AMIEL'S JOUEN^AL

mS

"

AMIEL'S
THE

JOUENAL
JOURNAL
OF

INTIME

HENRI-FRfiDfiRIC

AMIEL

THANSLATED

WITH

AN

INTRODUCTION

AND

NOTES

BY

MRS.
Author
of
"

HUMPHRY
The

WARD
of

Histoiy

David

Grieve,"

etc.

WITH

PORTRAIT

VOL.

IL

NEW

YORK

MACMILLAN
AND

AND
LONDON

COMPANY

1895

All

rights

reserved

COPTBIGHT,

1893,

Bt

MACMILLAN

AKD

CO.

First
Edition

Edition

(2
Crown

Vols.

Globe

8vo)
1888. March

1885.

Second

(i
and

Vol.

8vo) 1890;

Reprinted
and

1889; ber, Septem-

January
1891, August,

October, 1892;

January
;

and

April,
1895.

1893;

ary, Janu-

1894

August,

Nortoooti
J. S.

\Brtia
Co. Berwick
"

Gushing Boston,

"

"

Smith.

Mass.,

U.S.A.

21 SI

AMIEL'S
VOL.

JOURNAL.
II.

[Where

no

other
as

name

is

mentioned,

Geneva

is to

be understood

the

author's

place of residence.]
sur

llth

Apj'il1868
in
a

{Mornex
storm

Saleve).
"

I left town
was

great
two

of

raising clouds roads, and

of dust hours

wind, which urban along the sublater the I found

tains, moun-

myself safely just like

a

installed last year.

among

I think The sounds

of

ing stayof the

week

here.

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

open voices of

window,
of
women

birds

in of

the the

green

carpet

thrown plain is dappled by passing shadows it by the clouds ; the landscape has upon the charm of grace. delicate tint and
a

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

210347

amiel's

journal.

soul

of

country
it
a

or

landscape, and
of

feels
Here
;

livingwithin
is
no more

multitude

lives.

resistance,
affirmative
nature

everything is with harmony

of which The
of

negation, blame myself ; I feel

with ings, surroundto

in

and

seem

heart

opens

pression. myself the exto the immensity

things.
non me

This rebus

is what

I love

!
conor.

Nam

mihi

res,

submittere

{Easter Day), Mornex, The day has opened solemnly Eight A.M. and is a religiously. There tinkling of
\2th

April
"

1868

bells
to

from

the

valley :
a

even

the

fields
of

seem
"

breathing forth have must Humanity things considered, is

the best
on a

be

canticle
a

praise.
and,
ship wor-

worship,
the those ? The

all

not

Christian which

amongst

have

existed

large
the
a new

scale
and

religion of
"

sin, of repentance,

reconciliation
birth
to

the

religion
life
In
"

of

and
be

of

eternal of.

is not

religion
the of

ashamed

spite of all

aberrations

of fanaticism, all the

all the

superstitions

formalism,

ugly superstructures of hypocrisy, all the fantastic of theology, the Gospel puerilities
has
modified

the

world

and

consoled
is
not

kind. man-

Christian better than

humanity humanity,

nuich it would

Pagan

but

amiel's

journal.

3
a

be

much

worse

without
an

this

religion, and religion. Every religion proposes

without and
a

ideal

model

; the

Christian
a

ideal

is

sublime, and
We and
may
to

its model hold

bow

of

divine
the

beauty. churches,
Jesus.

may

aloof

from

yet
be have

ourselves
the
to

before

We
refuse

suspicious of anything
love
save

clergy,
do and
with the

and

catechisms,

and
came

yet
to

the

Holy
not

Just,
Jesus

who

and

to

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 the
as

God

we

shall

come

back

to

faith

in

God

of Jesus.

Five walk Yves

0^ clock

p.m.

"

I have

been

for

long
the du
"

through woods,
The

Ce'zargues, Eseri, returning by the

was

and
Pont gray.

Loup.
A with and
an

weather

cold

and

great popular merrymaking

its multitude

of

some

sort,
for has
songs,
or

of

blouses, and going

on

its drums

has fifes,
hour
a

been my

riotously
The

under
number

window.

crowd

sung

of

songs, but
The

drinking
all
muse more

ballads,

romances,

less
never

heavy
touched

and
our

ugly.
country

has and the

people,

Swiss

4
is
not

amiel's

journal.

in its gaiety. graceful even tliis is what A bear in iiigli one spirits 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
race
"

the

classes labour

whose
are

backs

are

bent

with

ual man-

others.

rustic

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

when

share

the

music

or

the
ceeds suc-

poetry
it.

of in

the

cultivated

classes, only
not

caricaturing it,and democracy,by laying

is but
one

in down
men, that

copying
that has

it

there fact

class
to
can

for

all

in

done

wrong
As
we

everything
no

is not

first-rate. offence

judge men recognised order,

them
to

longer according to a
can

without
certain compare

we

only

the
seem

best
to

that
us

exists,and
more

then

they
more

naturally

mediocre,
before.

ugly, more passion for

average, tieths of it

deformed

than

If

the the

equality potentially raises really degrades nineteen-twenbelow progress

in in the their the

individuals is
a

former domain of plying multi-

place.
of law
art.

There and
a

fallingback
the them

domain
see

And

meanwhile before

artists

their

bete-noii-e,the

amiel's

journal.

bourgeois, the Philistine, the presumptuous ignoramus, the quack who plays at science,
and the
'

the

feather-brain
of the

who

thinks

himself

equal
said

Commonness in The

doUe

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

era

plants.
of but

the umph triequality means It is disappointing, mediocrity.

; for

of

inevitable

it is after

one

of

time's

venges. re-

Humanity,
itself
on

having organised

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
no

the

basis

of

the

doubt

will

lose, but
all has

justice will gain.

the

Is not

universal and when

levelling-down
been ?

law

of
will the the

nature,
not

levelled So
that

all have
is

been

destroyed
all it blind been

world

striving with
of what

its force

for

destruction forth
!

has

itself
of

brought
its
own

Life
;
as

is the

pursuit
said of

negation
nature

has works

also
she

labours
own

weaves

her
of

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

stones

her

own
'

God
not

may
we

well do.' tical iden-

forgive us,
Just
as

for
the

we

know of

what

sum

force

is

always
and

in the

material

universe,

presents

amiel's

journal.

spectacle

not

of

diminution

nor

of

mentation aug-

of

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

but

that

therefore

all

progress
on

on

one

side side.

is

compensated
this
were so

inversely
we

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
certain
man

points.
and consist in

The
man

great

difference
on

tween be-

would,
the
art

of

principles, transforming
latent
power

these

vitality into
into would
so or

and spirituality,
energy.

useful hold
that

The

same

difference and
tion, na-

successive

good between the object of competition

be

nation the of

simultaneous mankind of the

imum max-

in

history would
of

the

extraction

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

be

of
the

only variations that living

"

of is to

the say,

same

art,
gaging disenessence

of

pure

form

and

subtlest

of

our

individual

being. (Sunday,
A Mid-day). sides a depressing
"

26th

April

1868

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

self.

amiel's

journal.

7 walk.
I have

Ten

P.M.

"

Visits

and

spent

the
have
seen

evening

alone.
me

Many
of

things
wisdom.
selves them-

to-day
I have

taught
the

lessons

hawthorns

covering
the
the

with

blossom, and
up

whole breath of who

is I

valley
of
the

springing spring.
of conduct
not

afresh
been the

under
the

I have
on

spectator
men

faults will
in
bellion re-

part of old
whose natural
the

grow

old, and against

the

heart

law.

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

watched

that

claimed

one's the

pleasantries on
to

pity. I subject
of
the
once

have

listened

to

of

madness,
birds. message in

and And for

the

merry has

songs had

the
same more

everything
me
'

Place

yourself

harmony
will of

with

the
;

universal
a

law

accept

the

God while

make it is
;
"

of religious use yet day ; be at once know

I how
to

life ; work serious

with

and
the

cheerful

repeat
in

Apostle,
state

have

learned
to

whatsoever
'

am

therewith

be

content."

26th of

August 1868. and feeling within without, which

"

After
the

all the

storms

ances organic disturbthese latter

during

amiel's

journal.

months
own

have Individual
to

so pinned me closelyto existence, shall I ever

my be pure

able

reascend

into

the

region

of

to enter intelligence, again upon and impersonal life,to

the
recover

terested disinmy

old indifference and

towards

subjective miseries,
and
I
plative contemever ceed suc-

regain
state

purely
of mind

scientific
? the

Shall
needs

in
me ever

forgetting all
earth and
pure
to

which ?
! I

bind

to

humanity
Alas it believe

Shall
cannot

become

spirit?
to

persuade
an

myself
I me,
see

possible
weakness
do
no

for

instant.
upon

infirmity
feel
I
cannot

and

close

without tion, ambi-

affection, and
and
remember that that

I know my I

that

I have
are

and has

that

all my away.

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

So
that there is
no

faculties

flown

ceiving de-

me

of

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

neither mournful the

to

be

consoled age,
a

nor

confessed,
a

old
!

slow

decay,

death

in

desert

Terrible
to
me

dilemma has

Whatever
its savour, escapes

is still possible while

me,

lost

all and

that will

could

still desire escape

me.

always

Every

impulse

amiel's
I

journal.

ends

in

weariness

and

disappointment.
thy apamust
we

Disconragement,
:

depression, weakness,
dismal and series
which

there
ever

is the

be
are

for

begun

re-begun, while
rock
to

still Is

life.

rolling up the Sisyphean it not simpler and shorter

into
as we

of

plunge
one

head-foremost

the may,
to

gulf
the

No,
solution
to

rebel
"

there

is but

to to
we

submit

accept,

general order, do to resign ourselves, and

It is
our our self-will,

still what

can.

aspirations, our
We
once
"

dreams, give
up

that

must

be of

ficed. sacri-

must

the

hope
of

ness happiself

for
to

all !
"

Immolation this
or

the

death

self,
of

is the

only suicide
In my

which

is either

useful

permitted.
and
secret

present

mood
there

indifference
is
some

estedness, disinter-

ill-humour,
; there
a

some

wounded

pride, a little
in is

rancour

is selfishness claim
for
rest

short,
is

since in

premature
Absolute
in the that

implied

it.

disinterestedness

perfect humility
under foot
no

for the
more

I have

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

is
not

self

wish

for

nothing
I must

; but

that what

what

is wanted.
; I must

wish

God
to

wishes

pass
rifice sac-

from

indifference
to

and sacrifice, The

cup

from

self-devotion.

which

lO

AMIEL'8

JOURNAI-.

would of

fain

put away
shame

from
of

me

is the and has

misery
ing suffer-

living,the
as a common

existing
who bitter

creature

missed

his

vocation

; it is the

and

increasing
of
own

humiliation old under and friends

text !
'

of
the

declining

power,

weight of one's the disappointment

thou be

growing proval, disapof

one's
was

Wilt

healed

'

the
to

of

last who

Sunday's
are

sermon.

Come

me,

all ye
I will

weary

and
"

heavy
'And

laden,
if
our cur

and
heart

give

you us,

rest.'

condemn

God

is greater

than

heart.'

21th the

August
^

1868.

"

To-day
I

took often

up lated vio-

Penseroso its maxims

again.
and
is
a

have

forgotten
true
son

its lessons. of
my

Still,this volume
and life. breathes Whenever of my
to
me

soul,
inner
sciousness con-

the I

true

spirit of
to

the
my is

wish

revive

own

tradition, it
over

ant pleas-

to

read
has

this such
were

little
scant

collection done should it I which

to

which

had

gnomic justice
I in that

it,and
often

which,
I
to

it
to

another's,
feel truth
with

quote.

like that
as

have
may

attained
be

relative

defined of with

consistency
with
"

self,the
of

harmony

appearance

ity, realother

thought

expression,

in

AMIEL'S

JOtJRNAL.

II

words,
strictest

sincerity, ingenuousness, It is personal experience

sense

ness. inwardin the

of the

word.

21st
autumn

September
effect.
this

1868

lovely( Villars)."A veiled in was Everything

and and
the
a

gloom
floated

morning,
us

gray
whole

mist

of rain

between

the

circle blue

of

mountains.
which made

Now

strip of
at

sky
has of sends of
a

its appearance

first behind

the

distant
to

mounted

peaks has the zenith,

almost
;ipon The

grown

larger,
the
of

and

dome

heaven,

swept
down

clear
iis

streaming
convalescent

the

cloud, pale rays

now

sun.

day
that

promises
well.
a

kindly,
Thus softened

and after

all is well
a season

ends
tears to

of
return
are

sober

and
to

joy
that

may you

us.

Say
upon graces

yourself
autumn

entering
that of
the

the of
are

of

your

life ;

spring and irrevocably

its beauties. darkened

the gone,

splendours
but

summer

that

autumn

too

has

The

autumn

weather

is often but

by rain, cloud, and soft,

and the
sun

mist,
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.
"

air is still

12

amiel's

journal.

the

herds
to

of luilch-cows the level

be of

have
the

already
we are.

come

down vreek

chalet, and
to

next

they will
time has

lower
is
a

than

This
us

living barometer
the
come

warning
say

that
the

to

farewell
to

to

mountains.

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

nothing

Is but

voluntary
of life.
"

obedience

to

the

universal
its month

laws of

My

life has

reached

it in the

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

!

fact

I3th of
two

November books
sur

18G8.

"

by
la

Charles

reading part SecrStan^ {Ream

cherches elementaire

Methode,
is the
as

1857

Precis

de of

Philosophie,
Secretan

philosophy

The 1868). philosophy of the

one

Christianity,

considered

true

religion.
of
to

Subordination

of
to

nature

to

ligence, intelwill

intelligence
f aitli,
"

will, and
is its

of

dogmatic

such

get eral

framework.

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

of the

religion of love,

"

it leaves

amiel's

journal.

13
A

upon

one

an

impression

of parti pns.

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
The

spheres
author

"

industry, law,
to
me

and

religion.
a

seems

to

possess than

ous vigora

and mind.

profound
Not

mind,
is he

rather

free

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

only

defines
the way;
not
same so

in

its

own

way,

the

takes
X in

liberty,and
that
he is

defines
at
once

the
too

his

free

and
to

free

enough

; too

free

in free

respect

historical

enough

in

respect

to

Christianity,not Christianityas a
does
not

ticular par-

church.

He

satisfy the
Reformed does
not

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

freethinker.
This

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.
"

"

14
After

amiel's

journal.

belief
is not
a

comes

judgment
A
see

; but

liever bethe it

judge.
view
what

fish all whole

lives round
:

in

ocean,
cannot

but

it cannot
a

it ;

take

of the the

therefore In order

it cannot
to

judge

ocean we

is.
must

understand its historical

;
we

Christianity place
in
must

put
work frame-

it

in

its proper

regard it as a part of the religiousdevelopment of humanity, and so judge it,not from a Christian point of view,
but
nee

from studio.

human

point of view,

sine

ira

IGth

December
state

1868.

"

I
as

am

in my

the
poor the

most

painful
November

of

anxiety
Heim.
.

to
.

kind
30th

friend, Charles
I have then these

Since
.

had
said
two

no

letter from

the dear
to
me.

invalid, who
How
to

his last farewell

long
me,
"

weeks

have
I have feel

seemed realised for the

I

and

how

keenly
looks, of
are

that

strong craving which

the and

many those
a

last words,
Such

last

they love
of
ment. testa-

words

looks
a

kind

They
which

have is not For

solemn

and
an

sacred effect

acter charof
our

merely
that

imagination.
of death in
to

which

is

on

the

brink
extent

already participates to seems eternity. A dying man

from

some

to

speak
he says

us

beyond

the

tomb

; what

amiel's

jourxal.

15
a

has

the
an

effect

upon

us

of
we

sentence,
upon him

an as

oracle,
one

injunction
with words

look

endowed solemn who

second
come

sight. naturally
The
;

Serious
to

and
man

the the of

feels

life
before

escaping him,
him.

and

grave

opening
nature
are

depths
the
Divine

his

then
no

revealed

within

him

need
us

longer
to

hide

itself.
or

Oh

do

not

let

wait

be

just
we

pitiful or
love

demonstrative

towards
are

those down !

until
or

they
we

or

we

struck death
too

by
is for
are

illness

threatened
have the

with
never

Life
time

short, and

much those

hearts

of

who
us.

gladdening travelling
to

the

dark

journey
haste

with
to

Oh, be swift
!

love, make
26th died soul ceased

be

kind

December

1868.
at to

"

My

dear
A

friend

this has
to

morning
returned suffer
!

Hy6res.
heaven.

beautiful So
he ?

has

Is he

happy
or

now

If
on

men

are

always

more

less

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 the

of

feeling.

Whether

from

shyness

amiel's

journal.

or

precaution
out

or

artifice, a
knows

woman

never

speaks

lier she

wliole herself
it
to

thought,
of is.

and

over more-

what
a

it is but

part

of

what
seems

really
be

Complete
to to
to

frankness and

impossible
seems

her,
be it

complete
her.

self-knowledge
If is
a

forbidden
is because
even

she riddle

is

sphinx
doubtful
has
no

us,
ing mean-

she
to

of

herself. she

She

need
A
woman

of

perfidy, for
is

is mystery

itself.

something
deal
a

minable, fugitive, irrational, indeter-

illogical, and
great
of

contradictory.
ought
to

forbearance deal
of

be

shown

her, and
with

good
to

prudence
she may

exercised

regard
of all

her, for

bring about
pable Caall

innumerable

evils without kinds

of
'

knowing it. of devotion, and

she
man.

kinds

of

treason,
to

monstre

sible,'' incomprehenpower,

raised
once

the and

second
the

is at

the

delight

terror

of

The

more

a sum

man

loves,
of
to

the

more

he for

fers. sufeach fection. per-

The soul is in

possible grief
its

proportion

degree

of

He

who

is too power

much

afraid

of

being duped

has

lost the

of

being magnanimous.

amiel's

journal.

17
love ends

Doubt

of
us

the doubt

reality of

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

masked
as

spectre,
the his

within

the

thought,
'Man fortunes

last love

supreme

depths of explainer.
follows the

is what

is,' and

of his love.

The
art

beautiful

souls

of

the

world

have

an

of

saintly alchemy,
into

by which
the

bitterness

is

converted

kindness,
into

gall of

human

the

gentleness, ingratitude into benefits,insults into pardon. And transformation so ought to become easy
habitual that the and lookers-on
may

experience

and

think

it

spontaneous,
2Tth service ? And of what
sin.

nobody give us
1869.
to

credit

for it.

January
rendered
The is

"

What,
world
of
' '

then, is by good
The
?

the

the

anity Christinews.'

proclamation this good news

'

pardon
the

The and

God

of

holiness it
to

loving
Himself

world

reconciling
to

by
of

Jesus, God,
upon

in order the

establish

the

kingdom
heaven
the

city earth,
"

of

souls, the
you
a

life of

here

have

whole 'Love

of ye

it;

but

in

this

is

revolution.

amiel's

journal.

one

another,
one
:

as

have
as

loved
am one

'

you

'Be the
is the

ye

with
'

me,

with

Father

for

this

is

life

eternal, here
Faith in

perfection,

salvation, joy.
of
our

fatherly love

God,

who

punishes
desires

and
not

pardons
the

for of

death his

the
"

good, and who sinner, but his

is the motive

conversion
power

and the

life,
call

here

of

redeemed.
we

What into
currents

Christianity is
a

vast

ocean,

which of

flow

number

of various

spiritual origin
;

distant

and

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

certain

historically developed,
What

are

new

or

spontaneous.
in it is the human
may

is essential

and

original
that the

practical demonstration
the divine into
nature
one

and
become

may

co-exist,
flame mercy,
one, in ;

fused and

sublime

that
may
man

holiness
meet

pity, justice and

and
What
"

together
in is

become is

and

God. Jesus

Christianity
of his absolute love and

the The

specific in sciousness religious consacred

sense

Jesus.
with

of

union

God
this

through perfect

self-surrender,
and

tranquil

faith

profound, of his,

vincible, in-

has

amiel's

journal.

19
of and has Jesus has

become
become

religion;
faith From

the

faith

the

of this

millions
torch

millions sprung
has both been of
a

of
vast

men.

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

astonished
in
one

world

has

forgotten
and has whole from of
the

its

justice
to

its

miration ad-

referred
of those

single
which

benefactor
are

benefits

its
The

heritage
conversion

the

past.
and
fessional con-

ecclesiastical
into

Christianity
is the conversion work of of

historical science.

anity ChristiThe into

Biblical

historical

Christianity
is
an

philosophical
which faith science.
is to
cannot

Christianity
extent
an

attempt
into of
to

some

illusion, since
resolved

be

The

entirely transference,
the

however,
great
But

Christianity from
the

region of history
is the
we are

region
of
our

of

psychology
What eternal

ing crav-

time. is the

trying

to

arrive
we can

at

Gospel.

before

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

reach

it,

the

comparative

be
has
at

disentangled
taken last
we

from for

which
when

Jesus
are

able

religion its object. Ai:3 the to point out

the

20

AMIEL'S

JOURNAL.

state

of consciousness
of

which
the

is the

cell, the principle

shall
have

eternal

primitive Gospel, we
in it is the

reached saliens the

the

our

goal, for

punctum

of pure

religion.
will and
come

Perhaps

extraordinary

take
the

the

place

of

supernatural,
the the world
will messengers

great
to

geniuses regai"ded history,as

whom human the the

of
as

be in

of

God

the

providential revealers
of

through
upon is the
not

spirit
and

God
is

works

mass.

What the

perishing
; it is

admirable

adorable
the

simply village
are so

the Just

arbitrary,the accidental,
as

miraculous. of
a

the the the

poor

illuminations
of
a

fete, or out by
small and

tapers

procession,
of

put
the

great marvel miracles,

will the

the
their

sun,

local

with

meanness

doubtfulness,
beside

sink of

into
the

cance insignifiworld

law

of

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

call God.

"

Utinam

\st

March
are

1869.
as rare

"

Impartiality
as

and

jectivit ob-

they

are

but is
an

two

justice, of special forms.

source

which

Selfof
venient con-

interest

inexhaustible
The

illusions. who wish

to
see

number

of

beings

truly

is

extraordinarily

AMIELS

JOUKX.VL.

21

small.

"What

governs truth
as

men

is
to

the

fear

of

truth, unless
is the
that truth.
as

is useful say
common

them, which
is
or

much

to

that

self-interest

principle of
truth
"

the

philosophy,
us

is made this

for
fact

but

not

we

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
As is

have She

disturbed

this
in

selfish

repose

of

hers. The
an

only improves
progress of

spite of herself.
she

only

which

desires

is

crease in-

All advances in enjoyments. justice,in morality, in holiness, have been forced from her by some or imposed upon noble violence. which is the pasSacrifice, sion 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

of

its
in

coarse

paste, has
into erous gen-

rarely succeeded expansion.

raising it

22

AMIEL's
From

journal.

the is

point
triste its

of

view

of

the

ideal,
we see

humanity
compare

it with
the

if ugly. But probable origins, we has

not

and

that wasted

human its
time.

race

altogether
are

Hence

there
:

three of
;

possible views pessimist,

view
with who

of

history
from who the

the the

view

the the

starts

ideal
the

of the
the

optimist,

compares view

past
hero-

present

; and
sees

of the

worshipper, who
has
cost

that

all progress and

ever what-

oceans

of blood veils of those

tears.

European
the

hypocrisy
themselves

its face
Indian

before ics fanatwheels

voluntary suicide
who
throw

under
car.

the

of their these goes

goddess's triumphal
are

And

yet
that
the

sacrifices
on

but
as

the

symbol
is made
We

of what of

in

Europe
their

elsewhere,

offering of
martyrs
say that the

life which
causes.

by

of all

great

may

even

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

of who

its crimes

runs

over. are

The
an

fanatics eternal

sacrifice

themselves
the

protest
We

against only

universal

ishness. selfthose

have
are

overthrown

idols

which

tangible
the elUe

and

visible, but everywhere,

perpetual
and

sacrifice

still exists of each

everywhere

generation

amiel's

joc'Rnal.

23
the multitude.

sniffers for It is the

of

the

salvation

of

austere, bitter, and

and is

mysterious law redemption

the
in

solidarity. Perdition and other through each

men.

destiny

of

ISth
ever

March
come

1869 back

(Thursday).
a

"WheTithe

I
I

from

walk

outside

town

am

disgusted
Out

and

repelled by this
sunshine,
and of
the

cell of mine.

of doors

birds,

spring, beauty, and piles of

And
paper,

life ; in

here, ugliness,
death.
"

melancholy,
was one

walk yet my possible. I wandered

the

the

saddest and

along
memories of

Rhone
of the

Arve,

and

all the

past,
and

all the all the

my

disappointments
anxieties like
a

the

present,

of

the

future, laid siege to

of

heart

whirlwind

phantoms.
The

took

account

of my
in battle

faults, and

they ranged
ure vultthe

themselves

against
at

me.

of
sense

regret gnawed
of
the

my

heart, and
me

iron
that
now

collar
I had

irreparable choked of the pillory. It

in the

like the
to
me

seemed and life,

how the
start

failed
was

task
"

of

that
rible ter-

life

spring
which had

is

failing me. to the lonely

lulled
to

Ah!
!

All

needs into appeared disman

been all
are

sleep
which

life

again,

the

sorrows

had old

reborn,

and

the

24
which
once

amiel's

journal.

had
more as

been and

gagged
makes the

and
his old

conquered
groans

rises

heard.

It is

thougli all
had

wounds afresh.

opened
Just
one

and
when

bewailed
one

themselves
ceased in
to

think,
sudden
a

when

had
or

succeeded

deadening
all of
it cry
a

feeling by work
the cry

by amusement,

heart,
from
to

solitary captive that its prison depths, a

foundations
Even the

is,sends
which

shakes

its

whole that

surrounding
one

edifice.
self one-

supposing
all

had

freed

from
one

other

there fatalities, which it is I

is still
to

yoke
"

left from
that

impossible
succeeded
but

escape in

of

Time.

have

avoiding
Age
of

all other
the

servitudes,
last
"

I had

reckoned
of age.
to

without
comes,

the

servitude

and

its

weight is equal
taken
gether. to-

that

all

other

oppressions
his

Man,
but the
the
a

under

mortal
As

aspect,
I looked

is
at

species of ephemera.
of

banks
river

the

Rhone,

which
them
or some

have
ten

seen or

flowing past
thousand
the
avenue

twenty

years,

at

the

trees

forming
for
of
so

of the
have

cemetery,
the
; as

which,
I recognised which

two

centuries,
funeral
the

been

witnesses

many

processions dykes,
a

walls,

the
as

the

paths,
that

saw

me

playing
children

child, and
over

watched grassy

other

running

amiel's

journal.

25
bore my
own sense

plain
of the

of

Plain

Palais
"

which
the

childish

steps,
felt
over

I had

sharpest
the the

emptiness
the
me.

of

life and of

flight of
upas the
tree

things. I darkening implacable

up all

shadow
I in

gazed
which

into
are

great
selves them-

abyss

which

swallowed call

those

phantoms

are

over

the

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
as

night,
marsh.

the The of

will-o'-the-wisp sinks nothingness

our

into

the
the

of and

our

joys,
the
a

emptiness
of
our

existence,
filled
to
me

futility
gust. disI ness. wearitality immor! at !

ambitions,
From

with

quiet

regret
to

disenchantment
to

floated
"

on

Buddhism,
the
be

universal
blessed

Ah,
would
what

hope
better

of

worth eyes
at
are

having
one

With

different
at

looks
at

life at
Those

ten,
who

twenty,
alone

thirty,

sixty

live

of this

scious specially conpsychological metamorphosis.

Another
the

thing, too, astonishes conspiracy

of the which the

them

; it is

universal

exists for

for ing mak-

hiding
men

sadness

world,

forget suffering, sickness, and and sobs death, for smothering the wails "which issue from house, for painting every

26
and Is

amiel's

journal.

beautifying
it out
or

the

hideous
for from the

face

of

realitj-.
and
we

of

tenderness

childhood

youth,
are

is it
careful
a as

simply
to
sense

fear,
sinister
?
"

that truth

thus

veil of

Or

is it from

equity
as

and

does

life contain
more?

much

good
it upon may

evil

perhaps
men

However
rather

be,
his
as

feed
upon

themselves truth. reel of

the

illusion

than
own

Each

one

unwinds
as soon

special
come

hope, and
of it he
sons

he

has
to

to

end his

sits him
his
over

down

die, and begin

the

lets
same

and

grandsons again.
We

the

experience
and of all.

all pursi,e suit pur-

happiness,
The the

happiness
which

escapes

only journey duty

even are

viaticum
of

can

help

us

in
a

life is that
some

furnished

by

great
And

and

serious

affections. least
a

affections mortal
a

die,
;
a

or

at

their
a

objects child, a
us as

friend,
may

wife,

country,
tomb
;

church,
alone

in
we.

the

duty

lasts

precede as long

This

maxim

exorcises

the

of anger,

discouragement,
and
to

of revolt, spirits nation, indigvengeance,

rise
one

ambition, which
tempt
the

after

another

and
sap

trouble of the

the
"

heart,
O all

swelling
ye saints

with

spring.

of the

East, of antiquity, of Chris'

amiel's

journal.

27
!

tianity,phalanx deep
ye
come us

of heroes and
over

"

Ye of Ye

too

drank
but

of

weariness

agony

soul,
who

triumphed
forth under ! your

both.

have

victors

from

the

strife,shelter

palms,

fortify us

by

your

example
Gth The haze.

April Alps
are

1869.

Magnificent weather. their silver dazzling under

"

Sensations
upon
me

of

all

kinds

have
a

been

crowding
under the

; the

delights of

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 sudden

re-awakening
a

of
of of

poetry,

renewing

youth, a the soul,

I
was

flash
a

of

fresh
powered over-

growth

of the

wings
host of

desire.

by
adventurous

conquering, vagabond,
I

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

aspirations.

soul
a

were

scattered
one

to

the fain

four

winds the
see

in

such

mood

would

devour

whole

world,

experience

everything,

28

amiel's

joubnai,.

everything.
one,
own

Faust's

ambition
"

enters

into
one's hair

universal

desire,
One would one's of

horror

of

prison cell.
one

throws fain
arms

off one's
the

shirt, and
of nature

gather
and
is

whole O ye
to

into
a

heart.

passions,
rekindle is
snowy
a

ray

sunshine
The

enough
tain moun-

you

all 1

cold
more,

black and

volcano
with It

once one

melts

its

crown

breath.

is

about

these the

sudden

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

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
breaks and

through
rends
;

the

rigid bark
on

of face

the of

trees,
cism ascetiin the

the

mask the

the

it makes of his

monk the

tremble maiden
the child
man

shadow the
on

convent,
of
her

behind

curtains his school

room,

sitting
bowed

bench,

the

old

under

his rheumatism.
'

Hymen,
"

Hymenaee

1'

24th
real
true

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

more more
tain cer-

good
?
"

God

"

grief
more

more

joy

darkness

secure

of

amiel's

jouunal.

29
timism op-

victory than
which

light?
is
or

Is

it

wliich
"

nearest

pessimism or the truth,

"

and
has

Leibnitz

Schopenhauer
universe
man

best

understood
man or

the
the

? who

Is
sees

it the best
the

healthy
to

sick

the

bottom

of

things

which

is in

right ?
Ah
! the

will be

problem of griefand evil is and always the greatest enigma of being,

to

only
The the

second
common

the

existence
of

of

being itself.
has
But

faith
of

humanity
evil.
of

assumed if

victory
not

good

over

good
in

consists

in the

result

victory,
an

but

victory itself,then
and

good
for
not

implies
ever

sant inces-

infinite
a success

contest,

interminable threatened.

struggle, and
And

if this

is life

life,is
as

Buddha

regarding
since endless Buddhist tion.
The the it
means war

synonymous

right in with evil,

is

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

art

of

self-annihilation,
vast

of

caping es-

world's
the of

machinery
of
renewed

of ence, existis to
of

suffering, and
"

misery

the

art

reaching
art, the
Christian

Nirvana,

him

the

supreme The

only
says

means

deliverance.
Deliver And
to
us

to

God adds:

from end

evil.

The
us

Buddhist from

that

deliver

finite exist-

30
ence,

AMIEL'S

JOURNAL.

give
the

us

back that
he

to

nothingness
he
enter

The

first believes from

when will

is enfranchised
upon

body
;

eternal
that viduality indi-

happiness
he

the

second obstacle the

believes
to

is the

all repose,
of the

and soul
dise Para-

longs
The

for

dissolution of
the

itself.

dread second.

first is the

of the One

thing only
of
the in

is necessary,
to

"

the

mittal com-

soul

God.

Look leave skein

to

that God
the

thou
the

thyself
task and of of

art

order, and
do

unravelling the What destiny.

matter

of

world
or

annihilation
is to be the passage for

immortality
be. Faith
wants

What
will

be, will
the

And
in

what

will
"

be,
for

best.

good, nothing more

perhaps
his

individual

through

life.

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

materialism, against
and make

pessimism.
up

his
because

mind

religion of accident also he must Perhaps against the Buddhist

man's

the

nihilism,
is he labours

system
life

of

duct conas

diametrically opposite according

to
as

increase he aims

his
at

or

to

lessen
his

it,according
faculties them.
To
or

cultivating

at

systematically deadening
individual
efforts for

employ

one's

amiel's
the

journal.

31

increase
ideal
the aim
sjirmis

modest forward
common

good in the is enough for victory of good

of saints the

of

world,
us.

"

this

To been

help
the

has

and of

sages.

Socii

Dei had

was

word

Seneca, who

it from

Cleanthus.

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
"

SOth

1869.

have

and

exact,

and

that

therefore

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 the contrary, it is a mode on if, man, of the inner it may and must life, last, as long as the need of feeling,and alongside the need of thinking. The tween question is betheism

and

non-theism.
of the

If

God

is

only
But
at

the

category
course,

ideal,religion will
of

vanish, of
the

like the illusions

youth.

if Universal
same

time be
a

Being can be felt and loved as conceived, the philosopher just as

a

may be may
an

religiousman
orator,
to
a or

he

may
He

artist,an
attach

citizen.
or

himself

worship

ritual
to

without
this

derogation.
To
me

solution. and

myself religionis

incline

life before

God

in God.

32
And
even

amiel's

journal.

if God

were as

defined
this

as

the universal

life, so
and the
not
sense

long

life

is

positive
with

negative,
of the

the

soul

penetrated
the

infinite

is in from

religious
as

state.

Religion differs reflecting self,

from
into the

philosophy
self differs

the
the

simple and

spontaneous
as

from

synthetic analysis.

intuition

differs

intellectual

We

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
initiated which
But in is sacred. of these

spite
of

reservations

am

much fine
,

impressed piece

by

the

book,
and

which

is a

work,

ripe

serious

in

all

respects.
13th and
sun

May

1869. the

"

break

in the
a

clouds, bright

through
throws

blue

interstices

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
"

wears

out

our

reason

by

the

endless the

sion succes-

of

her

caprices and
whims.

unexpected

violence

of her

amiel'8

journal.

33
verse

This second is in the

here wise

recalls to
book
nature

me

the
Laws the

213th

of

the
'

of

the of

of

IManou.
sex

It

feminine
men,

to

seek

below
men

to
never

corrupt
abandon
women.'
'

and

therefore
to

themselves
Tlie
same women

the

seductions

of
says the

code,
are

however,
honoured
'

Wherever

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

husband,
'

happiness
mother fathers.'
irrational

is ensured.'
more

And
than what
are

again
a

One

is

venerable

thousand and

But

knowing
there

stormy
this concludes

elements

in

fragile and
:
'

delightful creature,
no

Manou
to

At

age

ought
as

woman

be allowed

to

govern

herself

she

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 obscure

madness of
a

; in other
woman

cause words, be-

soul

has
in

something
lends the

and
to

mysterious
To

it,which
weakens

itself

all of

superstitions and
man. man

energies

belong

law,

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

34

amiel's

journal.

Women,

on

the

contrary,

introduce

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 a

which

her

merits in

have

free

play,
fects. de-

rapid

increase

her

natural

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

govern
best

her

will

be

for

long
serious

time

yet
has

the

solution.

When

education
women

formed in whom
over

strong, noble, and

conscience effervescence
then
we

and
of

reason

hold and
not
a

sway

the

fancy
be able make and

mentality, senti-

shall
but

only

to

honour

woman,

to

serious

end Then

of

gaining
she
will

her

consent

adhesion. workis
so

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

be

work it

upon

problem,

and

have

not

solved

yet.
15th June 1869.
*

"

The
is that

great defect
its what

of liberal of

Christianity
holiness
to

conception
comes

is
same

frivolous

one,

or,

the

thing,

its

conception of

sin

is

amiel's

journal.

35

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

theology
ness.

is too

much

mixed

with

worldliupon

The

sincerely pious folk

as

look

the

liberals

persons

whose

talk

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

seem

to

be

mere

clever like
in

special pleaders, religious the Greek sophists, rather

the It the souls
as narrow

rhetoricians
than
to

guides
salvation.

road
to

which
the

leads

is not

clever
that

scientific

folk,
to

even folk, nor the empire

to
over us as

belongs, but passed speaking,

but
matters ; it is

those
nature

who

impress by
grace,

having

conquered
not

having
and
as

through
the that

the

burning
divine

bush,
In

language
the

of human will.

wisdom, religious authority

and

of

it is holiness

which

gives
tion devo-

love,

or

the

power

of

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

36
diminution
We
our

amibl's

journal.

or never

degradation
rouse an

of

their

ideal.
us

must

ideal
men

against
to

business

is

to

point
more

another
the

ideal, purer, old, and

one more so

higher,
to

spiritual than
a

raise

behind
In this

lofty summit
way
no one

lofty still.
;
we

is

despoiled
at

gain

men's

confidence, while
to

the

same

time

forcing them
minds 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.
enabling
those
are

Let

the

liberal

Protestants virtue

offer
a

us

tacle spec-

of Christian and
see more

of

holier,intenser,
before
and
; let
us

intimate in

kind
their

than

it active

persons

in

their the
tree

they will have furnished the by the Master: proof demanded will be judged by its fruits.
Influence, and
22d

June

1869

lowering
on

weather.

the

page

of
I

What
at

is life ?

the

tiny dead
is.

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.
" "

movement

The the

universal
units
are

life is visible

sum

total, of which

here.

AMIKL

JOURNAL.

yj

there, and
wheel

possess

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
acts

force which
acts

upon

atoms, the soul which

he souls

upon

force. anonymous Then

Probably

between souls.

distinguishes and personal

be
an

my

fly would

mous anony-

soul.

{_8ame day.")
"

The

national

churches

are

all up

against so-called Liberal Zurich and Christianity began the ; Basle and now Geneva has entered the lists fight, too. Gradually it is becoming plain that historical Protestantism has no longer a raison d^etre between and pure pure liberty in fact, a provisional authority. It is, stage, the worship of the Bible founded that on
arms
"

in

is to say, and therefore thesis

has

on

the
a

idea

of

written

tion, revela-

of

book

divinelyinspired,and
When
the
once

authoritative.
been

this

relegated to
crumbles

rank

of There

fiction Protestantism is

away.

nothing for it but to retire upon natural the religion of the moral or sciousness. conreligion, MM. Kfiville, Coquerel, Fonoutcome. tangs, Buisson,^ accept this logical

S1C347

38
They
are

amiel's

journal.

the
the

advance-guard
laggards
rest

of

ism Protestant-

and Their

of free
not
a

thought. seeing
that

mistake

is in
upon

all

institutions
that every

absurdity.
church
based

legal fiction, and a living thing involves logical It may be logical to demand a
on

free but
to

examination

and
a

lute abso-

sincerity ;
matter.

realise

it is

different

church

lives
element

by

what

is

positive, right
be

and

this

positive

necessarily limits
confound
is to be the

investigation.
of the the

People

individual, which
the

free, with
is to

duty of something.
Science
the
not to

institution,which
take
same as a

They
the

the the

principle of principle of

be

Church,
see

which

is

mistake.
is different
one

They
from
union

will
losophy, Phi-

that

Keligion
that
the of

and

the

seeks
the

by

faith, while independence

should
be tlie leaven
means

other

upholds
That have

solitary
bread
; but

thought.
it must
the
we

the leaven

good
is not

bread.
arrive
an

Liberty is
at
an

the

whereby
"

faith

granted ; but agreeing only upon

method could
not

enlightened assembly of people

criterion
a as a

this

and

this

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

church,
to

the

paper news-

of

all pos-

amiel's

joukxal.

39
no

Bible

parties,

"

it would

doubt

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
a mere

confusion

of kinds.

ISth the
one

July
the of
a

1869. victim

"

Lamennais,
of
a

Heine

"

mistaken

vocation,
to astonish
was

the other and

tormenting craving
his

mystify
in
common

kind.
sense

The
;

first the

ing wantwas

second

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

the

German
a

was

jesting Mephistopheles,
The
; the

with
was

horror

of

Philistinism.
and

Breton

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

all

passion

melancholy

revolutionists.
the
were

They
for
the

were

not

for fighting
truth
; both
own

good

cause,

impersonal
of

rather Both

champions
and

their and Men but

pride.

suffered

greatly,
reviled.
of

died
of
men

isolated, repudiated,

magnificent talents,both of small wisdom, who

them,
more

did

40
harm others
wears

amiel's
than
!
"

journal.

good
It is
out
a a

to

themselves
existence
a

and
which

to

lamentable
in

itself
or

maintaining
The the
a more

first

tagonism, ana

first blunder. power,

to

greater
and

man's

intellectual
is it for him

ous dangerstart

make

false

to

begin
20th

life

badly.
18G9. five
or

July again

"

I six

have

been

reading
here

over

chapters,
Paul. is
a

and
to

there, of
the
a

Kenan's the

St.
writer whose

Analysed

bottom,
freethinker

freethinker, but imagination epicurism

eyes
to

flexible delicate
In

still allows

him

the

of

religious
who fancies them

emotion. lend

his

the

man

will not is

himself

these

graceful

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

he is too critic

clever

to

laugh

at

them.

The

true ; his

neither
to

concludes understand

nor

excludes

pleasure is
and
to

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

believing, enthusiasm, barrassed mind, unem-

AMIEL

JOURNAL.

4I dilettanteism
"

duped by anything.
of the
same

It is the in
its

Renaissance
time what

perfection.

At of
!

the

innumerable scientific

proofs
power

insight and
lith

of exultant

August
who
art

1869.

"

In
"

the what

name

of
thou

Heaven,
"

thou?

wilt
?

wavering
lies

inconstant before
thee
to

creature

What

future what

? ?

What

duty

or

hope appeals

thee

My
peace, idea devote which
cause

longing,
for
to

my

search
to

is for fill my
to

love, for
heart
I
;
an

something
; a rest

defend the

work

which
an

might

of my

strength;
this

affection

might
for which
I
ever

quench
I

inner

might
?

die with
I

thirst; a joy. But

all
true

shall is

find and

them

long
:

for
for

that
ligion, re-

impossible
serious

inaccessible
the

sympathy,
I

ideal

life ; for

paradise, immortality,
and What
I

holiness, faith,
not

spiration, in!

know
is to

what
to

besides be
a

really want
And
nor

die and

bom

again,

transformed I

myself, and
can

in

ent differ-

world.

neither

stifle these
as

aspirations

deceive

myself
I of the

to

the
demned con-

possibilityof satisfying them.

to roll for ever

seem

rock

Sisyphus,
of the
/

and mind

to

feel

that

slow the

wearing
man

away

which

befalls

whose

vocation/

42 and

amiel's

journal.

destiny

are

in

perpetual
a

conflict.

'

Christian Jacobi mind

;

lieart

and

pagan

head,' like
;

tenderness feebleness
;
a

and

pride
will

width
two
men

of

and

of

; the

of St. Paul

seething chaos

of

contrasts,

antinomies,
and

pride
and

mistrust

contradictions; humility childish less simplicity and boundintuition ; analysis and tience ; pairritability ; kuidness
; carelessness

and

and

of
enthusiasm

heart

and

dryness anxiety ;
and

and
;

languor

indifference

passion
and Then

altogether a being incomprehensible intolerable to myself and to others

from
a

state

of

conflict

fall

back

into which and

the

fluid, vague,
all form
to

indeterminate
be
a mere

state,
violence

feels

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
least
am

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

at

circle

rectilinear because

figures;
I have
"

am

where every-

home,

no

lar particuon

and

nominative
this

self.
has I

Perhaps,

the

whole,
I
am man

defect
a

less of
;

man,

good in it. am perhaps

more man. more

Though
nearer

to

the

perhaps rather
the

There of the

is less

of

individual,

but

amiel's
in species,

journal.

43
whicli is absolutely

me.

My
for

nature,

unsuited

practical life, shows

great aptitude for

prevents
me

me

from

to

understand

indolence conclusions
to

which

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

; it is

sort

of

secret

aversion

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 in itself, all opinion is equally insignificant

all intellectual

opinions
live and maxims

have

some

hold

upon

truth.

To
are

let
which

live,think
are

and

let

think,

equally dear to me. My tendency is always to the whole, to the of things. the general balance to totality, 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

its purpose.

It is rather the

the

sense

of the
their

absolute
proper

and value

infinite

and

reducing to relegating to their

the relative.

proper

place

the

finite and

44
But

amiel's

journal.

here, in
than

the my is

same

way,
; my
to

my

ambition

is greater

power

cal philosophispeculative opinions

;

perception gift,
I have of
I have

superior
the energy

my

not

of my than

far greater width from

inventiveness lowed alto

thought, and,
the up

critical the

timidity, I have intelligence in me genius.

more
"

swallow from Alas little have

more

creative

Is

deed it in-

timidity ?
a

! with

little
a

ambition,
man

or

good luck,
made
out

different and

might
as

been gave

of me, of.

such

my

youth
16th
over

promise

August 1869. Schopenhauer.

"

I
"

have

been

ing thinkme

It has
to
see

struck
how

and

almost

terrified

me

well

represent
whom
'

will

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 deand
'

the

individual

life

is

misfortune

from is the

which

impersonal
is

plation contemetc.
nihilation an-

only

enfranchisement,'
an

But

the

principle that life a good lies at

and
this

evil and
root
never

the

of

the

system,
to

axiom

I have

dared
I

enunciate admitted

in any

general
and

way,

although
in Individ-

have

it here

there

amiel's
ual

journal.

45
thrope misanto to

cases.

"

What

I still like in tke his

of
current

Fraiikfort, is
to

antipathy hobbies,
of
him in

prejudice,

European
the
a

Western

day.

hypocrisies,to is Schopenhauer
has

successes

of the

man

powerful
all the

mind, who
who

put away
German

from

sions, illufull

professes Buddhism
j', and very of

flow

of

modem mind

absolute midst
of

tachment dethe

in 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 I

recognise

the

unlikeness

between

us.

intelligence and
me

easily lead once appeal

to

to the

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

attitude

Pity, goodness,
reclaim

charity,

and
even

their

rights, and
29th

insist

upon

the

first

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
the

amiel's
renunciation disdain
to

journai,.

of all of

tation, desire, solitarymedi-

the
the

crowd, vulgar

and
covet.

ference indifHe

all

that

approves aversion
the In
a

all my
to

defects, my

childishness, my

practical life,my
distrust
my

antipathy
of instincts
;

to

utilitarians,my
and

all desire. he

word, he flatters all

them. justifies 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,
caresses

but

that

I fear

to

delude

and

stifle

science. con-

Besides,
tolerance and that for this virtue

goodness has no contemplative indifference,

in

I feel that

consists

self-conquest.

30th
of in

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

to

believe

in

the

new

man,
or

in any
in any

progress

towards

perfection,
in
are a

positive improvement Only the appearances the no change below

confuses

human
;

being.
there
is

refined

surface.

Perhaps
think
that

he

temperament,
?

character, and
to

dividual inin-

incline

amiel's

journal.

47

dividuality
temperament
and

is

fatal

and
far

reaches that

primitive, that able, back, but is altermore

character

is

recent

and

susceptible
modifications.

of

voluntary or Individuality
a

involuntary
is
a

matter

of
sation sen-

psychology,
or

temperament,
;

matter

of

{esthetics

character
and

alone
the
use

is

matter

of

morals. for

Liberty

of ments ele-

it count of

our

nothing in the being; character

result of
a

first
is
a

two

historical
"

fruit,and
For
with In
at

the

man's

biography.

Schopenhauer,
temperament

character

is identified

short,
man

he

just as will with passion. looks simplifiestoo much, and

that is
more

from

elementary
sufficient
in

point of
the
case

view

which
the
or

only
That

of

animal.

spontaneity
he

which

is

vital

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

merely

chemical

when
more

we

to

translate

them

into

close

and

precise terminology.
One
of him

Later.

"

has

merely
to

to

turn

over

the

Lichtstrahlen
between

Herder and marked

feel

the

ence differThe

Schopenhauer.
features and

latter

is full

of

of

48
observations and Herder
are

amiel's
which
a

jourxal.

stand and
a

out

from

the

page

leave

clear

vivid writer

impression.
; his

is much

less of

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
themselves difference
in the
as

memory. is

It

is the Nicole

same

there

between

and

Pascal,
What

between

Bayle and

Saint-Simon.

is the

faculty
Under

which

brilliancy, and Imagination.

becomes

incisiveness

gives relief, to thought ?

sion expres-

its influence

concentrated, coloured, and

of

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

life

and

permanence
A

to

the

material

on

which

it works.

writer

into
iron
own

glass
and

and

genius changes glass into crystal, ore

steel ; he idea he
marks with

of

sand into
his

iron

into

stamp

every

gets hold
common even

of.

He

borrows

much

from

the
; but

stock, and
his him

gives back
are

nothing
He

robberies
as

willingly reckoned
has,
as

to

private blanche,
what

property.
and he will.

it were,

carte to

public opinion

allows

him

take

amiel's

journal.

49
finished
been
a

31st

Augtist 1869. mind My

systems

"

I have

penhauer. Scholumult

has
"

of

opposing
with

Stoicism, Quietism,
Shall
If I
never

Buddhism,
at
a

Christianity. myself
am

be

peace

impersonality
in the

is

good, why
of it ?
to

I not

consistent

suit purturn re-

and

if it is

temptation, why

after having judged and it,

conquered

it? Is

happiness
fiction
state

anything
? The

more

than
reason

ventional con-

deepest
the
me a

for end

my

of doubt of life The

never ever seems

is that
to

supreme
mere

and

aim

lure
an

and

deception. dupe, who

who is for

individual obtains deceived with

what

is
he

eternal

seeks, and My
stinct in-

by hope.
the It is

is in Buddha which of
me

harmony
of leaves

pessimism
a

of

and
never

Schopenhauer.
me even

doubt

in my

moments

religiousfervour.
a

Nature
at

is indeed

for

Mai'a the

and
of

I look
an

her, My then,
what

as

it were,

with remains

eyes

artist.

intelligence
do I believe

sceptical. What,
I do
not

in ? for ?

know.
be

And

is it I
say.
"

hope

It would in

difiicult to
I

I believe will

goodness, and prevail. Deep within

Folly ! hope that good

ironical and

this

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

50
believes all

amiel's
in the

journal.

ideal,in love, in holiness, and

whole
heart

heavenly superstitions. A of idylls sleeps in my

nium millen; I
am a

pseudo-sceptic, a pseudo-scoffer.
'

Borne L'homme des

dans

sa

nature,
un

infini dans tonabe

ses se

voeux,

est

dieu

qui

souvient

cieux.'

Uth

0(to6er death of

18G9.

"

Yesterday,
What

day, Wednesa

Sainte-Beuve.

loss

16th
have
was

October
the

1869.
motto

"

Laboremus of

seems as

to

been

Sainte-Beuve,
He

it
in

that

of

Septimius
up
to

Severus.

died

harness, and
last

the

evening
the very bosom
sacraments to

before the

his
ferings sufthe

day

he of

still wrote,
the

overcoming
energy

body
at

by
this the the

of

mind.
are

To-day,

moment,
of

they
Mother of the

laying
He
; he
was

him

in

Earth. Church
; he

refused
never one

belonged
of the
'

any

sion confes'
"

great

diocese of

that and

of
he

the

independent
himself
no

seekers

truth,
of
to

allowed
He

final moment

hypocrisy.
with any
one

would

have God

nothing
"

do

except
Isis died

only
the
arms

or

rather

the

mysterious
he
was

beyond
in the

veil.
of his

Being
tary. secre-

unmarried,
He

sixty-five

years

old.

His

amiel's

journal.

51
was

powei and this

of work intact. life and

and What

of memory is Scherer ?

immense about

thinking

this death

I9th

October

1869. Scherer He

"

An
on

admirable Sainte-Beuve
him the

article in of

by
the

Edmond

Temps.

makes the

prince

French
the

critics and

last

representative of
the

epoch of literarytaste, the future

to

the

bookmakers and
to

and

belonging chatterers,
article fitting bewas

to

mediocrity
a a

violence.

The

breathes

certain

manly
oration

melancholy,
over one

funeral
in the

who
"

master

things
than

of

the

mind.
a

The

fact void

is, that
behind
;

Sainte-Beuve him
their
;

leaves

greater

Lamartine

distant, historical
to

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

critic acts
as a

either

think. all the

The

true

fulcrum

for

world.

He

represents
say the

the

public
reason,

judgment, that the touchstone,

which merit
tests

is to the value work.

rarer

public

scales, the refining rod,

of
every
one

the

and

the

of is

every

perhaps
balance

of judgInfallibility ment than anything else,

so
"

fine

qualities both
of mind what

qualitiesdoes it demand natural and acquired, qualities

heart. and What
years

of

and

of
are

labour,

study

comparison,

52
needed
to

amiel's

journal.

bring
Like the critic

the

critical
sage,
to

maturity fiftythat
of
his

Plato's rises

judgment it is only
true

to. at

the or, to

height
it less

literary priesthood,

put

pompously, of his social function. he only can hope for insight

modes of

By
into
of

then

all the
all possible Sainte-

being,
of

and

for

mastery

shades

appreciation.

And

Beuve culture

joined to this infinitely and a prodigious memory,

multitude
of

refined
an

credible in-

facts
of

and his

anecdotes

stored

up

for the

service

thought.
has
of

Sth chilled
season,

December
me

1869.

