

gorge

"

of

is

can

hidden

serpent

297

voice

Discontent

yearning !
temptation.
well,

journal.

separation

the

Great

vote

of

Council,
the

Church

between

Gencvese

large majority

was

on

this

people.

(9306 against

amiel's

298
Seven

0^ clock

been

has

of the

like that
when

it is

judge

and

them

fate
is

little
At

weighs

in

full

the

crowd
of

return

death

the
tence.
sen-

church

Victory
have
Ayes

evening.
The

"

of the

two-sevenths
's house

friend
of

ness,
seriousa

the

has

voting box.

line.
than

last

she

Genevese

in the

now

more

my

the

the

that

upon

the

for

of

whole

the

aU

Clemence

"

terrible

delivery of

0''clock

Eleven

vote.

which

the

country

Now

has

waiting

The

carried

evening.

scrutin.

silence

the

stopped,

along

the

in

ringing again, during

half-hour

and

journal.

found

excitement, gratitude,

and

joy.
5fA
which
mass

July

1880.

have

still

of the

people

There

"

are

magical

a
:

those

of

some

virtue

words
with

the

State, Republic,

I thirk.
Country, Nation, Flag, and even,
Church.
Our scepticaland
mocking culture
tion,
knows
nothing of the emotion, the exaltathese
words
the
delirium, which
The
awaken
in simple people.
biases
of
idea
how
the
have
the world
no
popular
vibrates
these
mind
to
appeals, by which

they themselves

punishment;

are

it

is

untouched.
also

their

It is their

infirmity.

amiel's

Their

Rousseau

and

Pharisaical

good
the

time

of

feeling and

and

repelled by

people

who

think

with

time,

contradiction,
repugnance

the

from

those

from

ward
in-

an

tive
twofold, instincrepugnance

kind,

every

towards

ination
imag-

crowd.

sesthetic

of

the

themselves

suffer

an

"

vulgarity

repugnance

the

chilled

same

towards

separatist ;

sterility.

; my

associate

to

and

I felt at

centenary
are

At

what

again

299

satirical

in isolation

live

I feel

too

is

temper

they

journal.

barrenness

moral

and

ness
cold-

of heart.
So

by

personally

that

individuals

the

while
to

sweeter

in

the

two

the

on

than

me

sympathy
the feeling of

of

me

Our

to

the

the

masses.

from

everyday

each

and

hand

nence,
emi-

nothing

is

feel

myself vibrating
national
spirit,with
I only care
for

it is this

which

arates
sep-

of them.

life,split up

clashing parties and

harassed

other

and

only attracted

am

cultivation

with

extremes,

opposed

by perpetual disorder

as

it is

opinions,
and

into

and

sion,
discus-

hateful
to
me.
painful and almost
A thousand
things irritate and provoke me.
where.
elsethe
But
be
same
perhaps it would
Very likelyit is the inevitable way
the
of
world
which
the
displeases me
is

"

amiel's

300
of

sight

what

accuse.

in

tendencies

of

it.

take

discord.

6th
The

of

around

had

in

things,

and

There

Here

starry sky.
I

this

doors, camping,
Agora.

Since

public meetings
without

wound

the

has

intermission

in.

For

been

at

one

home

the
and

out-ofon

lectures

followed

of

Republic

Athenians

Wednesday
have

calm

came

the

with

up

under

people
like

bright look

have

as

evening
plain of
crowd,

the

to

the

we

thought

week

whole

with

fireworks,

traditional

weather.

immense

an

festival

The

faces.

indeed,

was

struck

was

ladies

hope

pis-aller.

"

three

our

most
al-

avoid

to

Magnificent
college prize-day.* Towards
with

and
the

up

only

myself
my

retreat,

is

or

with

me,

give

to

solitude

1880.

July

Plainpalais.
the

march

refuge

But

I went

and

the

I have

feel

to

prove
ap-

excuse

harmony

of those

always

men

they

admire,
in

with

what

what

to

and

sympathy

the

of

need

neighbour,

of

succeeds,

blame,

or

journal.

the

and

another
there

are

read ;
to be
pamphlets and the newspapers
while
speech-making goes on at the clubs.
On
Sunday, plebiscite; Monday, public pro"

made

The
the

prize-giving
occasion

of

at
a

the

national

College

of

festival.

Geneva

is

amiel's

301

journal.

cession, service at St. Pierie, speeclies on

adults.
for the
day,
Tuestlie Molard, festival
the college fete-day.
the
Wednesday,
fete-day

of the
is

Geneva

point,

one

those

world-anvils
of

number
out.

all

projects
one

causes

have

is

which

is

explanation

which

that

Geneva
on

herself

alone

difficulties.

in her

right.

It

become

yet

and

she

that

they do

at

Berlin,'

doctrinaires

destroy
her.

is

her

She

New
are

martyrs

work

here, the

little ; but

the

truest

republican,

"

learned,

and

solution

prising
enter-

depended
of

her

Reformation

me

and
to

she

has

with

sword
that

see

own

in
she

her

has

of

anything,
still capable of deciding for
who
to
as
her, 'Do
say
York, at Paris, at Rome,
a

Those

herself.

at

left hand

pleases

the

alert, marching

the

on

lantern

not

the

Since

always

been

for the

of

one

gi-eatest

for centuries

has

"

at

Geneva,

protestant, democratic,

than

hammered

that

been
a

the

been

thinks

are

more

certainly

have

explained

fires

had

is

boiling-

at

the

Vulcan

on

When

mystery

always

of

extinguished.
Geneva
forge, and

never

of

cauldron

furnace

schools.

primary

mere

still in

who

would

unity

waste

divines

the

copy

the

minority.

split
their
snare

her

up

breath

laid

The
and
upon

for

her

amiel's

302
and

turns

that

the

is

an

small

hollow

equally

an

letters.
acids

The

modern

No

even

has

the
a

negation,

various

the

isms

formulae.

some

have

and

art
so

many

are

express

dangerous

any

some

of
of

The
fruitful

tory
explana-

even

names

of

element

in

abusive

geration.
exag-

empiricism, idealism,
best among
things and

is

not

rather

and

than

shadow.

are

hardly

They

What

by the

abstraction

present

Examples
radicalism.

of

are

disease, for they

excess,

it is the

shadow

principles : they

and

romanticism.

or

less virtue

even

of the

state

living and
masterpiece,
work, by the

piece of

isms, for

other

any

upon
are

help of realism, liberalism,

Separatism

have

everything

decent

of

ernment,
self-gov-

which

isms

achieves

one

of

ruined

are

effect

dissolve

which

concrete.
nor

disastrous

Ultra-

Neither

them

formulae

cosmopolitan

from

our

historical

nationalities

in

province.

and

of

dignity of a
independent people.

Our

than

recognise.
the
meaning

of the

cient
suffi-

comes

more

neither

ity.
vital-

country

will

never

and
idea

Jacobins

our

understand

them

original has

command

of

nothing

is what

montanes

is

of

proof

this

existence.

word

elsewhere
This

which

for

reason

which

I like

away.

Only

journal.

AMIEL^S

perfect

most

303

beings slips througli

among

who
categories. The man
is neither
sanguineous

tliese
well
old

JOURNAL.

is

perfectly
the
[to use

"

bilious
vous.
nernor
nor
term]
A normal
republic contains
opposing
parties and points of view, but it contains
medical

them,

"

it were,

as

contain

sixth

8th

1842

that

that

is
I

that

stage has
is

the

just arriving

at

it.

and

and

standing-ground
Is the

my

that
is

there

; it is

of

history,
impression

strange

is

memory

below

layer

one.

my

after

actual

layer

ashes.

life of

trees

1845

particular

This

is

that

am

matter

remoteness

realise

as

when
a

of historical

in

philosophy

age

that

true

great catacomb,

great

same

me

to

in

was

professor of aesthetics.

to

begin

which

Museums,

I became

become

of distance

since

years

Krause's

less

the

none

thirty

reading. It
for pictures ;

now

not

studying
be

may

does

perfect ray.

on

wild

was

was

in 1850

he

book

Waagen's

friend

my

It is

"

contained

are

alone

red

part of the

1880.

July

I read

colours

light,while

of

ray

chemical

of

state

the

All

combination.

in

in

of

living'ayer

of

mind

something

immemorial
consciousness

like that

growth

of

Is the

superimposed

amiel's

304

No

of

dead

layers ?

is too

much

to

hundreds

upon

doubt

when

this

is

memory

almost

as

remember

journal.

slack
it had

that

did

we

but

sign of possession
like

no

mind

empty

frame

culture,

is all

of

death

as

it for

prepared

the

Since
I have

eyes
"

of

blind

is to

that
in

as

from

world

the

am

method.
Life

results
to

of

my

onwards
with

able
the

abolish

strange
own

to

body

me

and

ready
al-

phosis.
metamor-

things

been

is

treated

; it has

sixteen

at

has

It

has

myself regarding
beyond the tomb,

; all is

outside

longer

no

recently operated

sight, and

though

it were,

look

of

I have

say,

I find

now

to

man

myself

of
and

able

been

age

retained

It is without

further

My

thousand

minds

other

treats

volume

it has

hardly anything in its meshes.

It
matter, and is only form.

it

Ls

by incessant

but

knowledge ; it has become

etherealised, algebraicised.

; it is

its shelf.

on

which

of

Sharpened

images.

training, it

title

To

is not

once

engraving

an

still,

been.

sign of loss

found

be

is the

vanished

know

becomes

past

never

its nail, the

longer on
longer to

no

of

number

the

but

say,

the

though

Dead

the
upon

to

long

press
sup-

cation
edu-

distances

existence
from
; I am,

other
anas

ality
individu-

depersonalised, detached,

cut

amiel's

adrift.

normal

balance

played
and

truant

among

that

mind

alien

forms

has

thus

of

being,

invisible

to

one's

worlds.

incapacity for self-judgment

means

Whereas

mental

my

the

Dante

self-control.

and

Madness

No.

after

followed

Madness

305

impossibility of recovering

the

means

madness

Is this

"

journal.

it

to

seems

transformations

me

but

are

I am
tied
to
philosophical experiences.
I am
but making psychological investigations.
none.
the

At

from

the hold
as

of

solvents

men,

14th
of

Necker
V

hide

not

experiences

sense,

common

weaken

because

they

personal interests

act

and

prejudices.
myself against

only defend
life of
by returning to the common
and by bracing and fortifyingthe will.
can

July 1880.
written
de

To

of

is what

suits

of

Madame

Genevese,

moral

us

Stael's

losophy
phi-

congenial
Intellectual

least

ill.

science,
"

soonest

de

studies.

practical philosophy
have

that

most

politics, economical
We

which,

Madame

or

still the

remunerative

is the book

Perhaps

Saussure,

Allemagne.
is

"What

"

literature, I would

all Genevese

have

such

of all
I

them

that

myself

I do

time

same

these

everything

are

to

and

ousness
seri-

History,

education,
our

lose

jects.
sub-

in the

amiel's

3o6

to make

attempt

ourselves

Parisians

of the

copies

journal.

merely carrying

water

Geneva

than

remain

faithful

which,

and

taste

fashion
of

tyranny

Alexander

to

thought and
is not
the

truth.

misrepresentation

28fA
had
come

July
walk
back

with

and

it lends

that

one,

and

that

It is true

the

free

1880.
in

the

This

"

Arve,

in

The

nature.

the

the

austerity of its banks,

and

renewed
of

of
the

what

the

dependen
in-

which

blink
an

grateful
un-

sarcasm

matter

afternoon

waters

murmur

is

role

was

the

not

itself to

sunshine,

rejoicing

should

speech
does

of

"

represent

but

"

the

Diogenes

by prestige, and

dazzled

other

Geneva

the

of

tyranny

the

on

is to

role

at

hand, and

one

what

Nation

; her

easier

the

Jacobinism.

or

Grande

to La

the

ruling opinion

Catholicism
be

on

that

from

freedom

of greater

one

pendent
Inde-

ought to
special line,
of France, is

own

with

compared

as

are

Geneva

her

to

we

Seine.

perhaps

Paris, and

at

doing

so

the

to

is

criticism

by

Frenchified

mere

I have

just

have
ion
commun-

the

Rhone

river, the

brilliancy of the

foliage,the play of the leaves, the splendour

of the July sunlight, the rich fertilityof the
fields,the lucidity of the distant mountains,
the
of the
the
whiteness
glaciers under

AMIEL'S

JOITRNAL.

serenity of the sky, the sparkle and

of
the
mingling rivers, the leafy

azure

foam

of

masses

the

Batie

La

woods

the

though

back

to

me.

I
universal

the

summer's

Once

more

surprised
life carried

my

me

caress

went

eyes

beheld

and

to

strength had

overwhelmed

was

was

The

of

years

aU

"

It seemed

everything delighted me.

as

307

come

with
and

me

sations.
sen-

grateful.
its breast

on

to

heart.

my

the

zons,
hori-

vast

the

soaring peaks, the blue lakes, the

winding valleys,and all the free outlets of
old days.
And
no
painful
yet there was
of longing. The
left upon
sense
scene
indefinable
me
an
impression, which
was
neither
hope, nor
desire, nor
regret, but
rather
of emotion, of passionate
sense
a
and anxImpulse, mingled with admiration
iety.
I

of

conscious

am

at

of

once

beyond what I possess

the unattainable
impossible and
want

my

own

am

and

of

wealth
I

not,

"

poverty
my

contradiction, because
The

of

am

and

human

ambiguity

of

which

inner
it is

in

joy
I

the

; I gauge
a

state
one

see

and

word,
is

one

of transition.

it is characteristic

is

cause
ambiguous, beit is flesh
becoming
spirit, space
changing into thought, the Finite looking
the
dimly out upon
Infinite,intelligence
working its way through love and pain.

nature,

amiel's

3o8
is the

Man

point

the

sensorium

principle, and

all

is the

and

values

of

all ;

All

is not

If

does, that
mind

but

mind,

It is the

all.
that

which

the

loves

mind

Eternal

in all its wealth

is

of

shadow

to

suns

; He

His

speak,

to

4t/i

of
It

en.*

is

of
*

the
every

The

1880.

the

year

own

tent,
con-

cially
espe-

"

Not

that

themselves

upon
in His

consciousness

of creatures
and

in

who

nature

monads

multiply,

read

of

one

youth

cantons

in the

"

have

Centrale

Feuille

journal of

different

the

so

divinity.

August

numbers

"

because

myriads

and

being

animated

all these

and

in

participate

thus

life

multitudes

innumerable

to

allows

"

power.

expansion

disport

grants

is

tains
con-

being

preparation.

He

egotist.

an

myriads

and

of

in its stages

God

of

perceive its

to

; that

all,and

is in

subsists, it

universe

mula,
for-

knows.

which

the second

to

once

and

law

consciousness

is,Being raised

the

at

laboratory, product

is,that

changed.
inter-

are

sensation, expression, and

which

nature,

plastic medium,

result

the

of

commune

wliich

at

Mind

material

journal.

those

thinks

Btudents'
of

little town

of

new

ginnings
be-

it is pro-

society, drawn

Switzerland,

few

Zofing-

de

perpetual

which

which

Zofingen.

from
meets

amiel's

journal.

309

it is only
ducing something fresh when
repeating the old.
is governed
Nature
the
by continuity
continuity of repetition ; it is like an oftthe
told
of
tale, or
recurring burthen
a
"

The

song.

rose-trees

rose-bearing,

the

birds

of

loving,

hearts

young

the

singing
have

of

How,

All

is

shutting

to

eyes

is the

spectacle

the

alike, and

are

its circle.

trace

to

ony
monot-

there

by

fastidium

our

hundred

Profound
"

to

the

be

avoided

the
laying stress
upon
differences
which
exist, and then by
What
to enjoy repetition.
to the
is perennially
is old and worn-out
heart
and
fresh
to the
; curiosity is

love

is

The

tired.

never

small

do

we

effort

personal
author.

Where

life is
even

may

sure

though

is

at

every
to possess

it repeat

least

lect
intelyoung
able,
insati-

work.

is

others,

weary

ing
learn-

natural

preservative against satiety, too,

What

but

useful

charm

for

ever

the

its

to

works, the

one

formity,
uni-

general

by

but

of

which

feelings

circles

tends

then,

voices

young

furnished

existence

every

By

formula

of

nest-building,

movement,

world.

the

or

before.

in universal

simplest

of

predecessors

their

times

tired

never

and

thoughts

served

thousand

are

and

eral
gen-

savour,

the

same

AMIEL'S

3IO
the

song,

his

aspirations,the
To
same
sighs.

same

and

the

turn,'

is

the

new

; when

are

inventing.

they

love
the

1880.

smooth

more

than

the

Plato

more

than

world's

the

the

mild

for

the

and

is to

heart

enfranchised

slave,
which

and

but

so

many

work

and

week

have

of

but

that

the

naturally

of

newly

the

The

is that
to

wellis not

lovable.
me

is

taste

perament
tem-

in which

another.

All

sharply-marked
qualities are
signs of imperfection.

it to
my

inferior

which

"

of

hement
ve-

and

August 1880.
To-day
of
I am
improvement.

29th

The

My

liberty

charms

leads

virtue

exclusive

soul

insolent, like

and

harsh

for

"

fierce holiness

the

me

calm

the

rough,
the

on

sublime,

the

Socrates.

playful

they

go

Jeremiahs.

well-balanced

trained

think

years

than

more

barbarian

one

As

"

are

bene

sempre

beautiful

of

beings.

received, and

have

the

nobility of

mortal

imitate, they
They

August

man

every

old, they themselves

is

they

transmit.

2ith

of

motto

dices,
preju-

same

'

they do

If wliat

JOURNAL.

go

back

to

my

interrupted habits
grown

several

am

scious
con-

vantage
taking adneglected
; but

months

in

older,

amiel's

is

^"hat

see

it ;

truth.

