Jasmin: Barber, Poet, Philanthropist   By: Samuel Smiles (1812-1904)

Barber, Poet, Philanthropist

by Samuel Smiles, LL.D.

"Il rasait bien, il chantait.... Si la France possedait dix poetes comme Jasmin, dix poetes de cette influence, elle n'aurait pas a craindre de revolutions." Sainte Beuve

Preface

CHAPTER I. Agen Jasmins Boyhood

Description of Agen Statue of Jasmin His 'Souvenirs' Birth of Jasmin Poverty of the Family Grandfather Boe The Charivari Jasmin's Father and Mother His Playfellows Playing at Soldiers Agen Fairs The Vintage The Spinning Women School detested Old Boe carried to the Hospital Death of Boe

CHAPTER II. Jasmin at School

Sister Boe Jasmin enters the Seminary His Progress His Naughty Trick Tumbles from a Ladder His Punishment Imprisoned The Preserves Expelled from the Seminary His Mother sells her Wedding ring for Bread The Abbe Miraben Jasmin a Helpful Boy

CHAPTER III. Barber and Hair dresser

Jasmin Apprenticed Reading in his Garret His First Books Florian's Romances Begins to Rhyme The Poetic Nature Barbers and Poetry Importance of the Barber Jasmin first Theatrical Entertainment Under the Tiles Talent for Recitation Jasmin begins Business

CHAPTER IV. Jasmin and Mariette

Falls in Love Marries Mariette Barrere Jasmin's Marriage Costume Prosperity in Business The 'Curl Papers' Christened "Apollo" Mariette dislikes Rhyming Visit of Charles Nodier The Pair Reconciled Mariette encourages her Husband Jasmin at Home The "rivulet of silver" Jasmin buys his House on the Gravier Becomes Collector of Taxes

CHAPTER V. Jasmin and Gascon

Jasmin first Efforts at Verse making The People Conservative of old Dialects Jasmin's study of Gascon Langue d'Oc and Langue d'Oil Antiquity of Languages in Western Europe The Franks Language of Modern France The Gauls The "Franciman" Language of the Troubadours Gascon and Provencal Jasmin begins to write in Gascon Uneducated Poets Jasmin's 'Me cal Mouri' Miss Costello's translation The 'Charivari' Jasmin publishes First Volume of 'The Curl papers' (Papillotos)

CHAPTER VI. Beranger 'Mes Souvenirs' P. De Musset

The 'Third of May' Statue of Henry IV Nerac Jasmin's Ode in Gascon approved A Corporal in the National Guard Letter to Beranger His Reply 'Mes Souvenirs' Recollections of his past Life Nodier's Eulogy Lines on the Banished Poles Saint Beuve on Jasmin's Poems Second Volume of the 'Papillotos' published Interview with Paul de Musset

CHAPTER VII. 'The Blind Girl of Castel cuille'

A Poetical Legend Translated into English by Lady Georgiana Fullerton and Longfellow Description of Castel cuille The Story of Marguerite The Bridal Procession to Saint Amans Presence of Marguerite Her Death The Poem first recited at Bordeaux Enthusiasm excited Popularity of the Author Fetes and Banquets Declines to visit Paris Picture of Mariette A Wise and Sensible Wife Private recitation of his Poems A Happy Pair Eloquence of Jasmin

CHAPTER VIII. Jasmin as Philanthropist.

Charity a Universal Duty Want of Poor Law in France Appeals for Help in Times of Distress Jasmin Recitations entirely Gratuitous Famine in the Lot et Garonne Composition of the Poem 'Charity' Respect for the Law Collection at Tonneins Jasmin assailed by Deputations His Reception in the Neighbouring Towns Appearance at Bergerac At Gontaud At Damazan His Noble Missions

CHAPTER IX. Jasmin's 'Franconnette'