"

Everything
the

this

morning:

cold

the
me,

the

physical immobility around

all, Hartmann's
This

but,

above

Philosophy lays
is
as a

of the
the
;

Unconscious. terrible
thesis such
as

book creation
not

down

that it

mistake
as non-

being,

is,is

good
life.

being, and
I felt the

death
same

is better

than

mournful
me

Obermann black

left upon

in

impression youth. my
me.

that The

melancholy
and

of

Buddhism

passed encom-

overshadowed
illusion

If, in fact,
from
us

it

is

only
to

which and

hides makes
is
a

the

horror

of existence
us, then

life tolerable
snare

existence the

and
we

life

an

evil.

Like

Greek

Annikeris,

amiel's

journal.

53
or we

ought
Buddha labour and

to

counsel and

suicide,

rather

with
to

Schopenhauer,
radical
the
to
causes

ought
of

for

the
"

extirpation
of

hope
rection. resur-

desire,

life and

Not

rise

point, and simply

a

there

is the

again ; there is difficulty. Death

again,
whereas aim the
at.

the is
is

beginning
that
we

it

annihilation

have

to

sonal Per-

consciousness
our

being ought
to

root

of

all

troubles,
to

we

avoid

the it
as

tion temptacal diaboli-

it and

the

possibility of
"

and
And

abominable.

What

yet it is all logical; it is

of

blasphemy ! the phy philosoits in

happiness Epicurism
of
lies

carried
must

to

farthest

point.
The
But

end
is less

despair.
of the in

philosophy
salvation and

duty
in in the

depressing.
of

the
the

conciliation
union

duty
the

happiness,
will with that this

individual faith love.

divine

will, and

supreme

will

is directed

by

It

is

as

true

that

real

happiness
under
have

is

better good, as that the good become the purification of trial. Those who
not

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
are

suffered

still

54
nature

amiel's

journal.

contagious. strength
will be
to

Bring
the

your

health

and

your
so

weak
to

and

sickly, and
Give energy,
up. others
our

you
your

of

use

them.
your them

them,
"

not

weakness,
revive

but

so

you alone from but

will
can us our

and

lift

Life
claim

rekindle
is not
our

life. thirst
our

What and

hunger,

bread

and

gourd. Humanity
and and
her
are

The who

benefactors have

of

those
about
are

thought
her
have
masters

great

thoughts

her

but who who

idols

those
those

flattered muzzled
with

despised her,
and massacred
or

have
her

her, inflamed
her
are

fanaticism Her

used

for the

selfish

purposes.

benefactors

poets,
the VII.

the

artists, the
all
pure the

inventors,
Her

the

apostles,
are

and

hearts.

masters

Caesars,
's, the

Constantines, HI.'s, the

the

Gregory Borgias, the

Every
of
a

Innocent

Napoleons.
is, as
in it were,
a

civilisation years, and

dream and
men

thousand
nature

which

heaven
to

earth,

history,
is

appear

illumined
a

by fantastic
which soul
"

light and nothing

but

ing representa

drama of
the

influenced itself,
was

projection by some

intoxication

going

to

say

hallucina-

amiel's

journal.

55
who
are across or

tion awake

"

or

other.
see

Those

widest
the

still

the

real of

world
race

dominant And
starts

illusion
reason our

their the
:

time.

the

is that
own

from

mind

deceiving light the light is our

with
it. It

religion. Everything
is

changes
to
our

religion which
the

gives
of

kaleidoscope,
least
eral gen-

if not

material

the

their

colour, their light and

aspect.

figures, at shade, and

the

world

light ; it can only

we

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

Every

be
cast

have

judged
better.

when

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

23d instinct rebel that element

radicale which
at

February
of which of

1870.
an

"

There enemy
no

is in of
all

man

an a

revolt,

law,
even

will stoop to

yoke,
wisdom. of

not

reason, in Bose
us

duty,
is

and

This
"

the Kant.

root

all sin

das

of

The of
eternal

is
same

the

condition
time the That

independence individuality is
temptation
makes
us

the

of ings be-

the

individual. makes
us

which

also
in

sinners.
our

Sin

is,then,
in
us

very

marrow, in
our

it circulates

like

the

blood

veins, it

56
is

amiel's

journal.

mingled
I
am

with

all
:

our

substance.^
is

Or
out

rather

wrong
but the

temptation
is
not

natural Sin
the

state,
in

sin

necessary. confusion
with of

consists

voluntary
which
is bad

independence which independence

the

is

good

the

; it is caused

by

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

weakness defeat.

is

contained
obsta
"

the

germ this
us

of

Principiis

maxim from

would dutifully followed preserve almost all our catastrophes.

We will
"

have

no

other say, the

our

master

but self

our

caprice
have
nature
no

that

is

to

evil

will
our fractory, re-

God,
is

and

foundation

of

seditious, impious,

insolent,
therefore and

opposed
all that
to

to

and

contemptuous

of
trary con-

tries

to

rule

it,and
which But

order, ungovernable
foundation natural
within of
man.

negative.
the

It

is

this
the is

Christianity
savage

calls
which

us, xos,

and
must
to

constitutes
be

the

primitive stuff
and And
to

civilised
the
man a

in
must

order
be man,

disciplined a produce man.

the wise
man

patiently cultivated
and if he
is to
man

produce
be

wise

mast

tested And

and

tried

become
must

righteous.

the

righteous

amiel's

journal.

57
of God
for
a

have

substituted

the he

will is to this the

his

individual And this

will, if
new

become

saint.

man, man,

regenerate

being,
man,
as

is of

the which

spiritual
the

heavenly
as

Vedas the

speak
as

well
as

the

Gospel,

and

Magi

well

the

Neo-

Platonists.

nth music under

tears.

March of
my It
a

1870.
brass

"

This
which moved

band

the morning had stopped

me

windows

almost

to

exercised
over me

an

gic indefinable, nostal-

power

; it set

another

world,
of

of

infinite Such

happiness.
the echoes
of

dreaming passion and impressions

me

of
preme suare

Paradise

in the whose

soul

ries memo-

ideal
and

spheres,

sad
the

sweetness

ravishes
Plato these 1 0

intoxicates

heart. you

O heard
ments mo-

Pythagoras 1 ages ago harmonies, surprised

"

these knew
thus

of

inward
!

ecstasy,
If music

"

these carries
is harmony, is

divine
us

transports

to

heaven, harmony

it is is
our

because

music

perfection, perfection
dream
is heaven.

our

dream, and
of

This ishness, selfl^s

world

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

for the

58
love the for. which without which infinite

amikl's

journai..

has
as

no

end.

It

is not that

so we

much
yearn

the

beautiful
or

It is not

being,
upon
us

the

limits

of

being,
us

weigh
us. so

; it is
at
are

evil, in harmony
Moral
to

and
to

It is not
as we

all necessary in

be

great,
the
has

long
of

with

order
no

the
; it

universe.

ambition

pride

only
God

desires heard of

fill its

place,

and

make
concert

its note of the

duly

in the

sal univer-

love.

30th

March and

1870.

"

Certainly,
without

Nature

is

unjust
without

shameless,
Her
or

probity, and
are

faith.

only
mad

alternatives

gratuitous favour only

commit way of

aversion, and

her

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

the

is

expiated by
"

misery
to

of
accuse

the

greater
a

number.

It

is useless

blind

force.
The

"

human this

conscience, however,
law

revolts

against
its
two
own

of
of
out
"

nature,

and
has

to

satisfy
made
vidual indi-

instinct

justice it
of which the

imagined

hjrpotheses,
itself
a

it has of
an

for

religion,
and

idea

providence,
another In

the

hypothesis

of

life.
we

these

have

protest against nature,

immoral and scauda-

which

is thus

declared

amiel's

journal.

59
Man believes
himself in
on

lous

to

the

moral
that he

sense.

good, and justice he

around
a

may

ground
that the appearance,

maintains is but
and
an

injustice
a

all

him

tery, mys-

cheat,
a

that

justicewill
1
faith.

be

done.

Fiat

justitia, pereat
is

mundus of

It

great
has
chance
not

act

And

since

humanity
has
some

this protest itself, of expressing a truth. If

made

there is
and the

conflict

between

the between
must

natural

world

moral

world,
means

conscience, conscience
It is

be

reality and right.

that the

by

no

necessary
but

universe that

should

exist,
be the

it is necessary

justice should
to

done,
fixed

and

atheism

is bound conscience

explain
on

obstinacy
is
:

of

this
the

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
we are

just ;

point. Nature products of nature

not

honour Heaven

of

God

that

the may

cry pass

is

uttered.
but
not
race.

and
to

earth

away,

good ought
to be.

be, and
creed

injustice ought
of the

Such will will

is the
be

human

Nature eternal

conquered
over

by

spirit: the

triumph

time.

6o
1st that

amiel's

journal.

April
for
"

1870.
woman

"

am

inclined is the

to believe
thority au-

love which
is

supreme

that
what

judges
or

the
For It

rest
a a

and
man,

decides love

good
to

evil.

is subordinate
but

right.
the
source

is

gi*eat

passion,
the excellence.
woman

it is not of It

of

order,
of
a

synonym

reason,

the

criterion

would her

seem, in the

then, that
of

places
a man

ideal

perfection of

love, and
It
to
was

in the
sense woman man

perfection
St. is
the

justice.
able
of

in this
'

that

Paul

was

say, and
the

The

glory
of

the

man, Thus

the
woman

is the
absorbs
to

glory

God.'
in the

who

herself

object of her
of her
the
nature
:

love
she

is,so

speak,
On the

in the

line

is

truly
type.

woman,

she

realises

fundamental
man

contrary,
in

who

should

make and
who

life consist should

conjugal adoration,
that has
woman,

ine imaghe beloved

he

has

lived
the

sufficiently when priest

of
a a

made

himself
such
a one

is but

half

man

he
cretly se-

is

despLsed by
disdained
who

the

world, and by
women

perhaps
themselves.
to

The her she make

woman own

loves

truly seeks
in that

merge
man

individuality
She
desires him

that
her

of

the

loves.

love

should
line, mascu-

greater,
more

stronger,
Thus

more

and

active.

each

sex

plays

amiel's

journal.

6i
tined is first desis

its

appointed part
for
man,

the
man

woman

and
owes

destined
to one,

for
man

society.
owes

Woman
to

herself and

himself and

all ;

each
when he

obtains
or

peace has

happiness
The

only
law
same

she

recognised this of things. balance

a

and

accepted thing
an

this
be the in

may in

good
may

in

the be

woman

and in

evil

man,

strength
a

her, weakness
and masculine

him.
There

is then
"

feminine

morality,
to
a

preparatory
human
is

as chaptei*s,

it were,

general
which
is
a

virtue there
sex

the morality. Below sexless, evangelical and

sex.

virtue

of

And mutual

tliis virtue

of for

is the of

occasion
the
two

of

teaching,
of
the
ears ears

each makes the

incarnations
to convert

virtue

it its business

other,
of

first the

preaching
second

love

in

the the

tice, juslove.
and

justice in
is

of

And
an an

so

there

produced

an

oscillation
a

average

which

represent
a

social

state,
of

epoch, sometimes
Such
at

whole

civilisation. idea the

least of the

is

our

European
in
a

harmony
of

sexes

graduated
on

order
to

functions.

America
this

is

the

road

revolutionise of the

ideal

democratic in
a

of individuals

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

62
tions. but
a

amiel's

journal.

Only,
multitude
young neither

when
of
nor

there

is

equal old,
will

nothing left individualities,

men nor

neither
women,
"

neither
nor

benefited

benefactors,
upon

all social whole

difference

turn

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
"
"

Latin

socialism. prayer between

It is my

that
the

the
two

discovery
social

of

an

equilibrium
be

principles
war,
us. are

may with But

made

in

time, before
and The

the

all its terror it is

ruin, overtakes
masses

always by ignorant and limited, and only advance of contrary errors. They rea^h a succession of evil. They good only by the exhaustion
scarcely likely.
discover their
the way

out, only after

all other

heads

against
1870.

having run possible issues.

That
is

15th

April

"

Crucifixion !

amiel's

journal.

63
to-day.
to

the

word Good
curse

we

have

to

meditate

Is

it not
To

Friday grief
so

? is easier

than into

bless

it,

but view
man.

to

do

is to

fall back the

the
the

point of
natural subdued
of

of

the

earthly,
what has

carnal,

By
wox'ld

the

if not

Christianity by the apotheosis

transmutation of

grief,
into into the the

by
into the
a

its marvellous

suffering

triumph,
crown

of

the

crown

of
of
a

thorns

of of
of

glory,
the the

and
?

gibbet
does
if
not

symbol
of

salvation Cross

What mean, of

apotheosis
death of skies of
"

death,

defeat

fication sin, the beati-

martyrdom, Death,
is where

the

raising

to

the of O

voluntary sacrifice,the defiance

'

pain ? Grave,

is

thy sting
?
'
"

where

thy victory
"

By
agony

long
of and
"

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

the of

agony,
peace that
a

manity hunew

to
"

understand
a new

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

fied ;
now

mode,
of

that

is to

life and

ing understand-

curse a

from

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

it becomes

64

amiel's

journal.

strange initiation
of belief is
!

into

happiness.
the same, and

O power

All
A

remains
new

yet all
to

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

changed.

certitude

arises

Father

behind

visible

nature,

it

makes And
tomb pyre

of
so,

joy shining through tears, and pain the beginning of joy. for those who have believed, the
heaven,
and
the
on

becomes
of

the

funeral
of

life
a

they sing
sacred the

hosanna

mortality im-

madness
for what

has

renewed and
when

the

face wish

of
to

world

them,

they speak
for
are

explain
them

they

feel, their
;

ecstasy makes
with

incomprehensible
A wild for

they
of

tongues.
the

intoxication

self-sacrifice, contempt eternity,

what
the

death,
of

the
"

thirst
these of

delirium

love,

unalterable had
of power

Crucified

has

gentleness to bring
in him

the

forth. and of
on

By
that

his

pardon

his

executioners,
sense

by
an

unconquerable
union
an

indissoluble
cross,

with

God, Jesus,
He

his

kindled

inextinguishable
world.

fire and

revolutionised and realised and

the

proclaimed
in the
to

salvation in the

by faith
'

infinite

mercy,

pardon
his

repentance.

By

granted saying, There

sinner

simple
is
more

joy

in

heaven

over

one

that

repent-

amiel's

journal.

65
just
persons

eth who
the

than need

over no

ninety and repentance,'

into

nine
he

made

humility
self yourthe

gate of

entrance

Paradise.

Crucify
which upon
no

the

rebellious
up

self, mortify
all
to

wholly, give
peace is not you.

God,
world

and

of
For has

this

will

scend de-

grander
exact

word

eighteen centuries been spoken ; and

ever

although humanity
a more

is for

and

complete

seeking after application of

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
"

say, of
that

it alone

preserves

and

defends
full

the
scope

idea
to

holiness,
of

while
The

it allows

love.

Gospel
the

proclaims
news, robs

the

ineffable disarms death

of

consolation,
all

good earthly griefs, and

"

which
even

its terrors that

is the it has

the

news

of of
of

ble irrevocalife.

pardon,
The Cross Therefore

is to

say,

eternal the

guarantee
been

Gospel.

its standard.

7th
to

May

1870.
and

"

The

faith

which

clings
is
a

its idols

resists

all innovation force

to ; but
serve

retarding
the curb
to

and

conservative of all

it is
as a

property
our

religion
passion

lawless

for

freedom,

66
and
to

amiel's

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
us

; belief

represents
which of

the

force

of

tation gravilives

and bodies
and

cohesion,
individuals

makes
us.

separate
Its

Society unknown,
the of

by

faith, develops
the
"

by

science.
the

basis,
the

then, is

mysterious,

intangible,
Its

religion,
"

while desire

ing ferment-

principle in
permanent
or

it is the substance

knowledge.
uncompre-

is the

hended the

tlie divine

; its

changing
labour.
confused

form
The

is

result

of

its intellectual

unconscious the

adhesions,
obscure

the

tions, intui-

presentiments,
of
a

which

decide

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

the

first faith

race,

and

the
"

philosophy
the

ultimate
that have

religion,
say, of

clear

perception,
which

is to

those

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,
"

the

absolute

"

betrays
and

with

more

or

less of
its

transparency

profundity

the

law

amiel's

journal.

67
In

lifQand
the

of its

metamorphoses.
God
nature.

its fixed

aspect it is called
world
but in
or

; in its mobile

aspect
in is
a

God is not God

is

present
; there

nature,
nature

nature

God,
taken

but

it is not

God
nor

Himself. for
scendence tran-

am

neither

for

immanence alone.

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

forces

of

the

present
that

are

Revolution free forces nations

and
are

Catholicism, and
lost if either It is of

the
two

these

triumphs.

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 them
between Protestant there

countries is
a

are

better

off ; in faith

third

force, a middle

the
them

two
to

other

idolatries, which
a a

regard liberty not as of two neutralisation contraries, but as moral reality,self-subsistent,and possessing
its force.
own

enables

centre

of

gravity
world
In

and

motive

In

the

Catholic

religion and
the tant Protesso

each other. liberty exclude world they accept each

other,
a

that
waste

in the

second

case

there

is

smaller

of force.

68

amiel's

journal.

Liberty
It

lay, the philosophical principle. the juridical and social expresses

But
as

is the

aspiration of the race. society possible without

control,
without

there

is

no

regulation, without
on

limitations

individual

liberty,above the peoples

well
to

all without
which their
are

moral

limitations,
freest do

legallythe

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

take

puerility of
that
a

the

freethinkers

consists
can

believing
itself and
common

free

society

tain main-

keep itself together without

a

faith, without
some

religious prejudice
lies
reason

of God
?

kind.
it

Where
common are

the

will

of

Is

the

which
a as

expresses

it, or
the

rather, ambiguous
or

church
the the

depositories of
is half the
is the peace

it ?

response eyes
"

and

clergy or So long equivocal

of

in

of

majority
case

sciences con-

and
"

this

in all Catholic is If

States and

public
law have
a

impossible,
there is a

public
we

is insecure. Him
on

God,

must

our

side, and
necessary the
to
same recon-

if there

is not

God,
and

it would

be
to

first of all to convert idea of the

everybody
the

lawful

useful,

amiel's

journal.

69

stitute,that

is to

say,

lay religion,'before

be built. solid could anything politically straction abLiberalism is merely feeding upon itself that when it persuades free individuals, liberty is possible without

and

when

it will

not

recognise
fruit of

that
a

in the

individual
a a

is the

liberty foregoing
supposes pre-

education,
liberalism

moral

education,

which To

liberating religion.
to
a

preach

education,
upon
a

is to
man

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

is

it

possible
out
can

for

child

who

has
to

never

been How

of
the

swaddling
abdication
to the

clothes of

walk

individual

science con-

lead conscience
to

government
be

of individual

To

free,
one's

is to

guide

self, one-

have

attained
master

emancipated,

of

majority, to be one's actions, and

Ultramontane
its

judge
who

of

good
bound

and

evil ; but

Catholicism
are as

never

emancipates
to
are

disciples,
and
to
are

admit,

to

believe,

obey,
minors
possess

they
in the

told, because
the

they
of

perpetuity, and
law the
are

clergy alone
secret

of
measure

right,the
of
in

tice, jusis
an

and what
men

truth.
the

This idea
use

landed

by

of of

exterior
a

revelation, cleverly made

by

patient priesthood.

7"
But of
the

AMIEL'S

JOURNAL.

what

astonishes
of

me

is the

short-sight
not

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

the

the
not

recognise
and
almost

that

liberal
an

State

is

incompatible

with

anti-liberal

wholly religion,

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.
but
turn

many, them

and

it will

not

be

diflBcult to

If

against each other. libertyis to be saved, it will doubters, the

men

not

be
or

by
the

the

of

science,
who but

materialists

; it will

be

tion, by religious convicbelieve

;

by
that

the

faith
man

of individuals
to be

God

wills

free

also pure

it will be
those

by

the

seekers

after
persons

old-fashioned

pious

holiness, by who speak

of
the the

immortality and
soul
to

eternal world

life,and
; it will

the

whole

prefer be by
ancient

enfranchised
of the human

children
race.

of

the

faith

amiel's

jourxal.

71

6th lies

June

1870.

"

The

precisely in philosophic, nor the unforeseen,

Thus in
"

that

eflBcacyof religion is not which rational,

; its

eternal
the

efficacylies
the
more more more

in

miraculous,

dinary. extraor-

religionattracts proportion as it demands

is to say, the
to
as

tion devofaith

that
to

it becomes

ible incred-

profane mind. explain

into

The all

philosopher

aspires
dissolve the
other

away

mysteries,
mystery,

to
on

them

light.
the
:

It is

hand,
and the

which

religious instinct
which
the

demands constitutes power

of

pursues
essence

it is mystery of When

worship,
the
cross

proselytism.
'

came be-

the

foolishness
the
masses.

'

of

the

cross, in

it took
our own

possession of

And

day,

those
to

who

wish

to

get

rid

of the

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 extravaIt is the law

forgetfulness of
stultifies the It is the

this

cal psychologiliberal of it

which

so-called realisation

Christianity.

73
which

AMIEL^S

JOURNAL.

constitutes

the

strength

of

cism. Catholi-

Apparently no positive religion can tiie supernatural element which

reason seems

vive sur-

is the

for
to

its existence. the tomb

Natural all historic

religion
cults.

be

of

All pure

concrete

religions die eventually in the

of

air

philosophy.
is
sanction

the
a

life of nations and

motive

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

So

for
masses

faith, hope, and

turn

charity, so long
from
pure
reason

will

the

away
so
"

and
tery, mys-

naked
so

truth,
in

long
and the

will

they adore
so
"

rest

long faith,

rightly only
to them

will
where

they
the

region
in
an

ideal form.

presents itself

attractive

Qth

June
upon

1870.
the

"

At

bottom,
or

everything
absence

depends
one

presence in the all

of All all him

the his of

single element activity of man,

enterprises,

soul his

"

hope.
and
in

efforts
a

presuppose

hope

attaining
and

an

end.

Once

kill this

hope
some

and

his movements

become

senseless, spasmodic,
like
those

convulsive,
a

of

one

fallingfrom
inevitable
has the

the To

height. To something
of

struggle with
childish
in it.
sus-

implore

law

to gravitatiori

amiel's

journal.

T^t
doubt
!

pend
man

its action
prayer.

would

no

be but

tesque groa

Very
in the
to

well

when

loses
he

faith says

efficacyof his efforts,

'

when

himself,

You
;

are

ble incapais
a

realising your is chimera, progress

for
your

of

ideal
an

happiness supposing
to

illusion, the
; and

passion
all

perfection
ambitions
still be
a

is

snare

were

gratified,everything
he
comes see

would
that
to

vanity,' tjien
and that

little

blindness
on,

is necessary illusion
'

if life is

be

carried

is the

universal disillusion
He who

spring of
would
mean

movement.

Complete immobility.
and from read
the

absolute
the
secret

has

deciphered
of of

the

riddle

finite

life

escapes
; he

great
world
Is this raise
to

wheel
of the the

existence
"

has

left

the

living

he

is old

already
belief God the

dead.
that
to

meaning

of the
or

the

veil of Isis

to

behold
upon it?

face ra-sh and gave

face

brought
who liad

destruction

mortal
Judaja

attempted
recorded
the

Kgypt

fact, Buddha

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

the

eternal
error

sway,

has

suffering of disappeared, time and

the

life is over, form have

74
ceased
to be
; the

amiel's

journal.

for this

enfranchised air-bubble
has

ality individuburst in

coloured
space,
rest

the has

infinite sunk
to

and
in the

the

misery
The

of

thought
of if it it is

changeless

repose

all-embracing
were

Nothing.
still be

absolute,

spirit,would
the with

activity, and desire, which

The of all

activity,

daughter
the be
must

of

is

incompatible then,
suited
to

absolute. the
zero manner

lute, absomination, deter-

and it is

the

only

of

being

Non-being.
One of the vices of France
substitutes

2d is the

July 1870.
for

"

frivolitywhich
and

public
of of

ventions con-

truth, and
the
are

absolutely ignores majesty ignorant

science. con-

personal dignity
The A
an

French

the

of individual

liberty,and
intolerance
not

still show towards

sality univerThe bear

essentially catholic
ideas
or

the

which the
an

have

attained

adhesion
army which

of the
can

majority. bring
not
an

nation
mass, of

is

to

number,
free
men

and
in

force,
which

but

bly assem-

each
on

individual
The

depends
eminent

for

his

value

himself.
upon

Frenchman value
; if he
"

depends
possess
in
a

others

for

his

scarf, sword, or robe, and then decoration,

"

stripe, cross, word, function

is held
to be

he

amiel's

journal.

75

something,
It is the

and

he

feels himself establishes raises

him

somebody.
his merit
from ing, nothThese
an tipathy an-

symbol
the

which

it is the
as

public which
Sultan and

creates

his viziers.
races

highly-trained
for with

social

have

individual them
must

independence
be

thing ; everyupon

founded

authority
God
been Himself

military, civil, or
is non-existent

religious, and
until Their He has mental funda-

established

by decree.
is that

dogma
which
true treats

social
of

omnipotence
truth
as a

the any

pretension

to
mere

be

without

official stamp,

usui-pation and
claim of the

sacrilege, and
to
a

scouts

the
a

individual
or

possess

either value.

separate

conviction

personal
A

20th

July

1870

(Bellalpe)
is
a

"

lous marvelme

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 in being able of physical relief, the result surrender at last to forget myself and self myto

day. The panorama grandiose splendour j it of mountains, a cantata

before

is of

things, as

befits

man

in

my

state
en-

of

health.

Gratitude

is

mingled

with

76
thusiasm. continuous

AMIEL^S

JOURNAL.

I have

just spent
at

two

hours
the A

of

delight
the

the

foot
us. me.

of

Sparof

renhorn,
sensations

peak behind overpowered

and

flood

could

only

look, feel, dream,

Later.
Ascent

think.

"

of the very easy

Sparrenhom.
to

The
because

I)eak of
of the
of

it is not of

climb,
and

masses

loose
which

stones
runs

the

ness steeptwo !

the But

path,
how

between

abysses.
The

great is one's
the
the

reward
series
to

view

embraces

whole Furka
the Ticino
turn

of

the

Valais

Alps
even

from

the
one

Combin
sees a

; and

beyond
the if you

Furka and
you of

few

Rhaetian

peaks of Alps ; while

a

the
see

behind fields side

you

whole

Polar

world
the group

snow-

and

glaciers forming
enormous

southern

of the

Bernese the

of

the

Finsteraarhorn,
frau. is the
many The
near

Monch,
whence

and
of

the the

Junggroup like
so

representative
the

Aletschhorn,
ribbons wind them.
one

diverge
Aletsch

different
the

glaciers
which different I

which
saw

about I above

could

peak study
"

from
the

zones, grassy

another,

fields,woods,
snow,
; the

Alps, bare rock and principal types of mountain shaped Mischabel, with its

and

the

pagodaaretes
as

four

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
me

fluttered

multitude

of butterflies

and

brilliant

green-backed
a

flies ; but The

nothing grew
deadness and

except

few of the white

lichens.
upper

emptiness
some

Aletsch

glacier,like
up the

vast
an

street, called
All around
way

image
some

of

icy Pompeii.
On
my

boundless
noticed

silence.

back
"

I the

effects mountain

of

sunshine,
starred

close

elastic

grass,

with

the gentian, forget-me-not, and anemones, mountain cattle standing out against the various sky, the rocks just piercing the soil, 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

July
was

1870

(5e"a?pe).

"

The

become

this misty and overcast perfectly blue again,

are

sky, morning,
and
the

giants of the Valais

bathed

in

tranquil
which

light.
Whence oppresses

this and

solemn
pursues

melancholy
me? I

have

just

78
read
the the
a

amiel's
series of

journal.

scientific

books
Karl

(Bronn
Ritter

on
on

Laics
Law

of Palaeontology, of Geographical

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

jour qui t'agites une

thee
"

heure,'
it well
!
. "

what
is the The eyes

weighs
sense names

upon of of

know

thine

utter
men

nothingness
hover
before

great

my

like

secret nature

reproach, and
tells
me

this
to-morrow

grand
I I am,

impassive
shall
without

that

have

disappeared, butterfly that

having
of eternal of
a

lived.

Or

perhaps
is

it is the in
"

breath the weed

our

things which
Job. What withers

stirs
man

me

shudder
which

this is
sort

sunbeam

What
a

life in the sacred

my

infinite
not

abyss

I feel

of

terror,
race, I

only for myself,

is mortal.

but Like
"

for

for

all that

Buddha,
the

feel of

the

great wheel

turning,
"

wheel

universal which

illusion,
me

and
is full

the of

dumb

stupor
he
who

enwraps
corner

anguish.
and beneath

Isis lifts the

of

her

veil,
I

perceives
struck
with It

the

great
to

mystery
can

is

giddiness.
me

scarcely

breathe.

seems

that

amiel's

journal.

79
^he the

am

hanging
abyss
of
to

by

thread

above

less fathomInfinite

destiny.
intuition

Is this of
the

face death
'

face, an

last

great

?
d'un
est

Creature Ton kme finir.'

jour qui t'agites una

immortelle
et tes

heure,

pleurs

vont

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

Finir

When

desire
ing yawnus

ings cravme

quicken
once.

into the the

life

and

torture

at

Like
under

shipwrecked
waves, I
am

sailor

about
of time

to
a

sink mad
a

conscious

of

and at the same clinging to life, rush of despair and repentance, from all this
me
a

which And
in
to

forces then wearied

the

cry

for agony

pardon.
dissolves

hidden

submission.
!

'Resign
away
of !

yourself
out

inevitable

Shroud delusions shade

of
!

sight
Live

the and

flattering
die
in in prayer.
a

youth
the

the
the

Like

insects
up your
out

humming evening
of flame
!

darkness,
Be
content

offer
to

fade the
your

of

life without life

It

murmur

whenever
breathe of upon

ter Mas-

shall is out every

tiny
up.

myriads
of earth

of

unknown

lives

that

clod

is built

So

amiel's
infusoria
upon
'

journal.

The

do

not

count

until

they

are

millions

millions.
!
no

Accept
except
?
nature
never

your

ingness. noth-

Amen

But

there
Am I

is

peace

in

order, in
no

law.

in

order restless
I

Alas,

My

changeable
me

and end.
to

will torment
see

to

the
I

shall The

plainly
better

what

ought
stood

do.
between

love
me

of the
the

will have

and have

good.
me

Yearning for the ideal will reality. Vague aspiration

desire talents will have
been
to nature

lost

and
to

undefined
make my I am, my ers. powured tortwas

enough
that

useless, and Unproductive by

the

neutralise

belief
me, may
a

that
not

production
my very
remorse

required
be
a

of

mistake

and

superfluity?
comes as

Scherer's
must

phrase

back
we

to

me,

'

We

accept

ourselves

are.'

8th exiles

September
are

1870
to

(Zurich)
Paris
"

"

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 returning
a

seed-sowing.

Elsewhere

such

form

amiel's

journal.

of

government
it is and

presupposes
must

free
an

men;

in of

France

be

instrument

instruction
once more

of

universal
were

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

and and

reasonable, and

her

task

is to train
a

discipline the force

ambition of France
her For

which, by
is set
for

fiction,
selfstill
has will

is master.
The upon it has

government, but be to proved.

confounded
she
now

capacity

she eighty years with revolution liberty ;

wisdom Let
with
us

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

caution.

12th
Ehine The

September
is

1870

{Basle).
under rolls
the my its

"

The

old

murmuring
gray
stream

window.
waves

wide

great

against along and breaks bridge, just as it did ten

years ago
;

arches
or

of

the

years

twenty
its
; the

the

red

cathedral
heaven the

shoots

arrow-like
on

spires towards
which

ivy

the the

terraces

fringe
over

left bank like

a

of

Rhine mantle

hangs
; the
as

the

walls

green goes

and

comes

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

82

amiel's

journal.

things
turns
came

seem

to

be

eternal, while
his

man's

hair I

gray
here Now
ttim

and first
I of
as

heart

grows
then
as

old.
a

student,
to

fessor. pro-

return

it at and

the

ward down-

middle
has

the

landscape
The

nothing in changed except myself.

age,
monplace com-

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

it is of all

times At

have

been

open what eternal

to

its attacks.

bottom,
of
an

is individual theme
to
"

life ?
to

variation
to

be

bom,
these,
in

live,to feel, to hope,

to

love, to suffer,to
add
conquer
one

weep,
to

die.

Some

would
to

to

grow

rich, to think,
frantic
may
cause

; but

fact, whatever
however
one can one

efforts and

may

make, oneself,

strain
a

excite
or

but
in
a

greater
of one's

undulation

the
man

line

slighter destiny.
series of
dent evito

Supposing
fundamental
to

renders
a

the little
more

phenomena
or a

more

others

little
it matter

distinct
? The

himself, what
is still

does

whole

nitely nothing but a fluttering of the infithe little, insignificantrepetition of

an

invariable individual

theme.
exists
or

In
no,

truth,
the in the

whether is of de-

the
so

difference whole every

absolutely imperceptible
that every

things

complaint

and

amiel's

journal.

83
in its
of
to

sire is ridiculous. is but and

state
a

Humanity
duration
return

flash

in the may

the

entirety planet,
gaseous for
a

the

planet
The

the
it
even

without

the

sun's

feeling
is the

second. of

individual

infinitesimal

nothing. What, then, is

is to say,
nature
an

Nature

is Maia

"

that

incessant, fugitive,
the inexhaustible

differen in-

series
of

of

phenomena,

tation manifes-

all

the possibilities,

play
And

of all combinations. is Maia all the of

?

while

performing
of
some

for

the

amusement
"

somebody,
Or unselfish

tator spec-

Brahma

is Brahma end

working
? From

out

some

serious

and
of

the

theistic
to

point
make wisdom

view,
to

is it the

purpose the
sum

of God

souls, beings
Him

augment
facets
own

of

good

and

by the multiplication of
"

Himself flash

in free back
?
to to

which

may

His

holiness
is

and
tractive attrue

beauty
The is

This the

conception
heart.
But

far
more

more

is it afiirms

moral

consciousness

it.

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
the
to

amiel's
whimsical

journal.

Ma'ia
the

would

be

subordinate Brahma
to
a

Brahma,
be

eternal

thought, and
subordinate

would God.

in

his turn

holy

25th function governs

them.

October
to

1870
most

the

(Genem). this worthy :

"

'Each

'

maxim
to

all constitutions, and

serves

test
to

Democracy it,but

is

not

forbidden

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 democracy
led

by passion.
has
to

And

in the

end

every truth

hood false-

be

expiated, for

always do,
dom, wis-

takes

its revenge. whatever

one

Alas,

may and

say

or

never

justice, reason, be anything more

the

than

goodness special

will
cases

and and
its

heritage
will

of

few

elect souls. excellence

Moral
in

intellectual

harmony,

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
forms,

amiel's

journal.

85
produce the and genius,
constitute
a

itself, not
excellent grace
and

that

they
will form

should
Virtue

individual.

beauty,
such
as no

always
of
no

noblesse

manufacture. excite which

It is of for
or an

can government therefore, to use,

oneself have order

"

against

revolutions of
I the

only
an

importance
which
or

second
not

importance
diminish after

do

wish
an

either

to

to

ignore,
but

but

importance
The
true

which,
life.

all,is mostly
is

negative.
means

political

life

the

of the

26th

October

1870.
crowns

"

Sirocco.
of the

A
trees

bluish
have winter

sky. The dropped

has

leafy
at

their

feet ; the
The my

finger of
woman

touched

them.
me a

errandletters.

has
little

just brought
woman,

Poor her

what

life !

She and

spends
forwards

nights
her

in

going backwards
husband
to

from
is

invalid less

her

sister,who

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

86
which less

amiel's

journal.

proceeds according
of virtue.
to

to

greater
but

or

degree belongs not

the best
;

The

the

most

kingdom enlightened
man

of God
to

and
man.

the

best

is the

most

unselfish

Humble,
"

constant,
is what And be
not

volim-

tary self-sacrifice,
the
true
'

this

constitutes therefore
is

dignity of man. The it written, last shall

rests

first.'
upon

Society
science.
a

upon

conscience
is

and

Civilisation

first and

foremost
without

moral

thing. for law,

without

Without
without

honesty,
the

respect
out with-

worship
whole

of
"

duty,
in a

the love

of one's
"

neighbour,

word,
and

virtue,

the

is menaced

falls into neither

nor

the
can

decay, and neither letters nor art, luxury nor industry, nor rhetoric, oflBpoliceman, nor the custom-house
maintain
erect

cer,

and
are

whole

an

edifice

of which
A

the

foundations
upon

unsound. alone
and

State

founded

interest

and

cemented construction. which

by

fear

is

an

ignoble
rests

unsafe upon

The

ultimate

ground
is the
a

every

civilisation
the
masses,

average suiEcient

morality
amount

of
of

and

is

what

humbly
a

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

good
the

thereby,
of

are

the

salvation

and

this

brilliant

world,

amiel's
wftich

journal.

87
them. saved
Ten

knows
men

nothing
would and
are

about
have

righteous
but

thousands
folk

thousands
to

homely
from
If

needed

preserve

Sodom, of good a people

foes
of

corruption and ignorance

and

decay. passion
must

are

the

popular morality, it
moral indifference classes.
The and the

be

confessed

that

is the

enlightenment conscience, of
from the honest

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

intellectual

and

aristocracy vulgar crowd, is the

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

that
are

of Louis
mere

XV.

Our

cynics
stand
their
to

and

egotists, who

aloof lent indo-

the

common are

duty,
of
no

and

in

remoteness

service attack

society
Their

against

any

ill which

may in

it.

cultivation
And away
nearer was

consists
thus
true

having got
and

rid of feeling.

they fall farther humanity,

demoniacal

and

farther

from
to

approach
"What ? Not

the

nature.

it that

Mephistopheles

lacked

intelligencecertainly, but

goodness.

88
28th
how

AMIEL's

JOtTRNAI"

October

1870.

"

It is strange
is

to in

see

completely
of the

justice

forgotten

the

presence
Even
no own

great
of

international

struggles.
are

great majority of the spectators

longer capable

judging except as their personal tastes, dislikes, fears, desires,

or

interests,
to

passions

may

dictate,

"

that

is

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
say, their

enough

to

call
a

itself force.

reason,

whereas

it is

nothing
16th

but

November

1870.

"

We and

are

struck

by

something
we

bewildering
into is A
me

ineffable of
a an

when

look
every

down

the
an

depths abyss,
of

abyss
emotion

and love

soul

mystery
I

of

and

pity.
upon of

sort

sacred

descends the hear

recesses

whenever

penetrate
man,

this

sanctuary

of

and

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

the

AMI

ELS

JOURNAL.

89
and
to

tender

piety
The

and

religious awe
experience
seems

ness. shyme

wliole
as

as

wonderful

poetiy,
birth and

and

divine

with

the

divineness
me, I I bow
am

of

dawn. adore. also

to

Speech And,
console

fails

whenever

myself and able, I strive

and

fortify.
December

6th
"

1870. in Goethe

"

Dauer

im This

Wechsel
title of
up

'Persistence
poem

change.'
is the

by

nature.

Everything I'apiditythat
to

summing changes, but with

one

of

such

unequal
eternal

existence

appeara age, of

another.
to

geological
the

for
any
pared com-

instance, compared

duration
of
a

living being, the duration to a geological age, our life,too, compared impressions which pass
"

planet

appear
to
across one

eternities,
thousand
us

the

in

an self one-

hour.

Wherever

one

looks,

feels

overwhelmed
The

of infinites. by the infinity one's

universe, seriously studied, rouses

terror.

Everything
has real

seems

so

relative

that

it is

scarcely possible
a

to

distinguish whether

anything
Where and Which

value.

is the

fixed

point in this boundless

Must

bottomless

gulf ?

it not
of

be

that
"

perceives the

relations

things,

iu

other

words, thought, infinite thought

90
The

amiel's

journal.

perception

of

ourselves

within

the

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
" "

infinite

Stoic

and
to

the the

Christian

surrender

selves them-

Being

of

beings,

which

the

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

calls

'

says,

'

God
Let ?

is
us

the

inexhaustible
'

fount

of

poetry.'
And
man

say,

God

is Perfection.'

Man,

for

all his

inexpressible

insignificanceand

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

his

lips 1
upon
a

All

teaching depends
and

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

journal.

91

By
comes

despising
to

himself of his

too
own

much

man

be

worthy

contempt.
witness which

Its way
a

of

suffering is
to

the

soul

bears

itself.

The

beautiful
it lasts and

is superior to the sublime does

not

cause bethe

satiate,while
and

sublime

is

relative,temporary,
1871.

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

February

"

Nous

ramoDS

uotre

vie

en

attendant

le

port.'

92
Moliere
reason.

AMIEL

JOURNAL.

said
It is

that

reasoning
that
so

banished
progress of is

possible also
we are

the

towards

perfection
a
now

proud

only
seems

pretentious
to
means

it

actual but
not

good
of

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

happiness
an

incessant

suit pur-

unattainable
not
reason
"

goal, a
;

noble

ness, mad-

but

it is

home-sickness

for
but

the

impossible,
wisdom.

pathetic and

pitiful,

still not
The

and
its

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

represents

divine flower

thought
or a

at

least

as

clearly Harmony
is what

as

solar

system.
itself. It

seeks
it

nothing
to

outside

ought

be

; it is the

expression

right, order, law, and truth ; it is greater than time, and represents eternity.
of 6th

February
Chansons

1871.
du

"

am over

reading
seems

Just" and

Olivier's all the into

my

Soir

again,

melancholy
veins.

of the
It

poet
of

to pass

is the

revelation
a

of

complete
of
How

existence, and
reverie. character

whole

world

melancholy
much

there

is in

Musette,

amiel's

journal.

93
Chant
much
'

the

Chanson

de the

VAlouette, the Gaite, and

'

du

Setour, and
in

how

ness freshBut the

Lina,

and all

ma

! fille

best

pieces of
its
be

are

Au
and

dela,

Homuncu-

lus, La

Trompeuse,
author's added

Jacques,
these
may national

especially Frere To masterpiece.

and the Serious
purpose

the

Marionettes

song,

Helvetic.

and and under

intention childlike
a

disguised in gentle gaiety badinage, feeling hiding itself

of

smile

satire, a resigned and

itself in rustic of
"

sive penround thing every-

wisdom
or

expressing
the power
a

ballad,
in

suggesting
are

nothing,
the Vaudois side
on

these

the

points
On
prise, sur-

in the

which

poet

triumphs.
and of
in
sort

reader's and

there

is emotion
a

the

author's
to

pleasant

slyness which
tricks
upon

seems

delight
of

playing
most

you,

only tricks
kind.

the

dainty
has
to

and

brilliant
we

Juste

Olivier

the

passion

have
his

hides

might imagine a fairy for delicate He mystification. gifts. He promises nothing and

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

and
the

his

whole
of

talent Vaudois form.

is, as
mind

it were, in

fine

flower and

the

its

sweetest

dreamiest

94

amikl's

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
"

10th February

1871.

My

style
science

of

chemistry
of

and

it is inexorable

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

technologj'. ; it is dry hard, strong

in The
on

The and and

charm,
one's

agreeable dis-

taste,
upon of

ear,
two

and

heart, depends
:

things
the

upon

the upon

moral
his

probably phy philosoliterary

author

and

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

into literature and

Stendhal,
of which
one seems

inaugurated by Balzac ity explain the underlying aridis sensible

to choke
one

in

these

pages, gases

and from
The

which
a

like the

manufactory
is

of

mineral

products.
gree, highest deand

book but

instructive
of

in

the

instead

animating
saddens

stirring,
its reader.

it

parches, corrodes, and

no

It excites

feeling whatever

; it is

simply

AMIEL

JOURNAL.

95
I

means

of of
"

information.
will be

"

imagine
of

this
the
as

kind future

thing
a as

the
a

literature
V

literature

Americaine,

different
lis

possible
of the

from

Greek

art, giving
instead crucible

algebra
of

instead

the formula life, of the

of

of the instead Cold and and

image,
vision

exhalations divine madness

the

Apollo. flayed

will
see

replace the joys of thought,

the

we

shall

death

of poetry,

dissected

by

science.

15th

February
nations

1871. educate

"

Without
each

ing intend-

it,

other, while
but their who
France

having apparently nothing

own

in view
was

selfish the

interests. of

It

made

Germany

the

present,
ten

by

tempting at-

its destruction
; it is

during
will
the

tions genera-

contemporary
crush her.
to

who Germany France, by

regenerate
effort
to

equality
French
that

Revolutionary the Germans,

rhetoric is not of
; the

France who will

will teach
are

by

ture na-

hierarchical.
that appearance The say,
"

Germany
is
as

teach

the

not

science, and
as

valuable
"

ity. realis to

worship

prestige passion
smoke in
the

that

of falsehood is to
are

for

vainglory
noise
;
"

that

say,
must

for

and

these the

what

die
a

interests which

of is

world.

It is

false

religion

96

amiel's
I
a

journal.

being destroyed.
war

hope sincerely that this

new

will

issue
any

in

balance
has the gone

of

things
"

better
new

than

which in

before

Europe,
individual

which himself

government
will

of
dinal car-

the

by

be

the

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

instrument

of

the

Church

or

of

the

State.
In the

order

and
free

harmony
adhesion

which and

would

result

from

voluntary
we

submission
see

to

a a

common new

ideal,
moral world.

should
It would

the
an

rLse of

be the

equivalent, expressed in lay terms, to universal of idea priesthood. The a

state

model musical
to

ought to society in which

sake
a

resemble

a one

great
plined discisake
is

every

submits

be

organised, subordinated,
for the of art, and

and for
the

of

producing

masterpiece.
is made
use a

Nobody
of for

coerced, nobody
pui-poses,

selfish
or

nobody
All

selfish
common

part.
to

plays bring
common

hypocritical
talent
to

their

the

stock, and

contribute

knowingly
Even the

and

gladly

the

wealth.
to

self-love

itself is

action, under
make itself

obliged pain

help

on

eral genit

of

rebuff

should

apparent.

amiel's
1871.

journal.

97
is in
the

ISth that
the

February
average
its

"

It

novel ety, sociof

and
France

vulgarity inferiorityto England,

notion of in
no
'

of

German

the

societies
most

and
The
no

are

clearly
'

visible.
to

bad

taste

seems

have

place
has

German grace
enormous

aesthetics.

Their
cannot

elegance
is between

in it ; and

they

understand

the

difference

there

distinction

(what

is

manly, gentle-

ladylike), and their stiff vornehmTheir lichkeit. imagination lacks style, training, education, and knowledge of the
world
;

it has

an

ill-bred

air

even

in

its

dress. is poetical and The race Sunday but and ill-mannered. common intelligent, and wit, Pliancy gentleness, manners, are vivacity, taste, dignity, and charm, qualitieswhich belong to others. Will that inner freedom of all the observed
come

of

soul, that
which best Will lise civiis
the ?
to

profound
I
have
so

harmony
often
ever

faculties among

Germans,
the and
their

to

the
ever

surface learn life ?

be

conquerors

of

to-day
forms that
as we

soften

their

of

It

by
to

future
As

novels
soon

shall

able

judge.
novel of

they
'

are

capable

of the
celled ex-

'

good
of

society
Till social

they will have

all rivals. the

then,

maturity

finish,polish, culture, are beyond

9?
them but
;

amiel's

journal.

they

may

have

humanity
little

of

feeling,

the

life,are
honest

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

delicacies, the

without

22d
M
.

Febriiary
About

1871.

"

Soiree

at

the

thirty people representing

were

our

best of

society
sexes

there,
ages.

happy
were
"

ure mixtgray

and

There

heads,
whole
which gave
a

young

framed made
a

soft air
groups.

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

dressed
In
as

society people they lived

with
on

are

expected
and
but

to

behave

if

ambrosia

concerned
the

themselves interests.
no

nothing need,
realism what

loftiest
have
as
'

Anxiety,
All
a

passion,
is call
the
'

existence. In

suppressed

brutal.

word,

we on

society

proceeds for the moment illusory assumption that and ethereal atmosphere
of
the

flattering in an it is moving breathing the air

all all of natural careless

gods. All vehemence, expression, all real suffering, frank sign familiarity, or any startlingand milieu; they at
are

passion,
delicate
common

distasteful
once

in this the

destroy

amiel's

journal.

99

work,
the the

the

cloud

palace,
which

the

magical
been It

tectural archi-

whole, general
all

has and
which

raised

by spell
to

consent

effort. breaks

is like

sharp cock-crow
enchantments,
select

the

of

and

puts the
of

fairies

flight. These
without eyes

gatherings
sort

produce,
for
art.

knowing
and
ears,
an

it, a

concert

improvised
collaboration intellect associations associations
and

work
of
taste

of

By

the

instinctive

body every-

concerned, festival,and
the

hold

of

exchanged
So

for the

reality are of imagination.

a

understood,*society
cultivated the classes of the

is

form

of

poetry
recompose

; the

deliberately
past
and
or

idyll
of
these

the
no,

buried
I believe

world
that
a

Astrea.

Paradox

dream

construct fugitive attempts to rewhose only end is beauty

represent
of

confused

reminiscences

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

one's

own

organism
It
seems

and
to

the
me

play of its
that the

eral sev-

parts.

sutures

lOO

AMIEL

JOURNAL.

of my
to

being
me as a

are

becoming
once a

just
clear
a

allow

at

enough perception of
sense

loose

myself
my
own

whole

and
A

distinct

of

brittleness.

makes

personal existence
and

feeling like this ishment astona perpetual

Instead surrounds

curiosity.
world
which Instead become very

of

only
me,

seeing

the

analyse myself. all of a piece, I

a

of

being single,
Instead of of

legion, multitude,
cosmos.

whirlwind
on

"

living
my

the

surface,
atoms,

I take

possession

inmost

self,I apprehend
at

myself,
so

if not
as

in my groups

cells and of

least
my

far

my
are

organs, In

ahnost other

tissues,
the

concerned. monad

words,

centi'al nate subordi-

isolates

itself from
that it may

all the consider

in

monads,
and finds
its

them,

harmony

again

itself.
between
our

Health

is the with

perfect balance
all its component
;

organism,
the
outer

parts, and
us

world

it

serves

especially

for

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 of it
It is no thought. belong to us may

longer
;

we,

although
more

it

is
we

nothing
make
the

than

the

vessel

in which

pas-

AMIEL'S

journal.

1 01

sage
weak

of

life,a vessel points

and
it with

of which
the

we

study the
without

structure
own

identifying
Where

our

individuality.
residence
of

is the
In But

ultimate
or

the

self ?

thought,
below

rather

in

ness. consciousthere is its

;

consciousness
saliens is
not

germ, for

the

punctum
The

of

spontaneity

consciousness

primitive,
that

it becomes.

monad say, dark into

return

the question is, can into its envelope,

thinking
is to
the

pure

abyss of
is
"

spontaneity, or even virtuality? I hope

;

into
not.

The
;
or

kingdom
rather

passes it the is to

the

king
alone the

remains which
"

royalty
say,
turn

sists, subsonality per-

that

idea,
idea
?

the

being in its
vesture
or

merely
the

the

passing
Is nitz Leibmortal im?

of

the

permanent
Is

Hegel right ?
under
the

individual

form

of the
the
saw

spiritualbody
of the

Is

he

eternal idea?

under
Who ?

form
most

vidual indi-

clearly, St.
of
Leibnitz
to
us an lution. evo-

Paul
attracts

or me

Plato
most

The because

theory

it opens

infinite

of

duration, of multitude, and

a

For

monad,

which of

is the time

virtual is not it. and of the

universe,
too

whole

infinite
the

much
one

to must

develop
admit

infinite

within

Only

exterior the

actions

influences

which

affect

evolution

I02

AMIEL

JOURNAL.

monad. and the

Its

independence
without
or ever

must

be

mobile and
either
can

increasing quantity
infinite,
neither

between

zero

reaching
monad
nor

completeness
be free.

nullity,for the absolutely passive

entirely

2lst

June

1871. the

"

The

international

cialism so-

of down
in

otivriers, ineffectually put

is

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

Paris,

religion.
itself.

Mably,
How there

nothing and nobody but Its dogma is equality, its prophet is and Baboeuf is its god.* is the conflict be to solved, since
no

There

is

is

longer
the

one

single
of

common

ciple prinenemies
between ?

between

partisans and
the

the

of

the

existing form
and

society,
of of man,

liberalism
Their

worship
of

equality
its the

respective notions
"

duty, happiness, end,

munism com-

that

is to

say, I

life and that is

"

differ

radically.
of the of
Russian

suspect

Internationale

merely
will

the be

pioneer
the
common

nihilism, which
of the

grave
races,

old and

races

and Slavs.

the If

servile so, upon

the

the

Latins of

the

salvation

humanity
of the

will

depend

individualism

brutal

American

amiel's

journal.

103
of the
ent pres-

sort.
are

I believe rather

that

the

nations

learning wisdom.
balance and individuals. rule
of the

tempting chastisement which Wisdom,

is

than
means

harmony, Democracy,
masses,

only
which

met

with

in
the

means

instinct, to
is to say,

nature,
to

gives preponderance to that to the passions,

"

blind

impulse,
contraries
because

to

elemental

gravitation, to generic fatality. Perpetual

vacillation between
of progress, becomes it

its

only
that
in the

mode

represents
falls with

childish and

form

of

prejudice
and
A

which

love
same

cools, adores
and
unreason.

curses,

haste

succession

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

opposing

follies

was

more

at

ease

on

his
the

left

side

than

on

his

right, the weight of

the
same.

volcano

ing remainDemos is

The
its

only equalled by
a

stupidity of presumption.