The

to

but

halts

and

The

most

me,

would

pretend

does

take

not

shuttle

of
not

tells

the

from

away

still

; but

one

destiny, and death

be nearing rapidly, in spite of the
which
truces
are
granted one.

to

seems

them

of convalescence

in it the

hears

affection

looking-glass

the

fact

311

The

see.

makes

me

pleasure

the

to

easy

around

those

journal.

of

"

beautiful
be

existence, it
of

that

get through all its rapids and

far from

waterfalls

should

rising, and

its

should

which

river

to

seems

not

then

its

in

of rich
form
succession
a
widening course
a lake
equally
valleys, and in each of them
but
diversely beautiful, to end, after the

plains

of

all that
seek

past, in the

were

age

and

is weary

for

heavy-laden
few

How

rest.

there

full,fruitful,gentle lives
of

wiser
the

best

Le

nom

The
.

to

us

in

see

all
coat

them

one's

fit us

these
use

It

to

is

lot

own

cleverest

the
to

of

is the

had, and

have

to

comes

say

to

tailor

clv)sely

more

skin.

our

vrai

to

after

make

than

regretting

could

one

that

cannot

or

harder

and

oneself

for

wishing

are

What

where

ocean

du

essential

accept

bonheur

his

est

le contentement.'

thing for

destiny.

Fate

every

has

one

deceived

is

amiel's

312
you

have

; you

lot ; well,

sleep

to

SOth

The

of

'

reproaches

(Two

of

birds

the

or

thunder.
the

it the

prelude

to

soucieux

catastrophe.

men

coeur

business
of
all the
Strange
is going on
neighbourhood
"

even

all

yet

more

movement

these

noises

suspended in the
silence, which
silence
on

akin

to

of

day

one

as

are,

they

it were,

held

week,

soft, positive

disguise

cannot

which,

that

; there
; and

in

"

in every

Such

"

town,

the

replaces

labouring hive.

'"

mediate
im-

the

usual

than

silence

the

of the

murmur

sharp

agitation and

show

imagine

traverse,

te

distant

rainless

but

might

one

Quel eclair

is

; go

Unm-

o'clock)."

and

grave

is gray

symphony

1880

little cries
;

mutual

more

no

at your

in peace.

sky

fear

grumbled

sometimes

August

blings

journal.

vague

silence

is
extraordinary. There
something expectant, contemplative, almost
which
there
anxious
in
it.
Are
days on
of Job
little breath
the
produces more
at

such

an

hour

is

'

'

effect

than
on

suspend
of

tempest
the

the

horizon

distant
concert

desert

lion

which

on

of
at

dull

is

enough

voices, like
the

fall of

bling
rum-

the

to

ing
roar-

night ?

amiel's

^th

with

am

becoming

to

foundation

things.
personal events,

thing
everyI

me.

of

force

purely spirit ;

more

the

to

are

be

texts

me

see

the

beings,

life of

is the

Such

strips himself
If he

is

that

he

wills, it

is.

meditation, facts

laws,
is

he

and

is that

of

occasion

love

does

for

not

feels

him,

the
"

moment,

him

cosmic

vibrations.

subject

; he

attributes

that
He

body

retains
to

only

himself

it

may

is

of

its

love,

spectacle.

he

the

than

spectacle

as

yet

be

to

his

through

the
the

for

were,

perceive
mere

form

He
; he

own

passing

him,

will

sweet,

so

rather

the

; if

loved,

be

to

himself

whirlwind

in order

feel, it

what

him

remains

to

ality.
person-

to

know

else

his

day

under-stand

to

to

believe

vital

lent

and

act

phenomenon

the

even

more

may

contemplates

He

end.

of

nothing
seems

spiritualised.

and

better

he

document

Every

it is sweet

he

also

there

only

be

to

thinker.

to

the

knows

he

the

more

may

realities

to be

consents

Although

and

for

interpreted,matter

be

he

particular experiences,

Life

ideas.

to

all

into

generalised

reduced

he

active

my

me

of

All

to

of

to

seems

growing transparent

types,

sense

to

313
It

"

decline

the

is
the

1880.

September

that

journal.

the

thinking
of

material

things ;
pos-

314
session

amiel's

journal.

nothing

whatsoever

of

life but

nothing from
of mind
that
He

malies

is

manes

of

incompreliensible

him

am

; he

the

and

Later.

men

dream

of the

life

exist

in

case

my

in
of

primitive unicellular
only
my

which

substance

All

speak, repudiated
and

of

cultivation
; the

solved

fluid ;
within

return

to

the

bird

cause,

to its germ.

to make

still in
I possess

the
the
to

the
self
my-

Ego, and

I feel
into

the

individualised.

animality is, so to
the product of study

is in

the

do

rooms,

the

way

same

whole

dewdrop

nulled
an-

redis-

crystallisation is

whole

into

withdrawn

the

; all

no

fore
there-

tend

am

have

of

endowment

the

and

reabsorbed

they

to

takes

time,

as

themselves

faculties

Creusa

dreams

me

state.

and

Monad

as

the

them.

partitionswhich
thousand
a
palace with

of

are

to

category

as

having died,

all those

not

all

to

man,

shade

Consciousness

"

account

the

or

Other

am

living. Without

ghost.

resembles

Achilles

resembled

of

temper

enjoyment, dominion, possession.

fluid as
that we
but
a
see
phantom
grasp

me,

This

loves

cannot

wisdom.

asks

he

rainbow
;

is

quences
conse-

principle, effects to
the egg, the organism

amiel's

This

journal.

beyond

the

death

; it

the

grave,

is

reinvolution

psychological
of

315
ticipation
an-

the

represents

return

an

life

Scheol,

to

the

of ghosts, or
fading into the world
descending into the region of Die M'utter ;
ual
it implies the
simplification of the individof perv?ho, allowing all the accidents
sonality
soul

to

in

only

the

henceforward

exists

evaporate,
indivisible

state, the

point, of potentiality, of pregnant

Is
mind
and

this

not

is not

the

this

time, just

or

future, is contained

is

contained

This

What

dimensions
is

lost its

the

past

it

all.
a

but

This

punctum
saliens.

punctum
oak

the

that

"

is to

say,

which

has

all its apparatus,

forms, its particularities

but

"

still present
a

space

just as a curve
algebraical formula.
is

acorn

of

branches, its leaves, its trunk, and

its roots

in

an

from

development,

in

its

is

nothing

without

its

in

Its

ness.
nothing-

definition

true

dissociated

mind,

of

state

force

complete
This

in

which
revival

in

concentration,
contains

the

those

eternal, is
:

indeed

it is

is

essence,

possibilityof

then,
impoverishment,
a
loss, a reduction.
to

which

elements
to

simply

in

die, but
to become

one

not

is

only

To

be

which
to be

virtual

perficially
suduced
reare

hilated
anni-

again.

3i6

amiel's

October

mh

1880

Deep

feeling
beautiful,

so

maternal.

sky,

so

caressing,

so

sunlight,

the

and

strength
This

admiration.

bells,all

is

said

We

but

are

make

bring

we

Salvation

consolation.
the

to

sinners,

to

all

to

in

blessing

maketh

His

in

giftslike
like
for

drink

to

rise

burden.
all

tion
salva-

and

sick,

to

the

in

heart,
the

are

the

in

tain
foun-

live !

upon

is

us

weary,

We

God

just and

is

nothing grudging
does not
weigh His

; He

money-changer,
cashier.
Come,
a

or

number

there

"

them

is

enough

all ! '

October

29th
which
matter

of

1880

(Geneva).

professes

man

his

The

and

with

the

body.

munificence

His

cares

comfort

we

suffer

that

unjust. There

the

upon

sun

and

and

to

is

Faults

same

one.

here

afflicted,salvation

conscience, and
of

the

peace,

good

bruised

regrets,

and

of

Be

'
"

rest.

and

so

leaves, the

season

and

was

poetical,

poor

distinctions

no

sorrows,

one

Nature

me,

kindly

forgetfulness, calm,
troubles, anxieties
wrongs,

to

courage,

nature's

walk.

(Clarens)."A

and

The

the

journal.

appearance

is

"

or

ideal

The

itself be
device

deluding
always ready

neighbour,

individual

may

"

only

for

leading
mis-

himself.
to

claim

for himself

it is the

of

wearer

It

oneself

it.
is

are

is ?

elective

by

and

beyond

and

actions.

is

no

both

to

safer

moral

on

nobleness
ness.

what

on

We

of

stainless

to

it,the

by his

; but

acts

which

something

subjective,
in

the

in

Soul

first

the

is in

allow, and
place
the

next,

there
racy
accu-

proportion

to

the

the

lost

know

and

what

have,

we

regret,

for

as,

or
ample,
ex-

innocence, virginal purity,

honour.

judge, then,

vidual
indi-

an

judges
affinity,reaching through
words
and
silence, looks

only tnily

childish
or

what

"

not.

are

judge. Courage is an
goodness on goodness,
courage,
nobleness, loyalty on upright-

have

we

pride

to

you

intuition.

judgment

culture

authority

too

and

one,

of the

what

all

; but

error

tion.
presump-

religious specialty
you pique yourself

know

of

is

criterion

is the

dangerous

to

we

is the

least

tell you

First

Boul

liable

estimable

what

by something else
is only perceived by

The

less

or

me

I will

how

But

which

at

moral

under

badge

ing,
generally speakThe
happens.

extremely
Tell

and

the

Such

any

on

whatever.
upon,

contrary

badge,

the

nobler

the

fights ; whereas,

he

which

of

merits

the

3I7

JOURNAL.

AMIELS

is Infinite

regenerated

The

truest

Goodness,
sinner

or

and
and

the

best
next

saint,

31 8

amiel's

the

tried

man

Naturally,
finer and

Sd

no

pleasm-e

I have

mood

one.

out

of

is

of

one

The

guide

just

very

little

much

less

story,

for

are.

impression

read

made

upon

imagination gets
it,although the intellect
the

Because

incessant

author's

irony and
tradition

Voltairean

"

becomes

us

What

"

sagt?.

The

Why

we

the

or

in

better

1880.

is amused.

his

the

mixed

experience

touchstone

truer

story

me

the

November
the

has

by

journal.

great deal

of

wit

flage.
persi-

lias

and

been

satire,

feeling, no simplicity. It is a
combination
of qualities which
nently
emiserves
well for satire, for journalism, and
of all kinds, but which
is
for paper
warfare

novel

suitable
cleverness

is still within

altliough

the

on

aroused

to

the

is not
the

short

or

poetry, and

domain

frontier.

The

of

the

poetry,

vague

comfort
dis-

by these epigrammatic
fusion
productions is due probably to a conof kinds.
Ambiguity of style keeps
one

in

in

novel

perpetual

one

state

of

tension

and

ought not to be left in

the
doubt
whether
rious,
speaker is jesting or seMoreover, banter
mocking or tender.
will be.
I think,
and never
is not humour,
culty
indeed, that the professionalwit finds a diffiof
in being genuinely comic, for want
self-defence

we

amiel's

depth and
at things

and

is at best

but

is

journal.

319

disinterested

feeling. To laugh
people is not really a joy ; it
a cold
pleasure. Buffoonery
it is

because

wholesomer,

little

more

casm
sarkindly. The reason
why continuous
repels us is that it lacks two
things
and
seriousness.
Sarcasm
humanity
self
implies pride, since it means
putting oneand
above
others,
levity, because
conscience
is allowed
voice in controlling
no
it. In short, we
read
satirical books, but
in
we
only love and
cling to the books
"

"

which

there

22d
to

is heart.

November

be

met

when

and
a

1880.

knows

man

amiable

truth

is
:

of
their

on

after

all

he
out

them
side.

we

are

is ill-nature

ity
First, by humil-

overcome

why should
for pointing them
very

How

"

his

be

angry

No
to

nesses,
weak-

own

with

doubt

do

so,

others
it is not

but

still,

tion
Secondly, by reflecwhat

we

are,

and

if

of ourselves,
thinking too much
it is only an
opinion to be modified ;
the
us
incivilityof our
neighbour leaves
what
before.
Above
we
were
all,by pardon
there
of not
is only one
:
hating
way
do us
those
who
and
that
is by doing
wrong,
them
good ; anger is best conquered by
kindness.
Such
a victory over
feeling may
we

have

been

amiel's

320
not

indeed

us,

but

affect

it is

vulgar

account

own

for
dart

only

the

by

charity.

us

the

angry

poisoned
the

and

should

why

be

to

wound

thoughtful

let human

we

one's

on

from

silent

do

Wliy

embitter

only

extracted

of

pline.
self-disci-

angry

Besides,

be

balm

be

wronged

of

piece

to

causes.

can

have

who

ought

we

great

those

valuable

is

It

journal.

malignity

ingratitude, jealousy

?
is
There
us
perfidy even
enrage
end
to
no
recriminations, complaints, or
simplest plan is to blot
reprisals. The
ness,
bitterAnger,
everything out.
rancour,
"

"

the

trouble
of
that

is to

wrong

Every

but

there

bound

himself

he

which

justice ;

is not

he

soul.

the

healed,

be

is

one

punish

to

is

is

man

"

victim.

wrong
that

of

Such

avenged.

not

penser
dis-

Fire

purifies all.
'Mon

ftme

est

comme

feu

un

qui

devore

et

par fume

Ce

qu'on jette

21th
have

Strauss

pour

1880.

December

with
broken

In

"

Biedermann

read,

just

le ternir.'

being

with

to

be

pursued,

should

be

the

freeing

reproaches

negative, and

with

Christianity.

The

too

having
object

article

an

of

according

to

religion from

him,
the

amiel's

of

view

of

to

not

the

the

For

instructed

its

world

sake

of

of
A

have

see

in

the

Yes,

but

it wise

The

poem,

believe

we

still

culture

is
new

At

cacy?
effi-

fice
sacri-

to

the

tude
multi-

is still

what

"

transparent,

in them

no

We
phor
meta-

longer.

esotericism

attainable

faith

present

olutionises
rev-

ter
mat-

binding force.
an
allegory, a

only

the

much

so

Gospel

Eternal

become

truth,

upset
"

It is

and
critical,scientific,

inevitable, since

minority. The
symbols too.

Ages,

certain

its

itself to

churches

further

no

and

claim.

highest

Middle

symbols

them

; but

is

Copernicus

verscL.

for it !

When

they

arises

and

religion over
pious fiction

modern
!

sonship.

satisfyinga thinking

the

has

of

astronomy
worse

world,

question

to accommodate

vice

not

the

savour

public,

Truth

for the

the

lost

Answer.

fiction.

point

supernatural,

the

influence

the

and

another

of

mystery,

and

other

has
separated
religion which
local
special miracle, from

interventions
from

antiquated

the

of divine

sense

that

from

itself

for
"

is true

has

view

substitution

the

this
orthodoxy,
be the
victory over

produced by
It

of

point

dualism

321

element, and

mythological
of another

journal,

must

the

is

osophica
phil-

by
have

effect

its

it pro-

amiel's

322
duces

pious souls

on

; it has

one

frivolous
from

journal.

and

traditional

less profane

or

more

disrespectful,incredulous,

look,

is

it

dogma

the

at

of conscience.

free

to

seems

How

man

of

cost

ousness
seri-

ness
sensitive-

are

of

of sin, the desire

feeling,the sense
for pardon,
the
thirst for holiness, to be
the errors
which
preserved among
us, when
have

served

food

have

them

been

of education

is it not

the

best

belief

which

discerns
itself

allow

28th

our

science.

these

different

those

1880.

serve

or

harm

intrinsic

who

for us,

from
or

we

mind

The

degrees
faith, and

may
still

; the

enemies,

own

the

the

and

antipathetic to

second

who

can

ested
is disinter-

according

men

ourselves,

from

our
are

know

we

two

are

indifferent,those

value, their

apart
have

us

it classes

"

from

those
are

belief,and

There

"

it starts

"

friends

who

deep

lines of progress.

the

distinguishes

draw

and

and

first is utilitarian

us,

process

classing the people

of

divides

divine

opinion

December

modes

the

imagination and

within

remain

illusion

is to

way

between

between

Is not

Perhaps
distinction

and

support

eliminated

indispensable ?

for

long

so

to

their

fects,
qualitiesand dethey
feelings which

for them.

amiel's

My

journal.

is to

tendency

classification.

323
second

the

appreciate

kind

of

less

by

men

to me
special affection which they show
than
I
by their personal excellence, and
It
confuse
cannot
esteem.
gratitude with
the
ings
feelis a happy thing for us when
two
be combined
can
nothing is more
; and

the

painful

than

to

feel neither

can

not

am

respect

of

egotist, the

piety of

object
very

of

too

disappear

the
erosity
gen-

the

dull

of

barren

self-love, interest
touch

even

nay,

but

them,

if I

me

they inspire
I foresee

to

return

privilege is temporary,
less flattered

than

and

anxious

with

the

the

to

the

am

me

clearly. Every exception

and

nature,

humility of
me
as
nomena
phe-

the

heart,

little confidence.

them

in

The

states.

tenderness
a

excitable
"

we

good-nature of an
perament,
gentleness of a passionate temmiser,

the

an

yet

believe

to

of accidental

where

confidence.

nor

willing

very

permanence

the

gratitude

owe

end

of

tends

to

rule.

besides,
when

I find

All
I

am

self
my-

the
A

object of a privilege.
man's
primitive character
by

over

and
to
worn

alluvial

acquisition,
to

come

away

the

none

"

surface

all that

of

deposits
the

when

is accessory

be

may

less

culture

is it

years
and

ered
cov-

sure

have

adven-

amiel's

324
titious.

admit

moral

great

is

In

artificial

is

soil ;

are

finds

tears

of

has

had

of

worship

proportion

to

is that

ennobles

And

which

the

and
as

from

of

this

being

we

anything.
the

love

must

sphinx-like,
;

may

so

grow

but

that

with

proud

kind

founded

nature

are
on

perfect in
the

only
love

True

tifies
personality, for-

sanctifies

heart, and

diamond

attachment

; and

perfectness of soul, is
is worth

charm

fickle heart

ideal, and

aflSnitywhich
the

of

same

ought

we

women

draw

attractions

the

it.

by

intoxicating in the
he alone
joy which

to

Affinity

deceptive.

an

on

they

fix

all

and

power

But

woman.

when

tempts

something
the

and

and

rowed
bor-

on

risks

many

them

tenderness

To

buUd

to

snares,

catch

To

is

too

run

we

which

man

bility.
proba-

friendship

virtues

all to distrust

task

on

temperament.

of

added

vanity.

our

of

virtues

Exceptions
above

reckon

not

"

foundations
or

tionise
revolu-

not

possibility

virtues
the

lay

sometimes

I dare

but

possibility of

friends
must
we
choosing one's
whose
qualities are inborn, and

those

their

the

which

soul,

It

choose

indeed

crises

the
them.

journai,.

the
not

clear

existence.
be
and

rious
myste-

limpid

admiration

knowledge.

and

amiel's

journal.