It is like

and none youth with all his animal reasoning powers developed. Luther's of humanity comparison drunken his horse struck
not
me

of his

to

peasant,
on as one a

always ready
side
or

to

fall from

the

other, has
one.

always
It is

particularly happy
the

that

deny
no

right of
of illusion

the
as

democracy,
to

but

I have

sort

the

use

it

I04
will make
as

amiel's

journal.

of

its

wisdom

is the

rule. has

Numbers

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 that the majority has this legal fiction, upon its side that not on only force but reason it possesses not only the right to act but the
"

wisdom is

necessary

for

action. its

The

fiction the

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

flattery;
the The
masses

flattered

vate pri-

always
age of of

be

below

the

average.

Besides,
the

majority
sex

will
be

be

lowered,
away,

barriers

will

swept
make

and absurd is

democracy by handing
greatest
an

will
over

finally
the

itself of

decision is most

all that

to

all that
be the

incapable.

Such

end

will

the

principle of ignorant man

of its abstract punishment dispenses equality,which from the necessity of selfman

training, the foolish judgment, and tells

no

from child
a

that that man,

of

selfis
the

the become

there and

need

for

him

to

good-for-nothing
of
no

that

self-improvement law,
founded upon

is

account.

Public

equality, will destroy itself by It will not recognise the consequences.

virtual
of

its

equaliti in-

worth, of merit, and

of

experi-

amiel's

journal.

105
bour, laof

ence

; in

word, it ignores individual

it will

and

end

in

the

triumph
The shown the

platitude
of
what the kind

and

the

residuum.
has
comes

regime
us

Parisian
of

Commune

material

to

top

in

these

days of frantic vanity and universal suspicion. survives is tough, and all humanity Still, 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.
innumerable

follies,that
an

are

to

be

and

must

be,

effect upon The me. irritating 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
have

of God.

Enougli
and
us, let
us

There

is

no

help
If
our

in
race on same

thropy misanvexes

pessimism.
a

keep
are

decent

silence
on

the

ter. mat-

We

imprisoned
sink
the with
rest

the

ship,
own

and

we

shall

it.
to

Pay
God.

your

debt, and
you

leave

Sharer,

as

inevitably are, in the sufferings of your kind, set a good example : that is all which
is asked of
you.

Do

all the

good

you

can^

io6

amiel's

journal.

and

say
; and

all

the

truth
rest

you be

know

or

lieve be-

for the God

patient, resigned,
His

submissive.

does

business,

do

yours.

29fA

July

1871.

"

So

long
he is and
If
a

as

man

is

capable of self-renewal Goethe,

were

Schleiermacher of
the

living being. Humboldt,

are

masters

the

art.

we

to

main re-

among

revival
about

of

by inward
sort.

be a perliving there must petual youth within us, brought change and by love of the

Platonic

The

soul

must

be

for

ever

recreating itself, trying all its various

modes,
new

vibrating in
The which make
has
so

all its
.

fibres, raising up
. .

terests in-

for itself.

Epistles and
I
one

the

Epigrams
? of

of Goethe
do
not

have

been

love

reading him. Why

His way and

to-day

Because

he

little soul.

ing understand-

love, religion,duty,

patriotism has
in it. A

something
is
no

mean no an

and

repulsive

There
secret

ardour,

generosity,
ill-concealed
all the It
at

in him.

barrenness,
itself felt of

egotism, makes
wealth
is true

through
his Goethe

and
that

bility flexithe much the

talent.
has in

egotism
that

of

least

this

is excellent the

it,that

it respects

liberty of

individual, and

is favourable

amiel's
all

journal.

107
go
out

to way

originality.
for

But

it will

of

its
no

to

help nobody anybody

;
"

; it will ; it will
a

give itself
it does

trouble else's
with

nobody ligliten
away

burden

in

word,
consists

charity,
for

the

great
his

Christian
in

virtue.

Perfection

Goethe
in love
;

personal
is
thetic, aes-

nobility, not
not

standard

moral. allowed of

He

ignores
to

holiness,
reflect
on

and
the the

has dark
core,

never

himself evil.
A

problem
he believes
nor

Spinozist luck,
He the is

to

in individual

not
a

in

liberty
of

in

responsibility.
to

Greek

the

great time,
of the
He

whom

ward in-

crises
are

religious
represents,
or

consciousness

unknown. earlier
what

then,
to
our

state

of sold

than the

subsequent
'

tianity, Christime
one ship wor-

prudent critics of

call

the

'

modern of
the

spirit;
modern
For

and
"

only
the

tendency
of

spirit
stands

nature.

Goethe

outside

all the

social of

and

politicalaspirations of the
; he

generality
interest

mankind Nature

takes
in

no

more

than

herself
the
our

the

herited, disin.
. .

the
The

feeble, and
of and
The

oppressed.
time

restlessness
for

does It is
no

not
plicable ex-

exist

Goethe

his

school.
have

enough.
of dissonance. of the voice of

deaf
man

sense

The

who

knows the

ing nothvoice of

conscience,

io8

amiel's

journal.

regret
the
masters

or

remorse,

cannot

even

guess under
to

at
two
two

troubles and
"

of
two

those

who

live

laws, and
Nature his

belong
and that
is

worlds,
But All her but

that

of

of

erty. Lib-

For

himself,
cannot

choice
and in
men

made.

humanity
needs
are

choose
at
once

exclude. the of
to

vocal She
to

cry

of

sufiering.
she

hears those

the who

science,
her of

listens

talk

religion ; pleasure
moves

attracts

her,
adores

but

sacrifice whether crucifix.

her

; and
or

she

hardly
she

knows
the

she

hates

whether

Later. the

"

Still

re-reading
poems

the

sonnets
"

and The

miscellaneous left

of

Goethe.
the

impression
is
upon

by

this

part of
than

Gedichte
made

much
me

more

favourable

that

by the Elegies and

the

Epigrams.

The

Water

be

too

natures.

the

sense

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

nevertheless

finds

his Greek

way

to

seriousness

through dignity,
his school

sculpture

has

been

of virtue.

Ibth

second

1871. August time, Renan's

"

Ee-read,
Vie de

for
in

the the

Jesus,

AMIEVS

JOURNAL.

log
The
most

sixteenth

popular
feature
is that

edition. of tliis
no

acteristic char-

tianity analysis of Chris-

sin

plays

part
the

at

all in

it. of

Now,
the them

if

anything
among

explains
men,

success

Gospel

it is that

it
a

brought word,
to to

deliverance
A
a

from

sin

"

in

salvation.

man,

however,

is bound
not

explain
the
very

religionseriously,and of his subject. centre

is not the

shirk white-

This who
many

marble the The

Christ

Christ
so

inspired
tears.

martyrs
author

and lacks

has

dried

moral

seriousness, and
ness. holiof

confounds

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

is
not

not

interested
to

in

the
the

question.

It

is of

possible

mistake

epicureanism

the

imagination, delighting itself in an spectacle, for the struggles of a soul

in
are

aesthetic

ately passionthere

search
some

of
remains

truth. of

In

Kenan

still

priestly ruse
His
tone

; he
of

strangles
or

with

sacred

cords.

contemptuous
less
he

a more indulgence towards captious clergy might be tolerated,

but

should

have

shown

more

respectful
and
you the

sincerity in dealing with the sincere spiritual. Laugh at Pharisaism as

but folk.9

will,
honest

speak

simply

and

plainly

to

no

amiel's

journal.

Later.

"

To

understand

is

to

be of

scious con-

of

the
be

fundamental
"

unity
that is to of

the
to

thing
conceive

to

explained
its
to

say,

it in

entirety both
able
to

life and it

development,
mental process

be

remake

by

without
means,

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

and
others

without

object,
clear
to

then

the
a

power

by

full and
is
more

it making just interpretation. difficult is the

than

of

To
to

understand for

judge,

understanding
into

ence transferof the the

of the

mind

the

conditions is

object,

whereas

judgment
individual

enunciation

of the

simply opinion.

2t"th

reux).

"

1871 August Magnificent bathed

in

(Charnex-sur-Montweather. The
peace,
ing morn-

seems

happy
from
a

and

heavenly
and
were

fragrance
;

rises

mountain benediction

shore

it is

as us.

though
No

laid

upon

noise
scene.

disturbs One
"

the

vulgar intrusive religious quiet of the

church

and dare dream

every
not to

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
"

angels.

AMIEL

JOURNAL.

Ill

'

Comme
La

autrefois

j'entends
temps

dans

I'ether I'hosauna

infini des

musique
mondes.'

du

et

In

these

heavenly
rises
to
see

moments

the
'

cry

of I

Pauline believe
cares, the !

one's !' All

lips.i"
the

feel !
the

miseries,
enter

the

vexations

of absorbs
and

life,are
us

forgotten
into

universal divine
the

the of and

joy order,
have

we

into and

the

blessedness

Lord.

Labour

tears, sin, pain,

is

death

to bless pause

; life is

To exist passed avray. In this sublime happiness.

of

things
It is
as

all dissonances

have

peared. disapbut
of

one

vast

though creation were symphony, glorifying the God

with
an

goodness praise

inexhaustible We
so or

wealth

of
no

and whether

harmony.
it is become the
to notes

question
not.

longer
ourselves
;

We

have
cert con-

in

the
the

great
silence with

and

soul

breaks
in

of the

ecstasy only
eternal

vibrate

unison

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

"

22d

sky

"

left me,

the

sun

is unkind
away, in

and

capricious.
sakes forhave all

Everything
us.

passes And

everything
of
we

place
1

lost,age

and

gray

hairs

112

amiel's

journal.

After
. .
.

dinner showers. for

walked
A
me

between
has
a

two

Chailly rainy landscape

to

great charm
more

; the

dark
tones

tints
more a

become ethereal. with

no

velvety,
The of

the

softer

country
tears
more

in rain

is like
"

face

traces

upon

it,
is

less beautiful

doubt, but
the

expressive.
which

Behind

beauty
discovers

superficial,
the
thetic aes-

gladsome,
sense

radiant, and

palpable,
another

order

of

beauty
and This
the

altogether, hidden,

veiled, secret, beauty.

itself
to

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

exquisite

for that. of the reach

little like

the

refined of

joy
the is

like the sacrifice,

madness it is not
Its

faith, like
within

luxury
of

of

grief ;
the

all

world.
one

attraction
some

peculiar, and perfume, or

the
taste

affects bizarre

like

strange
once

melody.
up the in

WTien

for

it is set

mind
one

takes

special and
in
'

keen

delight

it,for

finds

it
bien

Son

premi^rement,

puis

le d^a.in

d'au-

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

journal.

113
which
is
a

"which

are

evident, and
Charm,
the

beauty perhaps,
and
the

is incontesta better

name

for

esoteric
escapes

paradoxical

beauty,

which
to
our

vulgar,
to

and

appeals
Classical all eyes
Esoteric

dreamy belongs,
ceased is
to

meditative
so

side.
to

beauty
; it has

speak,
to

belong

itself. It

beauty
its favours is

shy
to

and

retiring.
eyes,

only
bestows
This

unveils

itself

unsealed
upon

and

only
friend
in

love.
who
,

why

my

places
with the

herself souls of

immediately
those of she

relation does
once

meets,
when likes

not

see

the

ugliness
those

people
She
are

she

is interested

in them.

and

dislikes, and
those she
more

she
are

likes

beautiful,
There is

dislikes

ugly.
in
it

nothing
For in

complicated
aesthetic

than
are

that.

her,
moral

considerations
; she

lost
her of

sympathy
she passes goes

looks
the

with

heart

by
on

chapter
the
;

the

only ; beautiful,
I

and
can

to
same

chapter

of

charm.

do
on

the

only
once

it is
; my

by
has

reflection does
not
a

and

second

thoughts
at

friend

it
the

involuntarily and
artistic fibre.
The

; she

craving
the between
nature.

for

perfect
and
the

correspondence
outside form
"

between
"

inside
matter

of

things

and
not

is not

in her

She

does

114
suffer it.
As

amiel's

journai,.

from
for me,

ugliness,she
me,

can

shocks All
want

cannot

scarcely perceives only forget what help being shocked.

me, and

corporal
of

defects

irritate

the

which

tear,

ink,
and like

"

order.

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
me

fortifies

like

some

miraculous

food,

Olympian
le bon
demain
comme

ambrosia.

'

Que
Des

soit

toujours
chercherai

camarade
femme.
entre
eux

du

beau

je
le

Mais

divorce

n'est

pas

nouveau,

Et

que

peu
ame,

de

beaux

corps,

botes

d'une

belle

Assemblent

I'un

et I'autre

point
all
one

'

will

not

finish,for
A

after

must

resign

oneself.

beautiful

soul

in

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

blessed
common

the

gain, bar-

may

well

do
we

without call

that

ing ravish-

dainty
almost
which with
a we

which
that

beauty,
do
without
a

and

without

delicious We

seasoning
"

call

grace.
one

sigh, as
we,

does
what

without

luxury.

Happy

to possess

is necessary.

amiel's
29th December

jouknal.

115
been ing readde

1871.

"

I have

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

Balinsen

de
a

in

water,
of

every

movement

duces pro-

cloud

ink

which

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 of

of

the

universe the

some
trary, con-

little remains
this

logic,while, on is eminently evolution

there poor

tory, contradic-

and

is

no

reason

anywhere
the
reasoner.

except
Of
the

in the

brain

of

all

that possible worlds Its only excuse worst.

which

exists

is

is that

it tends of the will

of

itself to

destruction. is
that

The

hope
the

philosopher
shorten of
their

reasonable and
hasten

beings

agony

return

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 dissoul.
The This the individual frantic
can

but is

protest and
the world

curse.

Sivaism

developed from
the

conception which makes product of blind will, the

of the

principle of everything. The acrid blasphemy

doctrine

ii6

amiel's

journal.

naturally leads epithets of bad

the

writer

to

indulgence
prevent

in
our

taste

which

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

goodness
order
to

rouses

to

fury

of contempt. of

In

hasten kills

the

deliverance

the

world,
and for the

he

all
in the

consolation, all hope,

germ,

all illusion love

and which

substitutes

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

of

humanity

Evolutionism, fatalism, pessimism,

"

ism nihil-

how terrible

strange
doctrine
very

it is to

see

this
and the

desolate

and

growing
when

ing expandGerman and its

at

the
is

moment

nation

celebrating
!

its greatness
is
so

triumphs
that

The
one

contrast

startling
tifying iden-

it sets

This

thinking. orgie of philosophic

error

thought,

with the

existence

itself, and Proudhon,

the
mass
"

developing
'Evil mankind is neither declares is
to

axiom

of

God,' will bring back

the Christian
nor

of

optimist
that the

theodicy, which pessimist, but simply

anity Christito
man.

felicity which
life is accessible from
a

calls eternal

Self-mockery, starting

horror

of

amiel's

jourxal.

117
and of

stupidity
the
true

and

hypocrisy,

standing
mind and
to

in all

way

of

all wholeness
"

seriousness, brings
The
us

this is the
at

goal

which

intellect cries
the
out.

last, unless
must

conscience
for

mind

have

ballast
not to

clear

conception
between

fluctuate

duty, if it is levity and despair.

of

Before
secured

giving

advice
or

we

must

have made

its acceptance,

rather, have

it desired.

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

we

If

the

being

we

it with

sale whole-

It is

dangerous
of

to

abandon

oneself
one

to

the

luxury
and
even

grief ;
of the

it

deprives

of courage,

wish

for recovery.

We of the

learn

to

recognise
in that

mere

conscience which

blunting incapacity for

confounded
or

indignation
with
the

is not of

to

be

gentleness

charity,

the

serve re-

of

humility.
1872.
Without

1th
man

February
can

"

faith
can

do

nothing.

But

faith

stifle

all science.

ii8

amiel's

journal.

What,
Faith

then, is this Proteus, and

is
a

whence

certitude
it is
an

without

proofs.

Being
of the

certitude,
action.
of its

Being
two

ple energetic princiwithout proof, it is

Hence

contrary
and

science.
effects.

its
its

two

aspects
of

Is

point

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
instruction.

departure

Faith
at

is the
; it is

heritage
that
The

of

the

individual
him
to

birth of

which

binds

the

whole

being.
with
;

individual

only detaches
the maternal

himself breast

difiBculty from

he

only
nature

isolates around

himself

by
from

an

effort
the

from

the
which

him,

love
he

enwraps the union

him, the ideas

in which he with

in which

floats,
in

cradle

lies.
with

He the

is born

humanity,
The
trace

world, and
of that

with

God.

of this

original union
individuality
in the
nambulist som-

is faith. vague

Faith Eden
which
state

is

the

reminiscence
our

whence

issued, but
Our

it inhabited anterior
to

the

personal
in

life

individual

life consists

separating

amiel's

journal.

119
in
so

ourselves
upon

and
"

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

our

from

milieu;

that

is to

say,

primitive
neutral life and may kind form. have
a

faith

matter

intelligentand free. than is nothing more which our experience

up

Our
the

of

things
so

works

afresh, and
studies
in its

which
every

be
as

affected

by

our

of

to

perish completely
ourselves
able
to

original
we

We been

may

die the
may

before

recover

personal
and the need

faith

which
as

harmony satisfy
our us.

of
our

mind

conscience

well
never

as

hearts.
It

But

of

faith
of
a

leaves
truth

is the
to

postulate
all

higher
; it holds

which

is

bring

things into points

to

harmony.
out

It is the
to
us

stimulus

of research

the
at

reward,
which which
is

it

us

the

goal.
of

Such

least is the
a

true, the
mere never

excellent

faith.

That

prejudice
known
cannot

childhood,
which
or

has

doubt,

ignores science, which

understand
"

respect
convictions
a

or a

tolerate
is
a

different
and

such

faith of

stupidity
fanaticisms. what

hatred,
may

the
then

mother

all

We said

repeat
"

of faith

jEsop

of the

tongue
'

Quid

melius

lingn^,lingua quid pejus

e"dem

'

I20

amiel's

journal.

To

draw
we

the
must

poison-fangs
subordinate

of

faith
the

in

selves, our-

it to of

love
true

of is
ligions, re-

truth. the

The

supreme

worship

the

only

means

all should for

she

purification for confessions, all sects.

be
a

of

all

Faith

only
has

allowed

the
"

second truth.

place,
When
preme su-

faith exalts

judge
to

in

herself
the the

the

position of
:

judge
from

world fourth

is enslaved
to

tianity, Chris-

the
. .

seventeenth Will the

lightened en-

century,
faith
a

is the

proof
ever

it.
.

faith
? We
must

conquer

the

vulgar
to

look

forward

in trust

better The

future.

difhculty, however,
faith
has much
more

is this.

A than

row naran

energy world
to

enlightened
will
not
over

faith
more

the

belongs
It

to

much th'^n

than

wisdom.

is

certain

that
; and

liberty will triumph

besides, independent
the be force of

fanaticism will
never

thought
of

have is to

dice. prejua

The

solution

found

in

sion diviness busi-

labour. have

After
been of
men a

those
to

whose up
to

it will world will

the
come

hold
and

the

ideal the
new

pure of

free
who

faith,
will
of

violence,
within the

bring

the

creed

circle

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

AMIEL'S

JOURNAL.

121

Christianity ?
the It

After

the the

gentle Master,
bitter

impetuous
is
true

Paul
this

and

Councils.

that But

Gospel.
more so

good
the world of

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

advances,

by

the

successive

decay
19th
Paris

gradually improved
1872.

ideals.

June

"The on.^^

wrangle
The
"

in

the

Synod
is the

still goes
stone to

ural supernatIt

of
agree that

stumbling.
on

might
of the
"

be

possible
; but
must

the the

idea

Divine
the

no, be

is not

question
the

chaff

separated

from

good
and pendent inde-

grain.
miracle

The is of
an

supernatural
all

is

miracle,

objective phenomenon preceding causality.

cannot

Now,

miracle

thus

understood
; and
more

experimentally phenomena,
the rest,
are

besides,
out

the

proved subjective
be than in

far

important
of
not

all the

left Men

account
see

definition. is
a

will

that
a

miracle of the

perception of the soul

behind
nature

vision

Divine

psychical
on

crisis,

analogous to that of -^neas of Troy, which reveals to

powers action.

prompting
For the

and

day the heavenly us directing human

there
are

the

last

indifferent the

no

miracles.

It is

only

religioussouls

who

122

AMIEL's

JOCRXAL.

are

capable
in certain The

of

God

recognising given facts.

have
are

the

finger
the

of

minds
of

which

reached

trine doc-

immanence
fanatics

incomprehensible They
last
is
ten
"

to

the
never

of

ti-anscendence.
"

will the
more

understand of
than

these

that

panentheism religious
Their

Krause

times
super-

their

dogmatic
for the

naturalism.
which
are

passion

facts

objective,isolated, and
from

past, prevents
which

them
are

eternal what
as

and
comes

seeing the facts spiritual. They can

to

only

adore
As
soon

them

from is

without.

their all

dramaturgy
seems

interpreted
lost.
"

symbolically
must

to

them

They
ished van-

have

their

local

prodigies miracles,
and

their

unverifiable them This

among

because there.

for

the

divine
can

is there

only
fail
to

faith
the

races

hardly pledged
call
what the is

conquer

to

the

Cartesian

dualism, clear, and

also
easy

who

incomprehensible

abhor

profound.
local miracle universal

Women
more

will
to

always
understand the

find

than

cle, mira-

and of God and

visible

objective intervention
than
The His

more

probable
action. form

ical psychologLatin
to

inward mental

world

by
"its

its

is doomed
to

petrify
ever

abstractions, and

remain

for

AMIELS

JOURNAL.

123
of
are

outside
central

the

inmost
where

sanctuary
ideas
or

life, that
vided, still undi-

hearth

without
The

shape
makes
it

determination.

Latin
because

mind

everything
outside
the eye
to

tive, objecthings,
which

remains

and

outside

itself.

It is like

only perceives what

which
cannot
see

is exterior itself except

means

it, and
the

artificially,
of
flecting re-

and

from

distance, by
of
a

surface

mirror.

SOth
weary

August
me now

1872.
as

"

priori speculations
as

much

anybody.
make
to
me

All ful doubt-

the

different
of

scholasticisms

what

they profess
of

demonstrate,
affirm is
to

because, instead
from throw the
up

examining, they Their beginning. object

entrenchments around the
truth.
a

dice, prejuThey
rather
are

and accumulate than that

not

to

discover which

that which all of which and

darkens

enlightens. them, from

excludes

They
the

scended, de-

Catholic

procedure,

comparison,
examination. into and

information, Their object

furnish faith free
man

previous
men

is to trick

assent,
to

to

with

arguments,
But
to

press supme,
must
a

inquiry.
have
no

persuade
and

must

parti pris,
a

begin

with

showing

temper

of

critical

124

amiel's

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
itself,but
is and

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
from
it. the

is deduced

Philosophy
the

means

complete

libertyof

mind,
is to

and

therefore

all social, It

political,or neither begin with

monarchical
nor

independence of religious prejudice.

Christian
nor nor

pagan,
neither

neither

democratic,
ical ; it is crit-

socialist

individualist
it loves
one

and
"

impartial;
If the it

truth.

disturbs
or

the the which

thing only ready-made

"

opinions of
historical

Church
"

State the

of the

medium
to

in

pher philososo

happens
the
worse, but
'

have

been

bom,

much

there
ut est

is

no

help
non

for it.

Est

aut

est.'
; and

Philosophy
the

means,

doubt first, of what

wards after-

consciousness

knowledge

amiel's

journal.

125
of

means, and of

the

consciousness
the

uncertainty
of
dinary or-

ignorance,
doubts
The

consciousness
The

limit, shade,
man

degree, possibility. nothing

and

suspects

nothing.
but he

philosopher is more cautious, cause, unfitted is thereby for action, bealthough he sees the goal less dimly
he
sees no

than

others,
and of

his

own

weakness
as

too to

clearly,
chances
The

has

illusions

his

reaching
of

it. is like
a man

philosopher
midst

fasting in
He

the alone

universal
the

intoxication. of
which
; he

perceives
are

illusion

all is

creatures

the

willing playthings
his

less

duped
He
as

than

neighbour
more

by his
he

own sees

nature.

judges
are.

sanely,
that
see

things
and

they
"

It is in this

his liberty

consists

in in the

the

ability to
of foundation

clearly
record. critical

soberly,
The

power

mental

Philosophy lucidity.
be the the

has

for
end of

its and
the

climax

of

it would

intuition

universal
the

law,
of
its

of

first

principle and
Not
to

final aim
is

the fii-st

universe.

to

be

deceived
its second.

desire:

understand,
error

cipation Emanof

from

is the

condition

real
"

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

126
When
a

amiel's

journal.

ne

imagines
life he

that

he

has

found does

such
not

key

to

offere

it to, but

force

it on,

his fellow-men.

dth
tea at

October
the

1872.

"

have

been
homes

taking
are

M.'s.

These

English

very

attractive.

and and

the
of

ideal ?

They are the recompense result of a long-lived civilisation, What ideal untiringly pursued. an That of a moral on order, founded
for

respect for self and

for
"

others, and
upon
master

on

erence rev-

worth

and

in a word, duty dignity. The

to

personal
shows children and every

consideration
are one

his

guests,
has
to

the

deferential and

to

their

parents,
its command is well

everything
both how

place.
and

They
how

understand
to

obey.
seems
"

The
to

little world go of itself ;

governed,
genius
and

and
loci

duty
a

is the
reserve

but

duty tinged
which children
is the
are

with

self-control The domestic

English
great
One

istic. charactertest

the
are

of this

system

they

happy, loved,
of
comes

smiling,
feels
but that that

trustful, and

yet
also

no

trouble.
to

they they
and

know know

themselves that like

be

they
masters

must

obey.
the
to
an

Our

children when

behave
any

house,
limit abuse

definite

order
see

their encroachments

they

in it

amiel's

journal.

127

of

power, it is

an

arbitrary
round
and

act. to

Why
believe

cause Bethat

their
turns

principle
them.

everything
may
are

Our

children
but

be
not

gentle

affectionate, they know

mothers is other

they
of

grateful, and
do

nothing
this

self-control. How
?

English
a

attain

sult re-

By
and forms

rule firm
man

which
; in

impersonal, words,
and

riable, inva-

by law,

which decree
at

for
to

while liberty,

arbitrary
attempts
has the

only leads

rebellion This
of

emancipation.

method

immense which and

what
are

advantage
restive amenable
to to

under

yet

forming characters arbitrary authority, of justice,conscious

what

is due

them
over

and

they

owe

to

others, watchful
in

conscience, and
In

tised prac-

child
motto

self-government. feels something one

"

every
the

English
national
in every the

of

'God

and

my
one

right,'and
has better his
a sense

English
home which in such

household
a

that

is

citadel, or
one

every
a

has the

a still, ship in place. Naturally

world with
to

value
cost

set

corresponds
it
is
sweet

the

of

family producing
on

life
it ;

those

whose

efforts

tain main-

it.

lith

October

1872.

"

The

man

who

gives

128

AMIEL'S

JOl'KXAL.

himself
than than than

contemplation his life, is directs

to
an

looks
rather
to

on a

at

rather

spectator

actor, seeks
achieve.

rather

underetand
of existence bound
to

to

Is this mode Is
an one

illegitimate, immoral?
act

Is

such

detachment
or a

to

be

respected
? I

sin

idiosyncrasy be to fought
on

against

have
I have

always
wasted useless

hesitated
years

this

point, and My
with
western

in

futile

self-reproach and
Christian
my

fits

of

activity.
a.s

conscience, penetrated

it is

morality,
I have
not not

has

always
and
to to

cuted perse-

Oriental

quietism
dared
known in all

Buddhist

tendencies.

approve
correct

myself, myself.

have In

how

this, as
and

else,

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
divided

absolute,

have of

never

had

the

indiscreet

effrontery
have
never

individualism.
a

What
a

right
I have for
ceeding. suc-

I to

make

merit
to
see

of

defect

been

able

any

necessity
nor

imposing

myself
I have

upon
seen

others,
and the
the way

for

nothing clearly except

my

own

deficiencies
That

superiority of
to

others.

is

not

make

amiel's

journal,

I2g
and
a

career.

With

varied

aptitudes
dominant
so

fair

intelligence,I had no no imperious faculty,

of free I

tendency,
while

that

by

tue vir-

capacity
could

I felt

myself free, yet

what
was

when best. cision inde-

not

discover

Equilibrium
has

produced

indecision,

and

rendered

all my

faculties

barren.

8th been
Louisa

November

turning
Siefert all the

over

! ^^

and
side

while
and

pierces
is it

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

1872

What
she

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
craves

really

Two

"

contrary
combination

of

France of
two

her

talent

itself is

and

wardness opposing qualities, inbrilliancy, noisy display and

lyrical charm.
of her
a

She while
ear

dislocates
the
same

the time

rhythm
she

verse,

at

has

sensitive

for

rhyme.
Valmore Lisle
taste

She
and

wavering
between
"

between Leconte

always Baudelaire,
gether to-

is

de
her

and
is
a

Sainte-Beuve

that

is to of it
:

say,

bringing
has

extremes.
"

She

herself

scribed de-

130
'

amiel's

journal.

Toujours
Souvent

extreme

Jadis, enfant
une

Bouleversait

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

en

mes

But what

what

fine

instrument of soul
!

she what

possesses wealth

strength
!

of

imagination

3d dream
not

December
!

1872. under
was

"

What
an

strange
and

w^as

illusion

yet

under

it ; I

myself, deceiving my being able to deceive

This
power

playing a comedy to imagination without

my
consciousness. have of yes
most

which

dreams

of

fusing
what

incompatibles
is most

together,
and

uniting
and
no,

is

exclusive, of identifying
wonderful

is what

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
thought.
without

thought might exist out possessing itself individually,withAnd

if so,

embodying

itself in

an

ego.

In

other

amiel's

journal.

131
the from idea
the

words,
of

dreams

lead

us

to

of

an

imagination
should
be who

enfrancliised
even

limits

personality, and
no

of

thought which
The
to

longer
is the

conscious.
on

vidual indi-

dreams
in

the

way

become

dissolved
of

universal
are a

phantasmagoria
into

Ma'ia. of
human the he
; he

Dreams

excursions

the from

limbo
the

things,
locale is the

semi-deliverance
The
man

prison.
of

who

dreams of

is but
which

various
in

phenomena,
he

spectator
unknown

self spite of him;

is

passive and

impersonal
vibrations

is

the

plaything of invisible sprites.

The
man

and

who of dream

should would

never

issue
never

from
tained at-

the

state

have
so

humanity,
the
man

properly
never

called, but
would
or

who the

had mind

dreamed
its

only
to

know

in

completed
not

manufactured understand would be

what

state, and
the

would

be

able

he

guessing
that the

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

life issues
are an

genesis of

waking
dreams

from

the

dream the

life,as
nervous

emanation

from

and life, life.

this

again

is the

fine flower
the

organic point of a
which

of

Thought
of

is

highest

series

ascending

phoses, metamor-

is called nature.

Personality

13*

amiel's
of

journal.

by means profundity
and of makes

thought
for the

recovers

in
in

inward

what
up

it lias

lost
rich

extension,

accumulations
enormous

receptive passivity by the of that empire over self

ilege privis called

which

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
us

to

act

"

that and

is to of

say,

is

alone
Let

capable
us

of

science

perfection.

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

then

take

Westerns,

for these

are

the

two

halves

of

wisdom.

lith

December
; and

1872.
now

"

deep
up

and
to

less dreamgray,

sleep

I wake

the

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

journal.

133

Between
there
are

us

and

things
health,

how
the

many

screens

Mood,

tissues

of the

eye,

the

smoke,

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

infinitely variable
man

Heraclitus
same one

said river.

No feel

bathes
to

twice say:

in the No over, the ? A

inclined

sees a

the

same

landscape twice kaleidoscope, and

What
the

for

window

is

one

spectator
sound
a

another.
to

is

madness
power.

Illusion, raised
mind
modus

second

lishes estab-

regular relations,
between under stable does
not

vivendi,
it is

things,
the

men,

and
that

itself, and
it has

delusion and
see

got hold
Madness

of

truth
even

eternal
what

fact.

itself
sees common

all the

better

than

sanity sees, while by the belief sane sanity. The

the

ing deceivthat
mind it
or

sense

confounds

fact

of

ence experiin

with

necessary
that be what

fact, and is, is

madness between it confounds
the

assumes measure

good
what

faith may
any

of
ceive peris

; while

cannot

difference
"

what

and

what with

imagines reality.
and

it

its dreams

Wisdom
to

consists
to
to

in

rising superior
sense,

both in

madness

common

and

lending
without

oneself

the its

universal
It

illusion is

becoming

dupe.

best,

on

1^
the
how with

amiel's

journal.

whole,
to

for
gay

man

of
the
enter

taste

who and
the with

knows
serious

be

with
to

gay, into

the

serious,
to

game
a

of

Mai'a, and
grace
in the the is called here The

play

his

part
It

good
which
that

fantastic Universe.

tragi-comedy
seems

to

me

intellectualism

reaches

its

limit.i*

mind,
at

in

its intellectual

the

intuition of
a

that

all What

rives capacity, arreality is but

the from

dream the

dream.
of dreams the
sense

delivers

us

palace

is of

pain, personal

pain
that

; it is also

which

combines

sin ; and moral

again
Ma'ia

it

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

saves us

order. of

What

from
;

the

ceries sor-

is conscience

conscience

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

with
human

the

terrible

wheels

within

wheels

it is

from may

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

of

be

described of itself ;

as

an

intoxication
energy

scious con-

the

moral

which

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

!

other famine
!

hand,
and
a

represents

sleepless

Alas

amiel's

journal.

135

Those of sin is
a are

who

have

the

most

frivolous
that

idea there
and

fixed

just those who gulf between

suppose

good

people

others.

The

ideal for

which

the

wife

and

mother she

makes

herself, the duty and

manner

in which the

understands of
star

life,contain
Her

fate
the

the
of

community.
the

faith

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
its destinies
in the

folds

of her

mantle.

Perhaps
should
be abuse

it is not free
her

desirable
; she

that would She

woman

in mind

ately immedicannot

freedom.
without

come becial speis

philosophical

losing

her

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

all that
manners,
to

slacken

the
to

combustion that
of
azote

of

thought.

It is

analogous

in vital air.

In

every

of the

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

136
6th
the

AMI

el's

journal.

January 1873. seven tragedies

"

I have of de

been

reading
in the The

^schylus,
Lisle.
are

translation and where of the

of

Leconte the

metheus Pro-

Eumenides

greatest

all is great ; old

they
Both

have

the
a

sublimity

prophets.
"

depict

religious
life of

revolution

profound
Prometheus the

crisis in the

humanity.
wrenched

In from the

it is civilisation

jealous hands
it is the

of

the

gods

; in

Eumenides idea of

mation transfortution the substi-

of the

of atonement of
us

and justice, and pardon

for the

law

implacable revenge. which the martyrdom

of
men

Prometheus
waits for

shows all the

saviours

; the

Eumenides
the

is the
"

fication glorithat

of Athens is to How small

seem

and

Areopagus
poetry,
individual of

say,

of

truly
it is of

human
as

civilisation. and how

magnificent
the

adventures this
theme

passion

beside which
!

colossal
is the

type

tragedy,
of
tions na-

of

the

destinies

31s" March
'

1873

(4 p.m.)

"

En

quel
Se

songe

plonge
et

Men

ccEur,

que

veut-il ? been

'

For
a

an

hour

past
; I

I have

the old

prey enemy.

of

vague

anxiety

recognise my

amiel's

journal.

137
and
:

It is
...

sense

of

void

anguish
?

sense

of
"

peace of pure is

something lacking God The perhaps.

want

what

Love,

unmixed

with I
nor

anguish

in

it because the evil

neither

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

'

printemps
tes
creuses

sans

dans pitie',

endolorie,
ton

Avec
Tu

chants

d'oiseaux,

tes

brises,

azur,

sourdement,
des

conspirateur
et

obscur,

Le

gouffre
all the

languers
of the

de

la reverie.'

Of the time I
'

hours

day,

in fine

weather,
is the

afternoon,
which feel
to

about
me

three

o'clock,
difficult
than
to

is most

bear.

never

more

strongly
la the

I do

then,
of for
light sun-

le vide

effrayant de anxiety,
This
or

the vie,''

stress

mental

painful
born of

thirst the Is

happiness.
is
the
a a

torture

strange

phenomenon. brings
out

it that
upon
or

sun,

just as
the

it

the
a

stain

garment,

wrinkles

in

face,

the

discoloration
with
rents sort

of the

hair, so
? Does

also the it ?
are

it illumines
scars

inexorable
of the shame heart

distinctness

and in
us case a

rouse

of

of

existence
the

In

any

of bright hours flooding the whole

the

day
with

soul

capable of melancholy,
or

of

kindling in us the passion for death, suicide, or annihilation, or of driving us

to

138
that which of the

amiel's
is next
senses rouse

journal.

akin

to

ening death, the dead-

by tlie pursuit of pleasure.

in the

They
of himself his
coeur own

from
'

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

"

horror
escape

Le

trempe
talk
with

sept fois dans

of
the

le neant

divin.'

People
connected
sense

temptations to darkness, but the

which brilliant is often
moment

crime dumb

of desolation of
the
most not
as

the

product of daylight
From
;

must

be

forgotten
the
a man

either.

the

one,

from first of
case

other, God
follows
; in

is absent

but and
he

in the the

his
the

senses

cry

his

passion
lost

feels

himself forsaken
sent

and

second, bewildered, a

creature
'

by all the world.

instincts

En

nous

deux

qui

bra vent

la

raisoD,
Cast Ccear I'effroi du bonheur
a

et

la soif du !
'

poison.

solitaire,

toi

prends garde
have
niece been

3d

April 1873.
two

"

to

see

my

friends
with

Their

has

just arrived
the
tion conversa-

of her
on

children, and
Father

turned
Women

Hyacinthe's
of

lecture.

of curious

an

enthusiastic
way

temperament
of
pore extem-

have

speaking

preachers

and

orators.

They

imagine

AMIEL

JOURNAL.

139
a

that

inspiration
and
that

radiates

from is
more

crowd all
that

as

such,
wanted. childish

inspiration
there be
a

is

Could

naif and really

left to
a

explanation

of what

is been the

ture lecdent, acci-

in which neither
nor even

nothing has the plan, nor length

has
!

metaphors,
and with their

the

of the

whole,
in

where
the

everything
greatest
of what
to
care

been But

prepared
women,

love

is marvellous all
this.

and
The

miraculous, prefer meditation,

of

ignore word,

the

labour, the
in of
a

calculation which have

effects, the
to

art,
the

gone

the

making
of
it fallen
on

it, diminishes

for them

the

value

thing, and they prefer to from down Heaven, or sent They ask for bread, but
idea and
of
a

believe from
cannot

high.
the

bear

baker.
to

The

sex

is
what

superstitious,
it wishes be
to to

hates

understand would
vex

admire.

It

it to

forced

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

feeling, and
It

the
lieve beof

wishes
the

to

do
of

work

and

feeling
and

the

work

science, and
women,
never
"

it
so

never

asks
in heart

itself

how

it is that have

rich

imagination,
as

distinguished
is
to

themselves
never

orators,

that
to

say,
a

have multitude

known of

how

combine

facts, ideas,

and

t4o

amiel's

jocrxal.

impulses,
women

into

one never

complex
even

unity.
the the
is

siastic Enthuence differof

but
a

suspect

that
a

there

is between

excitement

popular harangue, which mere passionate outburst,

of
a

nothing
the of which

and
aim

unfolding
is to its hearers.

didactic

process, and

the
to

prove

something
for
count

convince

Therefore,

mounts

upon from of the

issues

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

them,

dazzled
women

assembly.
divide
of
orators

Evidently
groups
; the

into

two

artizans

speech,
and

who

facture manu-

their aid
of the

laborious

discourses
the

by

the

souls,
trouble

who
to

midnight lamp, simply give

be the born.

inspired
the
derstand un'

themselves
will
never

They
of
'

saying
poeta.

QuintUian,
acts

Fit

orator,
The
an

nascitur enthusiasm

which but

is

perhaps
For

enlightening force,
accepts
latter is very

the

enthusiasm

which
this

like

blindness.
the

enthusiasm
their
to

confuses shades

value

of

things, ignores
and
and is
an

of

difference,
criticism

obstacle

all sensible
'

all calm
'

liche

favours
"

The judgment. Ewig-Weibexaggeration, mysticism, senall that excites and startles..

timentalism,

amiel's

journal.

141
of

It is the
rational criticism
too

enemy view
and

of of
of

clearness, things,
the I

calm

and
of

antipodes
have
had for of

science. and The

only
the my
me

much

sympathy
nature.

weakness
very
excess

feminine former
now more

indulgence
conscious

towards of its and

it

makes

infirmity.
are

Justice
virile

and

science, law
and

reason,

things,

they

come

before

imagination,"
When is
one
flects re-

feeling, reverie,
that

and

fancy.
feels
reins

Catholic
women,
over one

superstition
how
to

tained mainit

by
is not

needful
'

to hand

the

the

Eternal

Womanly.'
2od

May

1873. lies in

"

The her

fundamental

error

of France has the

psychology.
that
to

France
a

always
same as as

believed
to

say

thing is
were

do

it,as though

speech

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,
and France of education.

proceeds
or

by
can

bursts of

of

eloquence,
she of

cannonading,
that
; and
so

thinks

she

law-making: change the nature

understood the

things
ruins.

she has

produces only phrases

never

and first

She

142
line of

amiel's

journal

Montesquieu
not

'

Laws the

are

necessary
of

relations, derived
She
will
see

from that

nature

things.'
to
ganise or-

her from

incapacity
her
own

liberty comes
from
the notions of which

nature

she

has

of

the

vidual, indi-

society,
the
manner

of

religion, of
in which she is she
to

law, of

duty
up

"

from

brings
trees at

children. and
!

Her

way

plant

downwards,
the result

then

is astonished

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.
How many

Universal

scapegoats
it occurs
to

will
to

France

fice sacriher
own

before breast in

her

beat

penitence

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

the the

waves,

after of and

the

sun

had

sunk
across

below the

bands

vapour

drawn
it had
sea

middle in

sky,
the
was

before
of the

peared disaphorizon.

mists very

The

place

full.

All

Scheveningen

amiel's
and had the

journal.

143
the

Hague,

the
on

villageand
to

capital,
ing amus-

streamed

out at

the

terrace,
the

themselves

innumerable and

tables, and
bathers.
some was

swamping
The

the

strangers

orchestra

played
some

some

Wagner,
What

Auber,
the
A

and

waltzes.

all

world

doing ? Simply enjoying life. thousand thoughts wandered through

I
to

my had

brain. taken

thought
make

how what

much I
saw

history it possible ;
Gaul
;

Judaea,
all the and had

Egypt,
centuries
zones

Greece,
from from

Germany,
to

Moses

Napoleon,
to

all the united The

Batavia of

Guiana, ing. gather-

in the

formation

this

the of

industry, the science, the art, the geography, the commerce, religion the whole human are repeated in race,
human

every
see

combination
our own

; at

and
any

what

we ment mo-

before is

eyes

given

inexplicable without
has
ever

reference

to

all that the

weaves

been.

ten

thousand into
the is in
a a

phenomenon
feels
"

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

oneself

the

of the

Law

itself

allowed

glimpse
Nature.

of The

workshop
the

of

mysterious ephemeral perceives

of the Individ-

eternal. the

What

matters

brevity

144

amiel's

journal.

ual

span,

seeing
for of

that

the

generations,
themselves the

the
are

centuries, and
but

the

worlds
ever

occupied

with of

ceaseless
the

reproduction
hundred which The has make motive
but
one

the

hymn
modes

life,in all
and

thousand
up is

variations

the

universal
the all
same

symphony
; the
are

always
law
:

monad
but the

truths

variation

of

one

single truth.
infinite
to

The of

universe

represents

the

wealth all

the

Spirit
would

seeking
and fain
within To the

in vain

exhaust of the

possibilities,
who

goodness
with
limbo the

Creator,

share

the of

created

all that

sleeps
and and is

Omnipotence.
adore,
to

contemplate
to

and

receive
note

give back,
moved
one's

have

uttered of

one's

grain

sand, is all

which

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

; it is
to
.

our

After

the

concert

was

over

the

paved

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

of

the

great Parisian
are so

boulevards
selves themnibuses, om-

just when
"

the
there

theatres
were

emptying
when the

many

carriages,
the peace of

and tumult had

cabs.

Then,

human the

disappeared,

AMIEL'S

JOURNAL.

145

starry heaven
the

shone

out

resplendent, Milky Way

and
was

dreamy
answered

glimmer by

of the the

only
the

distant

murmur

of

ocean.

Later.
come

"

What

is real

it which

has
me

always
? What

between
screen

life
as

and
were,

glass

has,
me

it

interposed

itself between

and

the of

possession, the
me

contact

enjoyment, the things, leaving

? 1 result

only
False

the

role

of the
no

looker-on

shame,
to

doubt. Fatal

have
of

been ity, timid!

ashamed

desire.

aggravated
This

by

intellectiial

delusion

renunciation
this

beforehand

of all natural

ambitions,
all been false

systematic
all

putting aside
has
too

of

longings
in

and

desires,
been

perhaps
like
a

idea; it has
had

foolish, self-inflicted
Fear, too, has
'

mutilation.
a

large
est

share

in

it

"

La

peur
soon

de

ce

que

j'aime
that

ma

fatalite.'

I very for Not

me

discovered

it

was

simpler satisfy it.

my
en

to

give

up
to

wish

than

to

being able

obtain

all that
the

nature

longed for,
without
in
me even

I renounced

whole

bloc,
mine deter-

taking
what
was

the

trouble have of

to

detail
what

; for

might the good

attracted

stirring up

146
trouble in

amiel's

journal.

oneself
treasure

and
? in
true

evoking

images

of

inaccessible Thus
I

anticipated
in the

spirit all possible

stoical of
to

disillusions, Only,
and
with

fashion. I have me, upon

singular
allowed looked
at

lack

logic,
overtake founded

sometimes
I have

regret
conduct

exceptional principles with

ordinary
to
man.

the have

eyes been

of

the

should

ascetic
to

the

end

contemplation
me,

ought

have

been the
am

enough for hair begins to

a

especially now, whiten. But, after

a

when

all, I
makes

man,

and

not

theorem.

system

cannot

suffer, but
one

I
"

suffer.
that of

Logic body
for

only
but

demand
a

consequence;
wants

life makes the

thousand

; the

health,
and the

imagination
for

cries
;

out

beauty,
for
sideration, con-

heart the

love

pride asks
for
our

soul

yearns
;

peace,

the

conscience
is

for for

holiness

whole

being

athirst
; and

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

insensibility ;
and life,
'

stretch say
to

out

our our

arms

wards to-

it under

breath,
me

Why
19th

"

why

hast

thou

deceived

'

have

1873 August had a morning

(Schevenitigen).
"

walk.

It

has

been

AMIEI,

JOURNAL.

.I47
are

raining
clouds green and

in all

the
round

night.
;

There
sea,
on

large
with

the

veined the
serious

drab,
She

has

put
the

air
no no

of labour.

is about
at

her
same

business, in
time in

threatening but lingering mood. heaping

and her
to

She

is

making

her

clouds,
shores

up

her
them

sands, visiting her

with the

bathing
floods
their

for

foam, gathering up tide, carrying the ships

destinations, and
life.
I

feeding
a

the nook had

versal unia

found
which

in

hidden
water

sheet

of

fine sand folded

the

rowed fur-

and kitten's

like
or

the like

mouth,

pink palate of a a dappled sky. by analogy, and earth reproduces

form
"

Everything
each in
a

repeats
and of
a

itself of the

little fraction smaller

individual

all
on

the I

phenomena
came across was

the bank

planet.
of

Farther

crumbling shells,and
me

it

borne

in upon well
of be

that the
eras,

the

sea-sand of the
ment monu-

itself

might organic life

or

only preceding
of

detritus
a

vast

pyramid
countless laboured like
and

immemorial of

age,

built

up

by

generations
at

molluscs of If dust
us,

who the the of how

have shores dunes

the

architecture of
are

good workmen
the mountains who but
have

God. the

living
can

creatures
we

preceded
our

doubt

that

death

will

148
be
as

amiel's

journal.

serviceable which has and

of

as

our

life,and
service

that

ing noth-

been

lent

is lost ?

Mutual
seem

borrowing
be prey the
law

temporary
existence. devour

to

upon

and

Only, the strong the the weak, and

the stract ab-

concrete

inequality of lots within equality of destinies wounds of justice. the sense

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 intellectually uprooted. One one's men contemporaries. Younger will not listen to you. Thought, like love, will not tolerate hair. Knowledge a gray
"

herself do in

loves olden

the

young,

as

Fortune

used

to

days.
not

Contemporary
what
to

tion civilisawith

does age
;

know

do

old

proportion as it deifies physical experiment, it despises moral experience. ism the One therein sees triumph of Darwinin
; it

is

state

of
;

war,

and
can

war

must

have
with

young age

soldiers

it

only put they

have

up the

in its leaders

when

strength and
In

the
of

mettle

of veterans.
one

point
or

fact,

must

either

be
re-

strong

disappear, either

constantly

amiel's

journal.

149

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
the The her way.

weak

or

help
upon

on

the Future

laggards.
makes
fall

great assault
hard
Her and
motto

the

to pitiless

all who

by

the the

is, 'The

devil

take

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

worship

of

2Qth
have
now

August
watched under

1873
the many I
as

{Scheveningen)
sea

"

which

beats

upon

this On

shore

different class

aspects.
the

the

whole,
As

should

it with

Baltic.

far
it is

colour, effect,and
from above

scape landthe

go,
Breton
or

widely different and, Basque ocean,

It the
never

all,
the

from
to

the

Mediterranean.
of

attains
nor

the

blue-green
of
runs

Atlantic,
Its

indigo
colour It turns

the from

Ionian

Sea.

scale
when

of

flint to
the

emerald, and
is
a

to

blue,
with

blue

turquoise shade
sea

splashed amusing air, like

gray.

The
a

here

is not serious

itself ; it has
an

busy
or

and
a

Englishman

Dutchman.

ijO
Neither
nor

AMIEL'S

JOURNAi.

polyps
;

nor

neither jelly-fish,
the poor

weed sea-

crabs, enliven
the
sea

sands
and

at

low

water

life

is

meagre. of
man

What

is wonderful
a

is the
and

struggle
for

against
Nature allows

miserly
done
to

formidable

power.
but

has herself she

the

Httle
be

him,

she

managed.
is

though
to

be,

she

Stepmother ject subaccommodating,

of
a

occasional

destruction
a

dred hun-

thousand

lives in inside that

the

single
dune
it.

inundation.

The different
the the
sea

air

is

altogether
The
air

from

outside

of
;

air the

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

same

is

In

way

there
:

are

two

Hollands
the
man

in

every the

Dutchman

there

is

of

polder, heavy, others,

of is

pale, phlegmatic, trying

the
to

patient himself, and

of
"

the
man

slow, patience
of

and

there

is the

the
sea,

dune,
who

the

harbour,

shore, the
the
two

tenacious,

seasoned,
and

persevering,
agree

sunburnt,
is in

daring. Where calculating prudence,

of effor-t.

in methodical

persistency
22d

weather gray and

;

August 1873 is rainy,

it is
a

(Scheveningen)
the

" .

The

whole

atmosphere
to

time
I

favourable have
a

thought
such

meditation.

liking for

AMIEL8

JOURNAL,

I5I
one's
converse

days
with the like

as

these

they
they

revive
it

oneself
inner
a

and
:

make
are

possible
We
our

to

live

life
in

quiet and

peaceful,
are

song

minor but
we

key.
feel

ing noth-

but very

thought,
Our
is
a

life to
turn

its
to ; it
are

centre.

very

sensations
state

reverie.

It

strange
in

of

mind which but

is like
not

those

silences
moments

worship
of

the

empty
the

devotion,
are so

the
at

full moments,
such

and

which

because

times

soul, instead

of
a

being polarised,

dispersed, localised, in or thought, feels her

and
own

single
tastes

pression im-

own

totality
her

is conscious

of herself. She
set

She

substance.

is
in

no

upon,

coloured,
without

longer played motion, affected,

and
become and she the
at

from
rest.

; she

is in

equilibrium

Openness
to

and
; she

self-surrender

possible
adores. eternal time.

her

contemplates changeless
the

She

sees

the all

and

enwrapping
She with
is in the

phenomena

of

intellectual
more

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

is wanted

harmony

of

will, a

fect per-

death self-devotion, submission.

to self and

absolute

Psychological
which
is

peace

"

that
"

harmony
is but the

perfect

but

virtual

152
zero,
not
over

amiel's
the
that all

journal.

potentiality of all numbers

moral peace which is

; it is

victorious

which ills,
and

is real, positive, tried able

it. is not the
two

by

experience,
storms

to

face

whatever

fresh

may peace There

assail
of fact
are

The

peace

indeed
that

principle. happinesses,
"

of

that

of nature

and

of

conquest,
and
that of the
man.

two

equilibria,that
"

of Greece

of

areth, Naz-

two

kingdoms,
of the

that

natural

man

and

that

regenerate

Later
so are

(Scheveningen).
make mistakes

"

Why
?

do

doctors

often
not

Because

man

individual in their sufficiently their treatment. or Tliey class a sick under of their some given department
whereas case, that
a so

they noses diag-

nosology,
a

every

invalid

is

really
is

special
should

unique
coarse

example.
a

How of

it

possible

method

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
produce
"

special solution,
remoteness
or

the

more

so

the

greater
hood child-

the

of

the

patient from
life.

from

country

amiel's

journal.

153
which I have
the

The

principal grievance
is that is to

against the doctors real problem, which

the individual
of
; to
me a

they neglect
seize
their
are

the
care.

unity of
Their
too

who

claims

methods

investigation
doctor is
who

far
not

mentary eleyou To
dowed en-

does

read

the
the

bottom

ignorant of essentials.
would be
a man

ideal
with

doctor

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 know lack
the

profound

life and ing sufferand

storing re-

Such
number

higher
the

and

inner

life, they
tories laborame

nothing
of
nature

of
;

transcendent
seem

they

to

ficial, super-

profane, strangers
destitute model
a

to

divine

things,
The

of

intuition

and
be

sympathy.
at
once a

doctor
man

should of God.

genius,

saint, a
Uth

doctor
about
start

September 187 has just gone.

me,

(Amsterdam).
He

"

The fever
I
can

says think

I have

and

does
three
not

not

that

for another
I

days
to

without my I
am

dence. impruGenevese

dare

write
them in
a

friends

and from
the

tell
sea

that

coming
state

back of

radicallyworse
than when
I

strength

and

throat

went

154 there, and time,

my
.

amiel's

journal.

that

have
my

only
money,

wasted and

my
my

trouble,
. .

hopes.
This

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

the
up

the
favourable un-

other

an

experience
"

almost

invariably
like

can

be

explained
of wills

all illusions either

act
as

by
wills if
we us were

the
to

whim

natui'e, which
or us

be
so.

deceived

to

Scepticism
us

is the

wiser

course,

but
to

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
error

from

it tends

whole,
oneself

the
to
an

best

line

to

take

one

lends the

optical illusion,and
has
in
an

untary vol-

concession Once
to

air
we

of

liberty.
mit subrebel
when

imprisoned
its laws
it

existence,
a

must ; to

with

against
once we

only

ends

good grace in impotent

ourselves

rage,

have

denied

the

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,
"

AMIELS

JOURNAL,

I55
for
the

possible.
minor in

The

second

is sufficient
other
ones.

ills of
the

the life,

is

greater

sary perhaps necesThe pessimism

of and

Schopenhauer
intellect
But
as

supposes
means

at

least

health the
rest

of

enduring
of
the

of life.
or

optimism
sort to

either

stoical make ings sufferare

the

Christian
us

is

needed the
worst

to

it

possible for
of the
that
or

bear

flesh,heart, and
the

soul.

If
must

we

to

escape

grip of despair, we
whole of is
a

believe

either

good,
There

that

grief
be
no

things at fatherly
that
as

least grace,

is
a

purifying
happy refuge

trial. doubt the

a

can

idea

of

immortality, serving
from and the
the

harbour this

of

tempests

of the and

moital

existence,

patience,
of the
no

rewarding submission,
on

fidelity,the
the there
courage
can

travellers
that

life's

sea

"

be
so

doubt

this

idea, the strength

and it
are

of

many

generations,
carries
to

the

faith

of

the

Church,
and

with

those

who

lation inexpressible consowearied, burdened,

tormented

by pain and

suffering.

To tected pro-

feel oneself

by beauty
of nature
to

for and individually cared God gives a special dignity

and

life.

Monotheism
But

struggle

for

existence. of the

lightens the does the study

of those

allow

maintenance

156
local

amiel's
revelations

journal.

which Islamism
an

are

called These

Christianity,
founded upon
a

MosaLsm, religions,
and
can

upon

infantine

cosmogony,

chimerical

history of humanity,
mode
to

they

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

bear

omy astron-

of

satisfy
"

the
the

claims
science

of

both

science

and

faith,

of

which

contradicts

all the

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

ever. a

Every

fresh

cosmical
responds cor-

conception
bewildered

demands Our

religion which
of transition
two

to it.

age the

stands

between
the

methods,

scientific and

method

incompatible and the religious

the
two

method,
which

between

tudes, certi-

contradict

each

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
not

condition
a

Who

knows

if

nature

is

laboratory beings who

for the fabrication

are

of thinking
to

ultimately

become

amiel's

journal.

157
and deed in-

free

creatures the

Biology protests,
existence space, of and

supposed of time,
But

pendently souls, inde-

matter,
the

is

fiction of

faith, less logicalthan

the

Platonic
open.

dogma.
We
may

question
the

remains of purpose

eliminate

idea

from

nature,
the and
the

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

the

history of My thought
?
"

the

universe.

is

straying
I have
no

in

vague

paths
All
my

why
that

because

creed.

studies

end

in
not

notes

I may

draw

interrogation, and or arbitrary premature

none.

of

conclusions

I draw

Later but
I

on.

"

My
in

creed

has

melted

away,

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
"

believe

the

reconciliation
in the

of the of
a

sinner

with

God, by

faith

love

pardoning

Father.

4"^

October
a

1873

{Geneva).
while
room

"

I have

been

dreaming
which

long
my

in

the
a

floods

with

moonlight, radiance, full

IS8
of vague
in
so

amiel's

journal,

mystery.
us

The

state

of

mind

duced initself

by this fantastic ghost-like that

arrives
at

light is

dim
in is

and

way It

it,and
noise

analysis loses its nothing articulate.

and

something
of fused

indefinite
waves

intangible,
up

like the
a

which

is made

of

thousand

and
of

mingled sounds.
all the
the
a

It is

the

reverberation
of the

unsatisfied
sorrows sonorous

sires deof

soul, of all

stifled
vague

the

heart, mingling

in

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

whole, and

and

aspiration
In

their
the

tone tone

is of

melancholy
JEolian
a

itself.

youth
of the

these
"

vibrations
that
accents note

heart

is all

hope

proof

these make
our

thousands
up

of

indistinguishable
the

indeed and Tell

fundamental the
tone

of

being,
room

reveal
me

of

our

whole
your

situation.

what the your how

you full

feel in
moon

solitary
in upon I

when

is

shining
out, and
and

you

and

lamp
old

is you

dying
are,

will

tell you if you

I shall

know

are

happy.
life is the

The

best

path

through
us

high

road, which

initiates

at the

right moment

AMIKL8

JOURNAL.

59

into all
are

experience.
is at

Exceptional
matter
once

itineraries

suspicious, and
is normal

for
most

anxiety.
Cross
reason or we

Wliat
most

convenient,

honest, and
may

most
us

wholesome.

roads

tempt
to

for

one

another, but
not
come

it is very

seldom

that them.

do

regret having taken

Each
not
one

man

begins
of

the

world first
man

afresh, and
has
been

fault

the

avoided collective

by his
but

remotest

descendant.
the
race lates, accumu-

The

experience of
Individual
the

experience
result and
the

dies

with

the

individual, and
become

is that

tutions instias

wiser
;

knowledge
young man,

such

increases
more

but

though al-

cultivated,is just as presumptuous,

not

and
ever was.

and

same. man

The is not

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
"

less

fallible

different.

His their
show

defects
but
to

and
the

his total

virtues

change
does
not

form,
him

balance
A

be

the

richer.

thousand

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

nothing in it something, after all,to

is

to

be

proud
one.

of, but

console

i6o
4th the

amiel's

journal.

February

1874.

"

am

still

reading
Ernest it.
;

Origines
I it for

du

Christianisme
tlie

by
I

Havet.^*
I like

like
its

book

and

dislike
courage

independence

and

I dislike

it for

the

ideas, and

of its insufficiency the imperfection

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 montanism

by
to

the

colossal
it leads

fraud rather

of
to

ultra-

; but

cursing

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
mind. different
way.

Hegel frees thought in

another
as

very

Havet,

too, makes

mistake.

He with

regards
Roman

Christianity
Catholicism
very

synonymous
with the the

and that

Church. Church

I know
does the

well

Roman with her

same,

and
a

that

the

similation as-

is but

matter

of

sound
"We

tactics

it scientifically

is inexact.

ought

amiel's

journal.

i6i

not

even

to
nor

Gospel, general.
to

identify Christianity with the the Gospel with religion in

business these Christian
of

It is the clear in which

away

critical precision
fusions con-

perpetual practice

and

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

Christian

condition
the

of

life ; order serious and

and

clearness

are

signs
ideas

of

successful

thought.
it
was

Formerly
were a

the of

of nature
and

which

tissue
;
now

errors

incoherent of moral issue and from

fancies

it is the

turn

psychological
the
or

ideas.

The

best be
the

present
the of

Babel

would
out

formation

sketching
man.

of

truly scientific

science

16th who

February
possess the

1874.

"

The

multitude,
even,

already
to

force, and view,

ing accord-

Republican persuaded
that

right, have

always
of
the

been

day
and of

Cleons by the enlightenment, wisdom,

are

thought,
game

reason,

also and

theirs.

The of

these

conjurors

quacks

i62
universal
the
of

amiel's

journal.

suffrage has always

in order
to

been
an

to flatter

crowd it.

make
to

instrument tlie puppet

They

of which
The

pretend they pull the

of it supposes

adore

threads. is
a

theory
the

radicalism

piece of
the
to

juggling, for
it knows oracle adore
creates ;
a

premisses of which
it manufactures it the

falsity:

whose
it

revelations

pretends
multitude all the
brain it what of

proclaims
for
man

that

brain clever and

to

while itself,
who is the
to

time the it is

it is the

multitude,

suggests
To

supposed
has
been

invent. the
common

reign by flattery practice

the

of

the

courtiers

of

all

despotisms,
an

favourites

of all tyrants ; it is but

none

old and
for

trite

method, worship
it is

the honest but

less

odious

that.

The

politician should
reason

nothing
who

and

justice, and
to

his business

to

preach
on an

them

the the

masses,

represent,
and childhood and
We

average, of

age

of We

childhood

not

that

maturity.

corrupt
be its
we

if

we

tell it that
it knows the
are

it cannot
more

mistaken,
elders. tell
them

that

than

corrupt
that

masses

when and far-

they
the

wise

seeing
It is

and
one

possess

of
more

that

the

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

amiel's

journal.

163
ism Radicalnumber
"

the

less wisdom

you
that

will
the

obtain.

pretends all, young

greater will
The
to

greater

of

illiterate,passionate,

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

second
the
can

is

no

doubt is
a

the

repartee
one.

but first, be
; the

joke
a

bad

All
or

that

got from
instinct
be

crowd
be

is instinct

passion passion
instinct
nor

may and

good,
neither
a a

but is

the the

may

bad,
of

capable of producing

clear

idea,
tion. resolu-

the

passion
is

leading
material

to

just

crowd of

force, and
a

the
the

support
force of

numbers ; but

gives
that

proposition
and

law of

wise takes

ripened
to

temper
into

mind and

which therefore

everything
truth,
of

account,

tends

is
the of the

never
masses.

engendered
The but

by

the
are
"

impetuosity
the

masses

material
is to say,

democracy,
laws
which

its form the

that

express
"

general only
is be
no

reason,

utility can justice, and shaped by wisdom, which

universal of

rightly
means error a

by

property.
radical do

The

fundamental is to confound

the
to

theory

the

right
rests

and good with good itself, wisdom. suffrage with universal which a legal fiction, assumes upon

versal uniIt
a

164
real
among is

amiel's

journai,.

equality
those

of
whom

enlightenment
it declares

and

merit It

electors.
these

quite possible, however,

not

that

electors
and

may
even

desire

the

public good,
may

that
as

if
manner

they do, they

of

be

deceived

to

the

and hands

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

or

deadly

to

the

proprietor. Among
are

27th in whom

February
the

1874.

"

the

peoples,
the

social

gifts
certain

strongest,
all

individual and ridicule

No

fears

ridicule

above

things,

is the
one,

result
wishes
one

of
to

nality. origia

therefore,
; every

make
to

party
on

of

his side

own

wishes 'AH

be
the
ereign, sovwe

the
'

of

all

the

world.
powers
we. toe

world

is the

greatest of
calls
we

; it is

and

itself go

We
come we

dress,
is

dine,

ice

walk,
not

out,

in, like always

We the

this, and

like that.
it does. than

This
The the The

right, whatever
are more

subjects of
slaves

prostrate
the

of

East

before of
the

Padishah. decides

good
does

ure pleas;

sovereign
is law.

every
ice

appeal
or

his

caprice

What
what it

says

is called

custom,
what

thinks be

is called
or

opinion,

it believes

to

beautiful

amiel's
called
these

journai..

165
such
the
tions nascience, con-

good

is
as

fashion.
ice

Among brain,
taste,
the

is the

the

reason,

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

29th At
the

April 1874.
end
of the

"

Strange
of I looked I
saw

reminiscence La

the

terrace

Treille, on
the
more

eastern

side, as
to
a a me

down
once

slope,
in
there the then years my

it seemed

that

imagination
when I
was

little

path
which

which
ran was

existed

child,

and

through
thicker

bnshy
than

underwood,
it is
now.

It is at

least

forty
from

since mind.

this
The

impression disappeared
revival of
an

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 open
at

the

page

of

the

present,

the

i66

amiel's

journai..

wind,
the

for

few
into

seconds,
view. these

may

blow

back

first pages And

at

death

will

leaves
we see

cease

to
our

hide

each
at
once

other, and
?

shall
the

all

past
the

Is
to

death
the
to

passage
"

from that
we

successive
from

simultaneous

is to say, then

time in

eternity

Shall

understand,

mysterious
till then
we

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

its

phrase

And
so

is

this

the

secret

of brow

that and

glory
If so,

which

often

enwraps who be
are

the

countenance

of those would
the
sees

newly

dead
of

?
a

death
at

like
a

the

arrival

traveller
whence

top

of

great mountain,
before
him the

he

spread
had overlook
in but

out

whole

configuration of
he

the

country,

of which

till then
To
to

had
to

passing glimpses.
one's the
own

be

able its

history,
concert

divine
in the of

meaning

general
be the then

and

divine

plan, would felicity. Till

to

ning beginwe

eternal

had

sacrificed
but then

ourselves
we

the

universal and
We

order,
ciate apprehad of

should
of

understand
that

the toiled
the

beauty
laboured
; and

order.
the

and

under
we

conductor find

orchestra

should

ourselves
hearers.

become We had

surprised
seen

and

delighted
but
our own

nothing

little

amiel's

journal.

167
a vellous mar-

path
would
not?

in

the

mist

and

suddenly
boundless dazzled eyes.

panorama open

and
our

distances

before

Why

May 1874. philosophical poems

She has rendered
which the

Slst

"

I have

been

reading
Ackermann.
that
sense

the

of Madame in tine has

verse so

of

desolation in of
me

been

often

stirred

by

philosophy of Schopenhauer, Comte,

and
!

Hartmann, passion
and

and
!

Darwin. What for

What

tragic force
and

power has

thought
thing, every-

She

courage
most

attacks

the

tremendous

subjects.
Science is

implacable
those

; will

it suppress
start

all
a

religions? All false conception

if the scientific of

which

from But

of

nature,

certainly.
nature

conception of happen
We without the ?

proves peace is not

to to
a

incapable
man, what

bringing harmony
will shall

and

Despair
have

durable
a

situation.

build
an

moral

city
of

God, soul,

without

immortality
Buddhism
as

without

hope.

and

Stoicism

present themselves
that there that

possible alternatives.
But
even

if the
at

we

suppose

is
man

no

in finality

cosmos, which

it is certain

has

ends

he

aims,

and

if

so

the

68

amiel's

journal.

notion
nomenon,

of

end

or

purpose
a

is
one.

real

although
may very vice

limited
be

science

well
versa.

limited But
are

phePhysical by moral
two

science, and conceptions

which
must

if these

of

the way

world
?

in

opposition,
is the
the
cessity, ne-

give

I still incline

to

believe
"

that

nature

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

and Our

that modern of

nothing
of the

can

be

done

without.
to

philosophy has returned

lonians,
But the

the

point
uralist nat-

view

or "t"v"riKol,

thinkers.
once more

it will

have

to

pasa

through

Plato

and

through
'

totle, Aris'

and

through the philosophy of goodness 'purpose,' through the science of mind.

July
sense

3d

1874.
is
a

"

Rebellion

against
childishness
But it does

mon com-

piece

of

of
not

which last

am
"

quite capable.
I
am soon

long. advantages
I return is

brought
my

back

to

the
;

and
a

obligations of

situation

to

calmer

self-consciousness.
no

It realise
is

disagreeable to me, all that is hopelessly

now

doubt,
me,

to

lost to

all that
to
me as

and reckon
"

will be
up I my

for

ever

denied
as

; but

privileges
on

well
I

my and

losses,

lay

stress

what

have,

amiel's

"

journal.

169

not

only
that

on

what

I want. dilemma
me

And of
'

so

I escape
or

from

terrible
for

all

ing,' nothin
the

which

always
times that

ends

adoption
seems

of
me

the
at

second

alternative.
a man

It may

to

such
content
some

without
some

shame

himself
one
"

with

being

thing
'

and

Ni

si haut,

ni si bas
. .

.'

These

brusque

lapses into
state,
are

the
the

determin formless, in-

price
former
to

of

my

critical become I
am

faculty. suddenly

All

my

habits
me

fluid ; it

seems

that

my

again, and that all beginning life over acquired capital has disappeared at a
I which
am

stroke. mind
a

for has
never

ever

new-bom

; I

am

taken
a

to

itself
a a

country,
I
even

an

avocation,
sure

sex,

body, species.
a

Am

quite
an me

of of
be

being

man, ?

European,
seems

inhabitant
so

this earth

It

to

easy I
am

to

something
to
me a

else,
mere

that

to

be

what

appears

piece of arbitrary
take value
once an

choice.

I cannot

possibly
which

accidental

structure*

of

the

that
to

purely relative, seriously. When has the touched a man absolute, all it is seems might be other than what
is indifferent.
All

him

these

ants

pursuing
He

their

private

ends

excite

his

mirth.

170
looks he
the

amiel's

journal.

down

from
the

the earth

moon

upon the

his hovel

beholds
sun

from his

heights of
from the

he

considers
of the
;

life

point of view days

the

Hindoo
sees

pondering
the

the

of

Brahma

he

finite

from

distance the

of

the

and infinite, all

ward thenceforthose

insignificance of
hold
to

things
makes and

which effort

men

be

important

ridiculous, passion
absurd.

burlesque,

prejudice
7th

A day perAugust 1874 (Clarens). fectly iant. beautiful, luminous, limpid, brill"

I the

passed
'

the
'

morning
and

in the

churchyard
Innumerable

Oasis

was

delightful.

sensations, solemn,

sweet

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,
the
were murmur roses
"

full
a

blown
noise

; all round

me

butterflies of birds.
trees

of

wings

"

the

caught glimpses through mists,

blue of of

the

of distant
the

soaring
the

tains, moun-

of A

tender

lake.
. . .

little

Two

me. conjunction of things struck ladies were tending and watering

AMIELS

JOURNAL.

171

grave

two

nurses

children. had
'

This

something
you who

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

Sleep,

dead
or race ear.

; we,

the

living,
on

are

the to
me me

thinking of you, pilgi-image of the

the words the I in my

at

least
!'
"

carrying
such seemed clear
was

It

to

that

Oasis

of like

Clarens
to rest. ;

is the
Here

spot in
I
am

which
surrounded

should with
a

memories
"

here

death with

is

like

sleep

sleep

instinct

hope. Hope
is
not
are

forbidden the

us,

but

peace

and

submission

essentials.

1st

September
to

1874
me

(Clarens).
that
I
was

"

On

ing wakinto Is
? it
^^

it seemed

staring
eyes.

the

future
to

with
me

wide
that

startled these

indeed Incessant

things apply humiliation,

my
. . .

and

growing

my
of

slavery becoming heavier, action ! steadily narrower

hateful
can never

circle
What

is

in

my be

situation

is that that
a

deliverance
one

hoped for, and

another
in

misery
as even

will

succeed
me no

such space,

way
not

to

leave
the

breathing
even

in

future,
are

not

in
me,

hope.
one

All

ties possibiliIt is

closed

to

by

one.

172

amiel's

journal.

difficult for the

a

natural

man

to

escape

from

dumb

rage

against
An

inevitable

agony.

Noon. Satanic

"

indifferent
?

nature

A and The The

principle of things
? is Three

good
view.

just
second first

God

points
and
stoicism.

of

improbable
to
our never

horrible.

appeals

combination mediocre

has
; it has

lasted

organic been anything but as long as it could.

My
and
a

Every
die would
I

man

has die

his

turn,
is

all must

mit. subI shall

To

quickly
and

privilege ;

by belong

inches.

Well,
the

submit.

Rebellion
After

be

useless
to

senseless.

all,
of the

better-endowed
my

half
to

human-kind,
average. But
the

and

lot is

superior
view ?

third

point

of

alone
Is there the

can a

give joy. Only is particular Providence

of all ends
our our our

it tenable

directing all life, and

upon
us

cumstanc cirposing im-

therefore
for

trials

educational
with of

Is this

heroic

faith of

compatible
the

actual
?

nature

knowledge But Scarcely.

may moral

laws
this

what

faith

makes
truth.

objective we
The

hold
may

as

subjective
his
own

being
What

moralise

sufferings by using natural

inner education.

facts he

for his

cannot

change

AMIELS

JOUllXAL.

173
to

he
God

calls wills

the

will

of
him

God,
peace.

and

will

what

brings
both

To

nature
our

our are

continued

existence indifferent.
if if

and
But

morality
on

God,
our

the

other

equally hand,
; and

God

is,

desires

sanctification
then
we

suffering
ourselves
the
;
over
"

purifies
for

us,

may is
the

console
what

suffering.
the

This of
over

makes
faith

great
is

advantage triumph
There
unto

Christian

it

death. death

is but

pain, the victory one thing necessary

immolation
of of
our
"

sin, the
the

our

ish self-

will,
Evil say,
or

filial sacrifice in
own

desires.
that is to

consists for one's

living for

self

vanity, pride, sensuality, Righteousness

one's the consists in

even

health.

willingly accepting and to espousing

in

lot, in submitting
us,

willing what
what
He He my

God forbids
from

destiny assigned in renouncing commands,

us,
us or

in

consenting
us.

to

what
In been say,

takes
own

refuses
case,
"

particular
from
me

what
that

has
is to
;

taken
the

is health
of all

surest

basis and
; I
am

independence
comfort called
nor are

but

friendship
to
me

material
neither

still left
to

upon

bear

the

slavery
isolation.

of

poverty

the

hell

of

absolute Health

cut

off, means

marriage, travel,

'

174

amiel's

journal.

study, and
It
means

work

forbidden
in

or

endangered.
and

life reduced

attractiveness

utilityby five-sixths. Thy will be done I

lith

September
and
a

1874

(Charnez).
with
.

"

long
the eyes

walk

conversation

We Seated
on our

followed

path. high mountain turf, and talking with open

wandered
us,
over

heart,

the

blue

immensity

below

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.
the
"

and

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

at

our

feet,

white of

sails the

were

dotted and

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

distance

21st wonderful

bluer,
the

or

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

eclogue

; the

serpent
future three for

crawls is
or

under dark. four

the The

flowers.

All which

the

phautoms

weeks

AMIEL'8

JOURNAL.

75

have behind for

been the

able

to

keep
as

at

bay, wait
all sides

for

me

door,

the

Eixmenides
in
on

waited
I

Orestes.
'

Hemmed
croit que

On On Sent

ne

plus

son

etoile,
la telle
et

sent

derriere
maux

le

deuil, les
I

la mort.'

For
now

fortnight
happiness
are no more

have is

been

happy,
a

and

this There

going. birds, but

a

few

white

or are

blue

butterflies
rare

are
"

still left. few daisies

Flowers in

becoming

the and

fields,some colchicums,
among brown
were

blue
some

or

yellow
old

chicories

wild

geraniums
this fields down

growing
the
we are

fragments
berries

of
the

walls, and
"

of

privet
In the

is all

able

to

find.

they
the The

digging
and
are

potatoes,
the

beating

nuts,
leaves

beginning

apple harvest.

thinning and
the

changing
the
on

colour

; I watch

them
on

turning red on plums, yellow

the of of

pear-trees, gray the walnut-trees,

turf with We

and shades
the

tinging
end

thickly-strewn
; the

reddish-brown.
the

are

fine weather late autumn

out

nearing colouring
is
no

is the need

colouring of to keep now

is soberer,

; there
sun. more

of

the

thing Every-

more

measured,

less emphatic.

Energy

is gone,

fugitive, youth

17^
is past,
over.

amiel's

journal.

prodigality
The year is
;
own

at
on

an

end, the
wane more

summer

the

and
in

tends mony harand

towards
with
next

winter
my

it

is age

once

and

position,
my

Sunday
these

It

will

keep
consonances

birthday.
form
a

All

different

melancholy
The
not
so

harmony.
mark
as

distinguishing
much

of

religion
and which

is its

liberty
from

obedience,
sacrifices individual.

value it
can

is measured
extract

by the
the

young
must
not

girl's love
approach profane
which of

is

kind

of

piety.
if
if
we we

We
are are

it with

adoration with

to

it, and
it.

poetry
is
a

to

understand world

If

there
us

anything
effable init

in

the

gives
the

sweet,
is

impression trembling
would
be

ideal,
To
to

this it
its
; he

modest
a

love.

deceive
watch

crime.

Merely
to

unfolding
sees

life
the

is bliss birth of

the
a

beholder divine fades the

in

it
the

of

marvel.
on our

When

garland
us

youth
to

brow,
of

let

try
; may

at

least
we

have

virtues

maturity
like

grow

better, gentler, vine, while

its

graver,

the

fruit

of

the

leaf

withers

and

falls.

amiel's

journal.

177
is the
tlie
master-

To work

know
of

how

to

grow
one

old of
art

wisdom,

and

most

cult diffi-

chapters in the great

He
who

of

living.
but
a

asks

of

life
own

nothing
nature,
towards

the
tinuous con-

improvement
moral
contentment

of his

and

progress

inward is

and
than any

religious submission,
one

less
waste

liable life.

else

to

miss

and

January 1875 (Hyeres) sleeping-draught I have my if as night. Once it seemed

2d for
I could breathe
more

"

In had

spite of
a

bad

must

choke,
sensitive,

neither

way.

Could
more

I be

vulnerable
were

!
a

more fragile, People talk career

to

me

as

if

there aU
the

still time from of

my I

before that
me,

me,

while is
the

know under health

I and I
am

the and

ground
that

slipping
defence task. of At

is

bottom,

already a hopeless only living on out

a

complaisance
will be
no comes on

without that
not

shadow
one a

of
my

self-delusion. desires I
have

know

of

realised, and
desires
to
me

for

had
what

at
as

accept
a

long time all. I simply though it were

I smile
at

bird

perching
I

my

window. well that

it, but

know

very

my

visi-

178
tor

amiel's

journal.

wings and will comes resignation which of melancholy a kind

at

has

not

stay long.
from It

The

despair has
looks
his

sweetness.

life

as

man

sees

it from

death-bed,
and out with-

and

judges
vain

it without

bitterness

regrets.
to

no or

longer hope to be happy.

loved wish
me

get well, or
I

to

be

ful, use-

hope that
me

those the
some

who
; I

have

will have
a

love
done

to

end

should and
to

to

them

good,
of myself. and Is
too

leave
I

them
to

tender
without

memory

wish

die

rebellion is
about

without this
much

weakness of
Let

; that

all.
still I

relic
?

hope
all be His

and
as

of God

desire will.

resign

myself

into

hands.

22dJanuary mind,

187 5

(Hyeres).
of

"

The

French

according
the

to

Gioberti, apprehends
truth, and
that gerates exagas

only
a

outward it

form

by isolating it, so
upon the the for

it acts which the

solvent

realities
shadow the

with
for

it stance, sub-

works.

It takes the
word

thing,
formula

appearance for

for

reality, and
in
a

abstract of

truth.

It lives

world
to
a

intellectual
of

assignats.
art, of
of guage, lan-

If you

talk of

Frenchman the

religion,of
you feel

state,

duty, of

the

family,

in his way

of

speaking

amiel's

journal.

179
outside into
is not

that

his
that

thought
he
never

remains

the

ject, sub-

penetrates
core.

its substance,

its inmost
to

He

understand

it in its essence,

but it.

striving only to
On his and

say

something
the noblest
; for

plausible
words
"

about become

lips
empty
The

thin

example,
mind
is

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,
French
it is
a mere a man

counterfeit
to

of

it,for

it does

not

enable

solve

any

problem
and

ever, what-

and all that

Abstraction its

remains is

ing incapable of understandconcrete.

living,complex,

is its

incurable limit. French

original sin, presumption defect, and plausibility its language

has
no

fatal
The

power

of
;

expressing truths of birth and germination it paints effects, results, the caput mortuum,
but
not

the

cause,

the

motive

power,

the

native

force, the

development
It

of

any

nomenon pheand

whatever.

is

analytic

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
passes
state. act

itself
the

by

which
state

substance

from

fluid

to

the
act.

solid

It is the thirst In
to

jjroduct
truth

of

that
a

The

for

is not

French

sion. pas-

everything reality, the

to

appearance outside
to

is
the that

ferred pre-

inside,
which
to

the

fashion
to

the which is

material,
to

shines

that That

profits, opinion
say, is

conscience.
centre

the

man's French-

of

gravity
To unit be the

always
of

outside

him,

"

he

is

always thinking
him
; the must

others, playing
are

to
so

the

gallery.
zeros

individuals
turns

many
a

which

them
;

into

number be

added
writer
or

from of any
"

outside
the

it may the

royalty,
master

day,
other this is

favourite

newspaper, of fashion.

temporary

All

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

kills in it the

worship

of

the

ideal.

21th whole
a

January atmosphere
clearness.

1875 has
a

The (^yeres). luminous serenity,

"

limpid

The

islands

are

like

amiel's

journal.

i8i

swans

Peace,
And

swimming splendour,
glide

in

golden
space
on

stream. !
. .
.

boundless

I meanwhile

look
away.

quietly
I

while
catch it.

the the

soft hours wild

long
tame

to

bird, happiness, and

I

Above
These

aU,

long to share delicious mornings

They
away. I

it with

others.
me

impress
me,

bly. indescribacarry
me

intoxicate feel

they

solved sudden time Eden.

I

beguiled out of myself, dis-' in sunbeams, breezes, perfumes, and! impulses of joy. And yet all the/ what not pine for I know intangible
in the
this

Lamartine described
on

PrSludes

has

oppressive effect of
nature.

admirably happines.s
that
creature

fragile
reason

human for

I the

suspect

the feels

it is that

finite

itself invaded

by

the

infinite,and

the
tigo, ver-

produces dizziness, a kind of into a longing to fling oneself To feel life too great gulf of being.
invasion
is to to die
"

the
tensely inman,

yearn
to

for

death

; and

for the

means

become

like unto
the

gods

to

be

initiated

into

great mystery.

Pathetic

and

beautiful

illusion.

Ten end and

to

o'' clock
the

in

the
the

evening.

"

From

one

other

day

has

been
to Beau

perfect,
Vallon

my

walk

this afternoon

82

amiel's

journal.

was

one

long delight.
into

It Here

was was

like
a

an

dition expe-

Arcadia.
corner, for
a

wild

and
made

woodland
a

which dance

would of
a

have

fit

setting
an

nymphs, rock,
or a

and
which ing draw-

there

ilex
me

overshadowing
of
an

reminded of that
in the

ode felt

of
a

Horace kind of

Tibur.

certainty
was

landscape had
And
the what
more

much the

that
sense

Greek
blance resem-

it.

made

of

one

feels
not

to
see

be

the sea, which striking was always near, though one which view. any We
turn

may

it, and

of

the
out

valley
a

may

bring
with

into
an

found

little tower
the
owner

overgrown have
been

garden,
taken
He
was

of for

which
a

might
of the

husbandman

Odyssey.
French,
but

could
not

scarcely speak
without
a

any

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

certain

grave

'

do
have

not
a

know

whether room,
to

the and
upon

little den
one

would
tainly cer-

decent
have

would

live

eggs,

milk, and

figs,like
\bth

Philemon.

February

1875 the

(Hyeres).
two

"

have
at

just

been

reading

last

I"iscours

amiel's

journal.

183
over

the word
of

French and

lingering Academy, idea. weighing every

a

every

This

kind

writing is
it is the

sort
'

of

intellectual

dainty,
with
'

for

art

of

expressing
finesse

truth

all the
art

courtesy
loss of

and

possible ;
ease

the the

of

appearing perfectly at
manners

without

smallest

; of

being gracefully
itself
"

sincere, and
a

of

making

criticism

pleasure
as

to

the

person

criticised.

acy Leg-

it is from

the

monarchical of

tradition,
is the of the
and

this

particular
also

kind

eloquence
men

tinguishi dis-

mark who
men are men

of those
of

world those

breeding,
are

of

letters could

who
never

also
have

Democracy
and France
in

gentlemen. invented it,

of literature

this
may

delicate

genre
to

give points
fruit of

all rival refined

peoples,
and

for it is the

that

yet

vigorous
court

social

sense

which

produced
of

by

and

drawing-room by good company,

continued

and

life,by
means

literature
a

mutual This

education

for

centuries.

complicated
as

Athenian

product is as original in its way eloquence, but it is less healthy

If
ever

and

less durable.

France least

becomes will

Americanised without

this genre
of revival.

at

perish,

hope
April

\Qth

1875

(Hyeres).

"I

have

al-

184
ready
of gone

amiel's

journal.

through
I

the
have

various
been and of up

emotions

leave-taking. slowly tlirough the hill,gathering a

recollections.
that I have in
not

wandering
the castle and

streets

harvest I
a am

images
full of

Already
made I which
more.

regret
of
the

better
now

study
spent
what

country,
months when
a

have

four

and

It is like
;
we accuse

happens
of ill ; look spent. mishim
we

friend loved

dies
him

ourselves
loved when

having
or

too
own

or little,

it is like upon

our

death,
feel that

back

life and

it has

been

16th

August
the
to

1875.

"

Life

is but

oscillation between

between instinct

revolt
of the

and
ego,

daily submission,
a

which

is to

expand,
sense

take

delight in its
not

own

of
own

inviolability,if sovereignty, and

is to the will

to

tranquil triumph in
of the

its

the

instinct

soul, which
to

obey

the

universal

order,

accept
The

of God. of
peace.

cold

renunciation
no

disillusioned
Peace with is

reason

brings
found
in

real

only

to

be

reconciliation
seems,

destiny,
when

when of the

destiny

in

the

religious sense
man

feels

word, good ; that is himself directly in Then,

and then

to say,

the

presence

of

God.

only,

does

the

will

amiel's

journal.

185
only completely The soul only fate by virtue of compensation
"

acquiesce. acquiesces
submits
to

Nay
when the

more,

it

it adores. hardness
a

of

its the

discovery of
it cannot it shrinks

sublime of
the

lovingkindness
say,

Almighty.
itself to void
around
or

That lack
or

is to

resign
from the of

famine,
and
the

it,
is its
It

happiness either
to

hope
well

faith

essential

it.
some

It

may

very

vary have.

object,
may demand
thirsts

but

object
its former

it must

renounce

idols, but
soul

it will

another

cult.

The

hungers and
that mit sub-

after

happiness, and
deserts

it is in vain
never

everything
to

it,
"

it will

its abandonment.

28th used

August by
Constant

1875

(Geneva).
"

"

word
jamin Ben-

Sainte-Beuve
has

propos
me or
:

of

struck To possess
to

it is
not

the

word

consideration. consideration
was

to possess

Madame
"

de

Stael

matter
an

of supreme

importance, What,
of ?

the loss of

of it it
a

irreparable evil, the acquirement

pressing necessity.

then, is this
the

good
And

thing?
how
is

The it

esteem

public.
certain of
a cesses suc-

gained

By
with

honourable
a

character

and of

life,combLued
services
It

aggregate

rendered is not

and

obtained.

exactly

good

i86

amiel's

journal.

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

the

witness within.

from

without,
Consideration

if not

the

witness

from

is not
or

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
a

celebrity, fame,

little

more

than

esteem,
To
a

and

little

less than

admiration. is
at
once

sideration enjoy public cona happiness and a

"

power.
a source

The

loss of it is

misfortune
Here
ever am

and

of of
this It is

the

age

daily suffering. without fifty-three,

idea the smallest the
me so

I, at

having
in my
sideration cona tive mo-

given
life.

place
desire little of

curious, but
has
been
not to
even

for

that such
an

I have

been fact

conscious

of

idea
for

at
me

all. the

The

shows,
than

I suppose,

that
the

audience, the gallery,

had
more a

public,

has

never

tive neganor

importance. expected anything

and
to

I have from

neither

asked

it,not
upon

even

justice ;

be

dependant
its
an

it, to solicit its

has and
has
even

suffrages
seemed
to

and
me

good
act

graces,

always
fiunktively instinctried
to

of my

eyism

against
rebelled.

which I

homage pride
never

have

amiel's

journal.

187
or a

gain
nor

the
so

goodwill
much it would
as

of

coterie
vote

newspaper,
an

the have

of
a

elector.
me

And

yet
to

been

joy

to

to be

smiled and

upon, obtain and

loved, encouraged, welcomed,

what I
was so

ready

to

give,
down

kindness

consideration the
esteem

goodwill. But to and reputation,

of

hunt
"

to to
a me

force
an

others,
of
never

"

seemed almost

effort

unworthy
I have

myself,
even

dation. degrait. my

thought of
I have

Perhaps
indifference

I have
to

lost it.

consideration

by

Probably
irritable

pointed disap-

public expectation by thus

an

allowing
I
to

over-sensitive

and

consciousness
retreat.

to

lead

me

into the

isolation

and is

know silence with has

that you

world, which
you
as soon

only
own

eager

when silence
in

do
as

speak,
its
to

is angry action

your killed

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
you the wish in is
a

healthier

relation for the But his

towards

him

; that

it

necessary

good

repute
maintenance

in

the of has

world, and for his position.

prox)er this

]X)int of

view

88
been

amiel's

journal.

not

famUiar
to

one

to

me.

I have

deavoured en-

give conscientious

lectures,

and duties
but
to
a

have of my

discharged
post
never

all the best

of
to

to

the

subsidiary ability ; my
bend

I have

been with

able

myself
for

struggle
while my

hostile
has been

opinion,
known

all

the

heart

full of sadness and

and

disappointment,
I have been

and

I have

felt that

systematically
Premature have
of

and

liberatel de-

isolated. the

despair and
been
my

deepest discouragement constant portion. Incapable

interest in my

talents
as

for
soon

my
as

taking any own sake, I

the

let

everything slip
loved
me.

hope
had

of saken for-

being
have

for them
A

and

by

them

hermit found

not

even

will, I against my in solitude, because peace

has heart.
a

my

inmost satisfied all this

conscience
than my up
a

not

been

any

better
not

Does

make
of

melancholy
What
use

lot, a
have

barren I made

failure of of my
my

life ?

What ?
Are

have all

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

documents I have

country

produced,

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

taken

amiel's

journal.

189
and
my
name ever no

withered have
I
me

leaves been
a

To ?

whom Will

to

what
vive surmean count ac-

useful

single day, and

to

will it
A

anything
!
a

anybody
great many

"

life of and

comings
"

goings,
When
worst

great many
has
some

scrawls,
up,
"

for
!

nothing.
And up

all is added

nothing
a

of
vice ser-

all,it
of any

not

been

life used

in the

been

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
. . .

adored

had

its secret
It will

treasure,
have

its

sweetness,
a

its

reward.

inspired
have

few

tions affec-

of great
to
a

price
;

; it will

given joy
will if in

few had

souls
some

its

hidden

existence

have it has

value.

Besides,
it has in been it has and

itself

been

nothing,
not

understood
with If it

much.
the

If it has

harmony
loved it.

great order, still

missed

has

happiness
own

least felt its its

duty, it has at nothingness, and implored

pardon.
on.

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

Later

There

is

great
"

but

destitute

of

ambition, personal-

190

AMIEL

JOURNAL.

ity,and
the

will.

Pantheistic of
the

disinterestedness,
self
in
a
"

effacement womanish

the

great
of
are

whole,

gentleness,
to

horror these
nature

slaughter, antipathy
all present least and had
which in my has been

action,
in

nature,

the

at

developed
Still the
West

by
has

years also

circumstances.
its part

in

me.

"

What
a

I have

found

difficult

is to

keep
Hence my of

of

any

form,

prejudice in favour nationality, or individuality

up my
own

whatever.
own or

indifference

to

my

person,

usefulness, interest,
moment.

opinions
?

the

What
est

does
nega-

it

all matter
tio. us,

Omnis localises

determinatio us,

Grief but
...

love
us

particularises
from

thought
To

delivers
a man

ity. personal-

be

is
be the
"

poor
man
"

thing, to
man

be

man

is well

; to

in

essence

and

in

principle

that

alone

is to

be

desired.

Yes,
what

but

in

these of the ?

Brahmanic subordination Pleasure

aspirations
of the may

becomes
to

individual

duty

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

journal.

191
the

religion.
of

So

only
is

can

we

inform

detail and So

life,all

that

passing, temporary, beauty and

consecrate

with insignificant,

nobility.
the feel
meanest

may of
are

dignify occupations.
we

and So

may

we

that

we

paying
the with

our

tribute will.

to- the

universal
are we

work
ciled recon-

and

eternal life and So

So

delivered
we

from

the

fear
at

of

death.

are

in

order

and

peace.

Ist

September
some

1875.
at

"

I have my

been
on

ing work-

for

hours with
When is

article

Mme.

de

Stael,
effort
word

but
!

what

labour, what
for my
am

ful pain-

I write and

publication
pen

every
at

misery,

stumbles find
the

every

line, so

anxious

to

ideally best expression, and so great of possibilitieswhich number open

me

is the

before

at

every

step.
demands
a

Composition decision, and

I cannot

concentration,
I
no

pliancy
fuse
are

which

longer

sess. pos-

together materials give anything

be
a

and

ideas.
we

If

we so

to

form,
of

must,
must

to treat

speak,
our

the

tyrants

it.^^

We
not

subject brutally, and

lest able
we are

be
a

always
We

trembling
must
our

doing
This

it

wrong. absorb

be
own

to

transmute

and

it into

substance.

192
sort

amiel's

journal.

of

confident
nature

my

whole which

effrontery is beyond me : tends to that ity impersonalsubordinates

love of truth

respects and
it is

itself which

to

the
me

object ;
back

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
"

from

of

having
time

used I

word
to

out

of

place, while

all the

ought
know

have

been

thinking
of treatment.
thing, any-

of essentials
I do

and
not

aiming

at breadth to

how up

sacrifice

how Hurtful

to

give

timidity,
fatal

anything unprofitable
to

whatever. tiousness, conscien!

slavery
I have
art
an

detail

In

reality
to

never

given
to

much
best

thought
way
nor

the

of

writing,

the
a

of

making
I
ever

article, an

essay,

book,
have

have writer's

the been

methodically apprenticeship ; it
to

undergone
would

useful
of
a

me,
was

and

was

always

ashamed
as

what

useful.

I have
to

felt,
prise sur-

it were, the

scruple against trying

of the
masters

secret

of

literature,
to

against
When the
a

picking
I think

oeuvres chef-d''

pieces.

that

I have

always postponed
art
a

serious

study
awe

of the

of

writing, from
love of its

sort

of

of

it, and

secret

amiel's

journal.

193
my
own

beauty,
and and

am

furious
my
own

with

ity, stupidPractice that which

ease, the But
'two

witli

respect.

routine

would

have

given
dies

me

lightness,and natural gift

on

assurance,

without

and

impulse
I have

away.

the

contrary,
habits of

developed
the
habit the

opposed
offered
notation

mind,
the

of

tific scien-

analysis which
to

exhausts
habit

material immediate
The
art want

it, and

of

of

passing impressions.
lies between the the two

of

composition
for

; you

it both
the

and

sustained

living unity of the thing, operation of thought.

1875.
I

25th
to

October
M. Taine's

"

have

been

ing listen-

first lecture in

Regime)
It
was
"

delivered
an

extremely
As French

(on the Ancien the University hall. substantial piece of

and full
he of

work of

clear, instructive, compact,

a

matter.

writer method

shows

great

skill his

in

the

simplifying
a

subject by massing
;

it in

large striking
is
constant

divisions

his

great

defect
;

straining
is the desire
sense

after he
see

points
has
of

his

pi'incipal merit

historical
as

reality,his
For the

to

things
extreme

they

are.

rest, he
freedom
"

has of

openness

of

mind,
guage. lan-

thought, and
hall
was

precision of

The

crowded.

194
26th
secret

amiel's

journal.

October
; the

1875.
of

"

All
every
"

origins
individual
that

are or

principle
a

collective

life is

mystery

is to say,
not to

something
be

irrational, inexplicable,
We may
even

defined.
"

go is

farther
an

and

say,-

Every
and
that

individuality
no

insoluble

enigma, fact, all

beginning
become the
not

has

explains it. In be explained may

of It thing any-

retrospectively,but
vfhatever did the
act

beginning
become.

sents repreinitial

always miracle,
consequence among the of

'Jiat lux,'' the

creation
; for

of

it is the pears apa

milieu,
but which

an

nothing else, it simply make anterior things which occasion, a surrounding for
are

it,

witnesses

of

its

appearance

without

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.

All
man

men

on

this
sexes

in

two
to

be hypothesis would again might ; man the

but

be
the

reduced

the the

animal,

animal

to

plant, and
be
a

only individuality left would ter, to a living matliving nature, reduced

the

to
even one

hylozoism
this

of

Thales.

However,

upon

absolute still

would

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

amiel's

journal.

195

bols

of

the

absolute.
for

Every
in

individual

convenience'

life,called sake and by

the
to

analogy, would history

eye of the the

represent

miniature
be

world, and
a

would

the

of

philosopher

uucroscopic

pendium com-

of it.

The

history of
frees
the

the

formation

of

ideas

is

what

mind.

philosophic
until
it
or some

truth

does

not

become
has

popular
humanised translated
cannot must

some

eloquent soul gifted personality

it. Pure crowd

has

and
be

embodied

truth
;

assimilated

by

the

it

be

communicated

by contagion.
1876. After dinner I
to

SOth
went two

January
the Luthier

"

steps off,to
de

Marc

Monnier's,
a

hear

Cremone, by
the

one-act

comedy in verse, Coppee.

It
was a

read

author,
of
a

cois Fran-

feast For in

of fine
the

sensations,
little and
taste.

ary liter-

dainties.
It is

piece
every

is

pearl.
is
a

steeped

poetry,
to

line

fresh
This

pleasure
young

one's

maestro

is like
and

the

violin

he
; he

writes

about, vibrating

passionate
grace,

has, besides

delicacy, point,

all that

ig/6
a

amiel's

journal.

writer

wants

to

make

what

is
the

simple,
beaten

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

to

is the

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

our own.

literatures attacked
art

like

Rousseau
resources

himself

letters with

all the boasted

of the

of

writing, and
life with
a

the

delights of
veloped detion. civilisa-

savage

skill and
most

adroitness

only by
And contraries
which

the

advanced
tliis
us

it is

indeed
charms

marriage of this spiced

this no,

gentleness, this learned innocence, simplicity,this yes and

foolish
such of when

culated calthis of

wisdom. combinations

It is the which

supreme

irony
the

tickles

taste

advanced
men

and

artificial
two

epochs, epochs
at

ask

for

sensations

once,

like smile

the

contrary
La in

meanings
And this kind of

fused
our

by

the

of
too

Gioconda. work
that
:
"

tion satisfacpressed ex-

is best of but both the I

by
which
not

ambiguous
I feel your
; I
see

curve

lip
am

says your

charm,
illusion
; I
am

dupe
and

the

from

within

from

without you
; I
am

but
but

I understand I
am

; I

yield to you, complaisant,

to

proud
the

open
; you

sensations,
have

yet
and

not

slave
of

of

any

talent,

I have
we

subtlety
understand

perception ;
each other.

we

are

quits,

amiel's

journal.

197

1st
talked

February
of the

1876.

"

This

evening

we

infinitelysmall.
universe understand
are

infinitely great and The great things of

so

the the
to

for
than the

much

easier because

small,

all

greatness
she
a

is

multiple of herself, whereas requires incapable of analysing what

is
a

different
It is

sort

of measurement.

possible for
in
to

place himself
teach his

all live

thinking being points of view, and

the

to to

soul of
very

under
But

the

most

ent differbe
fessed con-

modes that Men vice

are

being.
few

it must the

profitby

possibility.
held
as

in their are, of

general imprisoned,
circumstances
but

in

by

almost have
very have
so

the

animals

they

little little
the

suspicion

it because

they
It

faculty
critic

of

self-judgment.
the

is

only
can

and into

all

philosopher who of being, states

within.

trate pene-

and

realise

their

life from
the the

When from
be when

imagination
which it is

shrinks
it creates,

in

fear

phantoms
because

it may But

excused
the
over

imagination.
itself to be
the

intellect
or

allows

nised tyranto

terrified

by

categories
the the of wrong,

which

itself

gives birth,
to
to

it is in
"

for it is not power

allowed
"

intellect,
the

critical

of man,

be

dupe

anything.

198
Now,
is the
more

amiel's
in the
the of

journal.

merely
notion than the

superstition of size for dupe of itself,

space. The
the

the

mind

it creates is
not

created
son

the

creator,
The mind

not

more

than

father.
The

point of
has
to

view free

wants

rectifying.
from space,

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 the How

mind
can

instead
it

of this ?

the

mind

in

space.

do

reducing space dispersion ; mind

And that is
without

to

its

Simply by virtuality. Space is

is present
a a

is concentration.

why

God

where, every-

millions times
In
more

of

cube
nor a

taking up leagues, nor

hundred times
the

thousand

hundred

less.
pies occu-

the but

state
a

of

thought

universe

single point ; but in the state dispersion and analysis this thought
the heaven of heavens for

of
quires re-

its expansion.

In

the

same

way,
the

time

and

number
as

are

contained
not

in

mind.

Man,
their he

mind,
reach

is

their

inferior, but
that his

superior.
can

It
state to

is true

before
own

this

of freedom
at

body

must

appear
"

him

will either he
must

is to say,

be

speck or world indejjendent of

that it. So

amiel's

journal.

199

long
a

as

mind

animal active The

cannot
an a

persed, spatial,discorporeal, it is but a soul, it is not of itself only as the ; it is conscious is, the impressionable, affectionate, and mind be restless animal.

the

self still feels

itself

being the subject of phenomena itself phenomenal of ; the mirror

if it
was can an

image,
mirror.

image,
be
no means

could

not

be
a

There

echo
some

without
one

noise.

Consciousness

who
things some-

experiences something. together

some a one.

And

all the
the

cannot

take

place of
for which

the

The

phenomenon
is not The

exists

only for
it the

point which is an object. pereeiver.

16th

and itself,

perceptible

supposes

May
the is

1876.

"

This
the

proofs of
one

morning Etrangeres.*

rected cor-

Here The the

at

least

piece of
volume deal
as a more

prose

hands. thing off my ends theorising which and

my be
new

pleased
than
may

satisfied
metres.
as

me

good book,

The
an

whole,
the

regarded
of
as a

attempt
It is

to

solve

problem
to

French

lation verse-transart.

considered science
"

special
It

applied

poetry.
Poesies

ought
de

not, I
diverses

Etranghres H. littiratures, par

Les

traduites

F.

Atniel, 1876.

200

amiel's do

journal.

think,

to

any

discredit

to

for, after all,it is nothing but

Do I feel any

philosopher, applied psychology.

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
relief,any

myself,
result, yet
But the
"

how

much ado

labour about

for

how

small
And

Much work

nothing !

in itself is

good,
it is

is successful.
matter

what my

does

verse-translation
in

? my

Already
mind and

interest my

fading
for

energies
Edmond

clamour

thing some-

else. What will ? Scherer say

to

the

volume

To

the is In

inmost

self

of

me
"

this
a

attempt
affair. work

quite indifferent, work comparing my

same

literary Lilliputian
other of relative

with
sort

of the

kind,
; but

I find
see

satisfaction
of
or

the

intrinsic its

ity futil-

it,and
not

the I do

insignificanceof
not

success

failure.

believe
my
own

in

the

public
; I

I do
no

believe

in

work

have

properly speaking, and of something soap-bubbles for want

ambition,
'

I blow
to

do.

Car

le neant

peut

seul

bien

cacher

I'infini.'

AMIEL

JOURNAL.

201

Self-satire,disillusion,absence
may be

of
are

dice, prejunot

freedom,

but

they

strength.
12th

July

1876. has
that

"

Trouble
worse

on

"

trouble.
ever. or

My
cannot

cough
see

been the

than
weather

fine
any

the the
trary, conmore

holidays
better
in

have my

made
state

change
On
seems

for the

of

health.

the

process
a

of demolition

rapid. heurs,
'"moi'' trunk
cut

It is

painful experience,
!
.
.

this de

mature premalThis

decay
que

'"Apres

taut

vous

reste-t-il? central
branches

Moi.''

is
of

the

consciousness,
which every have

the
been

all the
that

have

away,

which Soon

bears
I shall

successive

mutilation. left
to

nothing else
reduces
us

than
the

bare

intellect.
'

Death
'

mathematical

point

; the
us

tion destrucas

which
were,

precedes it forces
a

back,

it

by
circles

series
to

of

ever-narrowing
last inaccessible
of that
are

tric concen-

this
a

refuge.
zero

Already
which

I have

foretaste and
how

in

all forms
I
see

all modes
we

guished. extinthe
we

return

into how

night, and
issue which

inversely
it. whole Life brief

I understand is

from
the

but

meteor,
me.

of

course a

is before

Birth, life,death

assume

fresh

meaning

202

AMIEL^S

JOURMAL.

to
see

US

at

each
as a

phase
a

of

our

existence. darkness
own

To
"

oneself
become

firework of is

in the one's

to

witness
"

fugitive world,
work firehorizon my
own

phenomenon
I

this the

practical psychology.
of the

prefer indeed
is
; but
a

spectacle
more narrows

which

vaster

and illness

splendid
my upon still

when
me

and

makes

dwell

perforce
are

miseries,

these

miseries for
my

capable of
osity. curi-

supplying spite
own

food

psychological
me

What
of
case

interests

in

myself,
I find

in

my
a

repulsions, is that genuine example

therefore
a

in my human

of
of
to

nature, and
value. stand
numbers To
a

specimen
me

general
imder-

The

sample

enables

multitude of my

of similar

situations, and
all

fellow-men.
into

enter

consciously being would

be

possible
tion occupaleast for

modes
for
our

of

sufficient
"

hundreds

of centuries which

at
are

finite

intelligences,
time. The

tioned condi-

by
of
the

progressive happiness
may the
once, at
a

process, and

indeed,

be

soned easily poiwhich clamours

But
are

embittered

by
at

ambition and bound.

asks
to

for

everything
the

reach
be

absolute
that for

it

may

answered

aspirations they could

the action

essarily nec-

prophetic,
come

only have
of the

into

being

under

AMIEL

JOURNAL.

203
them
to

same

cause

which

will enable soul

can

reach

their

goal.