325

thing. It resembles
it is precisely love's
contrary.
Instead
of
of the
wishing for the welfare
of
object loved, it desires the dependence
that
its own
umph.
triobject upon
itself,and
Love
is the f orgetfulness of self ;
of
jealousy is the most
passionate form
egotism, the glorification of a
despotic,
neither
can
exacting, and vain ego, which
itself.
The
contrast
forget nor suboi'dinate
is perfect.
Jealousy
love, only

is

Aiisterity

terrible

in

of

accompaniment
And

when

strong
as

the

diamond
athirst

To

they

of

fidelityas

is

for

Their

tion
devolove

is

religion, and
by giving to

love

of

loving.

resisting

hungry

are

the

attachment

sacrifice.

energy

sanctity of duty.
the

spectator

presents
a

their

so

for

sometimes

power

tenderness

they triple the

it the

rare

; their
;

piety, their

is

death

as

and
a

it

is

women

great deal
up

"

rather

over

fifty,the

good deal

that

more

which

mere

plagiarism

than

everything is a copy
of a reflection,and

is

world

tainly
cer-

is new,

but

only the

the

copy,

bished
fur-

tion,
modifica-

and

amelioration.
of

old

Almost
a

reflection

perfect being

is

as

326

amiel's

rare

now

he

as

journal.

ever

of it ; it is the

lasts.

Humanity

is

history

why
Is

not

goes

the

hastens

the

plain
com-

the

why

reason

world

slowly

; that

on.

It

; it

away

death.

of

approach

Siva

itself

bum

to

of

goad

the

torch

not

us

improves but

progress

excites

Let

was.

Societies

which

change rapidly only reach their final

who
the
Children
sooner.
catastrophe
reach
too
are
precocious never
maturity.
of life,not
be the aroma
Progress should
its substance.

Man

is

play,
thus

passion
works

which

the
of

and

the

brings a will
intelligence,

an

into
and

"

which

organs

service

which

be

to

seem

in

the

intelligence,are in reality only

the
For
all the
moner
comagents of passion.
of being, determinism
is true :
sorts
inward
liberty exists only as an exception
as

he

even

who

is not
We

an

are

and
is not

indefeasible
free

of ourselves,

only
our

temperament.
and

the

critical

self- conquest.

tasted

has

intermittently

liberty,then,

of

result

so

liberty is only

by

as

we

pretexts,
We

are

spirit
"

state

it

invariable

and
far

free
True

moments.

continuous

And

our

freed
that

quality.
not
are
dupes
instincts,our
by
is to

energy

say,

by

amiel's
detachment
So

that

of
we

freedom

we

shaking
but

are

off

it has

invisible

long

bonds.

The

take

place
is

in

realities

in the

the

of

Christ

the

is

problem

after

the

Life
the

should

animal

be

made

be

transmuted

into
torch

of

all

of
but

the

the

manner

solution

extirpation

of

of sorrow,

^akyamouni.
giving birth
a higher mode
humanised

be

must

be

must

of

method

after
beautiful

the

the

world,

sorrow

than

of

tremendous

more

development

The

The

has

events

sensible

transfiguration of

report

intellect.

most

the

started

has

the

decisive

of

tardy sign

the

of

caged,

its cage.

bullet

noise

the

us.

Sorrow

The

is

within

but

are

activities.

soul

The

flutter

to

results

reached

world

self-government.
enslaved, but susceptible of
are
bound, but
capable of

power

before

327

soul, by

our

Material

journal.

to

the

of
:

soul,

reality.

flesh must

spirit; physiological activity must

into

intellect

justice, and

reason,

is transmuted

and

generosity,

into

life and

blind, greedy, selfish

put

heavenly

beauty
alchemy

on

and
is

conscience,

nature

nobleness.

what

as

the

warmth.
of

man

This

justifies our

amiel's

328

and

duty,
feeling ;

to

this

"

the

conscience

put

nobility.

but

self

world

of

is

which

without

think

dependen
in-

what

If

it

it will

is

lawfully ours
until after our
or
perhaps not at all,
it is but
its right. It is our
acting within
business
to behave
as
though our
country
were
were
grateful, as though the world
sighted,
clearequitable, as though opinion were
as
though life were
just,as though
men
were
good.
give

not

Death

itself may

and

expires
author

therefore
man

of the

[With
mouth

the

us

place
death,

for

sickly

such

in

affair.

own

of
do

to

world

the

hope

sign

consists

it is its

us,

the

To

able

be

must

Let
will

only
place of

has
martyrdom
in us flinches,
man

submits.

manliness

True

in

natural

The

better

think

voluntary

justice in the
sensibility; we
it.

mission

our

and

happiness

renounce

of

its

it is

glory.

our

To

earth:

the

on

presence

journal.

the
of

become
a

moral

surrenders

matter
act.

his

The

soul

of

sent,
con-

animal
to

the

soul.

year

January,

1881,
we

beginning
enter

upon

with
the

the

last

AMIEL^S

to

attend

the

to

and

record

After

pain a state
gained upon
2yth
April ;
succumbed,

of

it

is

without

1881.

Tacitus

dominatione.

pro

the

I think

is

voluntary, dependence
I

blush

should

and

of

man

be

If
man

had
know.

tendency

or

Omnia

when
to

ing,
degraddetest

the

you
one

or

whatever.

self-love

some

me.

determined

will

any

is

it

constraint,

to

makes

liege

desire

the

freest

"

master.

own

health

My

meanness.

which

my

burden

slavery,

something

simply
I

is

utilitarianism

ambition

the

of

slave

becoming the
To
me
vanity

shame

said

myself

interest, submitting

by

to

find

to

"

I fear

Even

contrary.

he

complicated
S.]

the

to

the

that

May

suffered.

he

"

dated

are

of

11th

which

from

suffering and
weakness
gradually

struggle,

death.

than

just

the

on

which

of

last lines

His

was

January

serviliter

weeks

disease,

kindliness

and

up

towards

of his

progress

extreme

him.

disease

more

the

interest

of

proofs

received.

6th

wrote

end, doing little else, however,

the

he

Amiel

Journal.

the

last than

the

we

from

extracts

forebodings, he felt himself

shall see
by the following

his

spoke of
mortally ill,as

he
tinued
conAlthough
ijrofessorialduties, and

his

to

never

329

illness.

Amiel's

of

period

JOURNAL.

should

Although

be

perhaps

little

AMIEL

330
hardness
make

impossible
wish

would

let

desire
I

enclose
less

is in

be

reminded

power,

of

Let

dignity.
would

his

given

up

face:

what

charity

life

there

"

I may

whole

who

in

my

if

of

take

in

the
from

away
and

whole
of

secret

we

freely

has

death

the

have

you

not

safeguard

desire

with

the

Buddha,

rather

that

the

it

can

away

which
for

look

may

more

Do

him

even

wish

He

stripped.

way

cease

strip ourselves,

us

be

not

this

obstacles

the

is

Renunciation

way.

in

to

only

them.

to

not

boundaries

care

my

and

wall,

the

take

me.

than

even

of

of

conscious

be

to

liberty

Therefore

them,

no

foolish

so

for, and

against

become

of my

on

able

am

head

my

for

hold

any

were

limits

dwell

thoughts
I

to

liberty

have

apparent.
wish

to

if I

the

them,

not

what

run

and

My

has

things

become

care

my

Nobody

me,

for

soon

take

nothing.

many

to

desirable

be

independent.

more

but

me,

to

would

negative.

only

as

JOURNAL.

exaggerate

me

over

heart

still

me

Let

is

of

practise
method
the

great

Deliverance.
...

It

is

So

God.

and

snowing,
But

; this

that
I

do

is the

depend on
not
depend
point

is troublesome.

chest

my

to

Nature
on

be

and
human

insisted

on

price
caon.

amiel's

It

is true

blunder

and

reduce

me

quake

may

of

that

chemist

my

poison

chimera.

independence

who

withdraws

and

shuts

'Jurons,

into

"

may
eartli-

that

of

excepte

Dieu,

of old

Geneva

fore,
there-

possess
stoic

the
of his

will,

him.

gates behind

the

hope

do

But

fortress

the

banker

my

me,

make

may

pauperism, just as an
without
house
destroy my
Absolute
independence,

pure

relative

331

to

redress.
is

journal.

n'avoir

de

de

point

maitre.

This

oath

remains

motto

my

still.

IQth

1881.

January

troubled

let

To

"

indifference, of others, is
I

to

in

heart

ought
than
world
the
or

in

grown

used
troubles

result

to

be.
me

to

seems

tougher
The
less

me,

in

of

attachment

and

that

the

than

it

however,

this

respect

malignity
than

ful
pain-

judged.

vulnerable

philosophy, or an
simply caused
by the many
and

ill

hardihood,

more

It

be.

I have
I

is

me

to

manly

to

It is

misunderstood,

be

to

me

weakness

inclined.

much

very

wanting

am

that

am

be

ingratitude, the

the
by the ill-will,

which

oneself

it did.

of

the
Is

it

effect of age,

proofs

I have

of

received

spect
re-

AMIEL

332
These

proofs

Otherwise
in

of

all

and

admiration

some

have

so

in

know

ourselves

the

with

ourselves
credit

must

them,

opinion

of

to

relative

while

much,

too

to
cost

me

ask

to
or

do

not

for
with

all
my

for

but

them,

calculation

to

two

for

which

know

our

opinion

too

tive
sensi-

faults

have

kindness,

pathy,
sym-

forbade

pride
employ

obtain

be

which

by

been

to

and

despise

despised

my

or

feel

may

we

not

to

thing
some-

must

as

not

are

for

effort

do

yet I have

equity,

we

standard

have

injustice. These
I longed
dear.
and

me

power.

do

resistance

we

our

weight

long

As

ourselves

measure

value,

we

our

to the

we

we

some

without

are

We
as

If

that

so

overcome.

we

long

as

count

fellow-men

possessed

be

to

but

enough.

rightlyproportioned
has

necessary

stimulus,

assessment,

well

our

with

is

comparative

our

effect, we

with

insignificance

moral

ourselves,
social

place

easily believed

strengthening elixir.

know

we

self-respect.

Success
is

ing
want-

were

in the

timid, praise

ignorant of

act

with

efforts.

my

the

are

me

nullity and

for

think

just what

I should

own

my

JOURNAL.

were

inspire

to

any

them.

dress
adI

...

think

I have

through
best

been
have

self,but

been
my

altogether,

wrong

want

in

harmonj-^
of

adapta-

AMIEL

bility has worn

Now, indeed, I
and
'

II n'est

to

no

purpose.

within, but

peace

my

strength is running

my

life is

my

at

am

333

out,

me

is over,

career

JOUKXAL.

out,

its end.

near

plus temps

rien

pour

excepte

pour

mourir.'

This

is

2Sd

this

ablaze

with

fender

it all

the

cough
weather,

have

night,

has

been

the

dows
win-

With

sunshine.
I

historically.

tolerable

Beautiful

"

the

at

"

morning

frightful.
on

1881.

January

but

look

I can

why

just

my

feet

finished

the

newspaper.

At

this
to

strange
death.

that

me

Life

near.

has

This

afresh

up

and

It is like

still repeats

wrung,

'

The

but

hope
in

animal

is

the

on

for

so

of

ent.
persistis

its last breath

being
"

rien.'

matter

protests.

our

fable, who,

its neck

sera

ever

verdict

and

in the

with

puts the

be

troubling

us,

parrot

Cela, cela, ne

intellect
the

no

when

moment

very

should

life is tenacious
the

seems

kinship with
doubt, a sort of

casting doubt

All

science.

the

why,

it

of

sense

instinctive

springing

at

well, and
doom

my

no

is

mechanical

reason,

I feel

moment

It

at

will

its worst,
not

be-

334

AMIEL

lieve in the

evil till it

it ?

regret
will

under

its

may
are

save

us,

we

ever

reckon

is

How

doing?

hardly
be,

ever

to

our

in

bravely,

cross

of

does

the

waited

understand

to

would

where
It occurred

to

of

each

know
those

even

nothing

of

Terrors.

brook

no

our

the

and

use

of

him

be

physical
with

are

; there

he

If

he

fice,
sacri-

little

troubles
us

the

thoughts
are

how

to

the

to

his

morning

dearest

bear

soldier

given

conversations

confidant

and

The

submission

other's

There

it

always will
fatherly will of

murmuring.

this

nearest

so

aids

offering

an

order

his
me

every

distress.

ourselves

without

dies

in

it for

and

destiny.

obeys and

to

possible

the

as

human

dispute

not

chances

is, and

submit

to

We

hope.

with

all

necessity

so

remedy

no

the

angry

God

Besides,

frailtyclings

solution

see

Arbiter

of

desolation

escapes

and

God,

refuge

taken

miracle.
is

with

supreme

knows

among

be

Even

against

life ; it is

of

there

Mortal

support.

The

the

doubtful

the

favour.

our

of

love

that

sure

Nature's

religion has

work

may

is

to

one

itself

Who

protection.

Uncertainty

we

defend

organic impulse which

an

It

not.

only the

is

Ought

comes.

Probably

hope

JOURNAL.

life should

that

death

know

King
which

griefs which

AMIKL

be

cannot

shared.

bids

even

alone,

suffer

we

is

there

God.

to

becomes

Vouloir

None

Dieu

Qui

nous

met

us

can

; but

itself

Comme

un

vent

as

of

science

of

soul

contrary
has

once

things, and

thereto, then

mitted
sub-

all is well.

pnissions

mourant

paix :
J'ai
trop longtemps
trompais :
Tout
est bien, men

defeat

liberty.

play

the

as

order

sage

tance
reluc-

repos.'
the

soon

an

passes

la seule

est

en

escape

the

recognised

was

dialogue,

of recovered

sense

que

of

opening

wliat

so

becomes

ce

impulse

'

And

But

alone.

from

us

habit
in-

we

docility,renunciation
the sense
of painful

and

peace,

is lost in the
'

prevent

monologue

austere

into

to

dream

alone,

resting-place

nothing

solitude

our

die

we

others

We

them.

alone,

last

the

for

Consideration

conceal

us

335

JOURNAL.

dire

nous

en

28th
For

three

suffocation

or

four
and

It is clear

Dieu

1881.

January

hours

looked
that

cherche

erre,

terrible

in

awaits

...

"

I should

asphyxia.
not

have

I shall

chosen

night.

struggled against

death

what

me

m'enveloppe.'
A

"

je

die

such

the

face.

is suffocation

me

by choking.
a

death

336

AMIEL'S

but

when

is

there

JOURNAL;

option,

no

resign oneself, and

expired
whom

he

myself

in the

had

sent

at

of

presence

idea

noza
Spi-

once.
.

for.

ply
sim-

must

one

doctor

the

familiarise

must

of

dying unexpectedly,
fine
night, strangled by laryngitis.
last sigh of a patriarch surrounded
by
beautiful
:
kneeling family is more
my

some

The
his

fate

with

the

indeed
but

Abstine
I

lacks

et sustine.

them.

The

is

worth

mine,

be

done

grave

and
all others
Leibnitz

by his

servant

deathbed

The
The

is

not

have

to

torment

only made

more
one

will, not

Thy

'
"

accompanied

was

only.

and

great

that

lamentations:

!'

of the

shared.

journey

scenes

word

evil.

; it is better

last

painful by

the

besides

remember

must

friends

an

try
poe-

in renunciation.

consists

stoicism

faithful

to

beauty, grandeur,

the

is not

tomb

mystery

be

cannot

the

dialogue between

liness
lone-

The

soul

and

It
needs
witnesses.
no
King of Terrors
is the livingwho
cling to the thought of last
knows
one
greetings. And, after all,no

the

exactly
will
'

be

what
will

is reserved
be.

We

for
have

him.
but

What
to

say,

Amen.'

ith

Fehi'uary

1881.

"

It is

strange

sen-

AMIEL'S

sation
"with

the

never

the

made
but
'

it cuts

Quittez

the

lives but

from

When

of work

day

man

to

can

no

pensees.'

absurd

seems

day.
longer

look

up
must

coming

night

fate,

it is

be

he

end.

one

Inward
the

He

His

radiates

outwardly

study.

Action

remains.

to

Like

claims
the

an

known
un-

give

must

that

with

he

self,
him-

"

longer

no

him,

but

he

retreats

comes

in self-

only contemplation

still writes

He

hare, he

off

is

fastnesses

it is consumed

is cut

upon

the

upon

the

execution

spiritualforce
;

public, and

the

whose

man

withdraws

of conscience.

have

seeing

of

he

duced
re-

is his till
possibilitywhich
soliloquy is the only resource

condemned

delayed.

is

to

converse

year,

politics,and

to hold

content

threat

plain that

art, science, and

the

of

the

one

"

forward

"

"

is

frailty,

et les vastes

imagination to five years,

month, of free activity, when
to counting the hours, and
the

felt it

Humility

am.

in

in

will

all ambition.

long espoir

long piece

rest

one

of excessive

sense

away

le

here

yet

by

easy

to

Yesterday

morrow.

and

strongly,

down

perhaps

that

thought

see

oneself

laying

of

that

337

JOURNAt.

back

to

those

bids
into
to

who

farewell
himself.

die

in

his

"

338

amiel'8

fonn, and this

his intellect,
the

long

as

has

hold

can

of

him

to

his

or

of

Amen

thy

to

the

will, but
For
has

been
or

the

to

become

trition,
conan
me

done,'
real

more

God,

and

more

alien

distinct

in

to

me

of

to

me

value

and

and

truth

with

cob
Jaof

that

Semitic
work

ments
docu-

apostolic

The

Belief

eyes.

whole

seem

the

than

than

me

not

wait.

religion

to

it

to

immanent

me

The

to

come

add

and

"

to

the

Spinoza.
has

himself

us

the

past

years

many

suffer,

Nevertheless,

'

be

imagination.
have
changed
my

; let

desire

I
to

not

less

are

allowed

did

thine,

even

dramaturgy

wish

prayer
he

been

transcendent

Kant,

of

act

an

others, for

to

Gethsemane

that

has

nothing akin

acquiescence

only

same

my

God

God.

'

than

on

words

sents
repre-

"

I could

the

it is not

and

me

Jesus

make

of himself

his

is

there

he

as

!'

nothing.
to

echo

As

help. It is simply
My child, give

for

Renunciation

but

long

as

with

submission

heart

difficult

has

life.

inner

pen,

converse

cry

which

meditation, still

his

self-examination

to

all this, however,

In

his

solitude, this

still claims

of

of

companion
he

consciousness,

journal, too,

the

moment

is his

form

"

been

journal.

ing
mean-

growing

have
dis-

AMIEl/S

fixed

has

simple phenomenon,
value.

absolute

and

no

me

lost its

has

The

apologetics

middle

to

seems

all

studies

mind,

is

All

metamorphosis.

the
is

to

me

nology
phenomeuniversal

of

intuition

an

of

Christianity.

new

to

doctrine,

remains

what

that

me

my

of

revealed

"

are

what

presuppose

unchangeable

and

definite

from

they

question,

in

really
It

for

ages,

those

than

convincing

more

come
be-

and

Pascal, of Leibnitz, of Secre'tan,

of

339

Religious psychology

tinctness.
a

JOURNAL.

particular convictions,

principles,all clear-cut formulas

but
fixed
prejudices, useful
ideas, are
of
the
still narrownesses
practice, but

all definite
and
in

absurd

is

detail

in

absolute

The

mind.

political,religious,
ances,
protubersesthetic, or literary parties are
of
thought.
Every
misgrowths
special belief represents a stiffening and
and

ever,
stiffening,howin its time and place.
which
is necessary
leaps
monad, in its thinking capacity, overof

thickening
Our

the
of

All

contradictory.

its

thought

boundaries

of time

historical

own

and

it

capacity,
adapts itself

puts before

lawful

to

be

itself

man,

but

and

and
to

for

; but

in

of

purposes

illusions,

current

definite

and

space

surroundings

its individual

action,

end.

it is needful

It is

also

to

amiel's

340
be
thus

be

to

man,

double

journal.

the

role, which

the

Only,

one.

specially authorised

is

Our

individual.

an

majority

vast

philosopher
first

the

develop

to

is

role

of humankind

neglects.
Ith

in

neck

my

head,

life ;

is

of

weight
the

not

my

with

is wearied

this

"

Whereas

pain.

the

heart

my

of

with

tired

is

and

weight

little relief from

presuppose

scarcely spring enough

it.
Admiration,
joy,

notice

to

me

sunshine

Beautiful

"

I have

But

to-day.
left

1881.

February

the

aesthetic

state.

"which

thinking

been

I have
I

let what

speaking

we

best

be

wasted.

future

which

for

in
a

us

weeks
to

order

me

; the

who

to

give

one

every

must

be

must

thee

still

leave

I may

kindness

upon

that

duties

what

must

claim

Omnis

comes.

forget nothing useful,

has

ourselves

Supposing

"

fulfil,that

last memories

generally

reserve

never

to

justice, prudence,
Try

We

things

original and

is most

February 1881.
numbered,
are

\Ath

But

written.

have

might

different

over

nor

his
be

sweet

my
main
re-

all in

due

fied
satisones.

anybody

amiel's

15th

1881,

February

given
and

chimney-piece
has

sent

Mentally

I shall

whom

18th

That

is to

respite,

some

work

Although

just

is absent,

I feel

the

myself
This

because

still it allows
reverie

time,

books,

once

as

canals, smoothly

though

were

so

death

of

float
I

down

me.

more

ghostly

often

have

good,

for

life,has

nor

implies

ation,
renunciIt

and

the

on

is

tative.
medi-

affection

and

of

stream

the
glided over
and
noiselessly.
once

cial
offi-

my

thought.

with

his

intermediate

vague

if it

me

over

of

sense

pain, peaceful

without

Surrounded
with

goes

allows

prisoner

is neither

its sweetness,

to

life which

hopeless invalid.

state, which

dream

now

from

remoteness

like

seems

emaciation

possibilityof resuming

The

prey.

distant

again.

still hovers

he

but

all the

vulture

the

say,

to

seem

Misty weather.

"

fairlygood night. Still,the

on.

Paris,

grave.

see

never

1881.

February

to

my

which

They

into

farewell

I say

On

London,
.

thrown

like wreaths

friends

from

Letters

versity,
Uni-

the

at

flowers

the

luctantly,
re-

very

doctor.

my

Neuchatel.

Lausanne,
me

have,

lecture

for

are

me.

"

my

up

sent

341

journal.

Dutch
It

board

is

as

the

amiel's

342
Treckschute.
the

soft

Scarcely

ripple

barge,

of the

the

or

these
in

of

the

complete
passage

we

attribute
in

interest
the

to

and

small.

out
once

before

of

the

The

and

no

only

sample

of

Everything

consciousness
it.

which

in
the

is in

examines

Nothing

is either

mind

adopts all modes,

acceptable to it. In this
with
the
the
body, with
with
other
individuals,

comes
besight. Selbst-bewusstsein
more
impersonal Bewusstsein,
be reacquired,
personality can

pain, duty, and

action.

mind.

of

mood

takes

It

self, but
the

the

that

to

of

dreams,

my

Seraphim.

before

world,

fade

akin

monad,

its relations

outer

and

the

everything is

state

I watch

It is

individual

the

it has
or

standpoint

...

general history
everything, and
great

the

the

Existence

memories.

specimen

what

It is like

regna.

From

contemplation

one

flittingthrough

personal renunciation
of
impressions,
my

thoughts, and
of fixed

whether

earth.

to

tastic
fan-

something

sure

inania

fluid.

become

by the

towing horse
A journey
path.

has

shadows,

the

even

the

is not

One

hear

one

furrowed

sandy

conditions

it.

manes,

twilight
has

of

exists, still belongs

still
the

the

can

water

hoof

trotting along
under

journal.

will

must

be

brought

into

amiel's

Are

these
and

Leibnitz,

And

as

makes
is

man

should

but

pause,
but

energy,

weight

own

and

Is the

at

and

movement

cosmic

it is the
of

of

the

ranging
mutilate

he

The
February 1881."
finds its typical expression

its

and

Spinoza

capable

22d

no

sonal
pertheism
pan-

conscious

us

domains, why

two

between

No, for

regretted ?

which

other.

himself

be

the

between

impersonal,
theism, between

to

state

the

oscillations

343

the

and

one

journal.

and

hurry

no

the

gives

"

orbits, cycles,
harmony

weight,
Cannot

become

has

eveiything

light.

energy

of mind

astronomy

its relative

forth

divine

in

time

same

yet order
and

march

ceives
re-

this
ours

against all,the preying of

man
a
higher type of balanced
upon
man,
action ?
I shrink
from
believing it. Some
theorists
imagine that the phase of selfish
brutality is the last phase of all.
They
be wrong.
Justice
will prevail, and
must
justiceis not selfishness.
Independence of
with
intellect,combined
goodness of heart,
will

the

be

war

the

of all

agents

compromise

1st March

of

result, which

wiU

be

required.

1881.

"

I have

just been

glanc-

amiel's

344

ing

the

over

affairs
What

newspaper.

pleasant

very

hour.

It

able

make

to

it is

the tour

of

in

race

of

sense

the

But

human

twentieth

in the

in

it is !

the

one

world

the

Babel

review

gives

newspaper

of

be

to

planet and

the

journai,.

an

ubiquity.
will

century

be

eight or ten daily bulletins

tic,
political,religious,scientific,literary,artiscommercial,
meteorological, military,
of

composed

"

social, legal, and

economical,
will

and

and

Urhs
of

of

two

the

the

as

shall

we

stirringsof
become
herself.

see

and

man,

of

the

the

will

Then

her

crime

the
has

it will

with

pursuit
cut

have

its
the

and

"

and

energy

justice.
wisdom-teeth,
of

grace

to

or

first

Activity

the

misery,
last

the

catch

disorders, her

life,

growing,

earth

; the

be

shall

universal

grass

consciousness

by

globe

we

disturbances.

volcanic

end

the

and

her

at

into

shall

sick

"

of

permit

as

for

blush

lier

hear

only

totalising,
the general

about

clashing, and

sun-spots

will

palpitations

the

just

of

that

easily as

count

of

graphic methods
We
comparisons.
pulse of the race

such

feeling

parts

need

The

Orhis.

and

series

to

into

simplifying, will bring

use

as

divided

be

financial

for

time

will
her

hideousness,
to

throw

self
her-

perseverance
When
then

reform

ity
human-

perhaps
itself,and

amiel's

will

the
of

the

attempt

to

of

share

moral

the

to

selfishness, fraud,
will

held

be

diseases

mere

modern

friends,

sympathise

mankind

will

the

will

"

an

of

act

lith

of

disease
et

tousse,
whence

useless.

same

colour

irrevocable

Meridied

Merimee

'

me

"

and

The
as

has

air.

compressed
and
of

finally

gray,
my

heavy

thoughts.
its

own

ing
winter-

All

inanition

Colomba.

Je

asthma,

assimilation, and

author

lennium
milleast

at

finished

torments

Suffocation

off the

agitur.

is

He, too, tried arsenic,

Cannes,

by

This

It

j 'etonffe.' Bronchitis

exhaustion.

res

I have

which

defective

at

furnished

Panizzi.

to

love

in it.

to believe

"

with

invention, and

any

be

will

from

interest.

ever

1881.

letters

the

it

piety

March

m6e's

of

stimulant

vulgar

real

one

draw

of

principle of emulation,
of zeal, as
as
powerful
a

of

pretences

replaced by
brothers, peoples

will

races

another, and

The

will be

will be

Men

hatred,

War,

right of the stronger,

old-world
barbarisms,

growth.

of

civilisation

virtues.
be

the

stinct
in-

of

state

state.

be

to

the

from

The

world.

evil in the

pass

reduction

systematic

the

Weltgeist will

345

journal.

was
ried
car-

Hie

tua

sky

is of

the

And

yet

the

sweetness

and

346
serenity.

The

uncertainties
of

of

feels

the

Oasis

draws

that
is

one

very
of

bought.

be

towards

yond
already beweek, too,

were

corner

my

to

bounds

tranquil resignation.

to

It is this

grave.

remember,

illusion,the

of

desire, the leaps and

though

as

the

journal.

fluctuations

hope, give place

One

I el's

AM

in

Everything

end.

the

ground

Festinat

ad

eventum.

15th
of

1881.

March

details

of

the

How

clear

affair

it is that

of

product

is full

Journal

horrible

this, in which

as

the

The

"

the

at

such

burg.
Peters-

phes
catastro-

suffer,

innocent

of
long accumulation
iniquities. Historical
justice is,generally
so
speaking, tardy
tardy that it becomes
Providential
unjust. The
theory is really
based
human
XVI.
on
solidarity. Louis
for Louis
Alexander
II. for
XV.,
pays
are

"

"

Nicholas.

We

fathers, and
for
the

our

expiate the
grandchildren
A

ours.

individual.

double

And

he

principle is
That

is the

individual
but
we

one
are

point.

It

of

responsible

for

will be

right

our

ished
pun-

But

if the

vidualist
indi-

is it true

though the
man's
destiny were
destiny. Morally

seems

that

of

injustice ! cries

true.

part of each
section

is

sins

what

as

we

ourselves

amiel's

have

willed,

and

will.

depend

; leave

duty

IQth

the

rest

1881.

March

of

stand-bys

tedious
efforts

and
of

keep

oneself

out

with

Useless

and

worn

the

gnat

The

the

natural

spiritual

and
is the

will

accept

my

over

watch

decay.

from

dying

the
What
I

is

am

learn

of

But

lesson

lot

it is

assigned

is necessary

'Garde

men

coeur

of

finds
foes.
the
tleness
gen-

inevitable

long-suffering. The
of God.
We
might
else, but

his

same.

the

iation
humil-

lion

The

feels the

thing only

en

intolerable

most

must

the

mide,
bro-

power

own

manhood.

something
to

their

struggle.
incessant
struggle

man

man

two

the

one's

to

painfully

progress
to

night.
The

lost

have

Wearily

me.

your

doctor, digitalisand

the
to

seem

Do

wretched

morning.

melancholy

Mystery,

'
"

!'

"

outside

causes

on

God

to

happiness

our

Religion answers
faith.
submission,

obscurity,

socially,

but

unhappiness

our

347

jouknal.

have

ferred
pre-

business

our

One

us.
.

"

la

foi

dans

tout

ce

ta

volonte

sainte,
Et

de

moi

dras.'

f ais, o

Dieu,

que

ta

vou-

AMIEL^S

34B
Later.

brought

me

in

rich

violets

roses

and

"which

proves

that

March

1881.

19th

surrounds
what

good of
patience
Come,

that

sends
me,

ment.
discourage-

"

cold.

And

without

all the

rest

health,

trials ?

They
his

What

What

me

yet

tenderness,

with

leas,
aza-

spoils

what

they exercised

from

pot of

one

growing

it all to

Job's

But

do

of

good

buds

care,
.

one

Distaste

"

just

ill.

am

me

can

is the

me

affectionate

what

me

every

is

heart

My

off

and

flowers

has

message

sends

sister

My

students

my

sympathetic

class.

my

of

One

"

JOURNAL.

the

was

his

ripened
submission.

shake
forget myself, let me
this
weariness.
this
Let
melancholy,
think, not of all that is lost, but of all
I

let

me

still lose.

might

privileges;

I will

try

I will

reckon

up

my

be

worthy

of

my

invalid

life

to

blessings.
21st
too

done

myself,

and

one

gets

is work

existence

of

"

nothing
amuse

it !

This
five

For

Epicurean.
have

1881.

March

else

six weeks

or

but

myself, and
What

I want

gives flavour
without
object and

which

now

wait,
how

nurse

weary

is work.
to

life.

without

is

It
Mere
effort

amiel's

is

thing. Idleness leads to languor,

is
languor to disgust. Besides, here
of vague
sires,
despring again, the season
of dull
discomforts, of dim
tions,
aspira-

poor

and
the

of

sighs without

wide-awake.
know

We
what

not

which

28th

March

no

One

spoil

but

afterwards

room

for the

Is it that

is

How

much

living,the

care

freedom

from

being vain,
else.

"

de

to

is health

find

can

She

April

read

over

1881
to

no

In

; it

us

to make

living?

on

And

tive.
produc-

retraite.'

sa

all ;

long

for

this

desire

savour

your

in

"

thing
any-

ciation.
Renun-

patience

'

{Sunday).
me

for

better

that

'

souls.

your

good

go

let

to

months

Lassitude.

Satiety.

Abdication.
ye

few

prendre

suffering.

glad

be

active, the

much

so

It

which

not.

10"A

piness
hap-

; I find

work

may

for

one

'Tircis, voici le temps

possess

we

thing
some-

it be

unless

I cannot

"

exist.

experience

think

for

while

the

name,

1881.

friends

an

darkly

invoking

dream

We

cause.

search

has

it difiBcult to
one's

death.

or

is

349

journal.

letters

"Visit

to
.

of

1844

to

1845

AMIEL

350
letters

"

end

in

we

of

so

when

thread

There

Et

but

to

it all

What

"

wills

escapes

Friday,

ways

set.
sun-

rays

envelops

both

the

1881.

festival

spend days

own

of crushing
filling
by ful-

only wills

what
'

catastrophes.

for

his

in

I have

which
.

of
of

pain.

anguish

the

been

is

To-morrow

"

All

good.'

Frightful night;

"

by sleeplessness.
April

our

and

wishes

lie who

1881.

of

are

two

our

running,

consumed

we

has

together

April

fourteenth

it is to

But

work

\Uh

the

strange already.

dupes

by refusing

"

lith

in

haze

green

seems

Destiny

them.

things

peared.
disap-

have

scattered

of

by

renait, et deja I'aubepine

I'abeille accourir
fleurs,'
a ses

God

will

effect

an

is close

"

me

Later.

us

hour

lost

Rhine,

tout
vu

desires

the

to

creatures

little walk

clouds

trees

"

was

stormy

'

the

water

I had

Afterwards

all the

of

What

like

sands, and

my

and

end

promise

much

result

shall

the

among

So

mine.

meagre

are

JOURNAL.

I know

and

Good
what

nights

of

AMIEL

Let

agony.
I

have

no

the

well,

of

that

seeing
are

oppression.

to

and

terrible

"

My

leave

to

to
even

end
to

me.

188L

isfy
sat-

to

try

me

undertake

to

closed

April

and

present,
Let

is

duty

My

the

humbly.
.

order.

in

35

cross

my

future.

more

claims

continue,

19th

bear

me

everything

JOURNAL.

flesh

and

my

sense

heart

of
fail

me.

'

Que

vivre

est

difficile,

BND

OF

VOL.

men

cceur

II.

fatigue

'

APPENDIX.

The

following short but valuable

Amiel's
philosophical thought, in

of

technical

request, by
the

has

aspects,
a

matter.

"

been

friend

well

M.

W.

A.

sent

criticism
its

more

at

me,

my
in

qualifiedto speak

the published
judged from
not
was
an
fragments of the Diary, Amiel
of any
adherent
Ideas,
philosophical system.
be
for
however,
which,
brevity's sake, may
called
have
been
Hegelian, but which
may
far

So

derived

from

constantly
and

at

the
his

command

touched

affecting the
his

and

own

remark

"

that
moral

but

on

distinction

iwsition,directed
character
freedom

were

sources,

of

means

cism
criti-

imagination ; and where

him
ters
nearly, as in all matthem
religious life,he made

founded
least

as

to

his life upon

aesthetics

pleasure produced

the
art

at

various

most

aids

as

ideas

these

be

can

as

by

between

"

One

them.

analysis

an

so-called

imitative
and

character

against Schopenhauer's
is invariable;
doctrine
a
in

the

same

key

treating moral freedom

all, an
acquired; and above
352

as
as

of

that
not

disview

of
tinction,
dis-

innate,

ardent

con-

APPENDIX.