The

absolute

because of that

consciousness the

only imagine the the absolute exists; our a possible perfection is

perfection
will be

guarantee

ised. real-

Thought
achieved ages,

itself
of

is eternal. which

It is the is

sciousness con-

thought
the

gradually
of
is the

through
and of

long

succession Such

races,

humanities.

doctrine

Hegel.
to

The
one

is, according
to

him,
the

history of the mind of approximation

absolute
It

the
two

absolute, and
ends
:

the

differs
xcas

at

the

of

story.

at

the Or

beginning
rather
with the

it knows in

itself at
the

the

end.

it advances

possession of itself
of

gradual
was

unfolding conception
of
very

creation.

Such
If

also
the

the

of Aristotle. and and of

sciousness con-

history
is the
to

the

mind

marrow

essence

of

being,
even

then

be

driven

back

on

ogy, psycholbe

personal psychology,
with
to

is to of

still

occupied
to

the

main

question
feel

things,
in the

keep

the

subject, to
universal idea. from

oneself

centre

of
in

the
the

drama.

There else may

is

comfort be taken
we

Everything
us, but

away
are

if

still connected axis of the

mains thought reby a magic

thread

with

the

world.

But

we

204
may lose

amiel's

jourkal.

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

with
'Ta

the
vie nuage,

absolute.
est
un

eclair

qui

meurt

dans

son

Mais

r eclair t'a

sauve

s'il t'a fait voir

le ciel.'

26th friend

July
to

1876.

"

A It

private journal is
frees
us a

idleness.

from

the

necessity of looking
puts
up with every

all round
kind of

subject, it
meander-

repetition, it
and

accompanies

all the
inner

caprices

ings
no

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

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

is, of friend
for

or

wife
a a

; it becomes

substitute and

production,
It is

substitute

for

country

public.

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

journal.

205
the

What soul
?

is it which
It is the

makes

history
its

of

stratification
the

of its different

stages of progress,
and of
the

story of

tions acquisiits destiny. body any-

Before

general course history can my

or even

of
teach

anything,
must

interest

be

distilled
of pages from

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

myself, it materials,
thousands and
be

bark
tracted. exare

which

has

still to
cinchonas A

whole
one

forest of

of

worth

but

cask

quinine.
to

whole
one

Smyrna rose-garden phial of perfume.

This
mass

goes

produce
work
end is
own

of

written

talk, the
in each the

of be

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

in his
own

only

terested in-

romance, I them have

his

vidual indinever

life. have
so

Even

perhaps
over

shall

time
?

to

read shall in

myself.
my the

So

"

what

lived

life,and
type,
song,
as are

life consists and

the

repeating
of
the

human

burden
my will

human
have

myriads of doing, and

To rise
to

kindred

done,
burden
can

do, century
of

after
this
we

century.
and

consciousness is

this type achieve of the

something,

and

scarcely
the bur-

anything
type is
more

further.

The

realisation

complete,

and

2o6

amiel's

journal.

den
are

more

kind

and have

joyous one, propitious,

done
tliis
et
or

if circumstances but
that

whether
"

the

puppets
'

Trois

p'titstours
falls
to

puis
same

s'en

vent

!'

everything
and
To the
comes

into

the

very

much
"

the
to

same

gulf at last, thing.

to

rebel

against fate
issue
"

trj-

escape

inevitable
the of
an
"

is
a

almost
centenarian

puerile.
and

When
that

duration insect and

of
are

quantities sensibly
and

equivalent,
enable this
us

to

point
our

of

geology regard such what view,

"

astronomy
from

durations
is the

meaning
of For raise

of all
our

tiny
our

efforts

and

cries,the value
our

anger, dream

ambition,
a

hope ?
to

the

of

dream

it is absurd

these millions inch and

up

make-believe of infusoria
"

tempests.
which make

The up much
a

forty
cubeto
us

of chalk

do

they

matter

do

the

forty
matter
moon

millions
any
or

of
more

men

who
an

make tant inhabi-

France

to

of the To which
be
a

Jupiter
monad
to

?
"

conscious itself

knows of the
to.

be
:

the

nothing microscopic
a

phantom
ever

universe

this is all

we

can

attain

12th

September

1876.

"

What

is your

own

amiel's

journal.

207

particular absurdity
exhaust

Why,

simply

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 contemplative, renunciation renounce completely, chronic
"

which

does

not

contradiction
ticism, sceprigible, incor-

there

is

your

case.

Inconsistent convinced will not itself into The comic

but

irresolution,
weakness and
there
cannot

not

which

accept

itself
"

transform

strength
side

is your

misery.
to

of it

lies in

capacity
to

direct

others in

becoming
the dream

capacity in-

direct

oneself,

of

the

infinitelygreat stopped in what seems little,

of
excess

short
to

by
at
zero

the

finitely in-

be

the

utter

uselessness

talent. of

To

arrive
at

bility immofrom

by
abundance
a

motion,
is
a

of

numbers,

strange

farce,
can

comedy ; the poorest laugh at its absurdity.

Idth has
A

sad

gossip

September
Doudan's book

1876.

"

My

been

Lettres
!
"

reading to-day et Melanges}''

grace,

fascinating
them all.

Wit,
much

subtlety,
sess posthat
was

imagination, thought,
How
man

these I

letters

regret
He

I
a

never

knew

the

himself.

2o8
Frenchman

amiel's

journal.

of
to

the

best

type,
of

un

delicat

ne

sublime,
keen love his still
was

quote
of

Sainte-Beuve's

sion. expres-

Fastidiousness

temper,
led him

and
to

too

perfection,
from within the

hold with-

talent

public,
his
own

but

while

living,and
the

circle,he
best. He

recognised equal of the scarcely lacked anything except of ambition, of brutality and
force world which
; but
are

that

tion frac-

material in this the

necessary
was

to

success

he

appreciated by
he

best

society of Paris, and

else.
He

cared

for

nothing

reminds

me

of Joubert.

20th

September.

"

To

be

witty
bestowal

is

to
on

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

one

the of

ing understand-

thing and

that
a

of

guessing another,
stroke.

and

so

achieving
Doudan

double

speaks out his scarcely ever thought directly ; he disguises and suggests it by imagery, allusion, hyperbole ; he overlays
it with with The from

Thus

light irony and

mischief and
to

gentle
more

the

thing

the there

thing said,
is for the

the

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

interlocutor These

the

respondent cor-

concerned. and delicate ways of

charming
allow
a

expression

amiel's
to teach
to

journal.

209

man

what what

he

will without
he will without

pedantry,
offence.

and There
them

venture

and
as

and aerial in something Attic and fiction gay, ; they mingle grave of touch with a light grace such ti-uth, La Fontaine
nor

is

neither
been

Alcibiades Socratic

would

have

ashamed

of.
a

like this presupposes victorious

over

free and
ill and

badinage equal mind,

inward contents. disthe

physical
delicate

Such exclusive whom and

playfulness is

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

taste

its revelation. and cultivation it it

What

balance
!

of

faculties

requires
!

What

personal

distinction

shows

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 what Doudan is
can
"

put

up

with but

ing nothwhat is

perfect

nothing

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
matters
a

is

true

ple disci-

Epicurus in all

of

ing, sight, hear-

and disturbs

intelligence
"

crumpled rose-leaf

him.

2IO

amiel's

journal.

'

Une

ombre,
nait

un

souflBe,un

rien,

tout

lui

don-

la fievre.'

What creative
not
as

all

this

softness

wants

is His

strength,
range
is

and wide world the

muscular
as

force.
it at

thought
the of
out

first.
"

The that
"

classical is to his
the say,

and horizon
He is

Renaissance La

Fontaine
his element He

is
in

horizon.
German
or

of

Slav

literatures.

knows is not
never

nothing of Asia. much larger than

made
a

Humanity
France,
Nature.
or

for him
he In has

and

bible is
he

of
more

music

and In

painting he philosophy
he is
but
a man

less
Kant.

exclusive.
To
sum

stops

at

up

of

exquisite and
a

ingenious taste, critic,still less

He
was an a

he

is not

first-rate
or

poet, philosopher,

artist.

mirable ad-

talker,
who
chosen for

delightful letter-writer,
an

might
to

have

become

author

had

he wait

concentrate

himself.
in order

I must
to

the

second this

volume

review

and

correct

preliminary impression.
have
now

Mid-day. through
the the Attic the

"

gone

once

more

whole of

volume,
it, and
distinction
was

charm

lingering over meditating on

of
a

originality and

the

man's trating pene-

organisation. Doudan psychologist, a

keen

diviner

of

aptitudes,

amiel's
trainer

journal.

21

and
every

minds, talent, capable

of

man

of

infinite
nuance

taste

of

every

and

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 to

the

rule him

of

the of

literary counsellor
the

and he do
In I

made

judge
to

field

in

which

ought
mean

rather
to

have
him ?
"

fought.
no

But
!

blame

indeed fire
on

the

first
in

place, it would second,

part.
it not Goethe very

be

to

my

allies ; the

the

likely
who

he

chose

better Was the find

were

remarked

that
men

in
we

neighbourhood
men

of

all famous

who

never

achieve
those ? who

fame, and did,

will of
as

yet
their

esteemed
or

by

equals
said after makes
the the

superiors
same men

Descartes,
Fame

think,
run

thing.
who
are

not

afraid

her.

She

mock
who

of those deserve

trembling
but
cannot

and

ful respectforce
her

lovers favours.

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
"

212

AMIEL'S

JOtJRNAI..

15th

November

1876.

"

I have des

been

ing readlises, Civi-

L^Avenir

Religieuz
de

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

by

Emile

religiousprinciple,which
of
much The
to

is what

the

ism socialis
as

the be

present
feared

moment
as

demands,

Catholic

Protestant
means

method,
of transition

superstition. according to him,

whereby
does
dotal sacer-

is the

into the Christianity passes of the Laveleye Gospel.

pure

ligion re-

not

think belief he

that

civilisation and

can

last

without

the

in God
that But

in another

life.

Perhaps
prove the

forgets

Japan
it is

and

China
to

contrary.
him

enough

determine

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

utilitarianism.
it is useful.

belief

is not

true

because
"

And

it is truth

alone

tific, scientruth

established, proved, and

"

rational

which

is

capable of satisfying nowadays

minds
of

the may

awakened
still say
"

all

classes. governs

We

perhaps,
the faith
or

'faith

the
is
no

world,' longer in

but

of the
in

present

revelation

the

priest

"

it is

amiel's

journal.

213
a

in
of

reason

and

in science.

Is there ?
"

science
is the

goodness
Do any
to

and

happiness

that

question.
upon
men

be

justice and goodness depend How are particular religion? made free, honest, just, and
is the

good
On

"

there way

point.

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
my

materialism
the

of

the

last

century
at

was

champion
moment
we

of

liberty. And
Darwinians

the

ent pres-

find

in love

with
on

equality, while
the

Darwinism
the

itself is based

right

of

stronger.
life
:

Absurdity

is

interwoven

with

real

beings
self

are

mated ani-

contradictions, absurdities
into
mean

brought
would
bility. immo-

action. peace,

Harmony
repose, and far the

with

perhaps
number

By

greater
of
a

of human
or

beings can it,under

only
the

conceive
war

action,
"

practise
of
petition com-

form

a war

war

at

home,

bloody
with combat and

of

nations

abroad, and
life
which is
a

finallywar
not,
what the

self.
;

So

that that it

perpetual

it

wills

it wills Hence

wills

not

that

wills.
"

I call the

law

of

that

is to say,
concrete

refutation

of the

irony self by

the Itself,

realisation

of the

absurd.

214
Is such

amtel's

journal.

result

inevitable
of

I think

not.

Struggle harmony,
War
is
a

is the
which is also

caricature is the
a

harmony,
of
movement.

and
traries, con-

association

principle of
fierce
means

brutal
means

and the

of

tion pacificaof

; it

suppression of resistance
or

by

the

destruction Mutual
out

enslavement

the be
a

conquered.
better way

resi)ect would
difficulties. selfishness limit laws whole
of

of

Conflict which
than that

is will
of

the

result

of
no

the

acknowledge
external govern almost
man

other
The the

force.

animality history. The day,

and then

of

history of
becomes

is

essentially zoological ; it
in
the

human

late

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.
The

Christian of the law

of

nations
of

offer many

tions illustra-

irony.
the

They

profess
the love

the

citizenship
of eternal

heaven,

exclusive

pursuit of world,
stronger
or

has good ; and never perishable joys, the

worship hungry
of

this been these

the
or more

thirst active

for

conquest,
among

than

amiel's
nations. the
a reverse

journal.

215
is

Their
of

official
real

motto

exactly
Under
with fraud
a a

their

aspiration.

false

flag they play

ease

the

smuggler
Is

droll

of
one

conscience.
? No
"

the
an

conscious
of
so common

the

law
a

of
one

application irony. The deception is comes that the delinquent beit is but
of it.
course

unconscious

Every
of ridicule
a

nation
its

gives itself the lie life, and position.

Christian of
man

in the

daily
of

not

one man

feels
must

the

its
to

be

Japanese
be

perceive the burlesque contradictions

civilisation.
to

of the
a

He

must

native

the

moon

understand
state

the
constant

stupidity of
delusion. the

and

his

of

The of

philosopher himself irony,

of for after

falls under

law

having mentally stripped

"

himself say,

all

prejudice
aside

having, that
own

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
laid his for
a

moment

behaved the

like comic animal

no

other.
are

This

is the in wait

point where
for him for his him
art

poets
needs

lying

; the

revenge

themselves and mock

thou

dusti

into the Empyrean, flight Thou art by their cry : ! nothing, thou art man
"

2i6
26th
a

amiel's

journal.

November
of de

1876.

"

I have Le

just finished
de
a

novel

Cherbulicz,
St. Maur.

fiance
It is

moiselle Made-

mosaic

of

precious stones, lights.

But the The
one

jewelled sparkling with a

heart

thousand from novel world it.

gets little type

of

Mephistophelian
sad. This
to
an a

leaves
is

subtle, refined
; these

strangely near
women

corruption
air of the character
one

artificial

have is not

Lower who who

Empire.
not

There and

is
has The of in

witty,
bartered

neither

is there

not

conscience
the whole

for cleverness.
is but of
a

elegance of immorality.
which

mask

These is
no

stories

feeling
a

and

feeling painful impression upon

there 1876.
of Victor

make
me.

strange

Ath December
a

"

I have

been

great deal
novels

Cherbuliez.
the
are

his

make
"

up

most
so

thinking Perhaps disputable

ing want-

part of his work,

in what
"

they

much

yet
what
one

simplicity, feeling, reality. knowledge, style, wit, and

much of but

And
lety subtand

how

thought language
admire is of

everywhere,
! He him. immense

mastery
; I cannot

astoHishes

Cherbuliez's

mind

range,
is

clear-sighted,keen, full of resource ; he Alexandrian an exquisite, substituting

for

amiel's

journal.

217
men

the

feeling
which him of
we
"

which leaves
'

makes
them has
to

earnest

the
would the

irony
say of

free;
never

Pascal
risen

He

from

order But

thought
must not
an

the

order

of
A

charity.'
Lucian is

is not Lucian.
render

worth Those service the

ungrateful. Augustine, but

be who enfranchise
as man

still he
the mind who
come

to

well the

as

those

persuade
the

heart.

After
the

leaders
and

and liberatoi-s,
have
men

negative
the

critical beside and in

not

minds the

their

place and
The

function

of

affirmation,
work
or

convinced

inspired
Victor

souls.

positive element
is

Cherbuliez's moral
is serious

beauty,
he

goodness, not thetically he

style. And
; for
"

religious life,
; what

^sis

respects
his
a tion voca-

therefore
he

he

has

found

is first and

foremost
and

writer

consummate,
He
our

exquisite,
not

model
he

writer. claims

does

win

our

love, but

homage.
union

In

every

there bond
vital
; in

is which

mystery
must not

"

certain disturbed.

invisible This

be
lation re-

bond

in

the

filial
esteem

is in

respect

friendship,
; in

marriage, confidence life,patriotism ; in the

Such

the

collective

religiouslife,faith.
left untouched

points

are

best

by

2i8

amiel's

journal.

speech,

for

to

touch

them

is

almost

to

profane them.
Men of

genius supply
the
mass

the
men

substance
are

of
the sive pas-

history, while
critical force
the

of

but

the filter,

limiting,slackening,
for the modification

needed

of

ideas

supplied
the To
can a

by

genius.

Stupidity
balance which
be
bined com-

is

dynamically
life with

necessary
an

of

intellect. human

make

atmosphere
oxygen
"

breathe, great
And deal

must

with

three-fourths

"

of azote. be
a

so, to

make

history,
to

there
quer con-

must

great deal

of

resistance

and

of

weight
1877.

to

drag.
This

5th

January

"

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
laid Men but

powers,

dull

continuous
;
"

waste

of trial
I

vital organs,
upon me,

brain-decay
a

this
one

is the

trial that

no

suspects

pity you
what
as

for
that

growing
matter
are

old ?
"

does

outwardly ; nothing, so
This boon been

long
of

the

faculties soundness

intact. the last

mental

to

has

amiel's

journal.

219
that I I

granted
for
too

to

so

many

students
must

hoped
that
we

it ?

little.

Alas,
is

sacrifice
when us,

Sacrifice

almost
us,

easy of

believe

it laid upon

asked
a,

rather,
dence Provi-

by

fatherly
; but

God

and

watchful
of this

I know

nothing
of and

religious
which
me

joy.
going
became

The
on

mutilation
in
me

the

self

is

lowers
to

lessens

out withI
?

doing good

anybody.
would
be
to

Supposing
the me,
"

blind, who
one

gainer
that
"

Only manly
wish view This

motive

remains the to

of the

to

resignation to set an example

morals
moral pure

inevitable, others,
of
the
"

the

Stoic

of

and

simple.
individual
our

education wasted
the ?

soul,
has

"

is it then

When of
its
to

planet

accomplished
use

cycle
been

destinies,
one or

of what

will it have in
the

any

anything
have

universe

Well,

it will of

sounded
And

its note for

we

in the

symphony

creation.

us,

individual
a

atoms,
tary momen-

seeing monads,
consciousness

appropriate
of
then the
we

whole

and

the
Is

unchangeable, this enough not

if there is is not there and after

and ?

disappear. enough,

No,
but

it is not

for

progress,
a mere

increase, profit,
chemical

nothing
of

balance

combinations. draws his

play Brahma,
creation

having created,

220

AMIEL

JOURNAL.

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

back

into

the

laboratory
mind
we

that If

at

realise

will, may
trustful
more us

God

have

the

joy of
soul
of

humility
thaa the

of

the

rejoices Him intellect,let

intention. is to
live
to

greatness
His

enter

into

plan. His

This,
the the in Will

consists Divine
see

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

iu it
can are

whatever

be, provided
we

we

distinctly. Well, decay, sickness, death,

it of
our

doubt
in

that
gramme pro-

the

existence
?

? is
not
or

Is

not

destiny
the which out with-

the

inevitable

And
of Him

destiny
That

anonymous the

title

of

religions call God ? the stream murmuring

without
diminution

To

descend
of

pass and other

what

revolt
after

through
before
us.

destiny, to loss after loss,

with
"

diminution,
us,

no

limit

than

zero

this is

is
as

is demanded
as

of

Involution
We

natural back

evolution.
the from the

sink

gradually
we

into

darkness,
it. The

just play

as

issued faculties
of

gradually
and
organs,

of

is put

back

bit

grandiose apparatus by bit into the box.

; at

life,
We
a

begin

by

instinct

the
we

end
must

comes

clearness

of

vision

which

learn

to

AMIEL's
bear with
upon

journal.

221

and
our

to
own once

employ

without and

ing murmur-

failure

decay.

musical

theme and

exhausted, iinds its due

in

refuge
6tk

repose

silence.

February
the

1877.
,

"

I
we

spent

the

ing even-

with

and

talked

of
want

the

a'iiarchy of culture, of

ideas,
what

of

the

general
march

of

it is which

keeps the world

of science
and

going,
in
the

and

of the
of

assured

midst

universal

passion

superstition.
What is rarest
in the

world

is fair-mindedness,

method,
of

the
the

critical

view,
for

the

sense

proportion,
The of

is

one

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

and
the of
common

capacity

state

of

human

hearts

is

state

passion,
openness Men's

in which
to

equity, always
their sires de-

impartiality,
are

and

impressions
are

unattainable. advance ahead

of of their their their

wills

in

intelligence, will, and

;
so

accident
that

the
press exare

source

of

desires

they
which

merely
not

fortuitous trouble
no

opinions
of

worth

the

and

which

have
than I
am.

other this

taking seriously, account to give of

one
:

themselves because

childish
art

am,

The

of

finding truth

is

222

AMIEL's
littlo
there

journal.

very

practised
is of
no

cause scarcely exists,bepersonal humility, nor among

us.

; it

even

any

love

truth of
to

We
as

are

covetous

enough
weapons
our

such
our or

knowledge
hand
or

may
as

furnish
may
serve

tongue,

vanity
but

for

power

;
our

gratify our craving cism self-knowledge, the critiappetites and

of

own

prejudices,
to
us.

is unwelcome
Man is
a

and

disagreeable
and

wilful
use

covetous

animal,
to

who
his

makes

of

inclinations, but
who rebels

truth,
the idea

satisfy who cares nothing for pline, against personal discithought

Wisdom
in him he and

his

intellect

who

hates

disinterested

of self -education.

offends

him,
and

because

it

rouses

disturbance will not

see

confusion, and
as

because

himself The

he

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

great

"

pleasure
man

in it. believes

There

is

no

curing

sick

who

himself

in health.

5th
over

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

"

experience

in

which

the

sweets

of

friend-

amikl's

journal.

223

ship,

the

charm

of

mutual
a

understanding, general
a crease sense

pleasure, and comfort, were happily

aesthetic
There
was

of
mingled. inter-

combined
not

and

in that

the
is

rose-leaf.
pure,

Why?
is

Because

'all
is

all that

is honest, all that of

excellent,

all that
there

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

lovely and

and

sympathetic
and
may

imagination,
milieu

form
in

an

attractive

wholesome
rest.
"

which

the

soul

The

party

which
"

celebrated
much

the

last

day
not

of vacation
to
me

gave

pleasure, and making

others To of
a

happy
for
to
an

the

Is not only. best happiness the who many

illuminate

instant those
of
so

depths
bear

deep

soul,
the hearts

cheer

by sympathy

burdens and
a

sorrow-laden
to
me a

suffering lives, is

blessing and
a

precious privilege. joy in helping

courage
to find

There
to
renew

is

sort

of

ligious re-

the We

strength
are prised sur-

and

of

noble

minds. the
not

ourselves
we are

possessors

of and
we

power

of which
to

worthy,
and
in

long
he

exercise

it

purely
which

seriously.
all that

I feel most

strongly
can

that is

man,

does

or

do

beautiful, great,

224

AMIEL

JOURNAI..

or

good,

is but
or

the
some

organ
one

and

the

vehicle

of

something
This takes
these

higlier than
The

himself.

feeling is religion.
part
with
a

religious man
sacred is the of which
or

tremor

of
he

joy
he

in

phenomena
but
not

of which the
not

mediary inter-

source,

is

the the

scene,

but He but

the

author,

rather,

poet.

lends
he that is

them

voice, hand, will,

to
as

and efface

help,

respectfully careful
he
may

himself,

alter of the
use

as

little

possible the higher work is making a momentary emotion deprives pure

and anniliilates the

Genius of
him.

who A

him

of

personality
Self
is the
must

self in him.
when it it in

perforce disappear Spirit who speaks,

acts.

Holy
who

when mood

is

God

This hears

is

the the

which

the

prophet
feels
the

call, the
of the
the
tears

young

mother

movement

child
of

within, the
audience.

preacher watches
So

his

long
in
we

as

we

are

conscious
in

of

self

we

are we

limited, selfish,held
are

bondage
the with

; when

harmony
vibrate

with in

universal

order,

when

unison

God, self

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

unless

he
is

makes
one

false

note.

The of

religious
moved

state

of

deep enthusiasm,
of

contemplation,

tranquil ecstasy.

AMIEI.'S
But how

JOURNAL.

225
us

rare

state

it is for

poor

ures creat-

harassed
the

by

duty, produces
the
texture

by

necessity, by
!

wicked
state ;

world, by sin, by illness

which inward of
our

It is

the

ness happience, exist-

but

alas !
common

foundation
of

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

the

there

is

true

picture of

our

human

condition. Let
us as

hail, then,
the

as

an

echo
more

from blessed

heaven,
economy,

foretaste brief
halts
a

of
moments

these
these

of
two

perfect
storms.

harmony,
Peace

between

is not
as
"

in itself result

dream,
a
'

but

we

know

it

only

the
an

of

momentary

librium, equiare

accident. for

Happy
be

the the

peacemakers,
children

they

shall

called

of God.'

26th
over

April again the

years

For

ten

the the

lie to

the

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

1877.

have

been

prophet
a

in

his

own

imaginings

is

not

therefore
common

whit

sense

Victor

Hugo

Humility and are only fit for Lilliputians. superbly ignores everything

diminished.

226
he has

amiel's

journal.

that

not

foreseen.

He

does

not

see

that that

of the pride is a limitation limitations a pride without of soul. himself If he

with

mind,
is
a

and ness littlepare com-

could
other he

but
men,

learn
and
see

to

France

with
more

other

nations,
and

would
not

things
these

truly,
But

would
these

fall

into

mad

exaggerations,
be

extravagant
fairness

ments. judgwill

never

among

proportion and the strings at

to

his command.
; his

He

is vowed

the

Titanic

always
cannot

mixed

with his
reason

lead, his
with

gold is insight with

He has
to

childishness,
be

madness.

simple
you
a

; the

only light he
that

give blinds
astonishes
moves

like

of

fire.

He
he is

reader and

and

provokes
him.
note

him,
There

him
some

annoys

always
accounts

falsity of
the

in he
so

him, which

for
in
me.

malaise
The

constantly
in him few
not can-

excites

great poet
A have would

shake of
the

of

the

charlatan.

shafts

Voltairean inflation

irony
of his

shrivelled made
a

genius
it
saner.

and
It is

it

stronger by making
misfortune
a

public
poet
of

that

the
not

most

powerful
better

nation

should and

have

understood
Hebrew

his

role,

that, unlike

those

prophets who
he should

scourged
himself

because

they loved,
and sys-

devote

proudly

amiel's

journal.

227
his

tematically
France

to

the is the
;

flattery of
world
bow

men. countryis France

! ;

; Paris

Hugo
2d

is Paris

peoples,
Which
?

down

May

1877.

"

nation
is not

is
one

best in

worth
which evil. that the
no

belonging the good

Each
one

to

There

is not

counterbalanced
of man,
a

by proof
crush
to

is

caricature them all

am

among
and that I

deserves have

to

others,
from the

something
the defects

learn
with

all.

alternately
with

struck of

qualities and
is

each, which
I
am

perhaps
of
or no

conscious
of north

lucky for a preference for

west
or

critic. the fects de;

south, of
a

east

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

and

I should

find

which

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

of

short, the
man,
no

ideal

man.

As

for

the

national
I have

I bear

with
for

and
him.

study him, but

I the
can

admiration fine the

only admire
the

the men,

specimens

of

race,

great
and
are

noble

ganiuses, the lofty characters souls, and specimens of these

to

328
be found
The
'

amiel's

journal.

in all the
of

ethnographical divisions.
choice with
'

country
de

my

(to quote
chosen towards

dame Ma-

Staiil) is
greater
the

the

souls.
the

feel

no

inclination the

French,
the

Germans,
the
or

Swiss,

the

lish, Engsions illu-

Poles,

Italians, than
the

towards
The

the

Brazilians

Chinese.

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
I

of

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
what

aspiration towards
I
care

the

true

"

these
in.

are

for

and

take

pleasure

ith Borneo work for

June and is

1877. Juliet
"

"

I of
'

have

just heard
Berlioz.

the The

Hector Dramatic

entitled
with

symphony
The
execu-

orchestra,

choruses.'

amiel's

journal.

229
The and

tion

was

extremely good. careful, curious,

one

work

is interestin

suggestive,
I
come

but
reason

it leaves
out

cold.

"

When
I
man as a

to

my To

impression
subordinate
human

explain
to

it
"

in

this
to

way.
annex

things

the
to

voice,
"

mere

plement, supin idea.

the

orchestra

is false
out
a

To

make

simple narrative
is
a

of

dramatic
of

material,
A Romeo Romeo

derogation,
Juliet in

piece

levity.
is
no

and
and
no

which
an

there

Juliet

substitute vagne,
for

the the
to

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

sense.

is

To

the is
a

challenge
of which
The is

common

It

is of

tion viola-

that
never

natural

hierarchy
with
a

things
of

violated
has

impunity.
series inner
nection, con-

musician

put

together
any

symphonic
a

pictures, without

string of riddles,to which a prose text alone supplies meaning and unity. The voice which is allowed to only intelligible
appear
:

in his

the
sermon

work

is that could
not

of be

Friar

rence Lau-

expressed
sung. and

in
But

chords, and
the

is

therefore

plainly
the

moral

of

play

is not

play,
out

the

play

itself

has

been

elbowed

by

recitative. The musician able

to

of

the
us

present
what is

being

give

day, not beautiful,

230
torments

amiel's
himself

journal.

to

give

us

what

is

new.

False
!

originality, false grandeur, false genius is wholly antipathetic laboured This art
to
me.

Science of

simulating genius
itself ;
as

is but

form
as a

quackery.
is cleverness

Berlioz
a

critic
is he he ago,

musician

he
but

learned, inventive, and

is

genious, inthe

trying

to

achieve the

greater

when

cannot at

compass

lesser.
pression im-

Thirty

years
was

Berlin,
me

the

same

left upon
I heard
seems

by

his

Infancy
self. him-

of Christ, which
His
nor

him
me

conduct
neither

art

to

fruitful and solid

wholesome in it.
to

; there

is

no

true

beauty
I

ought
which well

say,
was a

however,

that
one,

the

ence, audi-

fairly full

seemed

very

satisfied.

nth

July
my La

1877.

through
omissions
nor nor rose.

in him. He

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

"

utilises
the
a

neither

the

crane,
nor

the

quail, nor
There For

dromedary, single echo

His
a

the alry chiv-

lizard.

is not

of

in him.

him, the history of France

XIV.

dates

from

Louis

geography
few Rhine square
nor

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

the

amiel's
the.
sea.

journal.

231
the

Loire, neither
He
never

the

mountains his

nor

invents
them with
a

takes
But

dolently subjects,but infrom where. elseready-made

what
an an

all this

adorable

writer,
what
am a never

what

painter, what
what
a

observer,
I

humorist,
tired of

story-teller!

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
the
most

great

period, for
way,

it

combines,
and French

in

the

skilful

archaism
the

classic

finish,the Gallic

and

elements.

Variety, satire, jfireesse, feeling, movement, terseness, suavity, grace, gaiety, at times even nobleness, gravity, gi-andeur, thing, every"

"

is to

be

found the the

in

him.

And

then

the of

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
'

happiness of the sayings,

epithets, the piquancy

and
to

Death estimate artist

his

'

with

that

of

Boileau difference

in

order

the and

enormous

between

the with

the
La

critic

who

found

fault
you
a

work. of the

Fontaine

gives
under

picture

poor

peasant

the

232

amiel's
; Boileau

journal.

monarchy
a man

shows
a

you

nothing

but

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

perspiring

under

his has

beasts
ever

remains

the He
women more

only
has

Homer
as

France
many traits por-

possessed.
men

of and

and is not side

as

La

Bruyere,
with
was

Molifere
weak

humorous.

His its what

is his

epicureanism,
This,
from
no

tinge

of grossness.

doubt,
him.

made

Lamartine

dislike his

The

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

sublimer

lyre ;
any

there

shows

contact

knowledge

of

the

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

Renaissance.
stream

This is
so

the
the

full Catholic

paganism
naive.

of
But

it

is

perfectly sincere Rabelais,

much
as more

and

indeed,
are

Moliere,
pagan

Saint
than

Evremond,
Voltaire.
It

is

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
"

AMIEL

JOURNAL.

233
is

nature.

This

division

of

things

common

in

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

worship July 1877.

in and is your
a

from

sincerity.
just
a come

ISth
a

"

I have

across

character

novel
to

with

passion for
:

synonyms,
"

I said

myself
too.

Take
In

care

that

weakness and the

pen

your

search you
run

for

close

delicate whole works

!
are

expression,
of

through
and
your

gamut
too

nyms, synoin

often
isms manner-

series

of and

three.

Beware
;

Avoid

tricks and

they

signs
must

of weakness. govern the

Subject
use

occasion

only

of words.

Procedure

gives strength ; clearness, because

of
the

by single epithet the doubling of a word gives

it

supplies
; the

the

two

tremities ex-

series

gives completeness
the

by

trebling suggesting at
end may

of
once

it

beginning, middle,
a

and

of the
enrich

idea

while force

quadruple
being
a

phrase

by

of enumeration.

Indecision
am

fond
so

of

principal defect, I are plurality of phrases which

my

but

many

successive
I
am

approximations
of

and them

corrections. in this

especially fond
I write
as

journal,

where

it

comes.

234
In my serious

amiel's

journal.

composition
But in shaft I it the

two

is,on
of

the
be the

whole,
well
to

category.
of the

would
use

practise oneself
word
once
"

single
and
cure

delivered have first.

;
a more

promptly
indeed
I
see

for

all.

should

to too

myself
ways of
on

of

hesitation

many

saying things
the

decided

mind

hits

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
'

"

Qaiconque est loup agisse en leap ; C'est le plus certain de beaucoup.'

whether
to

wonder
the

I
assume

should
a

gain anything
character manner,
at

by
of

attempt
mine.

which bom the vantage ad-

is not doubt

My

wavering
has the

and of

scruple,
and

least

rendering all
of

different

shades

of it

my
were

thought,
to become

If being sincere. terse, affirmative, resolute,

mere

would
A

it not

be

imitation

?
a

private journal, which

meditation
as

is but
beats

vehicle the
to

for bush make with

and

reverie,
without end.

about

it

pleases

being boimd
Conversation of

for

any

definite
a

self

is

gradual

process

thoughtthese

clearing. Hence

all these

synonyms,

amiel's

journal.

235
and
be line
an

"waverings,
upon

these

repetitions
Affirmation
may the

returns

oneself. takes follows

brief

inquiry thought
one.

time is

and

which

necessarily
indeed that

irregular
at ;
^^

I there

am

conscious
is but
to
one

bottom but in

right expression
it I wish
are

order among

find

to

make

my my

choice mind

all

that

like

it;
a

and

instinctivelygoes
modulations
may
most

through
search of

series

of verbal which

in

that

shade
the

accurately
it

render idea

idea.
which I I

Or has
may

sometimes
to

is
over

the

itself
over,

be

turned
it and

and

that

know pen
the

apprehend
a

it better.

think,

in hand

; it is like the

winding-off of form corresponding

the

disentanglement, skein. Evidently the

qualities which already

sure

is

of

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

of

communicate of the

itself to

The of

function

private journal
article book

observation,
;

experiment,
of the essay
; that

analysis, contemplation
or

that

is to

provoke
demonstrate.

tion reflec-

of the

is to

2lst

July

1877.
"

"

superb
and

starry
converse

sky,

Jupiter
my

a night, Phoebe holding

"

before

windows.

Grandiose

236
effects of
A

amiel's

journal.

light
sonata

and
rose a

shaxie
from

over

the black

yard. court-

the

gulf
lost

of

shadow

like

repentant
The

prayer
was

wafted

from

purgatory.
and

picturesque
in

in poetry,

admiration

feeling.
a

SOth
remark

July 1877.
about

"

makes
...

very the
out

true

Renan,
between is

d propos
He

of

ume volthe

of Les contradiction the

"vangiles.

brings

the

literary taste
the

of

artist,which
the

delicate, individual, and

of

true, and
are
"

opinions
of

critic,which wavering.
the between

borrowed,
This

old-fashioned, and
choice the
art

hesitancy
and
between

beautiful
prose,

true, between
and

poetry

and

learning, is, in fact,

has
a

characteristic.

Renan he has
a

keen

love

for for

science,

but

still keener
if necessary,
to

love
he

good

writing, and,
the
exact

will

sacrifice

phrase
is

the

beautiful
than sage paseyes

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

material

rather
A in the

style.

fine
his

times

more a

precious
fact
on a or

the of
a

discovery of
date. with And

tion rectificaI
am

this

point
of any
a

very of of

much

him, for

beautiful
virtue than

piece
kind
mere

wTiting
truth

is beautiful which

by
truer

is

record

of

authentic

facts.

Rousseau

also

amiel's

jouknal.

237
be

thought
able
to

the
correct

same.

chronicler
but Tacitus well French

may

Tacitus,
I

survives
that the

all the
aesthetic

chroniclers.

know

temptation
often

is the bewailed

tion temptayet, if
to
a

; I have

it,and
be

desired
a

anything,
great writer.
aere

it would To

be
ment monu-

writer,

leave
an

behind,
work

perennius, might
stir

able imperishthoughts,

which

the

the

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

generation only glory weaned'^ not

book
would
not
ity van-

even

from my

this

wish

also.

be

ambition,

if ambition

were

and

vanity August
"

of vanities.

llth

1877.

"

The is to

growing
say the have be

triumph
ism, material-

of Darwinism
or

that
"

of

of force But

threatens

conception
its the
turn.

of The

justice.

justice will
law
cannot

higher human of animality.

maximum
with

spring offto
'

Justice

is the

right

the

of
the

individual
same

compatible
"

independence liberty for others

in

the
the

words, it is respect for man, the small, the feeble ; immature,

other

for
it is

guarantee

of those

human

collectivities,
"

associations,

states,

nationalities unions
"

those the ob-

voluntary

or

involuntary

238
ject of
which and

AMIEL'8

JOrRNAL.

is to
to

increase

the

sum

of
of

piness, hapthe

satisfy the
some own

aspiration
make is
an

individual.
others
to
a

That

should purposes the

use

of

for

their The
a as

injury
is not obtains
nor

justice.

right of simple
there

stronger

right, but only so long

resistance. which

fact, which

is neither

protest
he has

It is like
over

cold, darkness, weight,

man

tyrannise

until

vented in-

artificial warmth,

artificial

machinery'.
an

Human

industry is
from
brute

and light, throughout

emancipation
advances way
a

nature,
are

and the

the
same

made
series

by

justice
As

in

of rebuffs

inflicted the of

upon

the

tyranny
art

of

the

stronger.
conquest
untamed
I
see

ical med-

consists

in the

disease,
of
the

so

goodness
human
:

consists

in the

conquest
the

blind
the

ferocities

and

appetites
same

of

animal.
"

law of

throughout
the towards Greed

increasing
a

emancipation
ascent

individual,
and

continuous

of

being

and life, happiness, justice,

wisdom.

gluttony

are

the

starting-point,

intelligenceand
2lst the

generosity the goal.

1877 has
'

August
there
*

(Baths
been and
is
a

of Ems).

"In

salon of in

chorus What

Lorelei

performance in other popular airs. only

done
for
woi

our

country

amiel's
is done music.
the

journal.

239

ship
and
shares trait nor,

also Voices

in

for poetry Germany blend together ; art of

privilege
is neither

religion.
nor

It

is

which
I

French The

English,
of

think, Italian.
of

spirit of artistic
combination,
welcome

devotion,
common,

impersonal

harmonious,
to

disinterested
; it makes
a

action,

is

specially German
certain
race.

balance
in

clumsy

and

ments prosaic ele-

the

Later.

"

Perhaps
of

the
"

back
the

to

first

thought principles
mind

craving for the tendency

is
The

pendence indeto

go
to

"

really proper
Slavs

Germanic Latins
are

only.
the

and lective coldition, tra-

the

governed
of

rather

by

the

wisdom
usage,

community,

by

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,
"

nor

imposed.
Nature
; the

The

German

wishes the

to

get
The of

at

Frenchman,
stop
at

Spaniard, question
the

the
root

Russian,
of
the

conventions. the

problem
between
or

is in God

the

relations

and
"

world.

Immanence

transcendence,
the

that, step

by step,

decides

meaning

of

everything

240 else.
If the

amiel's

journal.

mind

is

radically
upon
to

external
conform

to to

things,
them.

it is not If

called
mind

the

is destitute from

of

native

truth, it

must

get
And and

its truth
so

outside, by
tlie I

revelations.

you

ing get thought despisto

Nature,
"

in

bondage
Latin

Church

so

you

have

the

world

6th of love

November
many

1877
years

(Geneva).
before
we v^e we

"

We

talk
thing anyit

know
know
we

about
because
we

it, and
talk of

think
because

it, or
of

repeat
books

what tell
us

other
about of

people say
it.

it,or
there

what
are

So

that

rances igno-

different
which

knowledge
of the

degrees, and degrees of are quite deceptive. One

of

worst

plagues
inexhaustible
of

society

is

this this

thoughtless
careless
a use

verbosity,
about

words, this pretence

we

of knowing

thing

because

talk

it,
"

these
or

counterfeits

of which
worst

belief, thought,
all the
of it while
as

love,
are mere

earnestness,
babble. is behind
are

The the in

is,that

self-love of
"

babble, these
mistakes

ignorances

society
tive
;

general ferociously
itself for

affirma-

chatter

opinion,

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

amiel's

journal.

241 of

and
the

politeness
convention.

demands
It is very

the

acceptance

wearisome.

Language
the and instrument all

is the

vehicle this
the

of this unconscious
are

confusion, fraud, enormously by

the proc-

of of

evils

kind

increased

by

universal and

education, by all
the

periodical
esses

press,

other

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

for ourselves know

How

we

judge everything,
we

and

we

nothing.
seldom
meet

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

with

the

borrowed
than
more a

self.

How of

few

are

anything
"

else

bundle
than

inclinations
"

thing any-

animals alone
!

whose
to
us

language
the

and

whose

gait
in nature

recall

est highare

rank The

immense

candidates

for

majority humanity,
are men men

of and

our

species

Virtuallywe
ought
not
race.

to

be,

but

nothing more. we might be, we do practically we

the

succeed

in

realising
and

type

of

our

Semblances

counterfeits

of

men

242
fill up
islands and
we

amiel's
the and
town.

journal.

habitable the

earth,
wish
to

people
the

the

continents,
If
we

country
men

the
must

respect
and think

forget
which the

what

they

are,

of

the

ideal of of

they just
man

carry

hidden the

within the

them,
man

and and

noble,

intelligence
and creative and

goodness, inspiration is loyal force, who

trustworthy,
that
men

and

true, faithful
man,
a

of

the

higher
we

in

short, and
The

divine
who

thing

call
name

soul.
are

only

deserve

the

the

heroes,

the

geniuses, the
and fect per-

saints, the samples

harmonious,
of the
race.

puissant,
deserve
that
our

Very
with

few but

individuals all deserve

them

to

be

tened lis-

to,

curiosity
a

regard lo curiosity that

"

should

be
we

pitiful
to

the

insight
be
not to

bring

bear

on

them
Are

should
we

humility.
work
one

charged with ^1 shipwrecked,

? Let

diseased, condemned
out

death

each
no

his

own

salvation, and
;
so

blame all will

we

but

himself

the

lot

of

be

bettered. feel towards

Whatever
our our one

impatience neighbour,
and

may

whatever in
us,
We

indignation
are

race

may

rouse

chained
in
to

to

another,

and,
have

ions companthing every-

labour

and

misfortune,

lose

by mutual

recrimination

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
cannot

feel

tenderness, May
we

may
away

we

at
us

least
the

feel

pity

put
and and
more

from
anger

satire brands

which
:

scourges

the

which

the
are

oil of
a

wine

of

the We

good
may
; but

Samaritan make
it is the
more

avail.
for

ideal

reason

contempt
it
a reason

beautiful

to

make

for

tenderness.

9th
of

December
Parnassus

1877.
^^

"

The
urns urns

modern of
what

ers haunt-

carve

agate and
is there ?

of
"

onyx, ashes.

but

mside work

the

Their

sincerity, and
soul
to

and

moral

life. with
The

ness, seriousfeeling, in a word, pathos I cannot bring myself

"

lacks

sympathise
but

such

way

of

standing underis
tonishing, as-

poetry.
It is

talent
matter

shown
are

stuff and
of

wanting.
to

an
"

effort
a

the

imagination
for

stand

alone
We but

everything else. find metaphors, rhymes, music, colour, not not humanity. Poetry of this man,
substitute kind
can me

factitious but
what

may
one

beguile
make
of

one

at

twenty,
It

it at

fifty?

reminds all the

of

Pergamos,
of decadence

of

Alexandria,
when

of

epochs

beauty

244
of form of hid

AMIEL

JOURNAL.

poverty
I this

of

thought and
share the

tion exhausnance repugin

feeling.
which

strongly

poetical school
as

arouses

simple people.
to

It is

though

it

only cared

please the world-worn, the over-subtle, it ignores all normal the corrupted, while virtuous habits, pure affections, healthy life, It is an steady labour, honesty, and duty.
affectation, and
the because struck it is with
an

affectation

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 a life, being who feels passion and conscience, who ance. repentschool
is

Composition
in which

is

process

of

combination,

the
that

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

without
The

in all birth

bringing forth.
to

reward
"

is the

giving
that

something which,
ness orderli-

living by
out
a

something,
of such

is to
a

say,

kind of and

magic, makes

living unity
as

opposed

attributes

spontaneity, thought
charm.

and

tion, imagina-

solidityand

amiel's

journal.

245
a

The of

true
as

critic

strives
are
"

for

clear

vision

things
; his

they

effort may
wishes

is to in
to

so

that

he
he

ness justice and fairhimself, get free from no disfigure that way for understand
to
or common

which

duce. repro-

His lies
in

superiority
He

tlie

herd
success

this effort, even

when
his

its
own

is

only partial.
he

distrusts

senses,

sifts

his

own

impressions, by returning
different sides
and
at

upon

them

from

ferent dif-

times,

by

comparing,
so more

moderating,
ing endeavour-

shading, distinguishing, and

to

approach
which

more

and

nearly
maximum

to

the

formula

represents

the

of truth.

Is

it not
of

the

sad

natures

who

are

most

tolerant

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

affair of temperament

and

mood,
The that

still it is

blessing.
is

art

which

grand
in

and

yet simple is
tion greatest eleva-

which both

presupposes in artist

the

and

public.
with mate ulti-

How

much

wisdom

folly is compatible and prudence ? It

is difficult

246
to

amiel's

journal.

say.

The
soonest

cleverest
how
to

folk

are

those
their

who

discover

utilise
so

experience,
time of their natural

and

get rid

neighbour's in good

presumption.
the

We
to
see

must

try

to

grasp
to

correctly,
at

speak
to

spiritof things, the point, to to

act
on

give practicable advice,

to

the
to

spot,
in

arrive

the

proper

moment,
occasion and
"

stop

time.

Tact,
our

measure,

all these

deserve.

cultivation

respect.
from cousin find it

22d Julia. very

April

1878.

"

Letter old

my

These difiBcult
to

kind

relations
a

understand life.
the

man's

life,
of and
But

especially a
reverie
are

student's scared
out

The

hermits

by
of

feel themselves
after
a

busy world, place in action.

all,we

do

not

good, pious old in a village, can form of view, nor

have
no

change at seventy, and and lady, half-blind living her point no longer extend
any

idea
with

of her

existences
own.

which

relation

What
shut

is the

link

by

which
as

these

in and of

encompassed daily life,lay

they
on

are

souls, by the
ideal ?

details The the the

hold

the

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

amiel's

journal.

247

is athirst

for

Heaven.
their

Their
moral

opinions
experience
of

are

defective, but
great;
but know of
the

is

their
soul
to

intellect
is full

is full of

their
how

light.
about and
If

We

darkness, scarcely
the
mature

talk

to
are

them

things
in
cannot

earth,

but of us,
to

they
the

ripe
us

things them,
their

heart.

they

understand
to

it is for

to make

advances

speak
range

their of

into

language, to enter of ideas, their modes

them show
to
on

must feeling. We noble side, and,

approach
that
we

their
them
to
us

may them

the

more

respect, induce
of their
most

open

the
There

casket
is

treasured

always
every

some

grain give
it

of

thoughts. gold at the

age. Let

bottom it be of
our

of

honourable
to
an

old

business

opportunity
eyes.

showing
10th

itself to

affectionate

May

1878.

"

I have I

from
saw

solitary walk.
lilac and is full of

back just come heard nightingales,

trees

white

orchard

in bloom.

My
upon

heart
it

impressions

showered

by

the

chaffinches,

the

golden
fleecy

orioles, the
and
the

grasshoppers, the A dull, primroses.

with
a

hawthorns,
gray,

sky
over

brooded the

certain

Many

nuptial splendours of stirred painful memories

melancholy vegetation.
afresh in

248
me;
at

amiel's

jourxal.

Pre
a

I'Eveque,
score rose

at

Jargonnant,
"

at

Villereuse,
of
The
were

of
with

phantoms
sad
eyes

phantoms
greet
me.

youth
walls
once

"

to

had

changed,
and
But
a

and

roads I found the

which
now

shady

dreamy
at

waste

and

treeless.

first trills

of

the

nightingale
my heart.
;

flood felt mood

of

tender

filled

I
a

grateful, melted

myself of serenity
me.

feeling soothed,
and
A

contemplation
certain

with

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

took
and
an

of green,
ups

and

downs,

abundance and did

remoteness

of
me

delighted good.
the
Its

me,

singing-birds, inexpressible
brought back
need
of

peaceful
of

bloom

feeling.
1878.

I had

it.

19th
a

May

"

Criticism
a

Is above
of
tact

all
and

gift, an
it Ls

intuition,
be
art.

matter
or

flair;
"

it cannot
an

taught

demonstrated,
means an

Critical

genius
truth

aptitude
or

for
in

discerning

under

ances appearit ; for of

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

mony, testiof
It is

dust

time, the
the

loss of

or

alteration
the hunter and It whom

of

texts.

sagacity
for

.whom
no

nothing
ruse can

deceives throw

long,
trail.

off the

is the

talent

of

the

amiel's

journal.

249
how
to to

Juge
unknown

(T Instruction,

who

knows and
a

terrogat inan

circumstances,
secret

extract

from

thousand
can

hoods. false-

The

true

critic will

understand the

everything, nothing, and

his trutli.

but
to
no

he

be

dupe
and

of

convention is to

will he
out

fice sacriclaim pro-

duty,

which

find

Competent
human
"

learning, general
accuracy and of teclinisary neces-

cultivation, absolute general view,

cal

probity, sympathy
many

capacity,
to

how

the

critic,without
vivre, and
!

tilingsare reckoning
the

grace,

delicacy, savoir phrase-making

26th
up with
a

gift of happy

July
the

1878.
same

"

Every
sense

morning
of
vain is

I wake

struggle
about
to

against
overwlielm

mountain
me.

tide
I shall lias

which die

by suffocation,
; the

and

the suffocation

begun

progress go
on.

it has
How

already
can one

made make
it

stimulates
any
some on a

it to

plans when
fresh line

every ? in I
a

day brings
cannot
even so

witli
decide

misery
of action and

situation
in

full
which

of
I

confusion look

tainty, uncer-

forward

to

the
I

worst,
still
a

wliile few

yet all is doubtful.

before death
me or

Have

years

only
or

few it

months?

Will

be

slow

will

250
come

amiel's

journal.

upon
am am

me

as

sudden

How how with

I to I to

bear

the

days
? How

as

catastrophe they come

am

? ?

fill them and I

do

I to know

die
not.

calmness

dignity
for
the

Everything badly ; but

can

first
is

time
new

I
;

do

here

everything
from
!

there end
one

be

no a

help
chance
set
so

experience
How
a

the for

must

be
has
"

mortifying price
a

who

great
!

upon

dence indepenseen unforehow he

not

to

depend
what of he these

upon He

thousand knows

contingencies
will act
fain
or

he

will

become with
"

;
a

would of
?
are

speak
sense

things
the he

friend but which

sure

good
He
most

and
not

good
and

counsel

who

dares his
others

alarm

affections is almost

own,

that
tion, atten-

any

would

try
refuse

to

distract
to
see

his the

and
as

would

position
what? flow

it is. And while

"

wait

(wait
the
wastes

for

"

health? like
a

certainty?)
and candle.
. . .

weeks

by
like

water,

strength
let oneself
? Is

away

smoking
Is
one

free

to

drift

into

death
a

without

resistance
we owe

self-preservation
those who

duty ? Do to prolong
utmost

it to

love
to

us

this
?

desperate
I think
For
we

struggle
but
it
must

its
one

limit the

so,

is

fetter

more.

then

feign

amiel's

journal.

251
hide the
Those
not

hope

-which

we

do

not

feel,and
of which
not

the

absolute is

discouragement Well, why really full.

are

heart who
to

succumb cool
the

bound of

in those

generosity
who
are

ardour

still battling,

"

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
'

still

there which it all

asserts

is

side of

me

which

says,

'

Absurd
to

!'

is
as

incredulous, and
a

inclined
In vain

regard
reason

bad

dream.
mind's

the

it ; the
Another
not

inward

assent

is still

refused.
I have
not

contradiction

the

strength
to

to

hope,

and

have
no am am

the

strength

submit.

I believe I I

longer, and I believe still. I feel that realise that dying, and yet I cannot already ? No, dying. Is it madness
nature

it

is human

taken

in

the

act

; it is life
means

itself which
an

is

contradiction, for life

and
a

incessant

death and
it

daily resurrection
re-

;
.

it affirms

denies, it destroys and

2$3

AMIEL'S

journal.

constructs, it gathers and

and is to
heart
to

bles scatters, it humtime.

exalts

at
"

tlie
to

same

To
in

live the
"

die of
an a

partially
whirlwind

feel

oneself

of

opposing
moulded
"

forces

be If

enigma.
invisible

the

type

by

these

two

which
"

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

what

does game
?
a

it matter

whether
or

it carries years

on

the
not

few

months

It has
a

done

what

it had

represented
one

certain

unique

longer, or to do, it has combination,

the
race.

particular expression
types
after
them.
are

of
"

These

shadows

manes.

tury Cen-

century

employs
"

itself in fashioning
is the the

Glory
has
rarer,

fame

"

proof
than

that

one

type
The

seemed and
more

to

other

types
the

newer,
rest.

beautiful

common

types
interest small

are

souls for of

too,
the

no only they have Creator, and for a

except
number

viduals. indi-

To
be

feel one's

own

fragilityis well,
it is better.
own

but

to

indifferent of
to

to

To

take

the

measure

one's

misery
its raison

is

profitable,
is still is
a

but
more

understand
To

d'etre

profitable.

mourn

for oneself
to

last
.

sign of vanity

; we

ought only

regret

amiel's

journal.