"vietion

of

the

353
of

truth

essential

the

Christian

true*
'

nence
religion,and a conception of immaakin, as Amiel
expressly says, to the
all these
beideas
and
religion of Spinoza ;
beiiefs
reveal
of
an
aesthetic, a psychology
in
essentials
morals, and
a
theology drawn
from
the
we
spiritual philosophy of which
take
Hegel as the representative.
Hegel
may
libere
la pensee,' he says
in
tout
autrement
Orii/ines du Christianisme;
criticisingHavet's
and
in the first consciousness
of failinghealth
recurred
with
(in 1876) he
pleasure to a
to invest
the
Hegelian conception that seemed
intellectual
life with
peculiar dignity and
'

"

'

interest.
Amiel

But

always repelled by what

the
Spinozistic and
Hegelian
replace religion by philosophy.

considered
to

intellectualis

amor

the

place

of

can

'

never,

moral.'

amour

Intellectualist

and

he

was

he

He

The
take

says,
uses

dency
ten-

lian
Hege-

equivalent terms.
Goethe, again, is 'Spinozist to the core,' or
Grec
du
bon
Even
Schleierun
temps.'
of whose
he speaks with
macher,
Monologues
enthusiastic
the
admiration, 'hardly mentions
of
evil.'
existence
The
capital fact is not
nence,
Immanot
even
moral;
metaphysical, but
as

'

but
the

de

intelligence, not
Feuerbach

et

The

Sin.

Cf

'
.

Jesus

Quand
pourra

ne

neo-Hegelians
to the will, and

peuvent

le christianisme

survivre.'

sauver

sera

appeal to
so
Ruge
'

I'humanite.'
mort,

la

religion

APPENDIX.

354
Araiel

had
He

recurs

the

to

quotes

to

notions

Nirvana

only

and

his

curious

also

an

mysticism.
mystics, and
ideas, especially

Oriental

frequently
not

was

from

of

with

sympathy
European

strong

and

of

It

Maya.*

jirofound religious instinct,

psychological experiences, but
of apparent
distrust
reality,

his

innate

Amiel
was
sympathy.
Mon
instinct
of his tendency,
est
well aware
et de
le pessimisme de Bouddha
d'accord
avec
His
references
to
are
Maya
Schopenhauer.'
and
in the
of Schopenhauer,
tone
though he
finds the weak
point in Schopenhauer's
chology,
psythat

in this

active

was

'

rejects the fundamental

pessimism, yet Schopenhauer's

axiom

and

of his

he

Perhaps

of

intellect

Extremes

meet

logical antitheses
Sometimes
"

of

Amiel

the

Indian

deception,

and

either

Schopenhauer
the

it

ence
influ-

World

is

"

the

that

continues,

principle of suiUcient

'

zero

and

eyes

of

which

world

reason.'

of
the

as

'

idea

as

the
veil
and

mortals

they

not."

the

Idea,

w)8do;n

Maya,

it is

the

'the

It is

of

world

or

Will

as

ancient

blinds
a

as

as

the

declares,

which

that

this

excluding
or
unknown,

so

as

9, 'The

behold

them

makes

absolute

the

Schopenhauer,
philosopher

to

open

that
affinity with
which
he so subtly criticises.
in philosophy, and
abstract
are
mysticism.
apt to favour
ually
continhis
thought varied

infinite

i. p.

meditation.

certain

treats

Tr., vol.

Eng.

to

more

all determination,'

*Cf.

say

for

"

relative;

of

the

was

because

French

of Amiel's

in much

traced

be

can

influence

cannot

This

is,

subject

355

APPENDIX.

the

of

immensity

as

nowhere

as

these

in

of

comments

of

passages
would

had

instinct

found

be

with

others.

with

which

this

end

Amiel's
root.

'

is
Le

devoir

"

vertu

de

positif

tout
,

faire

nous

en

nous

sentir
en

la

realite

detachant.'

invite,

confronted

others

note

some

to

seem

when

these

far

as

which

nature,

nugatory
Among

In

intellectual

might

Diary

the

ideal

the

mood,

his

an

this

and

reality.

ruled

conceptions

pessimistic
But

found

be

to

time

or

space

du

saying
a

monde

la

NOTES.
[A few of

the

the

1. P.

book,

French

10.

H.

par

following

F.

"

edition

ment.

poesie

de

P.

12.

2.

the

the

Journal,'\

ce

of

several

Journal

Intiine, is

nous

qui

little

maxims,

Shelley

from
nous

manque,

Tavons

Ce
...

This

1858.

qui

que

from

poesies-maximes

translated

nous

Mais
,

in

la science

pas

absorbe.

nous

la

n'est

modernes;

nous

133

contains

are

Ce

"

translated

Penseroso,
Araiel:
Geneve,

quoted
prefaced by a motto
'

of

are

iZ

which

"which

notes

surabondamabsorbe

avons

nous

c'est

manque

la vie.'
Charles

"

Secretan,

Lausanne

1819.
He
professor, the friend of Vinet, born
la Philosophie de Leibnitz,
published Le(;ons sur
et
Philosopkie de la Libert^, La Baison
le Christianisme,
etc.
3.

P.

31.

"

ifitienne Vacherot,

owed
philosophical writer, who
in life to the friendship
later
much
was
brought very
his

controversy

prosecution

with

brought

the

Abbe

against

356

French

his
of
into

first

Cousin,

and

notice

Gratry, by
him

cesses
suc-

in

by
the

conse-

357

NOTES.

of

quence
and

the

member

of

critic
des

P.

34.

between

felt

as

in

the

period

this

orthodox
'

37.

Hirn,

Gustave-Adolphe

"

physicist, born
Corresponding

severe

Revue
cusses
dis-

in

Member
The

1867.

of

ious
relig-

'

Liberal

in

Geneva

French

1815, became

Colmar,

near

has

controversy
and

party

to

since

La

At

"

the

Sciences

the

at its height, both

Christianity was
and
throughout Switzerland.

5. P.

he

Religion, which
psychological origins of the
was
published in 1868.

sense,

the

became

Republicans

blunders

Mondes.

deux
the

4.

he

school,

himself

Republican

in

succession

old

the

made

has

1865,
had

Littre

in

the

from

himself

and

war,

of

Institute
of

in

which

reasons

18(58,however,

Liberal

separated
the

the

of

Cousin.

In

emy
Acad-

the

of

Sciences

exclusion

the

brought about
preceding year.
a

of

kind

same

hands

the

Political

and

Moral

of

(1859),

D^mocratie

La

book,

rejection at

his

by

for

his

the
of

book

of

Academy
his

to

which

doubt

phiConsequences
de la thermodylosophiques et mMaphysiques
eUmentaire
de
I'univers
Analyse
namique,
(1869).
Amiel

6.

the
less

refers

P.

37.

French

"

is

The

name

of

M.

Albert

Reville,

theologian, is more
England, especially since

Protestant

familiar

in

of

the

delivery

no

Hibbert

Lectures

in

or

his
1884.

358

NOTES.

well-known
French

of

pastoral

his

Paris,

on

functions
of

account

Kenan's

Vie

Edouard

Buisson,

de

Liberal

Church,

Protestant

from

1820, died

Coquerel, born
champion of

Athanase

Jesus
a

in

Liberal

ideas

was

the

by

1876, the

his

in

the

suspended
Consistory

review

of

M.

Ferdiuand-

ISdi.

Protestant,

nally
origi-

raised
to
was
professor at Lausanne,
of Director
the important functions
of Primary
Instruction
He
was
by IM. Ferry in 1879.
in the
denounced
tional
Naby Bishop Dupauloup,
of
author
of
1871, as the
Assembly
Liberal
certain
nected
pamphlets on the dangers conwith
Scripture-teaching in schools,
under
and, for the time, lost his employment
the Ministry of Education.
a

7.
which

P.

56.
rouses

"

This
M.

is
Kenan's

one

of

the

wonder.
'

'

passages
Voila
la

I'educagrande diffe'rence,'he writes, entre

tion
catholique et I'education
protestante.
moi
education
ont
Ceux
une
qui comme
re^u
catholique en ont garde de profonds vestiges.
Mais
ces
vestiges ne sont pas des dogmes, ce
fois ce
de
des reves.
Une
sont
grand rideau
et de
de soie, d'indienne
drap d'or, bariole
nous
calicot, par lequel le catholicisme
masque
rideau
la vue
du
fois, dis-je ce
une
monde,
voit
I'univers
sa
en
splendeur
dechire, on
haute
et
en
sa
infinie, la nature
pleine male plus
libre
garde
protestant
jeste. Le
fond
de
chose
soavent
triste, un
quelque

359

NOTES.

slave.'

misme

pessianalogue au
des D^bats, September

intellectuelle

d'austerite

{Journal

"

30, 1884.)
of

nothing

of

say
tlie

to

which

soul

burden

horrid

that

the

by whatever
catastrophe

real
"

the

neither

of

horror

if he

can

awe.

help

it.'

then,

Here,

the

between

orders

two

of

overflowing energy
the
realise
to
ever-recurring
of
human
spirit at the hands
like

Renan

whom

'

P.

85,

one

tlie

of

the

of

defeat

the
them

of

the

circumstance,
the

the

and

Abbe

men

for

with

of

Mably,

on

others

1709-

Revolution,

the

cultivated

based

and

classical

of

study
like

following generation, translated

Cains
Gracchus
experiment.
1764, and
guillotinedin 1797 for
against the Directory, is sometimes
'

"

interwoven

are

precursors

Babeuf,

difference

Amiel.

Mably,

"

professor

communism
which

102.

like

'

awe

ster
mon-

no

forbids

and

Emerson,
and

horror

experience,

8.

and

man

with

temperament

whose

men

and
very

him

see

eternal

the

have

we

on

prodigious

affect

will

He

nor

of

the

society

in

little to

it, is

nature

and

nature,

man

call

we

moral

in the

of

courses

injustices

name

'

inpediment
call
sin,

and

churches

which,

has

out,

and

death,

of

say

criticism

Morley's
he
points

Mr.

Emerson,

Emerson.

almost

of

reminded

is

One

'

antiquity,
him, in the
into practical
Babeuf, born
a
conspiracy
called

the

360

NOTES.

trines,
Perhaps Socialist docbe said to make
properly so called, may
into
first entry
the
their
region of popular
and
debate
practical agitation with his Manifeste des ^gaux, issued April 1790.

Socialist.

first French

P.

9.

'

109.

droit

parlez
Amiel, avec
mais

que

des

Kenan's

111.

6poux

Mon

Son

eang

M'a

dessill^

Je

souvent

sont

gens

les yeux

et

roe

P.

121.

Churches

of

France

the

(M,

"

v.

luraiferes ;

see

de

couvrir

me

d'ouvrir

lee vient
'

of

Synod

"

!'

Scene

viennent

bourreaux

tea

Dieu,

exposes

V.

laiss^

m'a

mourant

en

dont

Act

Polyeucte,

"

dit

me

Mon

aigreur.

vois, je sais,je crois

11.

"

gens

le savoir
pharisiens sans
article, already quoted.)

P.

10.
'

certaine

une

pharisaismes,

les

honnetes

aux

les honnetes

etre

Persifflez

"

"

the

of

conditions

constituent

in

occupied

then

was

Reformed

terminin
de-

estant
Prot-

belief.
P. 129.

12.

Louise

"

poetess, died

published
1869, and other
13.
M.

P.

'

ne

le
soit

but

it is

Annie

French

Les

Stoiques,
Ripublicaine, Paris,
to

works.
'

"

'and

Renan,
;

tout

134.

modern

In addition

1879.

she

Siefert,

duty,' says
in the
ness
triumph of righteouspossible notwithstanding,
que
We

all believe

in

'

contraire

soit

qu'une

amusante

vrai

"

et

faerie

que

le

dont

monde
aucun

361

NOTES.

dieu
de

ne

se

soucie.

maniere

This
at

considerable

of

Amiel's

of

things.

the

his

critic.

that

M.

of

'

of

'

him

from

14.

Professor
de

College

in

of the

edition
Le

book,
from

series

Mondes,
15.

hands

in

P.

the

171.

16.

the

P.

191.

Pensees

de

"

of

which

M.
saves

1813,

tinguishe
disHe

professor.

Oratory
a

the

at

Member

1880.

His

Pascal

is well

of

admirable
known.

Oricjines, an important
was
volumes,
developed

Revue

of bis doctor

ses

Amiel

"

his arret

was

de

four

and

1855, and

of articles

and

vet, born

January
et

seriousness

awe

Latin

Perishes

his

of Ma'ia.'

Ha

in

Christianisme

irony

Conscience

him.

of

France

Institute

the

the

from

'

and

horror

scholar

French

criticism

to

habitual

his

Ernest

"

as

developed

is delivered

sorceries

the

P. 160.

became

is meant

he

from

puts away

is

pas

in
reality, as the passage
Renan
is only expressing
a
Amiel
was
just as familiar

Only
all by

sense

Renan

in

which

with

last doubt

by

But

n'ayons

nous

sensitiveness

of

want

arranger

oil le seconde

which

remark,

length,

shows,

text

feeling
as

of

strain

nous

cas

vraie,

la

serait
hypothese
ete trop dupes.'

le

dans

ceque,

done

faut

the

in the

Revue

des

deux

Contemporaine.
had

just

medical

received

at

the

verdict, which

mort.

this paragraph
Compare
a new
writer, M. Joseph

from

Roux,

36"
a

NOTES.

country

living

cure,

and

edited
Marie'ton
'

qui

Le

eouffre

ne

dompte,

et

et

telligence qui lui manage

Paul

"

volont6

la

que

p^ril que

sans

I'in-

I'eperon

empire

avec

been

M.

by
Lemerre)
year

loin

n'emporte

the

liave

connait

ne

of

part

thoughts

published this
(Paris : Alphonse

verbe

le

remote

whose

Limousin,

Bas

in

le

et

frein.'

P.

17.
died

207.

Xime'nes

"

brilliant

1872, the

born

Doudan,
and

friend

in

1800,

of

tutor

the

conversation
was
so
Broglie family, whose
letters
much
sought after in life, and whose
since
his
have
been
so
eagerly read in France
M.
articles
two
Scherer's
death.
on
Compare
in his last puband Pense'es
Doudan's
Lettres
lished
De

of essays.

volume

P.

18.

235.

'Entre

seule

une

soil

qui

qu'une

la

foible,

qui

veut

19.

se

P.

et

7iassiens,

an

describes

"

en

que

satisfait

ne

faire

243.

de

nos

bonne;

toujours en parlant ou
nioins
qu'elle existe,
est

La

les differentes

toutes

rendre

vent

Compare

"

on

Bruyere

point

il

pensees
la

ne

qui

ce
un

n'y

peuen

rencontre

il est
ne

pas

vray

uean.

Test

point

d'esprit

hoinme

entendre.'

Amiel's
old

name

the

expression
revived,

younger

is Les

which

school

names
represented by such
de Lisle,
phile Gautier, Leconte
Baudelaire.
The
Bauville, and

poetry

qui

expressions

^crivant
tout

"

Pardays
nowa-

of

French

as

Theodore
modern

Theode
use

363

NOTES.

of

word

the

Parnasse

P.

284."

and

Victor

in

Academy

Odes

1839;

gdiques,

Poemes,

et

the

to

Alfred

to

de

Madeleine,

de

Poemes

1843;

Idylles

1852;

Lamennais,

Parfums

wrote

Quinet,

Edgar

succession

in

1812,

admitted

Hugo;

1857

He

Musset.

of

Lamartine,

of

Sand,

George

born

Laprade,

imitator

friend

the

1866).

(Lemerre,
de

Le

of

puhlication

the

Victor

disciple

then

from

Contemporain

20.
first

dates

Evan-

1858,

Heroiques,

etc.

etc.

21.

P.

the

was

293.

daughter

Saussure;
Necker,
of

Madame

to

be

the

of

de

Stael.

original

of

Delphine,

and

Notice

les

de

Ecrits

the
Mdme.

authoritative

works,

is

education

were

her

she

also

had

literary
translation
matic

very

cultivation,
of

Literature.

de

of

by

le

sur

was

in

Caractere

prefixed
de

main

large

Schlegel's

Cerlebe

et
to

and

interests,

amount

of

but

general

proved
Lectures

tlie

Stael's

Philanthropy

two

as

marriage
supposed

Madame

her.

De

Jacques

often

Stael,

de

collected

is

by

Madame

edition

of

cousin
She

Saussure

geologist,

nephew

therefore

was

de

famous

the

married

she
and

Necker

Madame

"

by
on

her

Dron

INDEX.

satire and

About's

irony, i. 298.

craving for the, i. 96.

conception of the, ii. 169, 203.
Absolutism, ii. 70.
Accident, philosophy of, i. 119.
Amiel's

Absolute,

Providence, i. 306.
of Madame,
Ackermann,
poems
and
Acorn
oak, ii. 315.
and

Action, Amiel's
=

cross,

ii. 167.

i. 182.

thought, i. 8.
for, i. 69.
recover
courage

concrete

how

to

requisitesfor, ii. 290.

Nations, unholy, ii.279.
Activity of the Western
essential in religion,
i. 178.
Adoration
and consolation
Advice, giving, ii. 117.
ii. 136.
and Euntenzdes,
/Eschylus's Prometheus
Affected

poets,

Affirmation

and

ii. 244.

examination, ii. 123.

Age, loss of respect for, i. 230.

the servitude
of, ii.24.
Alcibiades, ii. 209.
Algebra v. life,ii. 95.
All or nothing, ii. 169.
Alps, the, i. 94,'
287; ii. 75.
Ambition, Amiel's horror of, i. 189; ii. 200.
moral, ii. 58.
Americans, the, ii. 379.

366

INDEX.

instruction, ii. 269.

and

Amusement

i. 185.
Analysis, extreme,
kills spontaneity, ii. 257.

self,Amiel's, i. 279.
dislike of, i. 304.
woman's

of

Analytic minds,

i. 292.

of, ii. 319.

Anger, conquest

Animality,
Animals,

the

laws

of, i. 274.

treatment

Annihilation

of, ii. 214.

ii. 29.

of Buddha,

souls, ii. 37.

Anonymous
Ant V. swallow, i. 142.
priori speculations,ii. 123.
Arcadia, an expedition into, ii" iSs.
A

Aristotle, ii. 203.

Art, decadence

simple, ii. 245.

imagination, ii. 253.

grand
and

and

reveals

Ascension

i. 186.

Nature,

ii. 270.

Day,

and

Atala

of, ii. 4.

Reni,

Chateaubriand's, i. 146, 149.

of, ii. 212.

philosophy of, i. 230.

Atheism,

effects

Atomism,

Attila, ii. 287.

Augustine

and

Authority
Autumn,
of

Lucian

contrasted, ii. 217.

liberty,ii. 37.
melancholy of, ii. 176.
v.

life,ii. 12.

twofold, i. 223.
Azote,
Babbit,

the

woman

social,iL 135.

ignorant, ii. 340.

prelude, i. 88.
Bacon
on
religion,i. 253.
Bahnsen's
pessimism, ii. 115.

Bach's

Balzac, ii. 94.

Banniire

Bleue, la, ii. 285.

367

IKDEX.

Banter

humour,

not

ii. 318.

Barbarism, possible triumph of, i. 232.

Basle, ii. 81.

Bayle

Saint

and

Simon, ii. 48.

Beauty, female, i. 301.

goodness, ii. 217.
V.
and

pathos, i. 152,

and

ugliness, ii. 113.

in

universal

153.

Paradise, i. 233.

spiritualisationof matter, i. 233.

and Mozart
Beethoven
contrasted, i. 88, 8g.
of, ii. 308.
Being, consciousness

Beauty

and

the

non-being, ii. 274.

Beranger, ii.51.
Berkeley, i. 46.
and
Juliet, ii. 228.
Berlioz, Romeo
Beivusstsein, ii. 342.
Biedermann
Strauss, ii.320.
on
Journal, i. 138-140.
Birds in bad weather, i. 278.
Bismarck, i. 306.
of the world, ii. 298.
Biases
Biran's

Boileau

contrasted, ii. 231.

Fontaine

and

of the, ii.235.
charity,ii. 265.

Book, function
Bossuet

on

Bourse, movements
heart), i. 266.
Brahma,

of

the

(the beat

ii. 83.

his

dream, i. 294.
Brahmanic
aspirations,ii. 190.
souls, ii. 291.
Brain-decay, Amiel's, ii. 218.
Buddhd, ii. 78.
method
of, ii. 330.
Buddism, ii. 29, 52, 167.

Brahmanising

Buddhist

tendency

Buisson, ii.37.

of

Amiel, i. 273.

of

the

common

368

INDEX.

the

CiESARiSM,
Cartesian

counterpoise

of

equality, i. 229,

dualism, ii. 122.

superstition, ii. 141.

Catholic

Catholicism, i. 93.
of, i. 214.

essence

revolution, ii 67.

and
Causeries

Cherbuliez, i. 176.

Atheniennes,

Cellerier

St.

on

i. 53.

James,

Chance

and

Providence,

i.

Change

not

improvement,

306.
i. 251.

persistence in, ii. 89.

rules

the

world, i. 215.
character, Amiel's, i. 281, 301.

Changeable

Character, how

judge, ii. 317.

to

and

Charm,

lack

will, Amiel's

Charity,

individuality,ii. 47.

and

temperament,

democratic

of, i.

character

180.

of, ii. 269.

ii. 113.
i.

Ch"teaubriand,
and

146,
i.

Rousseau,

245.

148.

Cherbuliez, i. 312.

Mephistophelian novel, ii. 216.

chivalry, etc., i. 175, 218.
on
Cherry

and

trees

lilacs,i. 3.

Amiel's

Childhood,

second,

i. 219.

blessings of, i. 296.

first conversations

impressions of, ii. 165.

revived

Children, i.

152.

Chivalry,

Cherbuliez

Christendom

and

Christian

of, i. 53.

on,

Ascension

Day,

ii. 270,

nations, aspiration of, ii. 526,

preaching, confusions
Christianity
different
essence

i. 175.

vast

ocean,

aspects

of, i. 82.

of, ii. i5i.

ii. 18.

of, ii. 19.

230.

369

INDEX.

Christianityfrom
historical

point of view, ii. 14.

human

of, ii. 120.

aspects

liberal,ii. 34.
of

dignity instead

humility, i.

174.

reconciliation,ii. 272.

and
V.

of

religion,i. 271.

task

of, i, 6, 8,

72, 73.

true, i. 214.
Church

aims

State, proper

and

separation, rejected by
Churches

people, ii.297.

Genevese

Jesus, ii. 3.

(the) and

reflections

Churchyard,

the

of, ii. 267.

in a, ii. 170.

artificiality
of, i. 196.
Rodogune
Circumstances, force of, ii. 197.
Cid

and

of, i. 232.

influence

Civilisation, corrupting tendency

with

confounded

the

inner

of, ii. 287.

life,i. 92.

light of religion, ii. 55.

in the

i. 292.

Claparfede,Edouard,

twofold, ii. 322.

of men,

Classification

ii. 31.

Cleanthus,

Cleons, modern, i. 214.

Clever
folk defined, ii. 246.
negative character

Cleverness,
Cohabitation
Cohesion
Comic

of

Common
V.

to

role

of

sense,

the

individuals, man's

essential
poets,

i.

the, ii. 215.

126.

against, ii. 168.

worship,

i. 44.

Paris, ii. 105.

Compliance, good-humoured,
Composition,
the

Amiel's

ii. 154-

laborious, ii. 191.

of, ii. 244.

character
of Amiel, ii. 42.

process

Compound

chief

76.

ideal, i.

of

300.

society, i. 277.

rebellion

Commune

of, i.

problem,

ii.262.

370

INDEX.

Condorcet's

perpetual, ii. 225.

Conflict, man's

ii. 134.

Conscience,
abdication

of the, ii. 69.

appeal of, i.
V.

i. 92.

theory,

21.

17,

ii. 216.

cleverness,

corruption of the, i. 240.

and

faith, i.

and

history, i. 36.

by, i. 254.

individualised
V.

reality,ii. 59.

V.

taste, ii. 269.

the

voice

of

ii. 266.

God,

compared

Consciousness
'

108.

107,

book, ii. 165.

of, ii. 186.

definition

Consideration,'

unsought

to

ii. 186.

by Amiel,

Benjamin, ii. 185.

milieu,
Contemplation, Amiel's

Constant,

contrasted

action, i.

with

i. 303.

303.

incapable of, i. 291

passionate temperament
ii. 311.

Contentment,

apostolic,ii. 7.
submission, ii. 177.

and

Contradictory

aspirations, ii. 213.

of, ii. 196.

Contraries, marriage

ii. 195.

Fran9ois,

Copp^e

Coquerel, ii. 37.

Coritine,

i, 141.

heroes, roles

Comeille's

Courage,

Amiel's

Creation,

the

Amiel's

i. 198.

of, ii. 194.

Credulity, freedom
Creed,

men,

of, ii. 145.

want

act

not

want

from,

i.

276.

of a, ii. 157.

Critic, the, i. 76.

the conscientious, i. 152.
the

true,

ii. 40,

51,

245,

248,

255.

"

371

INDEX.

Critical

of the, i. 114.

faculty,abuse
lucidity,ii. 125.

Criticism

gift,ii. 248.

indifferent,i.

193.

Cross, apotheosis of the, ii. 63, 65.

Crowd

heavier

made

(one's)
instinct

and

individual, i. 254.

the

(the) and

by repulsion, i. ii"

passion of the, ii. 163.

worship, i. 227.

Crowd

Crucifixion, the, ii. 63.

ii. 255.

Culture, modem,
of

Cynic, egotism
i. 81.

Dante,
in

the, ii. 8j.

hell, i. 243.

Darwinism,

ii. 237.

counterpoised by equality, ii. 267.

inconsistencies
of, ii. 213.
Dead

living, the, ii. X71.

and

of respect

want

Death,

i.

for the, i. 177.

102.

Amiel's

anticipation of, ii. 335-342.

anticipation of, ii. 249-253.

certainty of, i. 168.

death

of, ii. 63.

speculations respecting, ii. 166.

De

Candolle,

Democracy

ii. 5.
unfavourable

evil results
fickleness
fiction
results
weakness

Democratic

to

high art, i. 292.

of, ii. 5.
of, ii. 103.

of, i. 231

ii. 104.

"

of, ii. 294.

of, ii. 84.
era,

i. 29, 227-232.

stupidity of, ii. 103.

and liberty,i. 267.
Dependence
Demos,

INDEX.

372

Depersonalisarion, Amiel's,
Descartes

the

Desert,

ii. 211.

fame,

on

of the, ii. 282.

traveller

Desolation

ii. 304.

daylight, ii. 138.

and

Despair, resignation of, ii. 178.

Despotic government
Despotism, i, 267.
of

Russia, i.
of past

Detritus

anarchy, i. 277.

i. 60.

materialism,

and

intellectual

and

122.

ii. 147.

eras,

Diderot, i. 311.
'

Die

sin,'i. 158.
i. 151.
Discontentment,
unto

Discouragement,
Discrimen

Amiel's

i.

ingeniorum,

Disraeli's ZtfMniV,

84.

ii. 67.

history, ii.

Distilled

205.

of the, i. 107.

Divine, glimpses
and

sin, i. 181.

union, ii. 18.

human

will, acceptation of the, ii. 220.

Divinity, multiplication of, ii. 308.
Doctor,

the model,

Doctors,

ii. 153.

of their

causes

mistakes, ii. 152.

Dollar, the almighty, ii. 62.

Double,

characteristic

i. 158.

and

atheism,

and

obedience,

Doudan's

Dragonfly
Dreaming,
Dreams,

ii. 17.

Lettres

i. 277.
et

symbol,
of

Dream-aspect
Dreamland

perfection,i. 224.

life,i. 22.

Double-faced

Doubt,

of

Melanges,

ii. 283.

life,i. 220.

i. 153.
and

action, ii. 291.

ii. 9.

helpfulness of, i. 178.

ii. 207-211.

373

INDEX.

Duped,

fear of

Dupes,

mental, ii. 198.

being, ii. i6.

twofold

Dutchman,

i. 5, 20,

Duty,

double

of

aspect

the, ii. 150.

156; ii. 86, 275.

134,

of, i. 8.

power

Darwinism,

equality and

ignored by both

ii. 267.

negative, ii. 92.

pleasure, ii. 190.

and

of the idea

power

of, i.

190.

pole-star,i. 296.

the human
the

sign of nobility,i. 269.

the viaticutn
of life,ii. 26.
and

trial,i,260.
the

V.

Dying,
East

individual, ii. 295.

words

and

development,

and

of mo"lern

13.

of, i. 270, 271.

ii. 90.

of Victor

Hugo,

i.

morality, ii. 91.

of the, i. 292,

Ego, Clapar^de's view

Egotism, i. 30, 36.

Eighteenth

the, ii. 14,

struggles, worthlessness

Effect, the misfortune

Effort

of

contrasted, i. 251.

West

Ecclesiastical
Education

looks

and

century

293.

criticism,ii. 160.

ideal, i, 37, 46.

Emerson's

English children, ii. 126.

homes,

attractiveness

Englishmen,

twofold

Enthusiasm,

cultivation

two

forms

Enthusiastic

of, ii. 126.

character

of, i. 264.

of, i. 212.

of, ii. 140.

women,

ii. 140.

Epicureanism, intellectual,i. 190.

Epicurism, ii. 53.
Epicurus, ii. 276.
Epigrammatic productions, ii. 318.
Equality a bad principle,i. 215, 229.
doctrines

ii. 104.

202.

374

INDEX.

ii. 6i.

Equality of functions, American,

of, i. 28-30; ii. 5, 263.

the counterpoise of Darwinism,
results

of forces, i.

Equilibrium
'

Errare, humanum

from, ii. 125.

Esoteric

psychological, ii. 161.

and

bene,

ii. 310.

beauty,

ii. 113.

sempre

120.

est,'ii. 290.

Error, emancipation
Errors, moral

ii. 267.

defined, ii. 257.

Esprit

of

Essay, function

f;"V V

the, ii. 235.

"\ "*

'

ii. 199.

Etrangeres,

Amiel's,

Evil, problem

of, ii. 29.

'~\

"

transfiguration of, i. 97.

-t

""

*X
"^

*? "I
'

i. 92.
i. 200.

ignored by Pelletan,
by V. Hugo,
Examination

Example,

affirmation, ii. 123.

v.

good, ii. 105.

of, i.

importance

54.

Existence, submission

Experience,
Extempore
Extremes,

individual

Faith

que

collective,ii. 159.

of, ii. 129.

reconciliation

rarityof, ii. 221.

Fairy tales, their truth,

ce

and

preachers, ii. 138.

Fair-mindedness,

Fats

of, ii. 154.

the laws

to

i. 46.

dots, advienne

que

pourra,

defined, ii. 118.

has
narrow

no

proofs, ii. 276.

v.

enlightened, ii. 120.

of the present,
and

the, ii. 212.

science, ii. 66.

truth, ii. 119.

flag of Christendom,

and

False

originality, ii. 230.

shame, Amiel's, ii. 145.

ii. 215.

ii. 266.

375

rNDEX.

Fame,

of, ii. 211.

achievement

of, ii. 127.

'amily life,value

Fanatics, Indian, ii. 22.

how
to avoid, ii. 309.
Fastidium,
i. 157.

Faust,

Feeling

irony, ii. 217.

v.

precedes will, i. 88.

for, i. 48.

respect

Feeling, suppression of, ii. 87,

the

angels, i. 238.

of

bread

97.

thought, ii. 139.

and
Feminine

infirmity of the, ii. 139.

nature,

Festinat

ad

i. 25.

Feuerbach,

Centrale

Feuille

ii.346.

eventum,

Fiatjustitia, per

ii. 308.

Zofingen,

de

ntund-us, ii. 59.

eat

Fichte, i. 36, 294.

Finite

infinite,ii. 170.

and

i. 52.

Fldnerie,

Flattery of

multitude, ii. 162.

the

of, i. 260.

Fog, poetry
Fontaine's

defects

beauties, ii. 230.

and

ii. 37.

Fontanes,

towards, i.

Fools, behaviour

103.

external, ii. 214.

Force,

Forces, opposing, i.

120.

contemplation,

Fragmentary

ii. 255.

France, Christianity in, ii. 232.

fundamental

Geneva,

".

and

of, ii. 141.

error

ii. 306.

Germany,

ii. 97.

philosophic superficialityof, i. 93.

the
Francis

centre

of

Frankness
16.

of the

world,

i.

289.

Assisi, i. 274.
and

self-knowledge,

women

deficient

in, ii.

376

INDEX.

Freethinkers, puerilityof the, ii.68.

republic of,

Freethought,
French

Academy,

drama,

eloquence

oratorical

an

German

and

ii. i6o.
of

the, ii. 183.

i. 199.
contrasted, i. 312.

tournament,

literature

ignorance of liberty,ii. 74.

literary method, ii. 75.
love of aesthetics,ii. 236.
mind, i. 186;

philosophy,

ii. 179.
i. 141.
ii. 243.

modem,

poets,

symbolical authority
republicanism, ii. 80.

of the, ii. 75.

vivacity of the, i. 199.

Friends, choice of, ii. 324.
Future

state,

and

Gaiety

of the, i. 283; ii. 41.

mystery

ii. 245.

sadness,

Galiani, i. 312.

Gallery, playing to the, ii. 180,

ii. 91.
Galley-slaves,modem,
Geneva,

appeal

186.

to, ii. 297.

characteristics
V.

France,

of, ii. 301.

ii. 306.

of old, ii. 331.

oath

Liberalism, i.

Genevese

Genghis

Khan,
and

talent, i.

writers

of, ii. 48.

Genius

German

134.

defined, i. 262, 265.

Gentleman
the

145.

ii. 285.

Shibboleth
and

French

of

England,

literature

i. 262.

contrasted, i. 312.

novels, ii. 97.

society, vulgarity of, ii. 97.

thinkers, their repugnance
Gennanic

to

public life,i. 68.

mind, tendency of the, ii. 239.

377

the,

of the

masters

of

bad

and

good

Gethsemane,

ii. 338.

Ghost, Amiel

Gifts

119.

heart, i. 226.

in every

acquisitions, i. 57.
French

the

on

life,i.

living, ii. 314.

considered

Gioberti

of

philosophy

France, ii. 95.

and

Germany
Germs

of the, ii. 239.

artistic devotion

Germans,

ii. 178.

mind,

Gioconda, la, ii. 196, 256.

Glory of God, ii. 220.
i. 58.

Glow-worm,
God, communion
conquest

of, i. 98,

harmony

with, i. 286;

life
'

with, i.

God

115.

ii. 7.

in, i. 214.

and

ii. 127.

right,' i. 262;

my

contrasted, i.

Nature

and

i.

250.

recognition of, ii. 69.

submission
will

God's

to, i.

258;

ii.

178,

334,

335,

347,

of, ii. 173.

love

chastisement, ii. 272.

and

ii. 198.

omnipresence,

perfection,ii. 90.
Goethe, i. 45.
with

contrasted

Rousseau,

on

fame, ii. 211.

on

i. 185.
self-obscurity,

Goethe's

of

want

complex

soul, ii. 107.

nature,
'

i. 248.

ii. 108.

Christianity,ii. 17.
Good
society,'ii. 97.
Good, sum
of, perhaps always the same,
victory of, i. 241 ; ii. 29.
'

Good

news

of

'

Goodness

and

beauty, ii. 217.

character

of, ii. 263.

conquests

of, ii. 238.

ii. 6.

350.

33r8

INDEX.

Goodness,
the

Gospel,

philosophy of, ii. i68.

judge, ii. 317.

truest

Amiel's

belief

in

the, ii. 157.

blessings of the, ii. 3.

the

successful, ii. 109.

why
Great

ii. 19.