253
to

that

which
to

has

real

value, and involuntary importance

it is
a

regret
to
self. one-

oneself, is
that
one

furnish

evidence

had the

attached
same our

At

time
true
to

proof
function.

of

ignorance
It is
not to

of

worth

and

necessary
preserve faithful

live, but
type

it is

sary neces-

one's
to

unharmed,
to

to

remain one's

one's

idea,

protect

monad

against

alteration

and

dation. degra-

7th been

November

1878.
of

"

To-day
in that

we

have

talking

realism

painting, and, in poetical and

not

connection artistic

with

it, of
which
with

illusion

does

aim

at

being confounded
ism

realityitself.
sensation
; the

Keal-

wishes
true not art to

to

entrap

object
we see
"

of

is

only

to

charm

the

tion, imagina!'

deceive
we

the
say,

eye.
'

When

good
the

portrait words,
other
terror
a
'

It is alive

in

other

our

imagination
a wax

lends

it life.
a

On
sort

hand,
in
us

figure produces
lifelikeness
on

of

; its frozen

makes
we we

deathlike
It

impression ghost
!'

us,
one

and
case

say,
see

is
is
we

In

the demand

what

lacking, and
see

it ; in
us,

the
we

other

wliat

is

given

and

give
to

on

our

side.

Art, then, addresses

;

itself

the

imagination

everything

that

254

amiel's

journal.

appeals
almost
to set

to

sensation
art.

only
A

is of
us

below
art

art,

outside the

work
in
to

ought
it

poetical faculty
to
a

to

work,
our

ought to stir us perception of

do
Mere this when

imagine,
And
artist

complete
we can

thing.
the

only
way

leads

the

copyist's painting, realistic reproduction,

pure

imitation,
is
a

leave

us a

cold

because
an

their

author

machine,
not
a

mirror,
these

iodised
Art

plate, and
lives
are

soul.
but

by

appearances,

pearances ap-

visions, fixed dreams. spiritual

to
us

Poetry represents
substantial
nature

nature

become
because

con-

with

the

soul,

in

it

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

mode
most
a

is

touched with
"

with
ovra a

our

in

short,
which

of

the

soul.

The

poetry
is the into

is
of

real

and

objective
throws

expression

soul

which

itself
presence is

things, and
more

forgets
than of
a

itself in their
; but

readily
call

others

still,it
hence

the
we

expression

soul,
may
so

and be

Style

style. tional, only collective,hieratic, naas

what

long

the

artist

is

still

the
to

interpreter of the
become

community
in

; it tends
as

personal
room

proportion

society
favours

makes its

for

individuality and

expansion.

amiel's

journal.

255

There Under it
more an

is
the

way

of

killingtnith
that
we

by truths.
to

pretence
we

want

study
"

in detail

pulverise
our

the

statue

it is

absurdity of which
Those

constantly guilty.
the

who
are

pedantry is can only see

to
me

fragments
as

of
much

thing
as

esprits disfigure

faux, just
the

those

who

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
fragments.
The
"

are,
to

as

they

might

be, and

as

they ought

be.

Modern made
up

culture of varied
can or

is

delicate and

electuary
subtle ours, col-

savours

which measured consists of

in

be

more

easily felt than

very the

defined.
tlie

Its

superiority
association
it

complexity,
the

contraries,
Tlie

skilful
of

combination

implies.
the

man

to-day, fashioned
influences

by
of

historical

and

geographical
and of

twenty
trained all the

countries, and

thirty centuries,
the

modified

by all

sciences

and

arts, the
is
an

supple recipient of

all literatures

finds

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

but
at

the

same

time

he

condenses

256
and
He
seems suras

amiel's
what smile
a

journal.

up

is elsewhere of La
to

scattered.

is like the
to

Gioconda, which
the

reveal
him

soul
more

spectator

only
a

to

leave

the

certainly under
so

final

impression

of

mystery,

many
once.

ferent dif-

things are
To
once

expressed in

it at

understand
in
;
so

things
and
then

we

must
come

have

been
out

them that

have
must

of

captivity and then deliverance, illusion followed by enthusiasm disillusion, 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 of a question of or love, of art, of religion, is a first condition patriotism. Sympathy and of criticism ; reason justicepresuppose, at their origin, emotion.
be

them

first there

What who the

enters

is

an

with

? A intelligent man and completeness ease the

at
an

man

into

spirit of
and
route.

things and
who

intention end

of

persons,

arrives

shortest

Lucidity and
are

by the suppleness of
inventive
source, re-

thought, critical delicacy and

these his attributes.

amikl's

journal.

257

Analysis once ground

no

kills into

spontaneity. flour springs

The and

grain nates germi-

more.

Sd
This I have

January
kind been
friend

1879. of
to
.

"

Letter has his

no

from
.

mine

pity.

trying
. .

quiet
when

over-delicate
to write

susceptibilities.

It is difficult
one

perfectly easy
studied with
a

letters

finds

them

magnifying

like monumental
character with
a

has view
to

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

disproportion
commentary,
writer and
is not
not

between between

word

and

its
the

the

playfulness of of analytical temper

to
ease

the

reader,
One these

favourable be
one's

of self

style.
with
to

dares serious

natural

folk it is
one

who

attach

importance
to

everything ; heartedly if
and every

difficult

write every

open-

must

weigh

phrase

word.
means

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

258
well. Muse The is

amiel's

journal.

mind
"

must

have Greeks

its

winged

the

play, the knew it,and

Socrates.

ISth
me

January
remember A

1879.
what

"

It is

impossible
I
wrote
a

for

to

letters

terday. yes-

singlenight digs
the of
are

gulf

between

the

self of
life is

My
my the

yesterday and without unity

themselves of memory. in

self of

to-day.
because from

action,
mental

actions control

escaping
of
seems

My

power,

occupied
under be
the

gaining
of

possession

itself
to

form

consciousness,

letting go its hold on all that generally peoples the understanding, as the glacier off the stones and throws fragments fallen
into its crevasses, The
that it may mind many

remain
is

pure loth
to

crystal.
facts

philosophic
itself with
too

overweight
or

material

trivial

memories.
"

Thought
is to
say, The
to

only
to

to

thought,

that

clings itself,
mind's

the

psychological
is for
an

process. enriched

only
It of

ambition

experience.

finds
its
own

its

easily into
becomes

pleasure in studying the play faculties, and the study passes tion Reflecan aptitude and habit.
nothing
more

than the pass

an

tus appara-

for the

registration of
and ideas which

impressions,
across

emotions,

the

AMIEL

JOURNAL.

259

mind.

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

whole

mathematical cold
because
"

axis, which
it is
All this

alone

remains
has
no

impalpable,
is natural

and

thickness. very

enough,

but

dangerous. So long as one living, so long,

"

is numbered that

among
say,
as one

the is

is to

still of

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

oneself
one

of
a

consciousness ual, individ-

must

consent

be

separate
name, In

having
age, the
resume

one's

special

position, spite
one

and

sphere of activity.
of
the

of

all

temptations
certain

impersonality,
a

must

position of
limits with

being
time

imprisoned
and space,

within
an

of

individual

special himself,
after like all these
when
at
to

surroundings,
bound up
;

friends, enemies, profession, country,

to

house

and and

feed

make

his

accounts

look
behave when
"

his

affairs

in

short,
There
to
me

one are a

must

all the details

world.
seem

days

dream,
my

I my

wonder

at

the
"

desk

under

hand,

body itself,

26o
when
my

amiel's

journal.

I ask

myself if there
and if all this

is

street

before

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

myself

sub

specie ceternita-

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

mind

the

universe the

latent

If

so,

its

zero

would is
pressed exzero

be

germ

of

the

infinite, which by
the

mathematically (00).
Deduction
the human the
:
"

double

that in

the

mind

may

ence experiin the

infinite individual

itself ;
arises

that

there which

sometimes
to

divine

spark
of the

reveals

him

the

existence

original, fundamental,
within
which its
a

principal Being,
like formula. of
mind
are a

all

is

tained con-

series universe the

us

within

generating
radiation
the Divine
;

The ; and for

a

is but of

radiations
more

mind

than

appeai-ances
to
our own.

they
The

have

reality parallel
of the
our

radiations
from

mind

are

imperfect
of fireworks

reflections
set

great show

in

motion

by

Brahma,

and

great

art

amiel's
is

journal.

261
its conformities that
which

great
the

only

because order
"

of

with is.

Divine

with

Ideal

conceptions
of such
an

are

the

mind's
The

pation anticimind is
as on

order. it is

capable of them such, perceives

the Law

because the

mind, and,
The

Eternal.

real,

contrary,
alone

is

fragmentary
The

and

passing.
the

is eternal.

ideal

is then

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
hope
progress. himself
with He who

imperishable

of

has

no

ideal has
are no

contents

with

what
which

is ; he
for

quarrel
identical

facts,
the

him

with

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

changing.
its

The

evolution
its the be

of

humanity
The

nearer

origin than
to

close. animal

complete
in

spiritualisation of
nature
seems

ment ele-

and it difficult, Its performance selfishness, and

is the

task

is hindered

singularly of our species. by error, evil, counting

death,

without

262
telluric
common

amiel's

journal.

catastrophes.

The

edifice

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 which

nations,
At the

races,

and
moment
a

continents

take

part.
not

present
as

yet constituted

its

general
our

education
at

humanity is physical unity, and is not begun. yet

as

All

attempts

order

yet

have

been

local

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

congresses, interest
are

etc.).

Science

the

great

religion and
year

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

there has been

in which of African

talk

of

work net-

railways, running
centre

from
the

the
lantic, At-

coast

to

the

and

bringing
and
with
to

the Ocean
"

Mediterranean,
communication
year

the

Indian other
a new ceivable, con-

into
a

each

such

is

enough
has tends
the is

mark

epoch.
real Man's
; the

The the

fantastic

become
to

the become

possible
becomes

the
man.

earth

garden of
to

chief

problem
of the

how

make of
his

the
spe-

cohabitation

individuals

amiel's

journal.

263
say,
to
secure

cies

possible

how,

that

is to
the

for each the

of

successive

epoch
which hlin
; to

law,
it.

the

order,

equilibrium
labour
allows
at
once

befits

Division
in

explore

every

direction

law,
and

education,
economical

industry, science, art, morals, religion, politics, relations,

be it is
"

all

are

in process

of birth. Thus
zero

everything may by the mind, but

which contains

brought
a

back
zero
"

to

fruitful

zero

the
The

universe mind the

real

and,
has

in
no

particular, humanity.
more

in tracking difficulty

within finite in-

the

innumerable

than 00

in
may

apprehending
issue from

possibility.
may
return to

0,

or

it.

19th
"

January
a

1879.

"

Charity
curb and
on

"

goodness
of
rays
too

places
too

voluntary
; it
screens

acuteness

perception
of
a

softens
to

the
see

vivid

insight

; it refuses

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
to
see

what
the

stares

it in the

face,
puts

"

that and

is to say,
errors

firmitie imperfections, in; its

of humankind

pity

on

airs of

approval and

encouragement.

264
It

amiel's

journal.

its triumphs over help and raise. may

It

own

repulsions
that
was sense

that

it

has

often

been

remarked
If so, it

Vinet from
was

praised weak
any

things.
in his
own

not

failure

critical
not

; it

from

charity.
"

'Quench
I

the

flax,'

to

which

add,
tell

'Never is
so

smoking necessary give unnot

pain.' nightingale
;

The

cricket
him of
more

the

why
the

Throw
"

yourself
process it is what

into
newer

mind and

the

cricket

the
; and

is

ingenious

charity commands.
is
a

Intellect In

cratic. aristocratic,charity is demothe

of of

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

difficulty;
their

get
muzzle

out
on

of

it

by

making
;

prudence a others, by using perspicacity.

On
than kills
reserve

their
as a

frankness

kindness
the
;

corrective kindness
no

of is

whole,
it

safer and

inflicts

wound,
risk

nothing.
generous
; it
runs a

Charity is
and

ingly, will-

in

spite

of

hundred
no

sive succes-

experiences,
hundred-and-flrst.
same serve

it thinks We

evil
be
nor

at at
can

the
the
we

cannot

time
two

kind masters,
be

and
"

wary,

love

and

selfishness. that
we

We

must

knowingly

rash,

may

amiel's

journal.

265
of the

not

be
never

like

the

clever
their

ones own

world,
We
;

who
must

forget
able
to

interests.

be

submit
which

to

being deceived
and of
to

it is the love soul the

owe

sacrifice
to

interest The

selfthe be

conscience.
be

claims
we are

must

satisfied of God.
Bossuet who
'

first if

children

Was the

it not

who

said, It is only
'

great souls
is in

know
?

all the

grandeur

there

charity

2lst holds

January
the she
own

1879.

"

At

first

place of science
has
to

and
to

religion philosophy ;
confine
is in the
communes

afterwards
to

learn
"

self herthe

her

domain of

which in

inmost
recesses

depths
of the Divine

conscience,
where

secret

soul,
is the

life the

with

the

will

and

universal

order.

daily renewing of the inner ideal, the steadying of our being, agitated, troubled, and embittered mon by the comaccidents
of

Piety

existence.

Prayer
cordial

is the

spiritual balm,
restores
us

the peace

precious
and and
"

which
It
minds re-

to

us

courage.

of Thou
"

pardon
art

of

duty.
; thou

It says hast labour ness by kind-

to

us,

'

loved thou
;
overcome

love

received while

give
canst

must

die anger

"

thou
: overcome

evil with

good.

What

does

266
the blindness

amikl's

journal.

of
or

opinion
follow

matter,
the Fais

or

understand misart
ample ex-

ingratitude ?
common ce

Thou

neither

bound
nor

to

to

succeed.
pourra.
;

que
a

dois,
is

advienne in

que

Thou

hast

witness

thy conscience

and
!'

thy

conscience

Grod

speaking
March

to

thee

3d
is

1879.

"

The

sensible

politician
of

governed

by

considerations

social

the public good, the greatest attainable utility, starts 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
"

owe

him, while

it

ignores
to
a

the

other his

side

of

the

for
The

question, devoting
State
a

and

extinguishes
a common

capacity
cause.

himself

becomes
"

shop

with
an

self-interest
arena, in
own tive mo-

for which hand

principle,
every

or

rather

combatant
In

fights for
case

his

only.
power.

either

self

is the

amiel's

journal.

267
to

Church

and
careers

State
for be

ought
the

provide
; in to

two

opposite
State of his
he

individual
on

the

should
"

called
say,

give proof
earn

merit

that

is to

he

should
;

rights
his

by
task his

services should
own

rendered
be
to

in

the

Church

suppressing
act

good while merits, by a voluntary

do

of

humility.
individualism of the

Extreme

dissipates

the

moral
him
to to

substance

individual.

It leads

subordinate think
him.

and made

for

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
so

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

the

Darwinian the

states

the

fact
"

devour better.
a

and little, the of

adds
one

much
other

the

Neither
to

nor

the

has

word

say

love, of

eternity, of kindness, of piety, of voluntary submission,

All of self-surrender.

forces

and

all

principlesare

brought

268
into result action

amiel's

journal.

at
on

once

in

this

world.
But

The the

is,
truth

the

whole,

good.
because

struggle

itself
and

is hateful
shows error,
mere us

it dislocates but
error

nothing
and

pitted against
that of is to
say,

party
halves

against party

fragments
A

being
to

"

monsters

against beauty
it

monsters.

nature

in love
the

with

cannot

reconcile

itself for

sight; something else

The
common

longs for harmony, nance. than perpetual dissocondition of human

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

perennial
it ; his
see

but

the

philosopher sighs
in it ; his from music
a

over

heart

is not

ambition
; his

is to
ear

human
set to

history
catch the

height
of the

is

eternal

spheres.
15th
over

March

1879. de

"

I have
man

been

Les
a

histoires few

Parrain
of

turning by Stahl,
et
nos

and Filles

chapters

Nos

Fils

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

by

that
so

virtue tiresome

is not
as

so

dull

nor

common

sense

persuasive

people moralists,

believe.

They

are

captivating

story-

amiel's

journal.

269

tellers ; This its

they

rouse

pretty
down it

manner

appetite for good. of theirs,however, has

the

dangers.

moral

wrapped
it may

up

in sugar be

goes that The

certainly,hut

feared

their
taste

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 escapes

of conduct

untouched.
are

Amusement,
genres.
and

instruction,morals, They
may
no

tinct disgled min-

doubt
wish

be
to

combined,
them

but

if

we

obtain do best

direct
to

and

we simple effects,

shall

keep

apart.

The

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
amusement

is to
These

weaken

the
to

will

and

the

intelligence.
the

efforts

make

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
are

fashion

give it

taste

for bread.

2^0
22d

amiel's

journal.

May
and

1879

(Ascension
weather.
a

delicious
"

derful WonDay). ing Soft, caress"

sunlight, the air twitterings of birds ; even of the city have something
in The
them. It of this is

limpid
the young
a

blue,

"

distant and
new

voices

like springbirth.
men

indeed Saviour

ascension

the

of

is

symbolised
bom soul
are

by

expansion,
nature.
...

this

ward heavenself mythe

yearning
clear.

of
;

I feel

again

all

the

windows

of

Forms,
contrasts,

tions, lines, tints, reflecand

sounds,
the

harmonies,
of

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
"

general play and

interchange

lilac
with the of

beside

the

little fountain
to

is
;

flushed

red, and just about wide openings to the old College of

above
above the
trees

flower

through
and
see

the

right
I St.

left the the

Calvin of

Saleve
Voirons

Antoine,

the

the

three
to

flightsof
lead
Rue

landing,
the

Cologny ; steps which, from between two high

to to

hill of

while ing landwalls

of

from

Verdame recall
the

the

terrace

the
some

Tranchees,
old
or

one's
a

city of
of

south,

imagination glimpse of

Perugia

Malaga.

amiel's
All of the

journal.

271
It

bells
A

are

ringing.
and
with the

is the

hour

worship.
the
All

historical

pression religious im-

mingles
musical,
scene.

picturesque, the
of the
"

poetical
the

impressions
of

peoples
scattered
this

Christendom
over

all the
are

Churches

the the

globe

"

celebrating at
Crucified. what have
are

moment

glory

of

the

And who

those

many

nations
honour

doing
the the

other in

prophets, and
ways ?
"

Divinity
the

other the
?

the

Jews,

Mussulmans,
Guebers
other But

Buddhists, the Vishnuists, They

have other

sacred
other

days,
beliefs. ideal
above

rites, other
all have life
"

solemnities,
some

religion, some
at

end the

for

all aim and

raising man
of the existence.

sorrows

smallnesses individual

present,
All have

and faith

of

the
in

something
all

greater
all
and the

than
;

themselves,
all
see

all

pray,

bow,

adore

beyond
All
we

nature.
bear

Spirit,
witness link
men

beyond
ible. Invisbinds

evil. Good.
Here

to

have

the
All

which
are

all

peoples together.
of All with
soitow

equally
hope and
lost mony harand

creatures

and
to
recover

desire,
some

of

fear.

long
the

great
the

order

of

things,
blessed All

to

feel themselves Author of

approved
universe.

and

by

the

know

272
what

AMIEL

JOURNAL.

All

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

pardon. Christianity
is the
with

reduced

to

its

original
of the

plicity sim-

reconciliation
means

sinner
that

God,
loves chastises furnished

by
in

of of

the

certainty
and

God He

spite
because
a new

everything,
He

that

loves.

ity Christianand of
a new

motive achievement holiness

strength for perfection. giving

2Sth
term to

the It made air

moral

attractive

by

it the

of filial

gratitude.
lecture
year.

June and of

1879. the

"

Last

of

the

academic of modern
with

I finished

the

exposition
up

wound wished. itself. my

hour

my
The

course

philosophy, and the precision I

returned
I have my upon

circle
to

has
this

In

order

do

divided
rial, mate-

into

minutes,
every
a

calculated stitch
very It

and

counted

and

pomt.
part
of cult diffi-

This, however,
the
matter to

is but

small
is
a more

professorialscience.
divide
a

one's of

whole

material
to

into

given
the
the

number

lectures,
of the
of

mine deter-

right proportions
normal The of

different
to

parts, and
be attained.
a

speed ordinary

delivery
may
"

lecturer
seances,

achleye

series

complete

the

amiel's

journal.

273
scientific
more
"

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

of

sition. expo-

Has reasoned class?

liked
me so.

this kind
I

concise,
of

substantial, closelybeen Have I

me am

work tell.
?
to

useful
my
not

to

my

cannot

students
sure, but

this

year
seems

hope
in

It

they have.
it cannot
a succes

Only,
been ; I

if I have
any

pleased them,
case more

have

than
at

(Vestime
success.

have

never

aimed

any

oratorical

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

to to

understand.

Scientific all

turing lec-

ought
A

be,
has

above

things, clear,
ing. convincdo
with
to

instructive, well
lecturer
court to

put together, and

the

paying
serious

nothing scholars, or
his
business

with is

ing showone

off the

master;

of

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
and

coaxing.
to

All

such
in

ways
men's

are

mere

tempts atmere

throw

dust and

eyes, A

forms

of

coquetry

stratagem.

pro-

274
fessor do is the

amiel's

journal.

priest of his subject ; he should

of
it

the

honours

gravely

and

witli

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

'

Non-being
'

is

this in

horrible
the

sophism

becomes

beautiful because

only

tonic Plais

system,

there

Non-being is, and

the
so on

replaced by
is divine. The should

the

Idea, which chimerical,

to

which

ideal,
not

the

vacant,

be
to

allowed the

claim

great
its

superiority
has The the

Real, which, advantage

and and

side, by
It is

incomparable
kills
the

of

existing.

Ideal

enjoyment
present
says
have

content

disparaging
the

actual. like

voice

which

No,
not ; not

Mephistono,
not
"

pheles.
your

No,

you

succeeded;
no, you
rest
are

work
;

is not
you

good
shall all that

happy
that

no,
see

find
you do

all

you

and

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

both

of

individual
the
race.

suffering and of the It destroys happiness

progress in the

of
name

of

nity. dig-

amiel's
The

journal.

275
is

only positive good

therefore
to

order,
to
a

the

turn re-

order

and
without

state

of
an

equilibrium. evil,and
ideal
is
a so

Thought
is action unless

action

is

without it be

thought.
fused
with

The
the

poison
the of

real, and
the

real
the

becomes

corrupt

without
is

perfume

singly without
encroaches hurtful is
when
an

its

Nothing and complement

is self-devotion

ideal.

good
trary. con-

its

Self-examination
upon it

dangerous
;

if it is

roverie

stupefies the
when fatal much' wisdom.
when

will; gentleness
it

evil

it lessens

contemplation
character. sin
'Too

is

strength; destroys
little' is
one

and

'too

equally against evil,apathy another.

as

Excess
may be
;

Duty

defined

energy
as

tempered
inclination

by

moderation and

calmed

happiness, tempered

by self-control.
Just but
as

life is

only
our

lent

us so

for the

few

years, which

is not
us

inherent

in us,
own.

good

is in
to

is not of needs

It is not

difficult

think

oneself
a

in

this

detached

spirit.

It

only

little

intuitive

perception
There
is

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

much
are

even we

sweetness

in

this

conception
and that

that

yet

it is

selves, nothing of ourgranted to us to

^jffi
summon

amiel's

journal.

each

other

to

life,joy, poetry

and

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
; the

ideal

pursued
ideal
an

is the

sive deci-

point
the

Stoical make

is

duty,
out

whereas

Epicureans
Two
two

ideal
two
same

of

an

interest.

tendencies,
worlds.
In

systems
way the

of

morals,

tlie them

the
formers, re-

Jansenists,
are

and

before

great

for
"

predestination, the
and

Jesuits

for

free-will,
matters

yet
is

the

first founded of
the

liberty, the
What

second
then is

slavery
not secret

conscience. theoretical
the

principle; aspiration, thing.

At every

it
the

the

tendency,
is the

aim, which

essential

epoch
what
man

there

lies, beyond
the faith has

the

domain
of the

of

knows,
which
no

domain its

unknown,
Faith offer.
It

in

dwelling. itself, to
in its and certain

has is

commanding
among
A

proofs, but only bom spontaneously souls ; it spreads

rest

empire

the

by
faith

imitation is but
a

contagion.

great

amiel's

journal.

277
certitude
as

great hope
raove

which and

becomes farther

we

farther

from

tlie founder

of it ; time
at

and

distance

strengthen
for

it,until
seizes
Then comes be-

last

the

passion
had

knowledge
it.
its

upon

it,questions, and
which its
once

examines

all

made
;

strength

weakness

the

impossibility of feeling, distance. clearest,

age,
or

exaltation verification,

of

At

what
truest

age ?
come

is

our

view

our

eye

Surely
which
were

in

old weaken

before

the

infirmities The
who

embitter. old
man

ancients
is at
once

right. develops
it is
see

The and

sympathetic
and
to

ested, disinter-

necessarily contemplation,
of

the
to

spirit of
the

given things
value.

spirit truly,
their

contemplation
it

most

because relative

alone

perceives

them

in

and

proportional
1880. A

2d

January

"

sense

of

rest, of
out. withof

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

to

within fire.
my A

and
sense

mother
not

seems or

smile

upon but

me.

am

dazed

stupid, morning. emotion,

the

only
Whatever
not

happy
may

in be

this
the

peaceful
charm it of

I do

know

whether hours

equals
medi-

sweetness

of those

of silent

tjB

amiel's

journal.

tation, in which
foretaste
of the

we

have

contemplative
and

glimpse and dise. joys of Paraand reduced mode

care,
to

Desire
are

fear,
the pure

sadness is

done

away.

Existence
most

the
of It

simplest form,

ethereal

being,
is
a

that

is, to
of

self-consciousness.
without the
state

state

harmony,
the

tension
state

and

without

disturbance,
the

dominical which

of the
it

soul, perhaps
grave.

awaits the

beyond

It is

Orientals
the

understand
who

happiness as it, the happiness

struggles
adores words find

of
nor

anchorite,
any It is

neither
but

wishes

more,

simply
to

and
in

enjoys.
which
our

difficult
this

to

express
can

moral render
of this

situation, for
the

languages
localised
of

only

particular they
this
are centration, con-

and

vibrations

life ;

incapable
of the

expressing
this divine
ocean,

motionless

quietude,
own

state

resting
is
master

which
its

reflects the

and

of
then

sky, profundities.
into their
up in
no

are Things principles ;

re-absorbed
are

memories soul
is

swallowed

memory

the

only soul, and

is

is

longer
and feels
of the

conscious

of itself in its It

separateness.
the

individuality which something

a no

universal

life,
It

sensible

atom

Divine, of God.

longer appropriates
is conscious of

anything

to

it itself,

amiel's
void. have humble combines and
the

journal.

279
and Soufis haps per-

no

Only

the

Yoghis
in

known

yet

profundity this voluptuous state, which

of

its

joys
both

being
the

and

of
nor

non-

being,
which
and
return

which is

is neither

reflection moral

will,
is the vision

above

existence

the

intellectual
to

existence, which
the

unity,
and attractive that

to

pleroma,
"

the

of

Plotinus

of

Proclus,
western

Nirvana

in

its most

form. nations
in general,

It is clear

the

and very life

especially

the

Americans,

know
them

little of this state

is

of

feeling.
incessant
for

For

devouring
are

and
for

activity.
power,
men

They
dominion
to

eager
; their nature.

gold,
is to

for and

aim

crush
an

enslave

They
and

show

obstinate
a

interest for the

in means, end.

have

not

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

JOURNAL.

death I

comes

they recognise that

admit
when it
sooner

it is so,

"

why

not

then

Activity
"

is

\/ only
say, which

beautiful when

it is in

holy

that of

is to that

it is spent
not

the

service

passeth February
of

away.

Gth

1880.
on
'

"

A the

feeling
death
of

article

by
the

Edmond director
who

Schfirer
the bore who

Bersot,
a

fecole Normale,'
like
a

losophe phi-

stoic
to

terrible

disease, and
a

laboured
...

the

out last withthe

complaint.
orations

I have delivered
over

just read
his
to
man

four

grave.

They
In

have last
was

brought days manly,

of the
the

the
this

tears

my

eyes. thing every-

the

of

brave

noble, moral, and devotion,

elevation him whole how funeral
the

ual. spiritto

Each the

speakers paid homage

of
to

character,
the
us

constancy,
the dead. and live

and
'Let

intellectual learn
die.'

from
The

how had

to
an

ceremony

antique dignity.
February
1880. Hoar-frost
is

1th but

"

and
and

fog,
the the

the and

general aspect
has
Paris

bright
common

like, fairy-

nothing
and
us.

in

with of which

gloom
This

in

London,
has

newspapers

tell

silverylandscape

dreamy grace,

amiel's

journal.

281
unknown and
seem

fanciful
the

charm,

which
of the

is
sun

both
to

to

countries

tliose

of
to

coal-smoke. another
the

The

trees

to

belong
has

creation,

in

which

white

taken

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

feels is

no

wish

for

anything

else ;

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

their

original

and

anywhere beguiled
dinner. and
a mere

"

all is velvet.
out

My

ment enchant-

me

both

before
is that

and
of
a

after

The

impression
tints of
winter

fete,
be,
set

the

subdued

are,

or

seem

to

coquetry
charm

which

has

itself to and

paint something
to

without

sunshine,

yet

the

spectator.
Life the
as a

Qth
so

February
the

1880.

"

rushes weak
man's

on

"

much

worse

for

and

the

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

tendo

finds young,

himself
the
vae

trampled
eager, the

voracious.

'"Vae

victis,

debilibus/^
is storm-

yellsthe crowd,

which

in its turn

282

amiel's

journal.

ing the goods of is always in some

however small
he
some

this other may

world. man's

Every
way,

man

since,
he

make space,

himself,
and
he

still occupies
little he
sure some

however
is

may

envy and

or

possess, his

still

to

be
one

envied else.
race

goods
world
!

coveted
"

by

Mean
I

peopled
we

by
must

mean

To

console
"

ourselves of the such.

think generous the

rest

of the

exceptions
There
!
"

noble What

and
do

souls.
matter

are

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 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

The

traveller

follow
When

him

in their

dreams

"

and
we

smiles.

"

all is
a

said, indeed,
or

defend

selves our-

greater
are

lesser

number

of years, devoured the grave

but in

we

always
; there

conquered
is
no

and

the

end
worm.

escaping
is
.

and and

its

Destruction
our

our

destiny,

oblivion

poition.

amiel's

journal.

283
My
more a

How thin still. all is

as

near a

is the

great gulf 1
or even

skiff

is

nutshell,
the leak the
for

fragile
little and

Let
over

but

widen

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

and

my

life.
even

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
we

the

it.

A
...

miserable
or

night enough.
times

ened Awak-

three

four

by
One

my

bronchitis.
ter wincome.

Sadness

"

restlessness.

of these will well

to

nights, possibly,
I realise
that

suffocation be

it

would

keep

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 the eyes

in you, bed but of

be

at

peace

with

all

men.'

On
no

death for

the

soul

should All

have
the

etern'U

things.

284
littlenesses
over.

amiel's

journal.

of

life

disappear.
be

The

fight is
left
"

There remembrance

should
of of

nothing
Our

now

but
tion

past blessings,
God.
to

adorar stinct in-

of the leads

ways
us
'

natural

back

Christian

humility
our

and

pity.
as we

Father,

forgive us who forgive them

passes, tres-

trespass

against
Easter

us.'

Prepare
were

thyself as though the coming forward thy last, for thy days hencebe

shall

few

and

evil.

nth

February

1880.

"

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,
De
is
a

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

amiel's
affectation of of
not
more
are

journal.

285
a

in

them,
and

tliere is at least

kind
sort

theatrical

professional
as

posing, a attitudinising. Truth

it is
more

sacerdotal

is

fine

as

this, but
more

pathetic,
cold.
De Was

varied. it not is
a

Marble who I

living, images
said,
am

Musset

'If

Laprade

poet, then

not

one'?

February translating twelve by Petofi. They

savour.

2.1th

1880."
or

have

finished

fourteen
a

little poems kind of

have

strange

There

is

of

the

East, of
songs,

something of the Steppe, of madness, in Mazeppa,

seem

these of
a

which

to

go

to

the

beat

riding-whip.
savage

What

force

and

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

the

Arab.

2Qth La
at

March

1880.
Bleue
"

"

I have
a

been

reading

Banniere
the time

of

form
who

of

memoirs.

history of the world under the Genghis Khan, It is a Turk, Ouigour,

He
shows
us

tells the from the

story.
wrong

tion civilisa-

side, or

the

other

side,

286
and the

amiel's

journal.

Asiatic of its

nomads

appear

as

the

scavengers

corruptions.
himself fact the scourge
the
est vast-

of

Genghis proclaimed God, and he did in

empire
known Sea
to to

realise

history, stretching
the

from
the

the
vast

Blue

Baltic, and
to

from of
pires em-

the

plains of Siberia sacred The Ganges.

of the

the

banks solid

most
were

ancient of

world his

overthrown and
the the

by
into there of

the

tramp
of his he

horsemen From

shafts

archers.
threw the
vast

tumult

which issued

western

continent the

certain

results:

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
the the

oaks

and
ancient

worm-eaten

buildings
The descent
upon

of of

whole

world.

yellow,
a

flat-nosed

Mongo/s
which

Europe
and

is

historical

cyclone
thirteenth ends

devastated and

purified our
at

century,
of
the

broke,
world,
"

the

two

known walls

through two great Chinese which protected the ancient

that

empire

of

the

amiel's

journal.

287
a

Centre, and

that

which

made

barrier the

of

ignorance
world of

and

superstition round
to

little

Christendom.

Attila, Genghis,
range in the

Tamerlane,
of
men

ought
with

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
war see

that
as

there

is

law The

of

tempests
of

history
are

in

Nature.

revilers

like the
;

revilers

of

thunder, storms,
not

and do.

volcanoes Civilisation

they
tends
to

know
to

what
men,

they
as

corrupt
the air.

large towns
'

tend

vitiate

Nos

patimur

longBe pacis
about
;
a

mala.'
ration resto-

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

violent
the

they put
in human

world

Evil ruin
the

chastises

itself, things
who

regulator
No

has

yet
bear

been
more

discovered.
than
a

civilisation

certain

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
wliich

into

ruin.
is
a

The virus
nated elimi-

contained
preys upon

in

an

organism
it. And

it,and

if it is not
as

is

by destroying perfect, nothing can

May
to

ends

ing noth-

escape

death.

19th either

1880.

"

Inadaptablility,
or

due
or

mysticism
the

stiffness,delicacy
or

disdain, is
the
been

misfortune of my

at

all events I have

to

characteristic able
to

life.

not
tent connever

myself to anything, I have myself with anything.

the

fit

had

quantum
the

of

illusion
I
me

necessary made
any

for
use

risking
of the of

irreparable.
itself to

have from

ideal

keep

kind

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

which

things enslave
ray

us.

pendence Inde-

has
my

been

refuge

; detachment

stronghold. I have lived life, in the world, yet not

"

the
in

impersonal it,thinking
a

much,
mind
women

desiring nothing. which corresponds

is called
a

It

is

state

of in
it is

with heart

what
; and

broken
the

in

fact
to

like

it,since
is

characteristic When
one

mon com-

both

despair.

knows

amiel's
will

JorRXAL.

289
what
can so one

that have with the

one

never

possess
that
one

could
content

loved, and

be
to

nothing less, one has world, one

with

has,
cut

the

speak, left golden hair,

life
"

parted
that towards

all

that
"

makes the

human incessant

is to say,
an

illusion

effort

apparently
1880.
There

attainable

end.

31sf

May

"

Let

us

not to must

be be

over-

ingenious.
of

is

no

help
one

got
live. with

out

subtleties. and

Besides,
not to

It
any

is best

simplest

to

quarrel
we are as

illusion,and

accept
take

the
as

inevitable in

goodhuman
not

temperedly. existence, we
too

Plunged
must too

it

it comes,

nor bitterly,

and

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
"

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

granddaughter, grandson ; to enter

childhood when them. looks
human There
we

his

or

the

grandmother
the of

her

into fictions
have

pretences

of

and

the

youth,
God

even

ourselves
It is

long passed beyond

that

probable
upon
so

Himself of the

kindly
race,

the
as

illusions

long

they
sin
"

are

innocent.

is

nothing

evil but

that

is,ego-

290
tism and

amiel's

journal.

revolt. his is
one errors

And

as

for

error, but
error

man

changes
some one

frequently,
him.

of
as

sort

may,

always with is always

on some

Travel

somewhere, point
some

and

one's
as

mind feet

rests rest

of

truth,
of the

one's

upon

point

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

poem.

He

is

part

of

the

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

The

loftiest of the

souls

are

those

who

are

scious con-

give
this

their
vast

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

universal

who
to
we

call civilisation.
In

principle
all the of

mind

is which

capable

of

pressing supin

limits

it discovers

limits itself,
race, that

language, nationality, religion, it must be mitted adBut or epoch. the more the mind spiritualises

and
on

it has the less hold generalises itself, other minds, which no longer understand
or

it

know
to

what
men

to

do

with

it. for

Influence purposes

belongs

of

action, and

amiel's

jourxal.

291
useful than
rowness nar-

of

action

nothing
of

is

more

thought
of
are

combined

with

energy

of will. The those the of

forms
action

dreamland small
in and

are

gigantic,
To
cess, suc-

dwarfed.

minds

imprisoned profit ;
a

things, belong
no

fame,
but

great deal
of
the

doubt

they

know the I

nothing

pleasures of
the

liberty or However,
before

joy
do

of

penetrating
mean

infinite.
one

not ;

to

put
man

class

another

for

every

is

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
upon

"

what? dreams

That do
;

reverie that

turns

itself

as

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

unseen

effusions
with
not

are

the

versation con-

of

thought
but
we

the itself,

gios, arpegof Its

no no

involuntary
that

unconscious,
within
us.

jEolian

harp
compose

bear
no

vibrations

theme,

achieve

no

piece, exhaust melody, carry out

292
programme, life of
man.

AMIEL'S

JOURNAL.

but

they

express

the

innermost

1st June de Parme.

1 880.
A

"

Stendhal's

La book.

Chartreuse
It is
even

remarkable
a

typical,the
the series the and

first of of

class.

Stendhal
which

opens press supsense, uals Individ-

naturalist

novels,
of the

intervention

moral

scoff at the
are

claim
;

of free-will.

irresponsible
and observer's is
a

they

are

governed by
human artist's after is sions pasterial. ma-

their

passions,
is the Stendhal

the

play of joy, the

novelist who

Taine's

heart,
touched
amuses

faithful
nor

painter
and
and the

neither

angry,

whom

everything
as

"

the

knave
men

adventuress
but
nor

well

as

honest

and

women,

who

has
In

neither

faith, nor
science. It it

preference,

ideal. natural

him

literature

is subordinated
no no

to

history, to
of
the him the

longer forms

part
man

humanities,
of the And leads of
for
a

longer gives
rank.

honour with

separate
ant,
this

It classes

the moral
to

beaver,

and

the
to

monkey. morality
The

indifference

direct
the
man,

vice

contempt
the of level

of

the

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

strength, disregard of

soul,

want

amiel's

journal.

293
of

of

generosity,
shows
to

of

reverence, in

nobility,
it is inhvrwith the is
a

which

itself

spite of all protestations

a

the No
:

contrary
man can

; in

word,
a

manity.

be
coarse

naturalist
even

impunity
most

he

will

be

with

refined
no

culture.

A but

free

mind of

great thing
belief and and
in

doubt,

loftiness

heart,

goodness, capacity for thirst after devotion, the

enthusiasm

perfection

holiness, are
June
de

greater things still.

I

1th

1880.

"

Necker

Saussure^i is and
and
an

reading Madame again. L''J^ducation

am

progressive
moderation

admirable

book. what

What
sonableness rea-

fairness

of view,

in it is of

! Everything dignity of manner observation, high quality,

"

thought,
science

and with

religion, of
the
It

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

book is
a

attempts,
fine book
"

is sound
a a

and
"

beneficent. and work Geneva which

so

classic

may
shows solid

be

proud
such

of

piece
we

of

high

cultivation
Here

and
have

much
true

wisdom.

the

Genevese of the

literature, the
country.
I have finished

central

tradition

Later.

"

the

third volume

294
of

amiel's

journal.

Madame

Necker.

The

elevation

and

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

language
a

do

not

matter.

I feel for

author
rare

respect mingled
find
a

with

emotion. thing every!

it is to

book

in which is true

is sincere

and

everything

26th
is
mere

June loss and

1880.
of

"

Democracy
to

exists;
upon

it

time

dwell

its absurditie
its

defects. and On
on

Every regime
other

regime has
is
a

weaknesses,
than others. but

this

lesser

evil

things
the

its effect hand the

men

is unfavourable,

by

it, for
of

it

develops
one

individual interest bad

profit by
in
a

obliging
multitude but and
it
a

every

to

take

questions. produces citizens.

more

It makes

work,

This
one

is its excuse,
; in

than

tolerable

the

eyes

of the title to

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

made for man, and
not

serious tions instituvers".

are

vice

21th friends

June
,

1880.

"

paid
resumed

visit the of

to
sation conver-

my

and of

we

which

yesterday. We threaten democracy

from the

talked and
at

the

ill^
are

which

derived

legal fiction

the

root

of

amiel'8
the

journal.

295
in

it.

Surely

remedy
the

consists
truth

insisting
racy democ-

everywhere

upon

whicli

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
must

arrogance he

and all forms

the

jealous
more are

ingratitude strenuously
their
a

resisted social

because
; and

in of

favour

when

the
on

institutions
the

country
to

lay

stress

only
more

rights of
of
on

the

individual, it is the

business
stress

the

zen citi-

lay
must

all
be
a

the

duty.
correct

There the

constant

effort of

to

prevailing tendency

things. hope for

is

All

this,
in

it is true, is human

nothing but society one cannot

Alfred de
a

palliative,but
more.

Later. thetic

"

Vigny
supple

sympa^
turn

writer, with
a

meditative

of
He

thought,
possesses

strong

and

talent.

elevation, independence,

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

of

pride and reserve of familiarity and

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

296
self go. his

amiel's

journal.

This

tendency popularity as
he
a

has
a

naturally
writer
with

jured ina as

public
one

whom

holds

at

arm's

length
much

might
race

troublesome
has
never

crowd. cared

The about
; it
own no

French the does

inviolabilityof personal
not
as

conscience
in their

like
in

stoics
a

shut

up

dignity
master

tower,
or

and

recognising
Such
it ; it is

but

God, duty
and made

faith.

ness strict-

annoys

irritates

piqued
solemn.
this very

and It

impatient by repudiated Protestantism

and have of
in

merely anything
for
it
to

reason,

all
not

crises

has the

crushed

those

who

passionate
1st

current

yielded opinion.

July

1880

temperature

is
my

(^Three o'clock). The oppressive ; I ought to be

"

looking

over

notes,

and

thinking
Is it ?

of

morrow's to"

examinations.

Inward

distaste trouble
or a

emptiness preying strength

waste at

"

discontent.
or sorrow

of soul of
to
"

conscience,
upon

of heart
or

the
sense

itself ?

merely
time

decaying
Is sadness
"

and
or

running
"

regret
not

or

fear
;

the

root
sense

of

it ?

do

know

but
it ;

this dull it leads Oh for

of

misery

has

danger
mad

in

to

rash

efforts from

and

decisions.
to

escape

self,for

something

amiel's

journal.

297
of the
gorge bottom
want

stifle the

importunate
Discontent
How
can

voice is
we

and of

yearning ! temptation.
serpent

father the

ible invisof
? vain
our

hidden
it
so

at

the it may

well,
At

"

gorge
the

that all
"

sleep
rage ? and

heart there !
"

of

this
what

rebellion

lies
are

Aspiration,
the infinite
It
some

yearning
"

We for of

athirst
know

for

for

love

not

what.

is

the

instinct

happiness, which, like

for its prey.

wild God

animal,

is restless

It is

calling
"

God

avenging Himself. (Sunday,

"

4th
in the

July heavy
on

1880

half -past
has
come

eight
out
as an

morning).
rain.
this

The

sun one

after
omen

May day
been

take
The

it

solemn has

great voice
in
our

of
ears.

Clemence
The

just

sounding
of
'

bell's
For
a

deep

vibrations
an

went

to

my

heart.

quarter
on
"

hour

the

pathetic appeal
remember the of voice
! I

went
am

Geneva, Geneva,
"

called and God of

Clemence

am

of Church
serve

Country.
and
be
at

People
peace

Geneva,
'

together.
*

law

to

bring about

separation
Great of the

between
was

Church
on

and
bay It

State, adopted
Bubmitted
was

by
the
a

the
vote

Council,
Gencvese

this

to

people.

rejected by

large majority

(9306 against

4044). -[8.1

298
Seven
has been

amiel's

journal.

0^ clock

in

the

evening.
Now
a

"

Clemence
the she

ringing again, during

of the
the scrutin. that

last has

half-hour

stopped,
when

silence which

has

terrible
upon
return

ness, seriousa

like that
it is

weighs
for
the

crowd
of the
tence. sen-

waiting
the

judge
and

and The

delivery of
of the
in the

the

death

fate is
now

Genevese

church

country

voting box.

Eleven

0'' clock
the

in

the

evening.
The

along
carried
vote.

whole
more

line.
than

Victory have Ayes

"

little
At my

two-sevenths 's house I

of the found and

friend of

them

aU

full

excitement, gratitude,

joy.
5fA which
mass

July
have

1880. still
a

"

There

are

some

words with
the

magical
:

virtue

of the

people

those

of

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

are

untouched. also their

It is their

punishment;

it

is

infirmity.

amiel's

journal.

299
and

Their

temper
live

is

satirical
and

separatist ;
time of

they

in isolation

sterility.
the

I feel Rousseau

again

what

I felt at
; my

the

centenary
are

feeling and repelled by

think the crowd. from

ination imagthose

chilled

and
who with I

Pharisaical
too

people
to

themselves

good
At
the

associate

same

time,

suffer
a

an

ward in-

contradiction,
repugnance
"

from
an

tive twofold, instincrepugnance

a

sesthetic
every

towards repugnance

vulgarity
towards

of

kind,

moral ness cold-

barrenness

and

of heart. So
that

personally
of
the
on

am

only attracted
and nence, emiis

by

the

individuals while

cultivation hand

other
to

nothing

sweeter

to

me

than
with

feel

sympathy the feeling of

the
two
me

in

the
masses.

the

myself vibrating national spirit,with I only care for

which
arates sep-

extremes,
from

and

it is this

each

of them.
as

Our

everyday

life,split up opposed

it is

into

clashing parties and

harassed
is

opinions,
and

and

by perpetual disorder

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
"

300

amiel's
of
or

journal.

sight
accuse.

what

succeeds,
of
to

of

what

men excuse

prove apor

blame,
I

what

they
to

need
and

admire,
in

feel

myself
my

in

sympathy
tendencies

harmony
march
around
to

with

neighbour,
the

with

the

of

things,
me, up

and most al-

of those
I have

and
the
to

always
of it.
I

had

give

hope
avoid

take
But

refuge
solitude

in

retreat,

discord.

is

only

pis-aller.
weather.

6th
The I went

Magnificent college prize-day.* Towards

July
with
1880.
"

our

three
was

ladies
an

to

the

Plainpalais.
and the
I
was

There

immense

evening plain of crowd,

of the
and

struck
The

with festival

the wound under have

I
came

bright look
up
a

faces.

with calm

traditional

fireworks,
Here
we as

starry sky.

the
in.

Republic
For
a

indeed,
whole

thought
this

week

people
like
the

has

been

out-ofon

doors, camping, Agora.

without Since

Athenians

the

Wednesday
have

lectures
one

and

public meetings

followed
; at

another there
are

intermission

home

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

The the

prize-giving
occasion of
a

at

the

College

of

Geneva

is

made

national

festival.

amiel's

journal.

301

cession, service at St. Pierie, speeclies on adults. for the day, Tuestlie Molard, festival the college fete-day. the Wednesday, fete-day
Geneva of the is
a a

primary
cauldron

schools.

always
which
the had

at

boilingfires
are

point,
never one

furnace

of

extinguished. Geneva forge, and

world-anvils
of

Vulcan
is

more one

than of

certainly
the been

those number
out.

on

which

gi-eatest

projects
one

have

hammered
the

When all
causes

thinks
been
a

that
at

martyrs

of

have

work

here, the
the
truest

mystery

is

explained
is that

little ; but
"

explanation
Geneva
on

Geneva,

republican,
and
prising enter-

protestant, democratic,
"

learned,
solution Reformation

has

for centuries
of

depended
her she
own

herself

alone

for the
the

difficulties. been lantern

Since
on

has
a

always
in her It

the

alert, marching
and
to
see a

with in she

left hand
me mere

sword
that

her

right.
not

pleases
a

has

yet
that

become
she

and

is

herself.

Those
at

they do
at

New
are

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

of

Berlin,'
her

still in would
waste

the

minority.
her breath up

The and
upon

doctrinaires

who

split
their
snare

destroy
her.

unity
divines

She

the

laid

for

her

302
and
turns

amiel's

journal.

away.
that

I like which

this

proof
A

of
a

ity. vitalcient suffiin

Only
reason

is

original has
comes

for word

existence.
of

country

which

the

command
more

from

elsewhere This

is

nothing
our

than and

province.
Ultraof

is what
never

Jacobins
will

our

montanes

them

understand and

recognise. the meaning

of
them

Neither
of

ernment, self-govhave
state

neither

any
and

idea
an

dignity of a independent people.

small
nationalities

of the

historical

Our hollow
an

are

ruined which
upon
are so

by the
have
art

cosmopolitan
disastrous modern dissolve
No
a one

formulae effect
isms

equally
which

and
many

letters. acids

The

everything
achieves
a

concrete.
nor even

decent

piece of
or

living and masterpiece, work, by the

romanticism.
than any

help of realism, liberalism, Separatism

the
a

has

even

less virtue
it is the of
a are even

of of

other

isms, for
the isms of the
are

abstraction shadow.
not

negation,

shadow

The fruitful

various

present

principles : they
formulae.

hardly
are some

tory explananames

They

rather

of in geration. exag-

disease, for they

excess,
some

express

element
abusive

dangerous Examples
:

and

radicalism.

What

is

empiricism, idealism, best among things and

AMIEL^S

JOURNAL.

303

most

perfect

among

beings slips througli perfectly the [to use

is

tliese well old

who categories. The man is neither sanguineous

" "

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

them,
in

as

it were,
All

in

state

of
are

chemical contained does

not

combination.
a

the

colours
red

ray
a

of

light,while

alone

contain

sixth

part of the
It is
on

perfect ray.
years

8th I read my
1842

July

1880.

"

thirty

since which
was

Waagen's
that
I
was

book is
now

Museums,
in

friend
I
was

wild

reading. It for pictures ;

Krause's

in

1845
;

that

studying
I became the
true to
same

philosophy
as

in 1850
may
none

that be

professor of aesthetics.
age when
a

I
a

am

; it is

the

less become

that
me

particular

stage has
he is of distance
I

matter

just arriving
and
to

at

it.

This

history, impression
strange
one.

of

remoteness

is
my

begin

realise and

that

memory my

is

great catacomb,

that
is

below

actual

standing-ground
of historical
Is the

there

layer

after

layer
of

ashes.
mind

life of of of

something

like that
?

great

trees

immemorial consciousness

growth

Is the

living'ayer

superimposed

304

amiel's

journal.

upon No when almost

remember

hundreds doubt this

of
is too is

dead
much

layers ?
to

Dead but

say,

still,
To
a

memory
as

slack
it had

the
never

past

becomes been.

though
that
we

did
but
a

know

once

is not

sign of possession
like
no no

sign of loss engraving

title
on

; it is

the

number

of

an

which
a

Ls

longer on longer to
is the

its nail, the

be

of

volume

found frame

its shelf.
of
a

My

mind vanished

empty
is all

thousand

images.

Sharpened culture,
but

by incessant
it has

training, it

retained

hardly anything in its meshes. It matter, and is only form. knowledge ; it has become etherealised, algebraicised.
it
as

It is without
no

longer
has

has is

method.
Life

It

treated ready al-

death

treats

other
a

minds further sixteen

; it has phosis. metamor-

prepared
Since
I have been

it for
the
to

age

of
at

onwards
with the upon press sup-

able
man

look

things
able the

eyes
"

of

blind

recently operated
I have been of
to

that
in

is to

say,

myself
I find from

the

results
to

long

cation edu;

of and
as now

sight, and

abolish

distances existence from

; I am,

though
world

myself regarding beyond the tomb,

strange
own

other anas

; all is

to

me

it were,
; I

outside
am

my

body

and

ality individucut

depersonalised, detached,

amiel's

journal.

305
No.

adrift.
means

"

Is this
the

madness

Madness
one's thus

impossibility of recovering
after
among Dante

normal

balance
truant

the alien
to

mind forms invisible

has of

played
and Madness and that

being,
worlds.

followed
means

incapacity for self-judgment

Whereas it
seems are

self-control.
my

to

me

mental

transformations

but

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

same

time

I do

not

hide

from

myself
of

that

such

experiences
because

weaken

the hold
as

common

sense,

they
and

act

solvents
I

of all
can

personal interests

them
men,

only defend life of by returning to the common and by bracing and fortifyingthe will.
July 1880.
written de ?

prejudices. myself against

14th of
have

"

"What

is the book

which,
soonest

all Genevese

literature, I would Perhaps

or a

that

of

Madame de Stael's

Necker V

Saussure,
To

Madame

Allemagne.
is

Genevese,
most

moral

losophy phiand

still the of

congenial
Intellectual ill.

remunerative
is what

studies. suits
us

ousness seri-

least

History,
jects. sub-

politics, economical

science,
"

education,
our

practical philosophy
We

these

are

have

everything

to

lose

in the

3o6
attempt

amiel's

journal.

to make

ourselves
:

mere

Frenchified

copies

of the

Parisians
water

by

so

doing
Seine.

we

are

merely carrying
criticism

to

the

pendent Indeat

is

perhaps
Geneva
own

easier

Geneva
remain

than

at

Paris, and
to

faithful
as

her with

which,
one

compared
freedom
on

that

ought to special line, of France, is

tyranny
of
the
"

of greater

from the
one on

the

taste

and

fashion of

hand, and
the other

tyranny
Catholicism
be
to to La

ruling opinion
or

of

Jacobinism. Nation
role what is to the

Geneva

should
was

Grande

Diogenes
represent
the

Alexander

; her

dependen in-

thought and
is not
the

free

speech
does role
not

which

dazzled

by prestige, and
It is true

blink
an grateful un-

truth. one,

that

the

is

that

it lends
"

itself to
but what

sarcasm

and

misrepresentation
July
walk back
with 1880. in the

matter

28fA had
come a

"

This

afternoon
and have

I have

sunshine,
in
a

just
Rhone

rejoicing
nature.

renewed
of

ion commun-

The the
murmur

waters

the

and

the

Arve,

of
the

the

river, the

austerity of its banks,

brilliancy of the

foliage,the play of the leaves, the splendour of the of the July sunlight, the rich fertility the lucidity of the distant mountains, fields, the of the the whiteness glaciers under

AMIEL'S

JOITRNAL.

307

azure

foam
masses

serenity of the sky, the sparkle and of the mingling rivers, the leafy
of
the La

Batie

woods

"

aU
to

and
me

everything delighted me.

as

It seemed

though
to
me.

the
I I
was

years
was

of

strength had
with and
on

come
sations. sen-

back

overwhelmed

surprised
life carried
caress me

grateful.
its breast
my
vast

The
the

universal summer's
more

went

to

heart.
zons, hori-

Once

my

eyes

beheld

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
am

the

conscious

at

once

of
I

joy
see

and the

of

beyond what I possess the unattainable impossible and

want ;

; I gauge
a

my
am

own

wealth
I
am

and

poverty
my inner
it is

in

word,
is
one

and

not,

"

state
one

of

contradiction, because
The

of transition.

ambiguity
nature,

of

it is characteristic

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.

of

human

which

is

3o8
Man
the

amiel's

journal.

is the
at

sensorium wliich

commune

of
are

nature,
changed. interthe
once

point

all

values

Mind

is the
the

plastic medium,
of all ;
at

principle, and
material and

result

laboratory, product
which but

and

mula, for; that

sensation, expression, and

which All

law

is,that
all.

does, that
mind is in consciousness
to

which

knows.
tains con"

is not

mind,

all,and
of

It is the

being

that
If

is,Being raised
universe mind

the second
is

power.

"

the

subsists, it
loves
to

because
own

the
tent, con-

Eternal

perceive its
and

in all its wealth in its stages of He

expansion

"

cially espethat upon in His

preparation.
allows
themselves

Not

God

is

an

egotist.
of
suns

myriads

myriads
shadow
to

to

disport
life

; He

grants
in

and

consciousness who
;
so

innumerable

multitudes

of creatures and
in

thus and
to

participate
all these His

being

nature

animated

monads

multiply,

speak,
4t/i

divinity.
1880. I have read
de
a

August
of It is the
one

"

few

numbers

Feuille of those

Centrale

Zofingnew

en.*

perpetual
thinks

ginnings be-

of
*

youth
a

which
Btudents'
of

it is profrom
meets

The

journal of
cantons

society, drawn
which

the every

different year

Switzerland,
of

in the

little town

Zofingen.

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
"

song.

The

rose-trees

are

never

tired

of

rose-bearing,
young
hearts the

the of

birds

of
or

nest-building,
young voices
which of

loving,

singing
have thousand

thoughts
their

and

feelings
a

served

predecessors
Profound
"

hundred
ony monot-

times

before.

in universal

movement,
furnished All tends
is

there
the

is the

simplest
of
the every

formula

by
are

spectacle alike, and

world. existence

circles
to
trace

its circle. be

How, By

then, by

fastidium
eyes
to

to

avoided

shutting

our

the

general

formity, uni-

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 but

small ing learnlect intelyoung

able, insati-

love

is

never

tired.

The is

natural

preservative against satiety, too,

What
we

work.
the

do

may
is

weary
at

others,
useful

but
to

personal
author.
life is
even

effort Where
sure

least
one

its eral gen-

every
to possess

works, the
charm

and

savour,
same

though

it repeat

for

ever

the

3IO
song, the
and

AMIEL'S

JOURNAL.

same

the is

aspirations,the To same sighs.

'

same

dices, prejuman

every

his

turn,'
; when

the is

motto

of

mortal

beings.
are

If wliat
new are

they do they

old, they themselves

imitate, they They

have bene

think

they

inventing.
transmit.

received, and
!

they

sempre

2ith love
the

August
beautiful
more

1880.
more

"

As

years the

go

on

the smooth

than the than

sublime,
the

than
more

rough,
the

calm

nobility of
of the

Plato

fierce holiness
The
hement ve-

world's

Jeremiahs.
is to
me

barbarian
the for mild the

the

inferior

of is

and

playful
for
a

Socrates. soul and

My
which of the

taste

well-balanced
heart
"

the

wellis not

trained
harsh

liberty
that

and

insolent, like slave,

which but charms

newly
perament tem-

enfranchised

lovable.
me

The

is that
to

in which

one

virtue

leads
and

naturally

another.

All

exclusive
but
so

many

sharply-marked qualities are signs of imperfection.

I
am scious con-

29th

August 1880. To-day of I am improvement.

"

of work week and

I

it to my

go

back

to

my

vantage taking adneglected

; but

interrupted habits
grown several

in

have

months

older,

amiel's

journal.

311
affection of
not the

^"hat
those
to
see

is around
it ; The

easy
me

to

see.

The them

makes
the

pretend
tells

but

looking-glass
not

truth.
the

fact

does

take

away

from
one

pleasure
to

of convalescence

; but

still

hears
seems

in it the

halts
The me,

and
most

destiny, and death be nearing rapidly, in spite of the which truces are granted one.
of
"

shuttle

beautiful
be that

existence, it
of
a

seems

to

would

river

which

should
not

get through all its rapids and

far from
its

waterfalls
then in

rising, and

should

its

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

plains
seek

of

age

were

past, in the
and few there
! What

ocean

where
comes

all that for

is weary
rest.

heavy-laden
are

to

How

of

these
use

full,fruitful,gentle lives
of

is the
?
own

wishing
and
one

for
harder

or

regretting
to
see

them

It

is

wiser
the

in

one's

lot
say
to

best

could after
us a

have all
coat

had, and
the
to

to

oneself
cannot

that

cleverest
more

tailor

make
our

fit us

clv)sely

than
*

skin.
du

Le

vrai

nom

bonheur

est

le contentement.'

The
. . .

essential his

thing for
Fate

every

one

is

to

accept

destiny.

has

deceived

312
you ; you

amiel's
have
no

journal.

sometimes
more

grumbled

at your ; go

lot ; well,
to

mutual

reproaches

sleep
SOth

in peace. 1880 grave but

August
of
a

(Two
and

o'clock)."
distant
;

Unm-

blings
The

thunder.
the

sky

is gray
of the

rainless
show

sharp
to

little cries
fear
a

birds

agitation and

one

might
or a

imagine

it the

prelude

symphony
Quel eclair
te

catastrophe.
6
men coeur

'

traverse,

soucieux

'"

business of all the Strange is going on neighbourhood

"

the

mediate im-

; there ; and

is

even

more

movement

than
are,
"

usual it were,

yet

all

these

noises

as

held

suspended in the silence, which

silence
on one

silence

in

soft, positive

they week,

cannot

disguise
the

"

akin

to

that the

which,

in every

town,
vague

day

of

replaces

murmur

of the
an

labouring hive.
is

Such

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

hour

'

'

effect

than
on

tempest
the distant
concert

on

which

dull

bling rum-

horizon of
at

is

enough
the

to

suspend
of
a

the

voices, like
the fall of

ing roar-

desert

lion

night ?

amiel's

journal.

313
It
seems

^th
that
am

September
the
more

1880.

"

to

me

with

decline

of

my

active

force thing everyI

see

becoming
is

purely spirit ;
to
me.

growing transparent
the

the
sense

types,
of

foundation

of

beings,

the

All

things. personal events,

are

all
for

particular experiences, meditation, facts

realities
a

to

me

texts

to

be

generalised
to

into Life

laws,
is

to

be

reduced
to

ideas.

only

document

be

interpreted,matter
is the

to be

spiritualised. Every
of
to

Such
he

life of

the

thinker. and
to
more

day

strips himself
If he that he

more

ality. person-

consents

act

and

feel, it
; if

is

may

the he

better may
to

under-stand know
him
so

he is. and

wills, it
he

is that

what
to

will

Although
knows
he

it is sweet

be

loved,
yet
the its be than of

nothing
seems

else

sweet,
to

there occasion

also of

to

himself
rather

the

phenomenon
the remains his

end.
and does

He

contemplates
for
even

spectacle
a

love,
He
; he

love
not

him

spectacle.
his
own

believe

body
it

feels

the
"

vital

whirlwind
to

passing
as

through
for
a

him,
cosmic

lent

him,
that He

were,

moment,

in order

he
is

may
a

perceive
mere

the

vibrations.
; he

thinking
of

subject
he

retains
to

only

the the

form

things ;
pos-

attributes

himself

material

314
session of

amiel's

journal.

nothing
life but him

whatsoever wisdom.

he

asks

nothing from
of mind that
He

This

temper
to

malies

incompreliensible

all

loves is

enjoyment, dominion, possession. fluid as that we but a see phantom

grasp
of
; he

cannot
manes

resembles
or

man,

as

the

Achilles the

the

shade

of

Creusa

resembled I
am a

living. Without
Other dream
men are

having died,
dreams
to

ghost.
I
am

me,

and

to

them.

Later.
account

"

Consciousness

in of

me

takes
and

no

of the

category

time,

fore thereto make

all those
of
not

life

partitionswhich thousand a palace with

in my
case

tend

rooms,

do
the self my-

exist

am

still in
I possess

primitive unicellular only

my substance
as

state.

Monad

and

as

Ego, and

I feel into

faculties

themselves which

reabsorbed
have

the

they
of
; all

individualised.

All

the

endowment

speak, repudiated
and of cultivation
; the

animality is, so to the product of study

the
same

is in

way

nulled an-

whole

crystallisation is
the

redisis

solved withdrawn

into

fluid ; within

whole

rainbow
;
quences conse-

the
the
to

dewdrop

return

to

the

cause,

the

bird

principle, effects to the egg, the organism

to its germ.

amiel's

journal.

315
is
an ticipation an-

This

psychological
of death the grave,

reinvolution

; it

represents
to

the

life
the

beyond
soul

the

return

Scheol,

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
to

evaporate,
indivisible

exists

henceforward
state

only

in

the

state, the

of

point, of potentiality, of pregnant

Is mind and
or

ness. nothingof

not

this

the

true

definition from

is not

mind,
this ?

dissociated
Its in

space

time, just
contained

development,
it

past

future, is contained
in is its
an

is

just as a curve algebraical formula.

all.
is
a

This without What

nothing
is the

This

punctum
saliens. which has

dimensions
acorn

punctum
the

but

oak

lost its its roots its

branches, its leaves, its trunk, and

"

that

is to

say,

all its apparatus,

"

forms, its particularities

in

but in

which
essence,

is

still present in
a

concentration,
contains
?

force

which revival

the

possibilityof
is
To

complete
This

then, impoverishment, a loss, a reduction.

to

only
be

perficially suduced reare

those indeed

elements
to

in

one

which
to be

eternal, is
:

die, but
to become

not

hilated anni-

it is

simply

virtual

again.

3i6
mh

amiel's

journal.

October

1880 and
so

(Clarens)."A
Nature
so

walk.
was so

Deep
so

feeling beautiful,
the

admiration.

caressing,

poetical,
'

maternal.

The

sunlight,
said
to

the
"

leaves, the
Be of

sky,
This

bells,all
and
nature's

me,

good
one.

strength
is

courage,

poor
season

bruised
;

kindly
and

here

is and and

forgetfulness, calm, troubles, anxieties

wrongs, We make
we are
no

rest.

Faults
cares

and and

regrets,
the ;
we same

but

one

burden. comfort
with
us

distinctions

all
is

sorrows,

bring

peace,
to

and
the

consolation.
to to

Salvation

weary,
to

tion salva-

the

afflicted,salvation
to

the

sick,
in

sinners,
of

all in
;
to

that

suffer We and
upon

in
are

heart,
the

conscience, and
maketh upon
in His the His

body.
drink rise

tain founGod

blessing
sun

live !
the

just and

unjust. There
; He

is

munificence
a

nothing grudging does not weigh His

or

giftslike
like for
a

money-changer, cashier. Come,

"

number

them

there

is

enough

all ! '

29th which
matter
a

October
man

1880

(Geneva).
may
"

"

The

ideal

professes
appearance

itself be device

only

of his

a or

for

leading mis-

neighbour,
is

The

individual

deluding always ready

himself.
to

claim

AMIELS

JOURNAL.

3I7

for himself which

he

the

merits

of

the

badge

under

fights ; whereas,
contrary
the
at

it is the

which less least

ing, generally speakThe happens.

estimable is the
is the

nobler
wearer

the of It

badge,
it. is Such

tion. presumpto

extremely
moral
me or

dangerous

pride

oneself whatever. upon,

But

on

any Tell

what

religious specialty you pique yourself

what you
are an

and how
is ?

I will
are we

tell you
to

not.

know all
"

what

vidual indi; but

First

of
too

by his

acts

by something else is only perceived by

Boul
and and

something
Soul

which

by

elective
both

beyond
actions.

judges affinity,reaching through words and silence, looks

subjective,
in in the the I

intuition.

The liable is
no

criterion
to
error

is
; but

allow, and place

the there
racy accu-

first

safer
of the

one,

and

next,

judgment
of
the
on on

is in

proportion

to

the

moral

culture

authority
nobleness
ness.

judge. Courage is an goodness on goodness, courage, nobleness, loyalty on uprightknow what

we

We
we

only tnily
have lost

have,
for

or
ample, ex-

what

and

regret,

as,

childish
or

innocence, virginal purity,

The
truest

stainless

honour.

and and

best
next

judge, then,
to

is Infinite

Goodness,
sinner
or

it,the

regenerated

the

saint,

31 8
the
man

amiel's
tried
the

journal.

by
the

experience
in
we

or us

the

sagt?.

Naturally,
finer and

touchstone

becomes

truer

better

are.

Sd has
me no

November the

1880.
I have
one.

"

What read

impression
made
upon

story
A

just
The

mixed
out

pleasm-e
is
one

of

imagination gets it,although the intellect

?

is amused. mood

Why
of

Because

the

author's

incessant

irony and
tradition of
wit lias

flage. persibeen

The his

Voltairean
a

guide

"

great deal

and

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
very much less
for

little

suitable cleverness

to

the

novel

or

short
the

story,
novel

is not
the

poetry, and
of
The

is still within
on

domain

poetry,
comfort dis-

altliough

the

frontier. in
one

vague

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

aroused

in

perpetual
;
we

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

amiel's

journal.

319

depth and at things

is at best is

disinterested
and but

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

because

wholesomer,

it is

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

is heart.

22d
to

November
met

1880.
overcome man

"

How
?

is ill-nature

be
:

and
a

ity First, by humilhis

own

when

knows
he
out

nesses, weakothers it is not but

why should for pointing them

very
truth
:

be ?
to

angry
No do

with

doubt
so,

amiable
is
on

of their
all

them side.

still,
and if

tion Secondly, by reflecwhat

we

after

we

are

are,

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

320
not us,

amiel's
indeed
but

journal.

affect
a

those

who

have
of

wronged
pline. self-discion

it is It

valuable
to

piece
be

is

vulgar
;
we

angry

one's

own

account

ought
extracted
a we

only
from

to

be

angry

for dart

great
can

causes.

Besides,
of do

the

poisoned
the

only
balm

be

wound

by

the

silent

and

thoughtful malignity

charity.
embitter
"

Wliy
us

let human

why

should
"

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,

trouble
of that he he

the

soul.

Every
there
to

man

is
one
"

penser dis-

justice ;
himself
be

but

is

wrong that Such of

a

is not

bound
is

punish
victim.

which wrong

the

is to

healed,

not

avenged.

Fire

purifies all.
'Mon ftme par fume
est
comme un

feu

qui

devore

et

Ce

qu'on jette
December

pour

le ternir.'

21th
have

1880.

"

In

an

article

just
with

read,

Biedermann
too

reproaches
with The

Strauss

being

negative, and Christianity. according

to

having object
should

broken
to

with

be

pursued,
freeing
of

him,
the

be

the

religion from

amiel's

journal,

321
the the

mythological
of another dualism
of of
to

element, and
of view
"

substitution

point

for

antiquated
other the

view

this orthodoxy, be the victory over the that

sense

point world,
arises

produced by
It has

of divine

sonship.
:

is true
not
a

another

question

itself

from

has separated religion which local special miracle, from

of

interventions from

the
its of

supernatural,
savour

and

mystery,
For the

lost
sake

and

its

cacy? effi-

satisfyinga thinking
is it wise
to

and

instructed the
?

public,
of
A has

fice sacritude multia

influence
Answer. Truth

religion over pious fiction

highest

the

is still

fiction. for the and

not

the

claim.

It is

world
vice of

to accommodate
verscL.

itself to

truth,
the much
olutionises rev-

Copernicus
Middle The

upset
"

astronomy
the
worse

the

Ages,
Eternal
"

so

for it ! modern

Gospel
what

churches
become

ter mat-

When have
no

symbols
further
a we

transparent,
We
phor meta-

they
see

in

them

poem, believe

binding force. an allegory, a

in them
no

; but

longer.
is

Yes,

but

still

certain

esotericism

inevitable, since
culture

and critical,scientific, is
new

osophica phil-

only
faith

attainable
must

by
have

minority. The symbols too.

its

At

present

the

effect

it pro-

322
duces
on one

amiel's

journal.

pious souls
; it has
a

is

more

or

less profane

disrespectful, incredulous,
it
seems

frivolous from

look,

and

to

free
cost

man

traditional

dogma

at

the

of

ousness seri-

of conscience.
of

How

are

ness sensitive-

of sin, the desire feeling,the sense for pardon, the thirst for holiness, to be the errors which preserved among us, when
have food served them
so

long
? the

for

support

and

have

been

eliminated is it not

Is not

illusion

indispensable ?
of education ? the

divine

process

Perhaps
distinction
between

best

way

is to
and

draw

deep
mind may still

between belief

opinion
and
different

belief,and
The

science.

which allow
remain

discerns itself

these

imagination and
the

degrees faith, and

within

lines of progress.

28th
modes

December
of

1880.

"

There
we

are

two
:

classing the people

"

know

the

first is utilitarian divides

our

it starts from who

our are

from

ourselves,
and

friends
those
are us

enemies,
who

distinguishes
us,
serve
"

antipathetic to
can

those
or

who harm

indifferent,those
; the
men own

second

ested is disinterto

it classes

according

their

intrinsic

value, their
from
or we

apart
have for us,

the

fects, qualitiesand dethey feelings which

for them.

amiel's

journal.

323
second
men

My
the

tendency
I

is to

the

kind less

of

classification.

appreciate

by

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

painful
can

than

to

owe

gratitude
nor

where

yet
in

we

feel neither
I
am

respect

confidence.
to

not

very

willing
the

believe The

the erosity gen-

permanence of
a

of accidental

states.

egotist, the
the
an

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

tenderness
a

the

of

barren

nature,

piety of
excitable
"

dull

heart,
touch

the

self-love, interest
nay,
even me

humility of me as nomena pheif I

me am

the with

object
very them

of

them,

but

they inspire
I foresee

little confidence.
too

the

end

of
to

clearly. Every exception

and
to return
to

tends

disappear

the

rule.
I

All
am

privilege is temporary,
less flattered
the A than anxious

and

besides,
when
I find

self my-

object of a privilege. man's primitive character

over

may of

be

ered cov-

by
to

alluvial
"

deposits
the

culture
sure

and
to
worn

acquisition,
come

none

less

is it

the

surface

when

years and

have

away

all that

is accessory

adven-

324
titious.
I

amiel's

journai,.

admit crises

indeed which
but

the

possibility of
tionise revolureckon
a on

great

moral the

sometimes
not
"

soul,
is
a

I dare

them.

It

possibility

not

bility. proba-

In choose their those virtues the

or

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

temperament.

To
on on

lay

foundations added
soil ;
we are

friendship
is
to

rowed boran

virtues
run

buUd risks
we

artificial

too

many and when

by
charm

it.

Exceptions
above
our

snares, them

ought

all to distrust

they
a

vanity.
a

To

catch

and all

fix

fickle heart
; and
a

is
man

task finds
of

which

tempts
and
to

women

something
the

tears

tenderness
power

intoxicating in the he alone joy which

draw
of
nature

has
woman.

had

from this

proud
are on

But

attractions of

kind

deceptive.
worship
of

Affinity
the
to
same

founded

ideal, and anything.

the

perfect in
the

proportion
is that

perfectness of soul, is
is worth ennobles

only
love

which aflSnity which

the

True

tifies personality, forthe

not

heart, and

sanctifies love
must

existence.
be and

And

the

being

we

rious myste-

and
as a

sphinx-like,
;
so

but

clear

limpid
and

diamond may

that

admiration

attachment

grow

with

knowledge.

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
a

terrible

Aiisterity accompaniment
And when
as

in

women

is
rare

sometimes of

the

of
is

a so

power

loving.
is

it

their

attachment

strong
as

death
;

; their

as fidelity are

resisting
for tion devolove

the

diamond athirst

they
for

hungry
a

and
a

sacrifice.

Their

is

piety, their

tenderness energy
of

they triple the

it the

love

religion, and by giving to

sanctity of duty.
the

To

spectator
a

over

the fifty,
that

world
is new, old

tainly cer-

presents
a

good deal
which
is

but bished fur-

great deal
up
"

more mere

only the
and

plagiarism
of the
a

tion, modificaAlmost
a

rather

than

amelioration. copy,

everything is a copy of a reflection, and

reflection is
as

perfect being

326
rare now

amiel's

journal.

as

he

ever

was.
reason

Let

us

not

plain com-

of it ; it is the

why

the

world
; that

lasts.
is

Humanity

improves but
on.

slowly
of Siva
away

why
Is

history
not

goes

progress

the
to

goad
bum of

It
; it

excites hastens which

the
the

torch

itself death.

approach

Societies

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

passion
works

which
an

play,
thus

which

brings a will intelligence,

"

into and the

the of

organs

which

seem

to

be

in

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
and
even as

service

the who

result
has

of tasted

self- conquest.

And free
True

he

liberty is only
moments. state

intermittently

and is not
a

by
and far
as

liberty,then,
is not We
are an

continuous

it

indefeasible free

invariable
we
our

only
our

so

of ourselves,

pretexts,
We
are
"

quality. not are dupes our instincts,

by
is to
energy

temperament.
and the

freed that

critical

spirit

say,

by

amiel's
detachment So
that
we

journal.

327

of
are we our

freedom

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

bonds.
to

soul, by

shaking
but

off

The

soul

is

caged,

it has

power

flutter

within

its cage.

Material invisible

results activities.
the

are

but The

the

tardy sign
has

of

bullet of the

started has the

long
reached

before
us.

noise

report
of

The

decisive in the

events

world

take

place
is the the

intellect.

Sorrow realities

most

tremendous

of but
manner

all the

in

sensible
sorrow

world,
after
the

transfiguration of
of the Christ is
a more

beautiful

solution of sorrow,

of

problem
the

than

the of

extirpation

after

method

^akyamouni.
giving birth a higher mode
humanised
:

Life the
The

should

be

to

the

soul,

development
animal made
must

of
be

of

reality.

flesh must

be
be

spirit; physiological activity must

into

transmuted
reason,

intellect

and

conscience,
as

into torch
The
must

justice, and
into

generosity,
life and
nature

the

is transmuted

warmth.
of
man

blind, greedy, selfish

put
on

heavenly

beauty alchemy

and is

nobleness.

This

what

justifies our

328
presence and
our on

amiel's

journal.

the

earth:

it is

our

mission

glory.

To of

renounce

happiness
put
this The conscience

and
in

think the

duty, feeling ;
its but the

to
"

only place of

voluntary
natural
self

nobility.

has martyrdom in us flinches, man To

better

submits.
is be
a

hope
of do

for

justice in the sensibility ; we

it.
True

world
must

sign
to

sickly
without

able

manliness Let the

consists world

in

such
what

dependen init

think If

will
not

of

us,
us

it is its
the

own

affair. is

it will

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

place death,

which

Death and

itself may therefore

man a

become

matter act.

of

sent, con-

moral

The

animal
to

expires
author

surrenders soul.

his

soul

the

of the

[With
mouth
of

the

year

1881,
we

beginning
enter

with
the

the

January,

upon

last

AMIEL^S

JOURNAL.

329

period
never

of
to

Amiel's
attend
to

illness. his

he tinued conAlthough duties, and ijrofessorial

spoke of mortally ill,as

extracts to

his
we

forebodings, he felt himself shall see by the following

Journal. Amiel
wrote

from

the

up

the

end, doing little else, however,

record
of the progress and of his

towards

the and

last than the

disease,
which

proofs

interest weeks

kindliness
of

he

received.

After
of him. it
was

pain a state gained upon 2yth April ; succumbed,

disease

extreme

suffering and weakness gradually

are

His
on

last lines the

11th

dated
that

the he

of
to

May
the
"

without

struggle,
he

from

which

suffered.

complicated S.]

6th
more

January
than
pro

1881.

"

I think

I fear

shame

death.

Tacitus

said

Omnia

serviliter is

dominatione.

My
Even

tendency
when

just
should

the

contrary.
find

it
to
me.

is

voluntary, dependence
I blush
to

is

burden

myself
to

determined
or

by

interest, submitting
slave is of

constraint,
will whatever.

becoming the To me vanity

and
the
man

any

slavery,
makes
or some

self-love

ing, degradI

utilitarianism which

meanness.

detest

ambition of
be

you
one
"

the
I

liege
desire

something
my
own

to

simply
I I

master.

If
man

had know.

health

should

be

the
a

freest little

Although

perhaps

330
hardness make
Let
me me

AMIEL

JOURNAL.

of

heart
more

would

be

desirable

to

still

independent. nothing. Nobody

has have
so

exaggerate

My
any

liberty
hold become foolish

is
over

only
me,

negative.
but
to

many me,

things
and
the if I limits

impossible
as

were

to

wish
soon care

for

them,

of my

liberty
I
to
not

would take let

become
not
to

apparent.
wish dwell for
on

Therefore and

them,

my

thoughts
what my I
am

them. in I

I this

only
way
even

desire I
to
run

able

for, and
no

head

against
of I

wall,
to

cease

be

conscious
me.

the
care

boundaries
wish that

which for
rather
not

enclose less
even

take
my

than be

is in reminded

power,

I may in

of

the

obstacles the

my

way.

Renunciation Let be his

us

is

safeguard
if
who has

of
we

dignity.
would
not

strip ourselves,
He

stripped.
life may
can

freely
in the from

given
face: him
?

up what Do
"

look
it

death
away and

more

take

away there

with you have

desire
the secret

practise
method
the

charity
of

whole of

Buddha,
It is

the
...

whole

great

Deliverance.

snowing,
So that I I But

and

my

chest
Nature
on

is troublesome.

God.

do

depend on not depend point

to

and
human

on

price caon.

; this

is the

be

insisted

amiel's

journal.

331
make
may eartli-

It

is true and
me

that

my

chemist
me,

may

blunder reduce

poison

my

banker

to

quake
of

may

redress.
is
a

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

chimera.
"

hope
fore, there-

pure

But that fortress

do

possess
the

relative

independence
into

of

stoic

who and

withdraws

the

of his

will,

shuts

the

gates behind
Dieu,
de

him.
n'avoir

'Jurons,
maitre.

excepte

point

de

This still.

oath

of old

Geneva

remains

my

motto

IQth troubled

January

1881.

"

To

let

oneself

be

the by the ill-will,

ingratitude, the
a

indifference, of others, is
which
to

weakness
It is

to

I
me

am

very
to

much

inclined.

ful painthe

be in

misunderstood, manly
more seems

ill

judged.
and than it

am

wanting
in
to
me

hardihood,
vulnerable
to me,

heart

is
It

ought
that

be.

however,
respect
of
the Is it

I have I

grown
to

tougher
The less
than

in

this

than
world the
or

used troubles

be.
me

malignity
it did.

philosophy, or an simply caused by the many

and attachment that

result

of

effect of age,

proofs

of

spect re-

I have

received

332
These
to

AMIEL

JOURNAL.

proofs inspire

were
me

just what
with
some so

were

ing want-

self-respect. easily believed

Otherwise
in my
own

I should

have

nullity and
efforts.

in the

insignificance
is necessary

of for and

all
the

my

Success
is
a

timid, praise
a

moral

stimulus,
We
as we our

admiration
we

strengthening elixir.
but
as

think
are

know

ourselves,
our

long

ignorant of
in

comparative
assessment,

value,
we

place
know
act

the

social
well

do
are

not to

ourselves
with

enough.
must count

If

we

effect, we
our

for
must

thing some-

with ourselves credit

with

fellow-men
of
some our

we

feel
and be

possessed
them,
so

weight
effort may

that
to the

rightlyproportioned
has
to

resistance
as we

which

be
we

overcome. are

As without
;
a we

long
do

despise by
which
our

opinion
to
measure

standard
not

ourselves
power. I

know

relative
too

have

despised
been
two
too

opinion
tive sensihave pathy, sym-

much,
to

while

yet I have

cost

me

injustice. These I longed dear.

and

faults

for my
to

kindness, pride employ

them.
...

equity,
for

but
or

forbade
any dress adI

me

to
or

ask

them,
to

calculation think
I have I

obtain
wrong been my

do

not

been have

altogether,
in

for with

all
my

through
best

harmonj-^
of

self,but

want

adapta-

AMIEL

JOUKXAL.

333
to
no

bility has worn Now, indeed, I

career

me am

out,
at

purpose. my

peace

within, but

is over, my life is

my
near

strength is running
its end. rien

out,

and
'

II n'est

plus temps

pour

excepte

pour

mourir.'

This 2Sd but

is

why

I can

look

at

it all

historically. night,
been
dows winfeet the

January
this
"

1881.

"

tolerable

morning
Beautiful
with I

the

cough
weather,
With

has
the my

frightful.
ablaze
on

sunshine. have

the

fender

just

finished

newspaper.

At

this
to

moment
me

I feel
that my
sense no

well, and
doom
of

it

seems

strange
near.

should

be

so

Life This

has

no

death. mechanical

is

why,

kinship with doubt, a sort of hope

is for
ever our

instinctive
up

springing
reason,

afresh

in

us,
on

troubling
the and

and
All

casting doubt
the

verdict

of

science.

life is tenacious

ent. persistis

It is like
at

parrot
when

in the

fable, who,

the

very

moment

its neck

being
"

wrung,

still repeats
'

with

its last breath

sera

Cela, cela, ne puts the

rien.'
at

The

intellect the animal

matter

its worst,
not

but

protests.

It

will

be-

334
lieve in the

AMIEL

JOURNAL.

evil till it

comes.

Ought
It is itself

one

to

regret
will death
an

it ?

Probably
life should
is

not.

Nature's

that
;

defend love

against
taken God

hope
its

only the
Who
a

of

life ; it is

organic impulse which protection.

us,
ever

religion has
knows ?

under
may
are

save we

may
sure

work
that the

miracle.
is
no

Besides,

there

remedy
We chances
to

Uncertainty
reckon
our

is

refuge
among

of
the

hope.

the

doubtful Mortal
How Even be with

in

favour.

frailtyclings
angry
all with

every
so

support.

it for aids

doing?

possible
and

it

hardly
The

ever

escapes

desolation

distress.

supreme
to
see

solution in
so

is, and
the

be,

necessity
to

always will fatherly will of

and
to

God,
our

and
cross

submit
as

ourselves
an

bear the

bravely,
of
human the

offering
The

Arbiter

destiny.
order

soldier
him
:

does

not

dispute
dies
to

given
use

he
he

obeys and
waited
where

without

murmuring.
the
of his be ? submission

If

understand would
to
me

fice, sacri-

his

It occurred
we even

this
other's

morning

how

little
;

know those

of

each
nearest

physical
dearest
to

troubles
us

and

know

nothing
of

of

our

conversations There
are

with

the

King
which

Terrors.
no

thoughts
are

brook

confidant

; there

griefs which

AMIKL

JOURNAL.

335
for
We

cannot
even

be bids
we

shared.
us

Consideration them.
we

others
dream
we

conceal

alone,
there
our

suffer last

alone,
to

die

alone,
alone. from
wliat

habit inBut

the is

resting-place
prevent
And becomes
us so

nothing
to

opening
was an

solitude

God.

austere

monologue
becomes and

dialogue,

tance reluc-

into

peace,

docility,renunciation the sense of painful

of recovered
vent
en

passes defeat

is lost in the
'

sense

liberty.
science

Vouloir

ce

que
nous

Dieu
met

est

la seule

Qui
None of
us

repos.'
the
as

can as

escape
soon

play

of

contrary
has
once

impulse

; but

the

soul

recognised
itself

the

order

of

things, and
all is well.

mitted sub-

thereto, then
mourant

'

Comme
en

un

sage

pnissions
erre,

nous

dire

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

28th For

cherche

je

me

Dieu

m'enveloppe.'
A

January
or

1881. hours

"

terrible

night.
face.

three

four and

struggled against
in
me

suffocation
...

looked that
what

death
awaits

the

It is clear
"

is suffocation

asphyxia.
not

I shall

die

by choking.
a

I should

have

chosen

such

death

336
but when

AMIEL'S
is

JOURNAL;

there

no

option,
at

one

must
. . .

ply sim-

resign oneself, and

once.

noza Spi-

expired
whom
he

in the
sent

presence

of
must

the

doctor

had

for. of

familiarise

myself
some

The his

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

idea

fate
;

indeed
but

lacks

beauty, grandeur,
consists

try poe-

stoicism
et sustine.

in renunciation.

Abstine
I
must

remember friends
The

besides
not

that
to

have

faithful them.

; it is better

torment
more one

last
scenes

journey
and all others

is

only made
'

painful by
word
is be

lamentations:
"

worth done
!'

Thy

will, not
The

mine,
to

Leibnitz
servant

was

accompanied
liness loneis not be and tomb
cannot

the

grave of the

by his
The

only.
the

deathbed

and

an

evil.

great

mystery

shared.

The

dialogue between

the

soul

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
'

what will

is reserved be. We

for have

him. but
to

What say,

be

Amen.'

ith

Fehi'uary

1881.

"

It is

strange

sen-

AMIEL'S

JOURNAt.

337
down
one

sation
"with
never

that the
see

of

laying

oneself

to

rest

thought
the and
morrow.

that

perhaps Yesterday
I

will felt it
is

strongly,
made but
'

yet
the

here
sense

am.

Humility

easy it cuts le

by
away

of excessive

frailty,

all ambition.
et les vastes

Quittez
A

long espoir
of work

pensees.'
"

long piece
from
a man

seems

absurd

one

lives but
When

day
can

to
no

day. longer

look
a

forward
year, he
to
a duced re-

imagination to five years, month, of free activity, when to counting the hours, and
in
"

is

seeing
an
known un-

in

the

coming fate,
"

night
it is

the

threat
he

of
must

plain that

give
he
self, himthe

up
must

art, science, and

be the
content
one

politics,and
converse

that

to hold

with

end. of the

Inward

is his till possibilitywhich soliloquy is the only resource

man

condemned
He

whose
upon

execution the

is

delayed.
radiates

withdraws His

fastnesses
no

of conscience.

spiritualforce
;

longer
in self"

outwardly
Action He upon

it is consumed off
"

study.
have
to

is cut

only contemplation
to

remains.

still writes

those

who

claims
the

him,

but

he

bids
into
to

farewell
himself.

public, and hare, he

retreats

Like

the

comes

back

die

in

his

338

amiel'8

journal.

fonn, and this his intellect,

"

form the

is his

consciousness,
which life.

journal, too,
of
a

has As he

been

the
as

companion
he
can

his pen,

inner
as

long
has
a

hold
of

long
echo

as

moment

solitude, this
his with

of himself sents repre-

still claims
to

meditation, still
his

him

his

converse

God.

In
to

all this, however,

:

there
it is not

is
an

nothing akin
act

self-examination
or a

of

trition, conan me

cry

for

Amen

of heart

submission
!'

help. It is simply My child, give

'
"

thy

Renunciation
difficult
to
me

and
than

acquiescence
to

are

less desire

others, for
wish
not

I
to

nothing.
but
to

I could
on

only
prayer he did be
:

suffer,
himself
to

Jesus

Gethsemane
same

allowed
; let
'

make words

the

us

add

it

the my
.

that

Nevertheless,
"

not

will, but
For
. .

thine,
many
more

done,'
past
to

and

wait.

years

the
me

immanent
than of that

God

has

been

real
and the
to

the cob Jaof

transcendent
has been
or even

God,
more

religion
me

alien

than

Kant,
of the

Spinoza.
has
come

The
seem

whole
to
me

Semitic
a

dramaturgy

to

work ments docuing mean-

imagination. have changed

my eyes.
to

The in

apostolic
value and
a

and truth

to

Belief
me

have dis-

become

distinct

with

growing

AMIEl/S

JOURNAL.

339
has
has

tinctness.
a

Religious psychology
and
The

come be-

simple phenomenon,
absolute value.

lost its

fixed of
me

and

apologetics
are

Pascal, of Leibnitz, of Secre'tan,

no more

to

convincing
for

than

those

of what

the is

middle

ages,
in

they
"

presuppose
a

really
a

question,
and
to
me

revealed

doctrine,
to

definite
seems

unchangeable
that studies
an

Christianity.
remains
me

It

what

from

all of

my

is

new

nology phenomeof universal

mind,

intuition

metamorphosis.
all definite and in

All

particular convictions,

formulas all clear-cut principles, but fixed prejudices, useful ideas, are of the still narrownesses practice, but
The

mind. and

absolute All

in

detail

is

absurd

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

thickening
Our

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

thought

the of its
own

boundaries historical

of time

and

space
; but

and
in

surroundings
and
to

its individual

action,
and lawful

it

capacity, adapts itself

itself but
a

for
current

purposes

of

illusions,
end. It is

puts before
to be

definite

man,

it is needful

also

to

340
be thus
is
a

amiel's

journal.

man,
a

to

be

an

individual.

Our

role

is

double

one.

Only,
to

the

philosopher
the first

specially authorised
the
vast

develop

role, which

majority

of humankind

neglects.
Ith

February
But
me

1881. I have

"

Beautiful

sunshine

to-day.
left in

to
a

notice

scarcely spring enough it. Admiration, joy,

pain.
Whereas of the

presuppose
my

little relief from tired with

neck and of

is my

weight
the

my the

head,
weight
state.

heart
"

is wearied is
not

with

life ;

this

aesthetic

I have "which
I

been

thinking
have let what wasted. which

over

different
But

things

might
we

written.
is most We
never

generally
ourselves Omnis

speaking
best in
a us

original and

be

reserve comes.

for

future

\Ath
weeks
to

February 1881. numbered, are

me

"

Supposing
what

that still

my
main re-

duties
I may
one

to must

that fulfil,

leave
-

all in

order

give

every

his
be

due

justice, prudence,
; the

kindness
must

must

fied satisones.

last memories

be
nor

sweet

Try
who

to

forget nothing useful,

a

anybody

has

claim

upon

thee

amiel's

journal.

341

15th

February

1881,
up

"

have,
at

very the

luctantly, re-

given
and
sent

my for
the my

lecture

versity, Unimy

doctor. flowers

On which

chimney-piece
has
sent
me.

are

Letters

from
. .

London,
.

Paris,
seem

Lausanne,
me

Neuchatel.
thrown

They
a

to

like wreaths

into
to

grave.

Mentally
friends
whom

I say

farewell
never

all the

distant

I shall

see

again.
A
goes
me

18th

February
That

1881.

"

Misty weather.
emaciation allows
over

the fairlygood night. Still,

on.

is to
but

say, he

the

vulture

some

respite,
The

still hovers

his cial offi-

prey. work

possibilityof resuming
seems

my

like
now

dream
the
sense

to

me.

Although
remoteness

just
from

of
so

ghostly
have

life which

often for

is absent,
a

I feel

myself
This

prisoner
vague

good,

hopeless invalid.
because

intermediate
nor

state, which
its sweetness,

is neither

death if it
of

life,has
ation, renunciIt

implies

still it allows reverie

without

thought.
and

is

pain, peaceful
with I

tative. mediand

Surrounded with

affection the
stream

books,
as once

float I

down

of

time,

canals, smoothly

the glided over and noiselessly.

once more on

Dutch It is
as

though

were

board

the

342
Treckschute.
the

amiel's

journal.

Scarcely
of the hoof the the of

can

one

hear

even

soft

ripple
or

water

furrowed
the

by the

barge,
under

trotting along
these
in

sandy
is not
to

towing horse A journey path. something

whether
earth.

conditions One

has
sure

tastic fanone

it.

still
the

exists, still belongs

the of the

It is like the

manes,

shadows,
inania From

flitting through
regna.

twilight
has
become

Existence

fluid.

the

standpoint
I watch my

of the

complete
passage

personal renunciation of impressions, my

memories.
...

dreams,
a

thoughts, and
of fixed
we

It is

mood which
no

contemplation
to

akin

to

that
It

attribute
in

the

Seraphim.
the

takes

interest the

the

individual

self, but

only
of

in the

specimen

monad,
of the

sample
Everything

general history everything, and

what it has
or

mind.

is in

consciousness it. mind

examines is either

before
The

Nothing

great
and
state

small.

everything is
its relations

outer

world,
out
once

and

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

fade

of

and

before

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

pain, duty, and

action.

will

must

be

brought

into

amiel's

journal.

343
the
sonal pertheism pan-

Are

these and and

oscillations the

between between

impersonal, theism, between regretted ?

makes
man us

Spinoza
No, for
of

and

Leibnitz,
one

to

be

it is the

state

which And
as

conscious of
he

the

other.

is

capable
should

ranging
mutilate

the

two

domains, why
?

himself

The February 1881." finds its typical expression

no

22d

march
in

of mind
"

astronomy

pause,
but

but
at

no

hurry
same

orbits, cycles,
time

energy,
movement

the

harmony
has

and

yet order
and forth

eveiything

its

own

weight
and and
war

its relative

weight,
Cannot
ours

ceives re-

gives
divine of all

light.

this ?

cosmic Is the

energy

become

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 combined with intellect, goodness of heart,
will be

the

agents

of

result, which

wiU

be

the

compromise

required.
I have

1st March

1881.

"

just been

glanc-

344

amiel's

journai,.

ing
very the hour.

over

the

affairs What
to
a

of Babel

the

world

in
But

the it is of
an

newspaper.

it is !

pleasant planet and

It

be

able
the
a sense

to

make
human of

the tour
race

review
one

in

gives
of

ubiquity.
will

newspaper

in the

twentieth

century

be
"

eight or ten daily bulletins tic, literary,artispolitical,religious,scientific, commercial, meteorological, military,

composed economical,
and Urhs of
use

social, legal, and

divided Orhis. into
The
two

financial

;
"

will

be

parts
of

only

and

need
about

simplifying, will bring

of
such

totalising, the general

permit
end
the
we

series

and
the

feeling
as

graphic methods We comparisons. pulse of the race

that of
a

as

of

shall and and

by

globe
shall

easily as
the
as we

sick
of

man,

count

palpitations
shall hear

the grass

universal

life,
or

just
the

the

growing,
the

sun-spots
become herself.

clashing, and
consciousness Then will be

catch

first

of stirrings

volcanic

disturbances.
; the

Activity
earth
for

will
see

will
her

the

time

to

blush

for

her her with

disorders, her
crime energy of
"

hideousness,
to

lier

misery,
at

and and

throw

self her-

last

perseverance When
then ity human-

into

the has

pursuit
cut

its the

justice. wisdom-teeth,
grace
to

perhaps
and itself,

it will

have

reform

amiel's

journal.

345
reduction
The

the of

will the

to

attempt
of the pass

systematic
the

share

evil in the from

state.

world.
state

Weltgeist will
to

of

stinct in-

the

moral
the

War,

hatred,

selfishness, fraud,
will
mere

be

held

to

be

right of the stronger, old-world barbarisms,

The

diseases

of

growth.
will be

pretences

of

modern virtues. be

civilisation
Men
races

will be
will

replaced by brothers, peoples

sympathise
will of any draw
one

real
will with

friends,

another, and
a

mankind

from

love

principle of emulation, of zeal, as as powerful

the

invention, and
furnished This
is
at

by
lennium milleast

vulgar
"

stimulant
will it
ever

of

interest. be ? It

an

act

of

piety

to believe

in it.

lith
m6e's
of the

March
letters

1881.
to

"

I have

finished Merimee
me
"

Meridied
'

Panizzi.
torments

disease
et

which

Je

tousse,
whence

j 'etonffe.' Bronchitis

and

asthma,

defective

assimilation, and compressed

and of air.

finally
ing winterwas ried car-

exhaustion.
at

He, too, tried arsenic,

Suffocation
author

Cannes,

All

useless.

inanition Hie is of

off the
res same

Colomba.

tua

agitur.
colour

The
as

gray,
my

heavy

sky
And
sweetness

the the and

thoughts.
its
own

yet

irrevocable

has

346
serenity.
uncertainties of One

AM

I el's

journal.

The of

fluctuations

of

the illusion, bounds

desire, the leaps and

to

hope, give place

feels the
as

tranquil resignation.
one were

though
that my
be

grave.

It is this
corner

very of

yond already beweek, too,

remember,
Oasis is

ground

in

the

to

bought.
end.

Everything
Festinat ad

draws
eventum.

towards

the

15th of

March
of

1881. the clear

"

The

Journal affair such

innocent
at

is full
burg. Peters-

details How
as

horrible
it is that the

phes catastro-

this, in which product

of
a

suffer,

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
"

the

"

Nicholas.

We
our

fathers, and
for
the

expiate the grandchildren

A And

sins

of

our

will be

ished pun-

ours.

double he
true.
seems

injustice ! cries right

But
as

individual.

is

if the

vidualist indi?

principle is
That
is the

is it true

point.
of

It

individual but
we
one are

part of each
section that for

though the man's destiny were destiny. Morally

what
we

responsible

ourselves

amiel's

jouknal.

347

have and
our

willed,
will.

but

socially, depend
on

our

happiness
outside
'
"

unhappiness

causes

obscurity,

Religion answers faith. submission,

the
rest to

Mystery,
Do
your

duty

; leave

God

!'

IQth A

March

1881.

"

wretched
The
. . .

night.
two

melancholy
of the
to

morning.
have and of
lost

stand-bys
seem
me.

doctor, digitalisand
their
I

mide, broover

power watch

Wearily
progress
to out

painfully
my
own

the What

tedious efforts
worn

decay.

keep
with

oneself
the

from

dying
is

am

Useless
to

and
one's the

struggle. incessant struggle

manhood.
most
man

iation humil-

The
of

lion his But

finds foes. the tleness gen-

the
The

gnat

intolerable feels the

learn
same.

natural
man

spiritual
is the

must

the

lesson

of

and will

long-suffering. The of God. We might

else, but
it is
us.
.

inevitable have
ferred pre1

something
to

our

business One
. .

accept

the

lot

assigned
"

thing only
'Garde

is necessary

en

men

coeur

la

foi

dans

ta

volonte

sainte,
Et de moi f ais, o

Dieu,

tout

ce

que

ta

vou-

dras.'

34B
Later.
"

AMIEL^S

JOURNAL.

One
me a

of

my

students
message
me a

has

just
from
leas, aza-

brought
my

sympathetic
sister

class.
rich

My
in

sends and

pot of

flowers

buds
one

sends

roses

and proves

violets
that

every
am

spoils

me,

"which

ill.

19th

March

1881.
heart

"

Distaste

"

ment. discourageAnd

My
what

is

growing
care, But

cold.

yet

affectionate
me one

what

tenderness,

surrounds
what
can

!
. . .

without
rest

health,
?
was

do

with

all the
me

What
the

is the

good
;

of

it all to

What

good of patience Come,

off
me

Job's

trials ?

They
his

ripened
submission.

his

they exercised
me

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

that

might

still lose.
I will

I will
to

reckon

up

my

privileges; blessings.
21st
too

try

be

worthy

of

my

March

1881.
For

"

This five else

or

invalid
six weeks but

life
now nurse

is

Epicurean.
have

done and
of

nothing
amuse

wait,
how is work.

myself,
one

myself, and
What I want
to

weary It Mere effort

gets

it !

is work

which

existence

gives flavour without object and

life.

without

amiel's

journal.

349

is

and
the

thing. Idleness leads to languor, is languor to disgust. Besides, here of vague sires, despring again, the season of dull discomforts, of dim tions, aspirapoor

of wide-awake.
know
not

sighs without
We what has
;

cause.

We

dream
for
thing somewe

search

darkly
the while

invoking
no

which
or

name,

unless

it be

piness hap-

death.

28th

March

1881. exist.

"

I cannot

work
be few

; I find
to

it difiBcult to
one's

One
one

may
a

glad
months for
us

let
; it

friends

spoil
?

for
is

is but
room

an

experience
afterwards for the

which
How

good

all ;

much

better

to make

living,the

active, the

tive. produc-

'Tircis, voici le temps

Is it that think freedom
not.

de

prendre
to

sa

retraite.'

care

so

much

go

on

living? long
this
in for
"

It

is health

that And

from
I

suffering.
can

desire thing any-

being vain,
else.
"

find

no

savour

Satiety.
souls.
'

Lassitude.
'

ciation. Renun-

Abdication.
possess

In

your

patience

ye

your

10"A She

April
over

1881
to

{Sunday).
me

"Visit of 1844

to
.

read

letters

to

1845

350
letters
in
are so

AMIEL

JOURNAL.

"

of

mine.
a

So result end

much
! What the hour will

promise
creatures

to

end
we

meagre
I

shall

like
the

Rhine,
is close

lost

among
when

the
my

sands, and
thread of

by

water

have

peared. disapthe

Afterwards
There
was

I had
an

little walk of

in

set. sun-

effect
;
a

scattered
haze

rays

and

stormy
trees Et A

clouds
"

green

envelops

all the
'

tout
vu

renait, et deja I'aubepine I'abeille accourir fleurs,' a ses

it all
seems

"

but

to

me

strange already.
of
ways and

Later.
desires
us
"

"

What
.
.

dupes
has
our

we

are

our

own

!
.

Destiny
But

two

of crushing filling by fulwhat

'

by refusing
them.

wishes

lie who both for

only wills
his

God

wills work

escapes

catastrophes.

All

things
lith

together
1881.

good.'
the

April

"

Frightful night;
in

fourteenth consumed

running,

which
. .

I have
.

been

by sleeplessness.
April
the

\Uh

1881.

"

To-morrow

is
I know

Good
what

Friday,
it is to

festival

of of

pain.

spend days

anguish

and

nights

of

AMIEL

JOURNAL.

35

agony.
I have
no

Let
more

me

bear future.
of the

my

cross

humbly.
. . .

My
present,
Let
me

duty
and

is
to

to

isfy sat-

the

claims
in

leave
to

everything
well,

order.
to

try
and

end
to

seeing
are

that

undertake
to
me.

even

continue,

closed

19th

April

188L
"

terrible and
my

sense

of fail

oppression.
me.

My

flesh

heart

'

Que

vivre

est

difficile,

men

cceur

fatigue

'

BND

OF

VOL.

II.

APPENDIX.

The
of

following short but valuable Amiel's philosophical thought, in

aspects,
a
"

criticism its
more

technical

has

been

sent

me,

at

my in

request, by
the
matter.

friend
M. be A.

well W.

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

So

far

as

can

derived

from
at
as

the his aids

most

various
as

sources,
means

were

constantly
and these ideas

command
to

of

cism criti-

touched

affecting the
his
own

imagination ; and where him ters nearly, as in all matthem religious life,he made
his life upon them.

and
at

founded least
on

One of

remark the
art
"

aesthetics

"

an

analysis
and

pleasure produced
a

by

so-called
character

imitative disview

distinction

between

iwsition,directed
that moral character freedom

against Schopenhauer's is invariable; doctrine a

in the
same

of
tinction, dis-

key
as

as

that
not

but

treating moral freedom all, an acquired; and above

352

innate,
con-

ardent

APPENDIX.

353
truth

"vietion Christian
'

of

the

essential

of

the
'

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 Havet's Orii/ines du Christianisme; criticising 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.
But

Amiel

considered
to
amor

always repelled by what the Spinozistic and Hegelian replace religion by philosophy.
was can

he
dency ten-

The take

intellectualis

never,

he

says,
uses

the

place
and

of

'

amour

moral.'
as

He

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
'

Intellectualist

but the
et
*

Sin.

The

intelligence, not
Feuerbach
Cf
'
.

neo-Hegelians to the will, and

sauver

appeal to so Ruge
'

ne

peuvent

I'humanite.'
mort,
la

Quand
pourra

le christianisme

sera

religion

de

Jesus

survivre.'

354
Araiel He
recurs

APPENDIX.

had

strong
from
to

quotes
of his

sympathy European
and

frequently
notions
not

Oriental

mysticism. mystics, and ideas, especially

of

with

to
was

the

Nirvana

Maya.*

It

only
curious innate

and
also that

his
an was

jirofound religious instinct, psychological experiences, but of apparent distrust reality,

in this
'

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, psy-

active

of his
can

rejects the fundamental pessimism, yet Schopenhauer's

and

axiom

influence

be

traced
he

in much
was

of Amiel's
more

meditation.
to

Perhaps
because

the
a

open

this

ence influ-

of

French Extremes

intellect
meet

logical antitheses
Sometimes
" "

for

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

Amiel

treats

absolute
so as

as

'the

zero

of

all determination,'
the

relative;
*Cf.

infinite

the

excluding or unknown,
Will and

the
as

Schopenhauer,
i. p.