Eternal,

i. 249.
small things, ii. 197.
changes in character

men,

and

Greeks,

lessons

from

of

the, i. 245.

the, i. 71.

Grief, luxury of, ii. 117.

results

Griefs

of, i.

which

Growing

104.

be

cannot

shared, ii.334.

old, ii. 310.

Habere

haberi, i. 85.

non

Habit, Amiel

of, i. 257.

creature

Habits, life a tissue of, i. 11.

Happiness, Amiel's thirst for, ii. 137.
contagious, ii. 53.
cumulative, i. 97.
defined, ii. 275.
dreams

about, i. 126.

enjoyment of, i. 58.

impossible, i. 258.
pursuit of, ii. 26.
the best, ii. 223.
universal
yearning

for, ii. 272.

Harmony, ii. 57.

blessings of, ii. 92.
longing for, ii. 268.
Hartmann,
his

Havet's
Head

Philosophy of the Unconscious, ii. 52.

Origines du Christianisme, ii. 160.

and

Healing

ii. 115.

heart, i. 23.
power

of

life,i. 192.

INDEX.

379

of, i. 167.
Health, fraility
loss

of, ii. 173.

and

happiness,

and

the

Heart

ii. 178.

world, ii. 100.

outer

intellect,ii. 247,

and

309.

mainspring of life,i. 232,

yearnings of the, i. 257.
the

Heartless

books, ii. 318.

Heavenly

moments,

Hegel,

260.

ii. iii.

ii. 160, 203.

i. 218;

Leibnitz, ii. loi.

and

Heim,

Charles,

Heine

and

ii. 14.

i. 273;

Lamennais

contrasted, ii. 39.

Heraclitus, saying of, ii. 133.

Herder's

Lichtstrahlen,

Hermits

and

the

ii. 47.

world, ii. 246.

i. 8.

Heroism,

genius, the, ii. 189.

three principles,ii. 37.
Hirn's
Historical
justice,tardiness of, ii. 346.
Hindoo

of tempests,

law

History

conscience, i. 36.

and

of, ii. 22.

views

three
varied
Holiness

ii. 287.

views

of, i. 307.

liberty, i. 303.

v.

requisitesfor, ii. 151.

and

Hope

duty, i. 296.

influence

melancholy,

and

ii. 158.

forbidden, ii. 171.

not

Mora

of, ii. 72.

est

Horace,
Hugo,

benefaciendi,

ii. 182.

ii. 232.

Victor,

Gallicised

Spaniard,

exaggerations, ii. 226.

his Contemplations, i. 189.
his literaryand Titanic power,

i. 204.

his

i. 202-205.

38o

INDEX.

Hugo,

his Misirables,

i. 199.

Paris, ii. 225.

Human

union, ii. 18.

Divine

and

three

life,the

modes

of

(action,thought, speech),

i. 216.

personalityignored, i. 138.
i. 267.
solidarity,
and
Humanism
religion,i. 22-35.
of

i. 219.

Cherbuliez,

Humanity,

of, i. 276.

higher standard

of, ii. 54.

benefactors

and

candidates

for, ii. 241.

ideal of, i.

masters

30.

development of, ii. 214, 261, 326.

toughness of, ii. 105.

slow

ii. 106.

Humboldt,

precedes repentance, i. 117.

i. 103.
(true)
contentment,
Humorist, the true, i. 299.
Humility

Hyacinthe, Pfere, ii. 138.

Hypocrisy and deception,

i.

196.

conceptions, ii. 261.

Ideal

Ideal, diminution

of the, ii. 36.

malady of the, i. 126.

material, i. 228.
V.
V.

real, i. 46, 60-62, 234.

thirst for

the, ii. 274.

Ideals, hypocritical,ii. 316.

Ideas, anarchy of, ii. 221.
formation

of, ii. 195.

Ill-health,Amiel's, ii. 177, 201.

of, ii. 319.
Ill-nature,conquest
Illness,

summonses

of, i. 167.

Illusion, benefit of, ii. 73.

Illusions, human,
Illustrious

men,

i. 308;

ii. 26, 289.

disappearance of, i.

16.

381

INDEX.

Imagination

character, i. 18.

v.

enfranchised, ii. 130-132.

of, ii. 48.

influence

i. 245.

of Rousseau,

Immortality, belief in, i. 295.

of, ii. 155.

consolations
and

annihilation, i.

Impersonality,

160.

ii. 49.

temptations of, ii. 259.

Indecision, i. 135.
Amiel's, ii. 233.
twofold

ii. 330.

Amiel's,

Independence,

of, ii. 55.

aspect

ii. 306.

thought of Geneva,

Independent
Indifference

of cultivated

classes, ii. 87.

Indignation, incapacity for, ii. 117.

Individual

society,ii. 290.

and

(the)

duty, ii. 295.

V.

Individualism

absurdity, i. 310.

an

epoch of, i. 266.

and

equality, i.

28.

evils of, ii. 266.

Individuality

and

character

temperament,

ii. 46, 47.

rarity of, ii. 241.

Inevitable, Amiel's

resignation

of

acceptance

to

the, ii. 219.

the, ii. 2S9.

the, ii. 206.

Infallibilityof judgment
Infinite,communion

with

penetration of the,

ii. 51.

rare,

the, i. 46-48.

ii. 291.

thirst for the, ii. 297.

Infinites,infinityof, ii. 89.
men

of

Injustice, Amiel

too

of

Influence

Inner

life

Instinct

action, ii. 290.

sensitive

to, ii. 332.

essential, i. 253.

precedes feeling, i. 88.

382

INDEX.

Institutions,capacity of, ii. 84.

Instruction

and

ii. 269.

amusement,

Insubordination,

increase

of, i. 229.

Intellect,aristocratic character
and

of

the, ii.264.

heart, ii. 247, 309.

religionof, i. 23.
stupidity, ii. 218.

and

Intellectualism, ii. 134.

Interests,want
International
Internationale

of, i. 289.
influences, ii. 97.
the, ii. 102.
,

Introspection, ii. loi.

Intuition, ii. 317.
Invalid, individuality of every,
Invisible,the universal witness

ii. 152.
to

the, ii. 271.

Involution, ii. 220.

Irony,

law

of, ii. 213.

Irreparable, thought of the, i. 285; ii. 23.

Isms,

the

ii. 302.

modern,

Italy,Christianity in, ii. 233.

Jansenists v. Jesuits,ii. 276.
Jesuits V. Jansenists,ii. 276.
Jesus and the churches, ii. 3.
and

Socrates, i. 23.

comprehension of, i. 6-8.

faith

of, ii. 19.

Job's murmurings,
Jocelyn and Paul
of, i. 191.
John

i. 117;
et

Virginie, tenderness

Gentleman,

Halifax,

trials,ii.348.

i. 261.

Joubert, i. 11-14.
Doudan's

resemblance

Journal, Amiel's
function

estimate

of the

to, ii. 208.

of his, ii. 204.

private, i. 41,

Joy expressed by tears, i. 242.

Judaism of nineteenth century,

42;

i. 6.

ii.335.

and

purity

383

INDEX.

Judgment, impersonality of, i. 134.

of

character, ii. 317.

ii.88.
self-interested,

understanding, ii. no.

and

Justice defined, ii. 237.

forgetfulness of, ii. 88.
love, i. 200;

V.

will

ii. 60.

ultimately prevail, ii. 344,

Kant's

Base, ii. 55.

radicale

Kindness

and

345.

wariness

incompatible, ii. 264.

the

principle of tact, i. 35.

Krause's
religious serenity, i. 44.

Laboremus,

ii. 50.

Laborious

lives,ii. 85.
question unsolved, i. 73.

Labour
La

Bruy^re,

La

Fontaine, ii. 209.

Lamartine,

ii. 232.

ii. 51.

his Preludes,

ii. 181.

his dislike of

Lamennais,

i. 245.
with

contrasted

Laprade, Victor
Last

words

Latent
Latin

Fontaine, ii. 232.

and

Heine,

de, affectation
looks

genius,

ii. 39.

of the

of, ii.284.

dying,

ii. 14,

i. 156.

world, the, ii.

122,

240.

Laveleye's
Religieux,
Law, eternityof, ii. 261.
L'Avenir

ii. 212.

Lectures, Amiel's, ii. 272.

Legal fictions
Legouve's

and

institutions,ii. 38.

Nosjils

et

tiosjilles,ii. 268.

Leibnitz, ii. 29.

V.

Hegel, ii. loi.

Spinoza, ii. 343,

Lessing's principle,i. loi.
and

15.

3^

IKDEX.

Letter

i. 60.
spirit,

and

Letters, studied, ii. 257.

i. 214.

Leveller, the modem,

ii.5.

Levelling down,

ii. 35.
Liberalism, political,
Liberty and religion,ii. 67.

revolution, ii. 81.

and

diminished

by democracy,

i. 230.

God, i. 82.

in

possiblesuppression of, ii. 70.

the

of, ii. 70.

Iriends

true

true, ii. 326.

V.

authority,ii. 37,

v,

holiness, i. 303.
of, i. 98.

Life, aim
a

calvary, i. 158.

dream,

i. 293.

perpetual combat, ii.213.

brevity of, i. 216, 249, 256, 283; ii. 24, 78, 82,
a

"

definition

of, ii. 205.

of, ii. 25.

different aspects

drama,

monologue,

i. 129.

frailtyof, ii. 283.

ii. 313.
to be spiritualised,
matter
melancholy

of, i. 208.

aspect

of, i. 87.

ocean

proper

of, ii. 289.

treatment

Life, the Divine, ii. 61.

the

true,

ii. 327.

tenacity of, ii. 333.

V.

Light

logic, ii. 146.

and

without
link

of

beauty, i. 205,

206.

i. 24.
the, ii. 271.

warmth,

humanity,

Literary ambition, Amiel's, ii. 237.

Amiel's
imp"ediments to
career,
gentlemen,

ii. 183.

a,

i. 91.

201.

38s

IXDEX.

Literature

science, ii. 94,

and

Little

things, influence

Logic

V.

'

95.

of, i. 305.

life,ii. 146.

Lorelei,' ii. 238.

Lotze, i.

311.

Lovable, Amiel's
i. 41,

Love,
a

for

taste

the, ii. 310.

156.

girl's,ii. 176.

young

and

contemplation, i. 180.

and

knowledge,

and

holiness, power

i. 24.

of, ii. 35.

eminently religious,i. 209,

284.

ii. 15.
tendency to postpone,
ii. 60.
justice,i. 200;
V.
woman's

Lucian

Augustine

a.id

Luther

humanity,

on

Ma'ia, ii. 83,

and

world, ii. 331.

contrasted, ii. 60, 61.
and

essence

principle,ii. 190.

true, i. 60.

the

Mannerisms,

ii. 233.

Woman,

on

Martyrdom,
Martyrs,

ii. 33.

few, i. 267.
Aurelius, aim of, i. 213.

the, and

Marcus

Masses,

305.

134.

woman

Man,' in

Many,

131,

of the

Malignity

Manou

ii. 103.

defined, ii. 133,

Madness

"

contrasted, ii. 217.

good, i. 306.

Luck,

Man

authority, ii. 60.

supreme

the

nobilityof, ii. 328.

ii. 22.

frivolityof the,

i. 252.

impetuosity of the, ii. 163.

the, and
Material

demagogues,

results, ii. 327.

Materialism, i. 30, 60,

237.

ii. 104,

386

INDEX.

Mathematical

i.

minds,

sensuous

V.

historical

and

i. 84.
intelligence,

izo.

May, caprices of, ii. 32.

Mediocrity, era of, i. 28.
the

equality, ii. 5.

of

result

Meditation, joys of silent, ii. 277.

Amiel's

Melancholy,

82, 92, 171,

tendency

to, i. 279,

285; ii. 8,

77,

188, 189.

172,

hope, ii. 158.

and

below

surface, i.

the

103.

universalityof, i. 227.
painful, ii. 247.
catacomb, Amiel's, ii. 303.

Memories,

Memory

deficient,i.
Men

115.

things, Amiel's

and

weakness

Mephistopheles,
Merim^e's

letters

of, ii. 87.

Panizzi, ii. 345.

to

religion,secondary,

in

Method

relation to, i. 187.

ii. 271.

Michelet, i. 93.
Milieu,

the, ii. 345.

Millennium,
Mind

soul, ii. 199.

and

the

and

ii. 223.

wholesome,

infinite,ii. 260.

described, ii. 308, 315.

forms

and

metamorphoses

of

study), i. 2.
science
the

Minds,

ii. 199.

phenomenal,

not

of, ii. 168.

of, ii. 343.

march
abstract

and

concrete,

i. 83.

well-governed, i. 292.
in

Minors

perpetuity, ii. 69.

Miracles, ii. 121.

Misirables,

Victor

Hugo's, i. 199.

Misspent

time, ii. 184.

Mist

sunshine, i. 360, 261.

and

(the

one

subject of

387

INDEX.

i. 4, 280.

Misunderstandings,
Modern
'

the, ii. 251.

spirit,'the, ii. 107.

Modern

i. 76.

Modesty,
'

of

character

man,

consciousness,ii,201.

Moi,' the central

Moliere, ii. 232.

reasoning, ii. 92.

on

ii. 144.

human,

the

Monad,

conscious, ii. 206.

Monads,

Mongol

invasion,

ii. 286.

Monod,

Adolphe,

i. 31.

ii. 232.

Montaigne,

ii. 142.

Montesquieu,

saying of, ii. 162.

Moonlight reflections,ii. 157.
Moralists, sugar, ii. 269.
Moral
law, reconciliation

of faith

and

science

ii. 156.

philosophy
V.
V.

of

Geneva,

ii. 305.

natural, ii. 59.

physical science, ii. 168.
and

Morals, psychology
Morning

system

of, i. 80.

evening conditions, i. 78.

and

Mortification,ii. 65.
Mozart

and

Beethoven

'

ado

about

Much

contrasted, i. 88, 89.

nothing,' ii. 200.

Miss, i. 261.

Mulock,

Multitude, flatteryof the, ii. 161,

Music, Wagner's,
effects

depersonalised, i. 136-138.

of, ii. 57.

Musician, the modern,

Musset

on

Mystery

ii. 229.

De

Laprade, ii. 285.

of Providence, ii. 307.

Mysticism, so-called,i. 99.

Napoleon,
National

i.

162.

306.

competitions, ii. 6.

by the,

388

INDEX.

National, types, i. 265.

preferences unknown
Nationalities, ancient

and

Nationality

Nations, destinies
Natural

moral,

Amiel's

Nature,

ii. 136.

ii. 167.
("/)v"nicoi),

181, 182,

of, i. 287; ii. i,

235,

247,

270,

11,

27,

280, 306, 316.

102,

238.
continuity of, ii. 309.
237,

V.

ii. 239.

conventions,
God

and

contrasted,

i. 250.

kindly voice of, ii. 316.

the

the law

of, ii. 58.

without

man,

worship

of, ii. 107.

The

Necker

de

142.

Life,

Eternal

the

Neckar,

i.

161-165.

river, i. 183.

Saussure,

Madame,

minds, danger of, i.

Negative

"

i. 137.

Naville, Ernest, i.
on

ii. 293,
194.

i. 22.

Neo-Hegelians,

birth, the, i. 159.

New

Nicole

and

Pascal, ii. 48.

Nihilism, Russian,
Nirvana,

ii. 279.

Nobility,

true,

and

Normal,

ii. io2.

i. 261.

vulgarity, i. 227.
the,

North, poetry

75,

of, i. 5, 26, 42, 43, 50-52, 64-66, 73, 74,

182, 183, 186, 1S8-190, 223, 224,
140,

enjoyment
100,

134.

(jEschylus),

of

enjoyment

174,

no,

171.

State, i.

thinkers

Naturalist

i. 95.

the, ii. 55-57.

ii. 58, 59.

man,

7".

of, i.

the

and

modern,

i. 194.

imply prejudice,
Quinet's studies

Amiel, ii. 227.

to

chosen, ii. 159.

of the, i. 74.

to

be

305.

389

INDEX.

happiness, i. 153.

of

Nostalgia

is lost, i. 217.

Nothing

Nothingness,

ii. 73.

man's, ii. 78, 82.

of, i. 128.

realisation

Obedience

the chief

Oblivion

man's

Obscure

self,the, i.

130.

divine, i. 61.

the

ii. 247.

age,

in, ii. 277.

of growing, ii. 177.

views

our

portion, ii. 282.

i. 165.

Obstinacy,
Old

religion,ii. 176.

ii. 52.

Obermann,

Odyssey,

of

mark

Old, the

clearest

art

Olivier's Chansons

Soir, ii. 92.

du

Opinion, i. 39.
and
belief,ii. 322.
despised by Amiel, ii. 332.

much

too

Optimism

pessimism, ii.29,

and

155.

Orators, ii. 140.

i. 166.

Order,

attempts

at, ii. 262.

harmony

with

and
the

universal, ii.224.

law, ii. 80.

only positive good, ii. 275.

element, benefit of the, i. 252.

happiness, ii. 278.

Oriental

Originality,modern
ridicule

lack

the result

of, ii. 241.

of, ii. 164.

Origins all secret, ii. 194.

and
Outside
inside, i. 25, 60,

loi

Overrating, result of, ii. 117.

and

Oxygen
Pain,

i. in,

and

azote,

human,

ii8.

comfort, i. 32.

ii. 218.

ii. 180.

INDEX.

39P
i. 261.

Pantheism,
of

it. 122.

Krause,

disinterestedness, ii. 190.

Pantheistic

Paradise, echoes

of, ii. 57.

i. 246.

Paradox,

Paris, the French

axis, L

townsman's

290.

Pascal, ii. 217.

Nicole, ii. 48.

and
on

i. 229.

development,

Passion

and

ii. 84.

reason,

Passionless

the, i. 135.

man,

Passions, life

the, i.

of

the, i. 184.

of

conquest

of

Past, poetry

109.

the, i. 255.

Reminiscences

of

the, i. 235-237.

interpreter of the present, ii. 143.

the priestess of the, ii. 135.
woman,
the

Pathos

the

Patience,
Peace,

beauty, i.

and

test

ii. 225.
i. 285.

true,

twofold

of, ii. 152.

aspect

books, i.

Pedantic
Pelletan's
Pens^e

153.

of virtue, i. 259.

311.

Profession

de

foi,

i. 92.

writers, i. 16.

Amiel's, ii. 10.

Penseroso,

People, emotion

of the, ii. 298.

Perfection

end, i. 272.

as

attainment
of

for, i.

Persiflage,
Pessimism,
and

of, ii. 203.

ii. 90.

God,

search

an

114.

ii. 318.
ii. 115.

optimism,

Amiel's

ii. 29,

tendency

155.

to, i.

helplessness of, ii. 49.

285.

INDEX.

ii. 285.

Petijfi's poems,

people, ii. 299.

Pharisaical

of, ii. 4, 5.
of the, ii. 268.

Philistinism, increase
Philosopher, ambition

defined, ii. 124.

Philosophy

religion, ii. 66.

and

Physical v. moral science,

Piety defined, ii. 265.
Pity, exhibition
and

of, ii. 243.

i. 309.

contempt,

i. 235.
ii. loi.

Plaid, the chivalrous,

Saint

V,

Plato's

ii. 168.

religion contrasted, i. 227.

and

Plato

391

Paul,

i. 89.

Dialogues,
of the

Playthings

world, i. 268.

Pleasure

and

duty, ii. 190.

Plotinus

and

Proclus, ii. 279.

Plutolatry, ii. 62.

Poet

philosophy contrasted, i. 82.

and

Poetry flayed by science, ii. 95.

of childhood
the

and

mature

expression of

age,

i. 175.

soul, ii. 254,

Points, straining after, ii. 193.

Political

ii. 266.

windbags,
Politician, aim
Popular

of the

harangues,

Portraits

Poverty

i. 277.

liberty of England,

and
a

Practical

wax

crime

honest, ii. 162.

ii. 140.

figures contrasted, ii. 253.

in England, i. 263.

life,Amiel

unsuited

for, ii. 43.

Prayer, blessings of, ii. 265.

Prejudice essential
better

and

moral

i. 194.
nationalities,

doubt, i.

than

Prestige, French
Pride

to

195.

worship of, ii. 95.

discouragement,
and

i.

11.

religious,ii. 317.

3^

INDEX.

Pride,

conditions

two

of, i. 99.

Priesthood, domination

of

the, ii. 69.

Vitale, Cherbuliez, i. 217.

Prince

Principiis obsta, ii. 56.

Privilege only temporary,
Professor, obligations of
Professorial

ii. 323.
a,

ii. 187.

lectures, ii. 272-274.

Progress, absolute
results

of, ii. 325.

Victor

Hugo's

Protestant

relative,ii. 159.

and

religion of, i. 200,

countries,ii. 67.

Catholic

v.

Protestantism

201.

defined, i. 270.

guard of, ii. 38.

historical,ii. 37.
advance

Protestants, liberal,ii. 37-39.

i. 245.

Proudhon,
his

axiom, ii. 116.

ii. 172

Providence,

defined, ii. 302.

Province

Psychological study, Amiel's

Psychologist, the, ii. 99.
Psychology, applied, ii. 200,
Punishment

softened

and

Quantitative
Quinet,

203.

ii. 315.

saliens,

Punctutn

aptitude for,ii.43.

by faith,i. 117.
qualitative,i. 92,

i. 93.

Quintilian,saying of, ii. 140.

ii. 232.

Rabelais,

Racine,

202.

jugglery, ii. 162.

Radical

Rain,

i. 197,

the

country

in, ii. lis.

Rationalism,

i. 174.

Ready-made

ideas, i. loi.

Real

and

ideal, i. 234;

ii. 274.

93.

INDEX.

Realism

in

393

painting, ii. 253.

suppression of, ii. 98.

Reality

and

with

character

Reconciliation

Christianity, ii. 272.

and

Redeemed,

motive

Regenerate

man,

"

of the, ii. i8.

power

ii. 57.

psychological, ii. 315.

Reinvolution,

Religion

of, i. 289.

sense

no

passion, ii. 84.

and

Reason

ii. 180.

appearance,

liberty, ii. 67.

and

and

philosophy, ii. 32, 38, 66.

and

piety contrasted, i. 227.

indestructible, i. 278.
life in

ii. 31.

God,

phases of, ii. 265.

refreshing

of, i. 252.

power

Utilitarianism, ii. 212.

and

mysticism,

without

i.

178.

of, i. 308.

Religions, multitude

ii. 233.
political,
the (an intermediary), ii. 224.
Religious man,
effect

of

views, Amiel's, ii. 336.

Reminiscences,

the, Fontaine's

Renaissance,

horizon, ii.233.

i. 312.

Renan,
his

object, style, ii. 236.

Renan's

Les

de

Vie

St.
Re7te

i. 207.

vague,

Evangiles,

and

ii. 108.

Jesus,

Paul,

ii. 40.

Atala,

Renunciation,
Repentance

ii. 236.

Chateaubriand's,

benefit

and

i. 146-151.

of, ii. 328.

sanctification

too

exclusively preached,

i. 178.

simple, ii. 64.

Republic, the normal, ii. 303.
Repugnance,

Amiel's

twofold, ii. 299.

394

INDEX.

Resignation, manly, i. 45.

Responsibility,i. 20.
of, i. 67.

dread

Restlessness, Amiel's, i. 123-126.

Reveries, i. 48-52.
R^ville,
Revolt

n.

37.

instinctive, ii. 55.

Revolution

Catholicism, ii. 67.

and

liberty, ii. 81.

Ridicule, fear of, ii. 164.
V.

Right apart from duty, a

Rights, abstract, ii. 266.
River,
Roads,
JiSU,

beautiful

high

and

Romance

ii.

158,

leg, ii. a66.

a, ii. 311.

159.

ii. 340.

History

of Poetry,

i. 118.

Hegel's logic, i. i8"^,

Rousseau

and

Chateaubriand,
in all

ancestor

his letter

Archbishop

to

for

on

life,ii. 196,

savage
Die

Russian

Sadness

i. 22,

and

25.

i. 174.

gaiety, ii. 245.

St. Evremond,

ii. 232.

James's Epistle, i.
John's Gospel,
Martin's

summer,

52.

i. 6.
i. 73.

Paul

and

St.

Paul

and

Plato, ii. loi.

Simon

Beaumont,

character, i. 121.

dogmatism,

Sacerdotal

146-151.

style, ii. 236.

Academie,

national

i.

things, i. 247.

his regard

Ruge's

to

one

peoples, the, i, 119.

Rosenkrantz's

an

compared

cross,

twofold,

our

on

life

with

compass

and

Sainte-Beuve,

John, i. 31.

Bayle, ii. 48.

i. 312;

ii. 50,

185, 208.

i. 244.

INDEX.

Saintlyalchemy,

395

ii. 17.

implies martyrdom, i. 156.

Sarcasm, repulsivenessof, ii. 319.
Satan, possibleconversion of, i. 241.
i. 240.
the father of lies,
i. 174.
his territory,
Satiety,preservative against,ii. 309.
Satirist,
the, i. 299.
Sanctification

Sazioir

vivre, ii. 98.

Scepticismand intellectual independence,i. 276.

Schelling,i. 293.
Schellingianspeculation,ii. 13.
Scherer, i. 44,

273,

312;

ii. 57, 80.

Scheveningen, ii. 146.

and perfection,
Schiller on superiority
i. 175.
Schleiermacher, i. 174; ii. 106.
his Monologues, i. 36.
Scholasticism,ii. 123.
Schopenhauer, ii. 29, 45, 46, 47, 53.
his pessimism, ii. 155.
Science and faith,ii.66, 117, 156.
ii.94.
and literature,
and religion,ii. 167.
and wisdom, i. 232.
march
of, ii.2?i
weakness
of, i. 47.
Sea, the, ii. 147.
of the, i. 291.
conversation
Secretan's philosophy, ii. 12.
Secrets,hidden, i. 103.

Seed-sowing, i. 53.
Self-abandonment, i. 180
-annihilation of,ii. 224.
1.
-approval and self-contempt,

-conquest,

-contempt,

99.

i. 155.

excessive, ii.91.

39^

INDEX.

Self-abandonment,conversation
-criticism,i. 184.
Amiel's, i. 110,
-distrust,

with, ii.234.

114,

173, 272.

of, ii. 222.

-education,hatred

i. 143.
-glorification,

misunderstood, ii.302.
of, i. 279.
-ignorance,cause

-government
-interest

truth, ii. 20,

v.

21.

-love,i. 103, III.

-preservationa duty, ii.250.
-renewal, ii. 106.
-renunciation,i. 4, 112, 128; ii.g.
-rule the

of

essence

ii. 86,
-sacrifice,
Selfishness

173.

individual

and

Seneca, ii.37.
Sensation, nature
Sensorium

i. 263.
gentlemanliness,

rights,ii.266.

of,i. 292.
of nature,

commune

ii.308.

society,ii.87.
Separation of modern
Separatism, ii.302.
Septimius Severus, motto of, ii.50.
Sex, the virtue of, ii. 61.
and substance, ii. 178.
Shadow
Shakespeare, i. 197.
Siefert's Louise, Les Stdiques,ii.129.
Silence

and

repose,

i. 291.

eflTectof, i. 45.
of nature,

ii. 312.

Sin,definition of, ii.56.

frivolous idea of, ii.135.

pardon of, ii. 18.

the cardinal

question,i. 23.

Singing, rustic,i. 143.

Sismondi, i. 144.
Sivaism, ii.

Slavery,i. 73)

INDEX.

397

Sleep, i. Sssymbol, ii. 283.

charity and harsh justice,i. 201.

Soap-bubble
Social

Socialism, international, ii. 102.

Society, ii. 97.

and

the

Dei

Socii

Socrates

individual, ii. 224.

(Seneca), ii. 31.

sumus

Jesus, i. 23.

and

Solitariness

of

life,i.

128.

i. 152.

Solitary life,Amiel's,

ii. 335.

Solitude, human,

Soul, abyss of the, ii. 88.

and mind, ii. 199.
Soul, dominical

the, ii. 278.

of

state

ghosts of the, i. 208.

history of
three

a,

powers

ii. 205.

(counsel, judgment, and action),

of the

i. 113.

.Soul's

ignored by the Church,

wants

Southern

Europe,

Sparrenhorn,
Spinoza,
and

the, i.

of

ascent

Speech, mystery

of, ii. 70.

statesmen

theatre, masks

of

i. 177.

197.

the, ii. 76.

of, i. 53.

i. 109.

Leibnitz, ii. 343.

Spirit, voice

of the

Holy, ii. 224.

Spiritual existence, ii. 260.

Spontaneity, the question of, ii. loi.
Stael, Madame
de, ii. 185, 191.
on

her
Stahl's

nationalities,ii. 228.
ii. 305.

UAllemagne,
Les

histoires

de

mon

Parrain,

ii. 268.

State, the model, ii.96.

true

foundations

Statistical progress
Stendhal, ii. 94.

of a, ii. 86.
and

moral

decline, i. 29.

ygjS

INDEX.

Stoicism, ii. 167.

and suicide, i. 295.
Stoics, the, i.

109.

Strauss, ii. 320.

Struggle of opposing forces, ii. 268.

intellect,ii. 218.

Stupidity and
Style, Kenan's

object, ii. 236.

main

history, i. 95.

Sub-Alpine

Subjectivityand objectivity,i. 33,

of experience, i. 292.

72, 139,

ii. 285, 290.

defeat, i. 269.

Submission,
not

Subtleties

Subtlety

not

helpful, ii. 289.

taste, ii. 209.

and

Success, i. 306.
of, ii. 91.

Suffering, way

produces depth, ii. 53.

triumph of, ii. 63.
result of, ii. 173.
universality of, ii. 272.
Sunshine
and mist contrasted, i. 260, 261.

Supernatural, the,

i. 271;

ii.

121.

critics,i. 142.

Swiss

ungracefulness
Sybarites, modem,

the, ii. 4.

ii. 269.

decay of, ii. 321.

Symbols,

Sympathy,
and

of

i. 25.

criticism,ii. 256.

moral,

ii. 113.

of Amiel, i. 274.
with

fellows, i. 309-31T.

our

Symphonic

pictures,Berlioz's, ii.229.

passion for, ii. 233.

Synonyms,
Systems defined, i. 249.
Tacitus

Tact,

v.

the

measure,

chroniclers, ii. 237.

and

occasion, ii. 246.

187.

INDEX.

Taine

the

on

Taine's

Ancien

Literature,
genius, i. 134.

and

ii. 287.

Tamerlane,

ignored

in German

aesthetics,ii. 97.

conscience, ii. 269.

V.

Teaching,
the
Tears

ii. 94.

of, i. 246.

triumphs
Taste

ii. 193.

Regime,

English

Talent

399

successful, ii. 90.

of, i. 226.

art

and

joy, ii. 64.

origin of, i. 241.

Temperament,
Temptation

character, and

Temptations,
Tenderness

state, ii. 55.

natural

our

etc.,

ending, i. 259.

never

towards

neighbours,

our

Thales, hylozoism

individuality,ii. 47.

of, ii. 194.

Theism, Christian, i. 270.

Theory and practice, i. 33, 130.
Thought and feeling, ii. 139.
kind of opium, i. 135.
a
flightof, i.

Time,

192

ii. 24.

Timidity, Amiel's, ii. 44, 192.

and
pride, Amiel's, i. 180.
Tocqueville, i. 27, 28.
obedience, i. 277.

on
'

To

Too

every

his

man

turn,' ii. 310.

late, i. 237.
i. 52.

Toppfer,

his tourist

class, i. 289.

Totality. Amiel's

tendency

Tradition

v.

Trial

duty, i. 260.

and

Trials, i.
True
Truth

love
and
and

force, i. 231.

117.

defined, ii. 325.

error,

i. 75.

faith,ii. 118-120.

to, ii. 43.

ii. 243.

40O

INDEX.

Truth,

fear

common

identification

of, it. 21.

with, i. 99.

rarely sought for, ii. 222.

the

of

test

religion, ii. 212.

Truthfulness, i.

103.

Truths, philosophic, ii. 195.

Turin, i. 94.
Twentieth

century,

Ugliness

beauty, ii. 113,

disappearance of, i. 232.
and

Unconscious

Understanding
the

193.

ii. no.

judgment,

and

X14.

life,i. 179,

of

nature

the, ii.344.

of

newspaper

of, i. 265.

art

things, requisites for, ii. 256.

the, i. 116.

Unexpected,

Unfinished, the, i. 249.

Unions,

Unity

in

mystery

of action, Amiel's

of

everything,

Universal

of, ii. 258.

want

i. 108.

suffrage, ii. 163.

Universe, different

relations

domain

Unknown,
Unselfishness

Utilitarian

of

the, i. 81.

of the, ii. 276.

implies love, i. 309.

Amiel's

Usefulness,

doubts

materialism, i.

Vacherot's

as

to

his, ii. 188,

30.

Religion, ii. 31.

La

viciis, ii. 281.

Vae

Vanity,
Vesta
Via

all,ii. 217.

the

and

last

sign of, ii. 252.

Beelzebub,

i. 22.

dolorosa, i. 158.

Vinet, i. 69.

praise of weak

his
Virtue

sine

qua

Visionaries,good

non,

and

things, ii. 264.

ii. 85.

bad, i. 80.

401

INDEX.

Voltaire, L

ii. 232.

309;

Voltairianism,

ii. 160.

Vulgarisation,

causes

Vulgarity

and

nobility,i.

Wagner,

i.

Want,

of, i.

ii. 213,

War

227.

125.

of, ii. 287.

lessons

and

Wasted

ii. 341.

214.

rumours,

Wariness

modem,

136.

sense

War,

of

incompatible,

kindness

ii. 264.

life,i. 237.
of the

Watchwords
'We'

right, ii. 164.

always

Weak,

people, ii. 298.

the, ii. 264.

charity towards

caprices of the, i. 215.

Weather,
Weber,

George,

Dr.

i. 183.

Weltgeist, the, ii. 345.

the, i. 285.

Weltmude,
West

and

Whole,

East

of the, i.

sense

Whole-natured
'

Whom

men,

the

i. 251-253.

contrasted,

gods

187.

disappearance of, ii. 91.

die

love

young,' i. 259.

fascination

Wickedness,

of, i. 239.
the country
of, i. 263.

Will, England
feebleness

of the, i. 107.

preceded

by feeling and

the, i.
Winter

139.

in Switzerland,

heritage of the few, ii. 84.

Wisdom's

halves, ii. 132.

two

Wit, Doudan's,
Woman

'

and
Woman's

ii. 280, 281.

i. 213.

Wisdom,
the

instinct, i. 88.

man

ii. 207.

monstre

incomprehensible ^ ii. 16.

contrasted, ii.60-62.

faithful heart, i.

2x0.

family influence, ii. 135.

INDEX.

402

Women,

ii.

austere,

of,

emancipation

ii.

orators,

Women's

i.

love,

Words,

careless

Work

the

World,

Writing,

and

240.

life,

ii.

348.

the,

ii.

282.

a,

ii.

2.

271.

ii.

of,

of,

ii.
ii.

37;

50.

106.

i.
ii.

ii.

i.

27.

impressions,

presumption,

192.

i.

manhood,

revival

i.

ii.

remaining,

of

renewal

Zeno,

of

of,

art

secret

Youthful

138-141.

needs

i.

the

YotWG,

33.

165.

individual,

Youth

of

humanity
i.

ii.

of,

use

flavour

Worship,

34.

304.

meanness

Worth,

ii.

of,

views

Manou's

never

325.

276.

159.

100.

212.

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World:

Mad

Arden

A Midsummer

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Shakespeare's

XIV.

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of

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Will

XIII.

LITERATURE.

OF

Forest

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to

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Dover.

to

of

and

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Chronicle.

London

Beauties

VL

Relics.

and

Shakespeare

From

V.

HISTORY.

OF

Avenue,

Novels.
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ity
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style, as

well

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by

Shrines
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of the charm

reading.

example

Hassard.

G.

CO.,
NEW

YORK.