World

as

Idea,
of the

Eng.
Indian of

Tr., vol.

9, 'The

ancient
"

w)8do;n

the veil and

philosopher
which them

declares,
blinds
a

It is
eyes

Maya,
of

deception,
either

the

mortals

makes
say

behold
that it is

world that
'

of

which
not."
as

they
'

cannot

or

it is world

This

is,

Schopenhauer
to

continues,

the

idea

subject

the

principle of suiUcient

reason.'

APPENDIX.

355

the

immensity
nowhere
these to

of
be

space found

or

time in

and

the In

ideal
as

as

reality.
his

far

as

conceptions
instinct of of be the

ruled had
this
an

mood,

Amiel's
root.

pessimistic
But
comments

intellectual which
to

nature,

some

passages
would with with
vertu

Diary
nugatory

might
when others
'
"

seem

invite,

found

confronted is Le

others. which I

Among
end faire this

these
note

saying
a

devoir du

la

de

nous

sentir
en

la

realite

monde

positif
,

tout

en

nous

detachant.'

NOTES.
[A few of
the

following

notes

are

translated

from

the

French

edition

of

the

Journal,'\

1. P.
par H.

10.
F.

"

Penseroso, Araiel: Geneve,

contains
in 133 the

iZ

poesies-maximes
1858.

This
several

little of

book,
"which

which
are

maxims,
Journal

quoted prefaced by a motto

'
"

Intiine, is
from

translated

Shelley
k

Ce

n'est

pas
Mais

la science
nous ce

qui
Tavons
nous nous

nous

manque, surabondam-

nous

modernes;
, . .

ment.
nous

que

avons

absorbe c'est

absorbe.

Ce
...

qui

manque

la

poesie
2. P.

de
12.

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,
his of into

French

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

first

cesses suc-

Cousin,
notice

and

by
the

controversy

with

the

Abbe

Gratry, by
him in

prosecution

brought

against

conse-

356

NOTES.

357
D^mocratie hands
of

quence
and

of
his

his

book,
and kind
the In the

La
the

(1859),
the
in emy Acad-

by
of the

rejection at

Moral
same

Political of

Sciences

1865,
had in the

for

reasons

which
of Littre he

brought about preceding year.

a

exclusion

18(58,however,
Institute of the the in old

became
to

member A

of

succession

Cousin.

Liberal himself
has

school,
felt in

he

has

separated
the
war,

from made

Republicans
as a

since
severe

and

himself blunders La

critic
des

of

Republican
Mondes.

the

Revue cusses dis-

deux the sense,

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

"

ious relig-

4.

P.

34.

At

this

period
party

the

controversy
and
in
'

between

the
'

orthodox

Liberal Geneva

at its height, both Christianity was and throughout Switzerland.

5. P.

37.

"

Gustave-Adolphe
near

Hirn,
the of

French
a

physicist, born Corresponding

Sciences Amiel
in

Colmar,
of book
The

1815, became

Member

Academy
his
to

of

1867. is
no

which

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

refers
6. P.

doubt

37.

"

The

name

of

M.

Albert

Reville,
or

the less

French

Protestant in

familiar of

theologian, is more England, especially since

Hibbert

his 1884.

delivery

the

Lectures

in

358
Athanase well-known French
from of his

NOTES.

Coquerel, born champion of

Protestant

1820, died
Liberal
was

1876, the
in the

ideas

Church,
functions of in

pastoral
on

by
his

the

suspended Consistory
of M.

Paris,

account

review

Kenan's Edouard
a

Vie

de

Jesus
a

ISdi.

Ferdiuand-

Buisson,

Liberal

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.

7.
which

P.

56.
rouses

"

This M.

is Kenan's

one

of

the
'

wonder.
'

passages Voila la

he writes, I'educaentre grande diffe'rence,' 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

NOTES.

359 pessianalogue au des D^bats, September Morley's he points

death,
and and

d'austerite
misme

intellectuelle
"

slave.'

{Journal
of Mr.

30, 1884.)
One of is

reminded

criticism out,
'

Emerson.

Emerson,
to

has

almost say tlie of

nothing
that soul which

say

of

little to
on

horrid

burden the

churches
name we

inpediment call sin,

call
nature

and very

which,
real
"

by whatever catastrophe
courses

it, is
of

in the

moral
and

man

the

of
man nor

nature,
in
awe.

the

prodigious
him
no

injustices
neither if he

of

society
He

affect
see

with
ster mon-

horror
can

will

help
we

it.' have the of

Here,
between
men

then,
the

eternal

difference
"

two

orders

temperament
forbids
defeat

the them

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

whose like whom Renan
'

of

the

circumstance,
the
men

and and

Emerson,
'

and
are

for

horror

awe

interwoven

with

experience,

like

Amiel.

8.

P.
one

102. of

"

Mably,
of
a on

the

Abbe
of the

Mably,
and
of

1709-

85,
tlie

the

precursors

Revolution,
classical

professor
Babeuf,
'

cultivated
a

communism which

based
and

study
like

others

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

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

called
the

360
first French

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.

9. mais

P.

109.

'
"

"

Persifflez
aux

les

pharisaismes,
"

parlez Amiel, avec

que
etre

droit
une

honnetes

gens
Mon

me

dit

certaine
gens
sont

aigreur.
souvent

Dieu,
a

les honnetes

exposes

des

Kenan's 10.
'

le savoir pharisiens sans article, already quoted.) 111.

en

!'

"

(M,

P.

"

Polyeucte,
mourant tea

Act
laiss^

V.
see

Scene

v.

Mon

6poux
eang

m'a

luraiferes ;
de
me

Son M'a Je

dont

bourreaux
et
roe

viennent lee vient

'

couvrir

dessill^

les yeux

d'ouvrir

vois, je sais,je crois

P. 121. of
"

11.

Synod
was

of then

the

Reformed
in

Churches

France

occupied
of

terminin de-

the

constituent

conditions

estant Prot-

belief.
12. P. 129.

"

Louise
1879. U

Siefert,

modern
to

French

poetess, died
she

In addition

published 1869, and other

13. M. P. 134.
"

Annie

Stoiques, Ripublicaine, Paris,

Les

works.
'

Renan,
'

'and it is

;
tout
ne

but

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

We all believe
in
'

le soit

contraire

soit
amusante

vrai

"

et

que

le

monde
aucun

qu'une

faerie

dont

NOTES.

361
done
nous

dieu
de

ne

se

soucie.
a

faut dans

arranger

maniere

ceque, la

le

cas nous

oil le seconde

serait hypothese ete trop dupes.' This at strain of

vraie,

n'ayons
is
as a

pas

remark,
of in

which

developed
criticism the

considerable

length,
But

is meant

of
of the

Amiel's

want

sensitiveness

to

irony

things.
text

shows,
with critic. of
sense

M.

feeling
as

which

in reality, as the passage Renan is only expressing a Amiel was just as familiar he his is delivered from

his

last doubt

Only all by
of
'

his
;

habitual and
awe

seriousness
'

by
him

that

horror

which

M.
saves

Renan
'

puts away
from the

from

him.

Conscience

sorceries

of Ma'ia.'

14.

P. 160.

"

Ernest

Ha

vet, born
and

1813,

tinguishe disHe

French

scholar
of in

professor.

became

Professor de France

Latin

Oratory
a

at

the
of

College
the

1855, and
1880. de
ses

Member

Institute of the

in

January
et

His

admirable known.

edition Le

Perishes

Pascal

is well

Christianisme

book,
from
a

in

four

Oricjines, an important was volumes, developed

in the

series and

of articles the Revue

Revue

des

deux

Mondes,
15. P.

Contemporaine.
had

171.

"

Amiel
the

just

received

at

the

hands
was

of bis doctor

medical

verdict, which

his arret
16. P. 191.

de

mort.

"

the

Pensees

of

this paragraph Compare a new writer, M. Joseph

from

Roux,

36"
a

NOTES.

country
and

cure,

living
whose

in

remote

part
liave M.
"

of

the
been Paul

Bas

Limousin,

thoughts
year

edited Marie'ton
'

published this (Paris : Alphonse

ne

by Lemerre)
que

Le
le

verbe

eouffre
et

et

ne

connait
loin
sans

la

volont6
I'inet

qui

dompte,

n'emporte
avec

p^ril que
I'eperon

telligence qui lui manage

frein.'

empire

le

17.
died

P.

207.

"

Xime'nes
brilliant

Doudan,
friend

born
tutor

in

1800,
the

1872, the

and

of

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 volume
of essays.

18.

P.

235.
toutes
une

"

Compare

La

Bruyere

"

'Entre
vent rendre

les differentes seule la de

nos on

expressions
pensees
ne

qui n'y

peuen a

il

qu'une

qui

soil

bonne;
en

la
:

rencontre

pas
uean.

toujours en parlant ou nioins qu'elle existe,

est

^crivant
tout
ce
un

il est
ne

vray Test

que

qui

point

foible,
veut
se

et

ne

satisfait entendre.'

point

hoinme

d'esprit

qui

faire

19.

P.

243.
an

"

Amiel's old
name

expression
revived,
school

is Les

Pardays nowa-

7iassiens,

which
of
as

describes

the

younger

French Theode
use

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

poetry

Theodore modern

NOTES.

363
the

of

the

word

dates

from

puhlication

of

Le

Parnasse

Contemporain
P. 284." Victor
and de

(Lemerre, Laprade,
of

1866).
born

20. first
then
a

1812,

disciple
the

imitator of

Edgar

Quinet,

friend

Lamartine,

Lamennais,
admitted
to to

George Academy
Musset.

Sand,
in He

Victor 1857
wrote et

Hugo;
in

the de

succession

Alfred

Parfums
1843;

de

Madeleine,
Evan-

1839;

Odes

Poemes,

Poemes

gdiques,
etc.

1852;

Idylles

Heroiques,

1858,

etc.

21.
was

P.

293.

"

Madame of the
a

Necker
famous

de

Saussure De

the

daughter
she and
was

geologist,
of

Saussure;
Necker,
of
to

married
therefore

nephew
cousin

Jacques marriage supposed

by
often de le

Madame be the

de

Stael.
of

She

is

original
and de the Mdme. edition

Madame
sur

Cerlebe Caractere
to

in
et

Delphine,
les Ecrits

Notice
de of

Stael,
Madame

prefixed
de

tlie

authoritative collected education she had

Stael's and but

works,
were

is her

by

her.
two

Philanthropy
main
amount

interests,
of

also

very

large
as was

general by
on

literary
translation matic

cultivation,
of

proved
Lectures

her

Schlegel's

Dron

Literature.

INDEX.

About's

satire and Amiel's

irony, i. 298.

Absolute,

craving for the, i. 96. conception of the, ii. 169, 203. Absolutism, ii. 70. Accident, philosophy of, i. 119.
and

Providence, i. 306. of Madame, Ackermann, poems and Acorn oak, ii. 315. Action, Amiel's
=

ii. 167.

cross,

i. 182.

concrete to

how

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

for, ii. 290. requisites 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, and

ii. 244.

Affirmation

examination, ii. 123.

Age, loss of respect for, i. 230. the servitude of, ii.24. Alcibiades, ii. 209. ii. 95. Algebra v. life, 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
Amusement and

INDEX.

instruction, ii. 269.

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

of

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

i. 292.

Analytic minds,
Anger, conquest

of, ii. 319.

laws

Animality,
Animals,
Annihilation

the

of, ii. 214. of, i. 274.

ii. 29.

treatment

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 of, ii. 4.

grand
and

simple, ii. 245. imagination, ii. 253.

and

reveals

Nature,

i. 186.

Ascension
Atala and

Day,
Reni,
effects

ii. 270.

Chateaubriand's, i. 146, 149.

Atheism, Atomism, Augustine

of, ii. 212. philosophy of, i. 230.

and
v.

Attila, ii. 287.

Lucian

contrasted, ii. 217.

Authority
Autumn,
of

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

ii. 12. life,

twofold, i. 223. Azote, Babbit,

Bach's
woman

the

social,iL 135.

ignorant, ii. 340.

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

Balzac, ii. 94.

Banniire

Bleue, la, ii. 285.

IKDEX.

367

Banter

not

humour,

ii. 318.

Barbarism, possible triumph of, i. 232.

Basle, ii. 81.

Bayle

and

Saint

Simon, ii. 48.

Beauty, female, i. 301. goodness, ii. 217. V.

and

pathos, i. 152,
in

153.

and

ugliness, ii. 113.

universal

Paradise, i. 233.

of matter, i. 233. spiritualisation and Mozart Beethoven contrasted, i. 88, 8g. of, ii. 308. Being, consciousness

Beauty

the

and

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 and Fontaine

contrasted, ii. 231.

Book, function
Bossuet
on

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

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

his

(the beat

of

the

common

ii. 83.

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

tendency

of

Amiel, i. 273.

Buisson, ii.37.

368
CiESARiSM,
Cartesian Catholic the

INDEX.

counterpoise

of

equality, i. 229,

230.

dualism, ii. 122. superstition, ii. 141.

of, i. 214.

Catholicism, i. 93.
essence

and Causeries Cellerier Chance

revolution, ii 67.
Atheniennes,
on

Cherbuliez, i. 176.
i. 53. i.

St.

James,

and
not

Providence,

306.
i. 251.

Change

improvement,

persistence in, ii. 89.

rules the

Changeable

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

to

Character, how
temperament, and

judge, ii. 317.

and

ii. 47. individuality, lack

will, Amiel's
democratic ii. 113. i.

of, i.

180.

Charity,
Charm,

character

of, ii. 269.

Ch"teaubriand,
and

146,
i.

245.

Rousseau,

148.

Cherbuliez, i. 312.

Mephistophelian novel, ii. 216. chivalry, etc., i. 175, 218. on

Cherry
trees

and Amiel's

lilacs,i. 3. second,
i. 219.

Childhood,

blessings of, i. 296.

first conversations revived

of, i. 53.

impressions of, ii. 165.

152.
on,

Children, i.

Chivalry,
Christendom Christian

Cherbuliez and

i. 175.

Ascension

Day,

ii. 270,

nations, aspiration of, ii. 526, of, ii. i5i.

ii. 18.

preaching, confusions Christianity

different
essence
a

vast

ocean,

aspects

of, ii. 19.

of, i. 82.

INDEX.

369

Christianityfrom
historical

human

point of view, ii. 14.

aspects

of, ii. 120.

of

liberal,ii. 34.
of
and
V.

dignity instead
religion,i. 271. of, i, 6, 8,
and

humility, i.

174.

reconciliation,ii. 272.

task

72, 73.

true, i. 214. Church

State, proper

aims
the

of, ii. 267.

Genevese

separation, rejected by
Churches

people, ii.297.

(the) and

Jesus, ii. 3.
in a, ii. 170.

Churchyard,
Cid and

reflections
,

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

influence

of, i. 232. of, ii. 287.

with
the

Civilisation, corrupting tendency

confounded in the inner

i. 92. life,

light of religion, ii. 55.

i. 292. of men,

Claparfede,Edouard,
Classification

twofold, ii. 322.

Cleanthus,

ii. 31.

Cleons, modern, i. 214. Clever folk defined, ii. 246.

Cleverness,
Cohabitation Cohesion Comic

negative character
of
to

of, i.

300.

individuals, man's
of

chief

problem,

ii.262.

essential poets, role i.

society, i. 277. the, ii. 215.

Common
V.

sense,

76.
126.

the

ideal, i.
i. 44.

rebellion

against, ii. 168. Paris, ii. 105.

ii. 154Amiel's

worship,
Commune
of

Compliance, good-humoured,
Composition,
the process

laborious, ii. 191.

Compound

of, ii. 244. character of Amiel, ii. 42.

370
Condorcet's

INDEX.

theory,
ii. 134.

i. 92.

Conflict, man's Conscience,

abdication

perpetual, ii. 225.

of the, ii. 69.
17,
21.

appeal of, i.
V.

cleverness,

ii. 216.

corruption of the, i. 240.

and
and

faith, i.

107,

108.

history, i. 36.

individualised
V.
V.

by, i. 254.

ii. 59. reality, taste, ii. 269. voice of

the

God,

ii. 266.
to
a

Consciousness
'

compared
definition

book, ii. 165.

Consideration,'

of, ii. 186.

ii. 186.

unsought
Constant,

by Amiel,

Benjamin, ii. 185. milieu, Contemplation, Amiel's

contrasted with

i. 303.

action, i.

303.
"

passionate temperament
Contentment,
ii. 311.

incapable of, i. 291

apostolic,ii. 7.
and

submission, ii. 177. aspirations, ii. 213.

of, ii. 196.
ii. 195.

Contradictory Copp^e

Contraries, marriage

Fran9ois,
i, 141.

Coquerel, ii. 37.

Coritine,
Comeille's

heroes, roles
Amiel's the
act
want

not

men,

i. 198.

Courage,
Creation,

of, ii. 145. 276.

of, ii. 194.

from,
i.

Credulity, freedom
Creed,
Amiel's
want

of a, ii. 157.

Critic, the, i. 76. the conscientious, i. 152.

the true, ii. 40,
51,
245,

248,

255.

INDEX.

371

Critical

faculty,abuse ii. 125. lucidity,

a

of the, i. 114.

Criticism

gift,ii. 248.
193.

indifferent,i. (one's)
Crowd instinct
made

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

heavier the

by repulsion, i. ii"

(the) and
and

individual, i. 254.

passion of the, ii. 163.

Crowd

worship, i. 227.
ii. 255. of

Crucifixion, the, ii. 63. Culture, modem,

Cynic, egotism
Dante,
in i. 81.

the, ii. 8j.

hell, i. 243.
ii. 237.

Darwinism,

counterpoised by equality, ii. 267. inconsistencies of, ii. 213.

Dead and
want

living, the, ii. X71.

of respect for the, i. 177.
102.

Death,

i.

Amiel's

anticipation of, ii. 335-342.

anticipation of, ii. 249-253.

certainty of, i. 168.

death

of, ii. 63.

ii. 5. unfavourable
to

speculations respecting, ii. 166.

De

Candolle,

Democracy

high art, i. 292.

evil results fickleness fiction results weakness

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

;

of, i. 231

ii. 104.

"

of, ii. 294. of, ii. 84.

era,

Democratic

i. 29, 227-232.

stupidity of, ii. 103. i. 267. and liberty, Dependence

Demos,

372

INDEX.

Depersonalisarion, Amiel's,
Descartes
on

ii. 304.

fame,
traveller

ii. 211. of the, ii. 282.

Desert,

the

Desolation

and

daylight, ii. 138.

and

Despair, resignation of, ii. 178.

Despotic government Despotism, i, 267.

and

intellectual

anarchy, i. 277.

materialism,

i. 60.

of Detritus

Russia, i.
of past

122.

eras,

ii. 147.

Diderot, i. 311.
'

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

unto

Die

Discouragement,
Discrimen

Amiel's

sin, i. 181.
i.

ingeniorum,
ii. 67.
205.

84.

Disraeli's ZtfMniV,
Distilled

history, ii.
human

Divine, glimpses
and

of the, i. 107.

union, ii. 18.

will, acceptation of the, ii. 220. Divinity, multiplication of, ii. 308.
Doctor,
Doctors,
the model,
causes

ii. 153.

of their

mistakes, ii. 152.

of i. 224. perfection,

Dollar, the almighty, ii. 62. Double,

a

characteristic i. 22. life,

Double-faced

Doubt,
and and Doudan's

i. 158.

atheism,
Lettres

ii. 17.

obedience,

i. 277.
et

Melanges,

ii. 207-211.

Dragonfly Dreaming,
Dreamland

symbol,
of i. 153.
and

ii. 283.

Dream-aspect

i. 220. life,

action, ii. 291.

Dreams,

ii. 9.

helpfulness of, i. 178.

INDEX.

373

Duped,
Dupes, Duty,

fear of

being, ii. i6.

aspect of

mental, ii. 198.

twofold
134,

Dutchman,
double

the, ii. 150.

i. 5, 20,

156; ii. 86, 275.

power

of, i. 8.

ignored by both negative, ii. 92.

and power

equality and

Darwinism,

ii. 267.

pleasure, ii. 190.

of the idea

of, i.

190.

the human the

pole-star,i. 296.

i. 269. sign of nobility, the viaticutn of life, ii. 26. and

V.

trial,i,260.
the

individual, ii. 295.

and looks of

Dying,
East

words

the, ii. 14,

13.

and

West

contrasted, i. 251. of, i. 270, 271.

i.

Ecclesiastical Education
and

struggles, worthlessness development,

ii. 90. of Victor

Effect, the misfortune

Effort of mo"lern

Hugo,

202.

morality, ii. 91.

of the, i. 292,
293.

Ego, Clapar^de's view Egotism, i. 30, 36.

Eighteenth
Emerson's

century

ii. 160. criticism,

ideal, i, 37, 46.

attractiveness

English children, ii. 126.

homes, of, ii. 126. of, i. 264.

Englishmen,
Enthusiasm,
two

twofold

character

cultivation

of, i. 212.

forms

of, ii. 140.

women,

Enthusiastic

ii. 140.

i. 190. Epicureanism, intellectual, Epicurism, ii. 53. Epicurus, ii. 276. Epigrammatic productions, ii. 318. i. 215, 229. Equality a bad principle,

doctrines

ii. 104.

374

INDEX.

Equality of functions, American,

results

ii. 6i.

of, i. 28-30; ii. 5, 263. the counterpoise of Darwinism,

ii. 267.

Equilibrium
'

of forces, i.

120.

Errare, humanum
and

est,'ii. 290. from, ii. 125.

Error, emancipation Errors, moral

E

psychological, ii. 161.

ii. 310.

sempre

bene,

Esoteric

beauty,

ii. 113.
i
.

Esprit

defined, ii. 257.

of

Essay, function Etrangeres, Evil, problem

the, ii. 235.

ii. 199.

f;"V V

"\ "*

'

"

'~\
\ -t

""

Amiel's, of, ii. 29.

*X
"^

transfiguration of, i. 97.

*? "I
'

ignored by Pelletan, by V. Hugo,

Examination
v.
a

i. 92. i. 200.

affirmation, ii. 123.

of, i.

Example,

good, ii. 105.

54.
to

importance

Existence, submission

the laws

of, ii. 154.

Experience,
Extempore Extremes,

individual

and

collective,ii. 159.

preachers, ii. 138.

reconciliation

of, ii. 129.

Fair-mindedness,

rarityof, ii. 221.

i. 46.
que

Fairy tales, their truth,

Fats
ce

que

dots, advienne

pourra,

ii. 266.

Faith

defined, ii. 118.

has
narrow no

proofs, ii. 276.

v.

enlightened, ii. 120. the, ii. 212.

of the present,
and and

science, ii. 66.

ii. 215.

False

truth, ii. 119. flag of Christendom,

originality, ii. 230. shame, Amiel's, ii. 145.

rNDEX.

375

Fame,

achievement

of, ii. 211. of, ii. 127.

'amily life,value

Fanatics, Indian, ii. 22. how to avoid, ii. 309. Fastidium,

Faust,
i. 157.
v.

Feeling

irony, ii. 217.

for, i. 48.
97.

precedes will, i. 88.

respect

Feeling, suppression of, ii. 87,

the and Feminine
Festinat

bread

of

angels, i. 238. infirmity of the, ii. 139.

ii.346.
ii. 308.

thought, ii. 139.

nature,
ad

eventum,
i. 25.
de
eat

Feuerbach,
Feuille

Centrale

Zofingen,

Fiatjustitia, per
Fichte, i. 36, 294.
Finite and

ntund-us, ii. 59.

ii. 170. infinite, i. 52. the

Fldnerie,

Flattery of
Fog, poetry
Fontaine's

multitude, ii. 162.

and

of, i. 260.
defects ii. 37.

beauties, ii. 230.

Fontanes,

Fools, behaviour Force,

towards, i.

103.

external, ii. 214.

120.

Forces, opposing, i. Fragmentary

fundamental
".

contemplation,
error

ii. 255.

France, Christianity in, ii. 232. of, ii. 141. Geneva,

ii. 306. ii. 97.

and

Germany,
centre

philosophic superficialityof, i. 93.

the Francis Frankness 16. of the

world,

i.

289.
deficient

of

Assisi, i. 274.
and

self-knowledge,

women

in, ii.

376

INDEX.

Freethinkers, puerilityof the, ii.68. Freethought,

French

republic of,
an

ii. i6o. of

Academy,
German

eloquence
literature

the, ii. 183.

drama,
and

oratorical

tournament,

i. 199. contrasted, i. 312.

ignorance of liberty,ii. 74. literary method, ii. 75. love of aesthetics,ii. 236. mind, i. 186;
ii. 179. i. 141. ii. 243. of the, ii. 75.

philosophy,
poets,

modem,

symbolical authority republicanism, ii. 80.

vivacity of the, i. 199. Friends, choice of, ii. 324.
Future
state,

mystery

of the, i. 283; ii. 41.

Gaiety

and

sadness,

ii. 245.

Galiani, i. 312.

Gallery, playing to the, ii. 180, ii. 91. Galley-slaves,modem,

Geneva, appeal
France,
to, ii. 297.

186.

characteristics
V.

of, ii. 301. ii. 306.

oath Genevese

of old, ii. 331.

Liberalism, i. Khan,
and

145.

Genghis
Genius

ii. 285.
134.

talent, i. of, ii. 48.

writers

Gentleman
the

defined, i. 262, 265.

Shibboleth and
French

of

England,

i. 262.

German

literature

contrasted, i. 312.

novels, ii. 97.

society, vulgarity of, ii. 97.

thinkers, their repugnance
Gennanic
to

i. 68. public life,

mind, tendency of the, ii. 239.

377
Germans, the, Germany
Germs of

artistic devotion
masters

of the, ii. 239. of i. life,

119.

of the

philosophy
in every

and

France, ii. 95.

and

good

bad

heart, i. 226.

Gethsemane,

ii. 338.
a

Ghost, Amiel
Gifts considered
on

living, ii. 314. acquisitions, i. 57.

French

Gioberti

the

mind,

ii. 178.

Gioconda, la, ii. 196, 256. Glory of God, ii. 220. Glow-worm, God, communion
conquest i. 58.

with, i. of, i. 98,

115.

i.

harmony
life
'

with, i. 286; right,' i. 262;

ii. 7.

in, i. 214.
my

God

and

ii. 127.
250.

and

Nature

contrasted, i.
to, i.

recognition of, ii. 69.

submission will

258;

ii.

178,

334,

335,

347,

350.

of, ii. 173.

and

God's

love

chastisement, ii. 272.

ii. 198.

omnipresence, Goethe, i. 45.

contrasted
on
on

perfection,ii. 90.
with

Rousseau,

i. 248.

fame, ii. 211.

i. 185. self-obscurity,
want

Goethe's

of

soul, ii. 107.

ii. 108.

complex
'

nature,
'

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

of

'

ii. 6.

Goodness

and

beauty, ii. 217.

of, ii. 263.

character

conquests

of, ii. 238.

33r8
Goodness,
the

INDEX.

philosophy of, ii. i68.

judge, ii. 317.
belief

truest

Gospel,
the

Amiel's

in

the, ii. 157.

blessings of the, ii. 3.

Eternal,
ii. 19.

why
Great
men,

successful, ii. 109.

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

and

Greeks,

of

the, i. 245.

lessons

the, i. 71.

Grief, luxury of, ii. 117.

results

of, i.

104.

Griefs

which

cannot

be

shared, ii.334.

Growing
Habere

old, ii. 310.

non

haberi, i. 85.
a

Habit, Amiel

creature

of, i. 257.

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 ii. 115.

Havet's
Head

Philosophy of the Unconscious, ii. 52. Origines du Christianisme, ii. 160.

heart, i. 23.
power

and

Healing

of

i. 192. life,

INDEX.

379

of, i. 167. Health, fraility

loss and and Heart

of, ii. 173.

happiness,
the
outer

ii. 178.

world, ii. 100.

309.

and

ii. 247, intellect,

i. 232, mainspring of life, yearnings of the, i. 257. the Heartless

260.

books, ii. 318.

moments,

Heavenly

ii. iii.

Hegel,
and

i. 218;

ii. 160, 203.

Leibnitz, ii. loi.

Charles,
and

Heim,
Heine

i. 273;

ii. 14.

Lamennais

contrasted, ii. 39.

ii. 47.

Heraclitus, saying of, ii. 133.

Herder's Hermits

Lichtstrahlen,
and the i. 8.

world, ii. 246.

Heroism,
Hindoo

genius, the, ii. 189. ii. 37. three principles, Hirn's Historical justice,tardiness of, ii. 346.
law of tempests, and ii. 287.

History
three

conscience, i. 36. of, ii. 22.

of, i. 307.
views

views

varied Holiness
v.

liberty, i. 303. duty, i. 296. of, ii. 72.

ii. 158.

requisitesfor, ii. 151.

Hope
and

influence and
not

melancholy,

forbidden, ii. 171.

est

Mora

benefaciendi,
ii. 232.
a

ii. 182.

Horace, Hugo,
his

Victor,

Gallicised

Spaniard,

i. 204.

exaggerations, ii. 226. his Contemplations, i. 189. and Titanic his literary power,

i. 202-205.

38o
Hugo,
Human

INDEX.

his Misirables,

i. 199.

Paris, ii. 225.

and
the life,

Divine three

union, ii. 18.

modes

of

(action,thought, speech),

i. 216.

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

of

Cherbuliez,
a

i. 219.

Humanity,

higher standard
and
masters

of, i. 276. of, ii. 54.

benefactors candidates

for, ii. 241.

30.

ideal of, i.
slow

development of, ii. 214, 261, 326. toughness of, ii. 105.
ii. 106.

Humboldt, Humility

precedes repentance, i. 117. i. 103. (true) contentment, Humorist, the true, i. 299.
=

Hyacinthe, Pfere, ii. 138. Hypocrisy and deception,

Ideal

i.

196.

conceptions, ii. 261.

of the, ii. 36.

Ideal, diminution

malady of the, i. 126. material, i. 228. V.

V.

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

thirst for

the, ii. 274.

ii. 316. Ideals, hypocritical, Ideas, anarchy of, ii. 221. formation

of, ii. 195.

Amiel's, ii. 177, 201. Ill-health, of, ii. 319. Ill-nature,conquest

Illness,
summonses

of, i. 167.
i. 308;

Illusion, benefit of, ii. 73.

Illusions, human,
Illustrious
men,

ii. 26, 289.

16.

disappearance of, i.

INDEX.

381

Imagination
influence

v.

character, i. 18.
of, ii. 48.
i. 245.

enfranchised, ii. 130-132.

of Rousseau,

Immortality, belief in, i. 295.

consolations and

of, ii. 155.

160.

annihilation, i.
ii. 49.

Impersonality,

temptations of, ii. 259.

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

Independence,
twofold

Amiel's,

ii. 330.

aspect

of, ii. 55.

ii. 306.

Independent
Indifference

thought of Geneva,
of cultivated

classes, ii. 87.

Indignation, incapacity for, ii. 117.

Individual and
V.

society,ii. 290.
an

(the)

duty, ii. 295.

Individualism

absurdity, i. 310.
28.

epoch of, i. 266.

and

equality, i.

evils of, ii. 266.

Individuality

character

and

temperament,

ii. 46, 47.

rarity of, ii. 241. Inevitable, Amiel's

acceptance of

resignation the, ii. 2S9.

to

the, ii. 219.

the, ii. 206.

of judgment Infallibility
rare,

ii. 51.

Infinite,communion

with

the, i. 46-48.

penetration of the,

ii. 291.

thirst for the, ii. 297. Infinites,infinityof, ii. 89. Influence

of
men

of
too

action, ii. 290.

sensitive to, ii. 332.

Injustice, Amiel
Inner life Instinct

essential, i. 253.

precedes feeling, i. 88.

382

INDEX.

Institutions,capacity of, ii. 84.

Instruction
and amusement,

ii. 269.

Insubordination,
and

increase

of, i. 229.
of

Intellect,aristocratic character heart, ii. 247, 309.

the, ii.264.

religionof, i. 23.
and

stupidity, ii. 218.

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

Intellectualism, ii. 134.

Interests,want
International Internationale

Introspection, ii. loi. Intuition, ii. 317. Invalid, individuality of every, Invisible,the universal witness
Involution, ii. 220.
ii. 152.
to

the, ii. 271.

Irony,
Isms,

of, ii. 213. Irreparable, thought of the, i. 285; ii. 23.

the

law

modern,

ii. 302.

Italy,Christianity in, ii. 233.

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

Socrates, i. 23.

comprehension of, i. 6-8.

of, ii. 19. Job's murmurings, Jocelyn and Paul of, i. 191.
John
faith i. 117;
et

ii.348. trials,
and

Virginie, tenderness
i. 261.

purity

Halifax,
Doudan's

Gentleman,
resemblance estimate

Joubert, i. 11-14.
to, ii. 208. of his, ii. 204.
42;

Journal, Amiel's
function

of the

private, i. 41,

ii.335.

Joy expressed by tears, i. 242. Judaism of nineteenth century,

i. 6.

INDEX.

383

Judgment, impersonality of, i. 134.

of

character, ii. 317. understanding, ii. no.

ii.88. self-interested,
and

Justice defined, ii. 237.

forgetfulness of, ii. 88.
V.

love, i. 200;

ii. 60. 345.

will

ultimately prevail, ii. 344,

radicale and

Kant's
Kindness the

Base, ii. 55. incompatible, ii. 264.

wariness

principle of tact, i. 35. Krause's religious serenity, i. 44.

Laboremus,
Laborious
Labour La
La

ii. 50.

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

ii. 232.

Bruy^re,

Fontaine, ii. 209.

ii. 51. ii. 181. his Preludes, his dislike of

Lamartine,

Fontaine, ii. 232.

Lamennais,
contrasted

i. 245. with

Heine,
of the

ii. 39.

Laprade, Victor
Last Latent Latin words
and

de, affectation
looks i. 156.
122, 240.

of, ii.284.
ii. 14,
15.

dying,

genius,

world, the, ii.

L'Avenir

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

Lectures, Amiel's, ii. 272. Legal fictions Legouve's
and

ii. 212.

ii. 38. institutions,

et

Nosjils

ii. 268. tiosjilles,

Leibnitz, ii. 29.

V.

Hegel, ii. loi.

Spinoza, ii. 343, i. loi. Lessing's principle,

and

3^
Letter and

IKDEX.

i. 60. spirit, i. 214.

Letters, studied, ii. 257. Leveller, the modem, Levelling down,

ii.5.

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

revolution, ii. 81.

diminished in

by democracy,

i. 230.

God, i. 82.
true

possiblesuppression of, ii. 70.

the Iriends

of, ii. 70.

true, ii. 326.

V.

authority,ii. 37,
holiness, i. 303.
of, i. 98.
i. 293.

v,

Life, aim
a

calvary, i. 158.
dream,

a
a

perpetual combat, ii.213. brevity of, i. 216, 249, 256, 283; ii. 24, 78, 82,
"

201.

definition

of, ii. 205. of, ii. 25.

i. 129.

different aspects

drama,

monologue,

of, ii. 283. frailty ii. 313. to be spiritualised, matter melancholy

ocean

aspect

of, i. 208. of, ii. 289.

of, i. 87.
treatment

proper

Life, the Divine, ii. 61.

the true,

ii. 327.

tenacity of, ii. 333.

V.

logic, ii. 146.

and

Light
link

beauty, i. 205,
warmth,

206.

without of

humanity,

i. 24. the, ii. 271.

Literary ambition, Amiel's, ii. 237. Amiel's imp"ediments to career, gentlemen,

ii. 183.

a,

i. 91.

IXDEX.

38s
95.

Literature
Little

and

science, ii. 94,

things, influence
V.

of, i. 305.

Logic
'

ii. 146. life,

Lorelei,' ii. 238.

311.
taste

Lotze, i. Love,
a

Lovable, Amiel's
i. 41,
young

for

the, ii. 310.

156.
ii. 176. girl's,

and and and

contemplation, i. 180. knowledge,

i. 24.

holiness, power

of, ii. 35. 284.

eminently religious,i. 209,

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

woman's supreme

authority, ii. 60.

contrasted, ii. 217.
ii. 103.

Lucian

a.id

Augustine

Luck,
Luther

good, i. 306.
on

humanity,

Madness

defined, ii. 133,

131, 134.

305.

Ma'ia, ii. 83, Malignity

Man
"

of the
woman essence

and

world, ii. 331. contrasted, ii. 60, 61.

and

Man,' in
the

principle,ii. 190.

true, i. 60.

Mannerisms,
Manou
on

ii. 233. ii. 33.

Woman,
the

Many,
Marcus

the, and

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

Martyrdom, Martyrs, Masses,

nobilityof, ii. 328.

i. 252.

ii. 22. of the, frivolity

impetuosity of the, ii. 163.

the, and
Material

demagogues,

ii. 104,

results, ii. 327.

237.

Materialism, i. 30, 60,

386
Mathematical
V.
sensuous

INDEX.

and

historical
i.
izo.

i. 84. intelligence,

minds,

May, caprices of, ii. 32. Mediocrity, era of, i. 28.

the

result

of

equality, ii. 5. tendency

to, i. 279,

Meditation, joys of silent, ii. 277.

Melancholy,
and

Amiel's
172,

285; ii. 8,

77,

82, 92, 171,

below
the

188, 189.

hope, ii. 158.

surface, i.
103.

universalityof, i. 227.
Memories,

Memory
Men and

painful, ii. 247. catacomb, Amiel's, ii. 303.

115.

deficient,i. Mephistopheles,
Merim^e's Method
in

things, Amiel's
weakness
to

relation to, i. 187.

of, ii. 87.

ii. 271.

letters

Panizzi, ii. 345.

secondary, religion, wholesome, soul, ii. 199.

ii. 223.

Michelet, i. 93.
Milieu,
Mind
and
a

Millennium,
and the

the, ii. 345.

ii. 260. infinite,

described, ii. 308, 315.

forms and

metamorphoses
ii. 199.

of

(the

one

subject of

study), i. 2.
not

phenomenal,
of, ii. 168.
march abstract

science the

of, ii. 343.

and concrete, i. 83.

Minds,
Minors

well-governed, i. 292.
in

perpetuity, ii. 69.

Victor

Miracles, ii. 121.

Misirables,

Hugo's, i. 199.

Misspent
Mist
and

time, ii. 184.

sunshine, i. 360, 261.

INDEX.

387

Misunderstandings,
Modern
'

i. 4, 280. of

man,

character

the, ii. 251.

Modern

spirit,' the, ii. 107.

i. 76.
201. consciousness,ii,

Modesty,
'

Moi,' the central

Moliere, ii. 232.

on

reasoning, ii. 92.

the

Monad, Monads,

human,

ii. 144.

conscious, ii. 206. invasion, Adolphe,

ii. 232. ii. 142.
ii. 286.

Mongol Monod,

i. 31.

Montaigne, Montesquieu,

saying of, ii. 162. ii. 157. Moonlight reflections,

Moralists, sugar, ii. 269. Moral law, reconciliation
ii. 156. of faith

and

science

by the,

philosophy
V. V.

of

Geneva,

ii. 305.

natural, ii. 59. physical science, ii. 168.

and system

Morals, psychology Morning

Mozart
'

of, i. 80.

and

evening conditions, i. 78.

Beethoven
about

ii. 65. Mortification,

and

contrasted, i. 88, 89.

Much

ado

nothing,' ii. 200.

162.

Mulock,

Miss, i. 261. depersonalised, i. 136-138.

ii. 229.

Multitude, flatteryof the, ii. 161, Music, Wagner's,

effects

of, ii. 57.

De

Musician, the modern,

Musset
on

Mystery

Laprade, ii. 285. of Providence, ii. 307.

Mysticism, so-called,i. 99.

Napoleon,
National i.

306.

competitions, ii. 6.

388
National, types, i. 265.

INDEX.

preferences unknown
Nationalities, ancient
and

to

Amiel, ii. 227.

i. 95.

modern,

imply prejudice,
Quinet's studies

i. 194.

of, i.

171.

Nationality
Natural
7".

and

the

State, i.

134.

Nations, destinies
man,

of

(jEschylus),

ii. 136.

moral,

the, ii. 55-57. ii. 58, 59.

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

Naturalist

thinkers Amiel's

Nature,

enjoyment
181, 182,
235,

of, i. 287; ii. i,

247, 270,

11,

27,

75,

no,

174,

280, 306, 316.

enjoyment
100, 237, 102,

of, i. 5, 26, 42, 43, 50-52, 64-66, 73, 74, 182, 183, 186, 1S8-190, 223, 224, 140,

238. continuity of, ii. 309.

V.

conventions,
God

ii. 239. i. 250.

"

and the

contrasted,

kindly voice of, ii. 316.

of, ii. 58.
man,

the law without

i. 137.

worship
The

of, ii. 107.

142.

Naville, Ernest, i.
on

Eternal

Life,

i.

161-165.
ii. 293,
194.

Neckar,
Necker de

the

river, i. 183. Madame,

305.

Saussure,
i. 22.

Negative
New

minds, danger of, i.

Neo-Hegelians,
Nicole and

birth, the, i. 159.

Pascal, ii. 48.

ii. io2. ii. 279.
true, i. 261.

Nihilism, Russian,
Nirvana,

Nobility,
and

vulgarity, i. 227. the,

to

Normal,

North, poetry

chosen, ii. 159. of the, i. 74.

be

INDEX.

389

Nostalgia Nothing

of

happiness, i. 153.
ii. 73.

is lost, i. 217.

Nothingness,
realisation

man's, ii. 78, 82.

of, i. 128.
mark of

Obedience

the chief ii. 52.

man's

ii. 176. religion,

Obermann,
Oblivion Obscure

portion, ii. 282.

130.

self,the, i.
i. 165.
the

Obstinacy, Odyssey,
Old
age,
our

divine, i. 61. in, ii. 277. of growing, ii. 177.

clearest

ii. 247. views

art

Old, the

Olivier's Chansons

du

Soir, ii. 92.

Opinion, i. 39. and belief,ii. 322.

too

much and

despised by Amiel, ii. 332.

Optimism
Order,

pessimism, ii.29,

155.

Orators, ii. 140.

i. 166. at, ii. 262. with

attempts

harmony
and the Oriental

universal, ii.224.

law, ii. 80.

only positive good, ii. 275.

element, benefit of the, i. 252. happiness, ii. 278.

lack

modern Originality, ridicule

of, ii. 241.

the result

of, ii. 164.

loi

Origins all secret, ii. 194. and Outside inside, i. 25, 60, Overrating, result of, ii. 117. Oxygen
Pain,
and azote, ii8.

ii. 180.

human,

ii. 218.

i. in,

and

comfort, i. 32.

39P
Pantheism,
of Pantheistic i. 261. it. 122.

INDEX.

Krause,

disinterestedness, ii. 190. of, ii. 57.

townsman's i. 246.

Paradise, echoes
Paradox, Paris, the French

axis, L

290.

Pascal, ii. 217.

and
on

Nicole, ii. 48.

development,
and
reason, man,

i. 229. ii. 84.

Passion

Passionless

the, i. 135.

Passions, life
conquest

of

the, i.

109.

of of

the, i. 184. the, i. 255.

of

Past, poetry
the

Reminiscences

the, i. 235-237.

interpreter of the present, ii. 143. the priestess of the, ii. 135. woman,
Pathos and

beauty, i.
test

153.

Patience,
Peace,

the

of virtue, i. 259.

ii. 225. i. 285. aspect

true,

twofold Pedantic Pelletan's

Pens^e

of, ii. 152.

311.

books, i.

Profession

de

foi,

i. 92.

writers, i. 16.

Penseroso,

Amiel's, ii. 10.

of the, ii. 298.

People, emotion
Perfection
as an

end, i. 272. of, ii. 203.

attainment of

God,

ii. 90.

search

for, i.

114.

Persiflage,
Pessimism,
and Amiel's

ii. 318. ii. 115. ii. 29, 155.

optimism,

tendency

to, i.

285.

helplessness of, ii. 49.

INDEX.

391

Petijfi's poems,
Pharisaical

ii. 285.

people, ii. 299.

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

Philistinism, increase Philosopher, ambition Philosophy

and

defined, ii. 124.

ii. 168.

religion, ii. 66.

Physical v. moral science, Piety defined, ii. 265.

and

religion contrasted, i. 227. of, ii. 243.

i. 309. i. 235. ii. loi. contempt,

Pity, exhibition
and

Plaid, the chivalrous,

Plato Plato's
V,

Saint

Paul,

Dialogues,
of the
and and

i. 89.

Playthings
Pleasure

world, i. 268.

duty, ii. 190. Proclus, ii. 279.

Plotinus

Plutolatry, ii. 62.

Poet and

philosophy contrasted, i. 82.

and
mature
a

Poetry flayed by science, ii. 95.

of childhood the
age,

i. 175.

expression of

soul, ii. 254,

i. 277.

Points, straining after, ii. 193.

Political

liberty of England,
ii. 266. of the

windbags, Politician, aim Popular

Portraits and
a

honest, ii. 162.

harangues,
wax

ii. 140.

Poverty
Practical

crime

figures contrasted, ii. 253. in England, i. 263.

unsuited

Amiel life,

for, ii. 43.

Prayer, blessings of, ii. 265. Prejudice essential

better than
to

i. 194. nationalities,
195.

doubt, i.

Prestige, French
Pride and

worship of, ii. 95.

i.
11.

discouragement,
and

moral

ii. 317. religious,

3^
Pride,
Prince
two

INDEX.

conditions

of, i. 99.
of

Priesthood, domination

the, ii. 69.

Vitale, Cherbuliez, i. 217.

ii. 323.
a,

Principiis obsta, ii. 56. Privilege only temporary, Professor, obligations of

Professorial ii. 187.

lectures, ii. 272-274.

and

Progress, absolute
results Victor Protestant Protestantism advance

relative,ii. 159.
201.

of, ii. 325. Hugo's

v.

religion of, i. 200,

Catholic

countries,ii. 67.

defined, i. 270.

guard of, ii. 38. historical,ii. 37. Protestants, liberal,ii. 37-39. Proudhon,
his i. 245.

axiom, ii. 116.

ii. 172

Providence,
Province

defined, ii. 302.

Psychological study, Amiel's Psychologist, the, ii. 99. Psychology, applied, ii. 200,
Punctutn

aptitude for,ii.43.
203.

saliens,
softened

ii. 315.

Punishment

by faith,i. 117.
i. 92, qualitative,
93.

Quantitative Quinet,
i. 93.

and

Quintilian,saying of, ii. 140.

Rabelais,
ii. 232.
i. 197,
202.

Racine,
Radical

jugglery, ii. 162.

the

Rain,

country
i. 174.

in, ii. lis.

Rationalism,

Ready-made
Real and

ideas, i. loi.
ii. 274.

ideal, i. 234;

INDEX.

393

Realism

in

painting, ii. 253.

appearance,

suppression of, ii. 98.

Reality
Reason

and

ii. 180.
sense

character
and

with

no

of, i. 289.
"

passion, ii. 84.

and

Reconciliation

Christianity, ii. 272.

power

Redeemed, Regenerate Religion

and and
and

motive
man,

of the, ii. i8.

ii. 57.

Reinvolution,

psychological, ii. 315.

liberty, ii. 67.

philosophy, ii. 32, 38, 66. piety contrasted, i. 227. God,

ii. 31.

indestructible, i. 278.
life in

phases of, ii. 265. refreshing

and power

of, i. 252.
i.

Utilitarianism, ii. 212.

without

mysticism,
of

178.

Religions, multitude
effect

of, i. 308.

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

views, Amiel's, ii. 336. Reminiscences,

Renaissance, Renan,
his Renan's
Vie vague,

i. 207.

the, Fontaine's

horizon, ii.233.

i. 312.

object, style, ii. 236.

Les

Evangiles, Jesus,
ii. 108.

ii. 236.

de

St. Re7te

Paul,

ii. 40.

and

Atala,
and

Chateaubriand's,
of, ii. 328.
too

i. 146-151.

Renunciation, Repentance
i. 178.

benefit

sanctification

exclusively preached,

simple, ii. 64. Republic, the normal, ii. 303. Repugnance,

Amiel's

twofold, ii. 299.

394

INDEX.

Resignation, manly, i. 45. Responsibility,i. 20.

dread

of, i. 67.

Restlessness, Amiel's, i. 123-126. Reveries, i. 48-52. R^ville,

Revolt
n.

37.

instinctive, ii. 55.

and

Revolution
V.

Catholicism, ii. 67.

liberty, ii. 81. Ridicule, fear of, ii. 164. Right apart from duty, a Rights, abstract, ii. 266. River, Roads, JiSU,
Romance
our a

compass

with

one

leg, ii. a66.

beautiful

life
cross,

compared
ii.

to

a, ii. 311.

high

and

158,

159.

twofold,

ii. 340.

peoples, the, i, 119. History of Poetry,

i. i. 118.

Rosenkrantz's
on

Hegel's logic, i. i8"^,

and
ancestor to

Rousseau
an

Chateaubriand,
in all

146-151.
i. 244.

things, i. 247.

his letter his regard

on

Archbishop

Beaumont,

for

style, ii. 236.

i. 22,

savage Die

ii. 196, life,

Ruge's
Russian

Academie,

25.

national

character, i. 121.
i. 174.

Sacerdotal Sadness and

dogmatism,
ii. 232.
52.

gaiety, ii. 245.

St. Evremond,

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

i. 6. i. 73.

and
and and

St.

John, i. 31.

Plato, ii. loi. Bayle, ii. 48.

i. 312; ii. 50,

Simon

Sainte-Beuve,

185, 208.

INDEX.

395

Saintlyalchemy,
Sanctification

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, ii. 309. preservative against, Satiety, Satirist, the, i. 299.
Sazioir

vivre, ii. 98.

Scepticismand intellectual independence,i. 276. i. 293. Schelling, speculation,ii. 13. Schellingian

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, ii. 167. and religion, 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,

99.

-conquest,

i. 155.

-contempt,

excessive, ii.91.

39^

INDEX.

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

with, ii.234.
173, 272.

114,

-education,hatred
-government -interest

of, ii. 222.

i. 143. -glorification,

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

v.

truth, ii. 20,

21.

-love,i. 103, III. a duty, ii. 250. -preservation -renewal, ii. 106. i. 4, 112, 128; ii.g. -renunciation,
-rule the
essence

of

i. 263. gentlemanliness, ii.266. rights,

ii. 86, -sacrifice, Selfishness

and

173.

individual

Seneca, ii.37. Sensation, nature

Sensorium
commune

of,i. 292.
of nature,

ii.308.

ii.87. society, 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.

eflTect of, i. 45. of nature, ii. 312.

Sin,definition of, ii.56.

frivolous idea of, ii.135.

pardon of, ii. 18.

the cardinal

i. 23. question,

i. 143. Singing, rustic, Sismondi, i. 144. Sivaism, ii.

Slavery,i. 73)

INDEX.

397

Sleep, i. SsSoap-bubble
Social

symbol, ii. 283. charity and harsh justice,i. 201.

Socialism, international, ii. 102.

Society, ii. 97.

and Socii
Dei

the

individual, ii. 224. (Seneca), ii. 31. Jesus, i. 23.

of

sumus

Socrates

and

Solitariness

life,i.

128.

Amiel's, Solitary life, Solitude, human,

i. 152.

ii. 335.

Soul, abyss of the, ii. 88. and mind, ii. 199. Soul, dominical history of
three
powers
state

of

the, ii. 278.

ghosts of the, i. 208.

a,

ii. 205. of the

(counsel, judgment, and action),

i. 177.

i. 113.

.Soul's

wants

ignored by the Church, Europe,

statesmen

Southern

of, ii. 70.

197.

theatre, masks

of

the, i.

Sparrenhorn, Spinoza,
and

ascent

of

the, ii. 76.

Speech, mystery
i. 109.

of, i. 53.

Leibnitz, ii. 343.

of the

Spirit, voice

Holy, ii. 224.

Spiritual existence, ii. 260. Spontaneity, the question of, ii. loi. Stael, Madame de, ii. 185, 191.
on

nationalities,ii. 228. UAllemagne,

Les histoires
de

her Stahl's

ii. 305.
mon

Parrain,

ii. 268.

State, the model, ii.96.

true

foundations

of a, ii. 86. and moral

Statistical progress Stendhal, ii. 94.

decline, i. 29.

ygjS
Stoicism, ii. 167. and suicide, i. 295. Stoics, the, i.
109.

INDEX.

Strauss, ii. 320.

Struggle of opposing forces, ii. 268.

Stupidity and Style, Kenan's

Sub-Alpine

intellect,ii. 218.
main

object, ii. 236.

history, i. 95.
72, 139,

i. 33, Subjectivityand objectivity, of experience, i. 292.

187.

Submission,
not

ii. 285, 290. defeat, i. 269.

not

Subtleties

helpful, ii. 289.

taste, ii. 209.

Subtlety

and

Success, i. 306. Suffering, way of, ii. 91. 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,
Swiss

i. 271;

ii.

121.

critics,i. 142.
of

ungracefulness Sybarites, modem,

Symbols,

the, ii. 4.

ii. 269.

decay of, ii. 321.

i. 25.

Sympathy,
and

criticism,ii. 256.
ii. 113.

moral,
with

of Amiel, i. 274.
our

fellows, i. 309-31T.

Symphonic

pictures,Berlioz's, ii.229.

passion for, ii. 233. Synonyms, Systems defined, i. 249.

Tacitus
v.

the

chroniclers, ii. 237.

and

Tact,

measure,

occasion, ii. 246.

INDEX.

399
ii. 193.
ii. 94.

Taine Taine's Talent

on

the

Ancien

Regime,

English
and

Literature, genius, i. 134. of, i. 246.

ii. 287.
in German

triumphs
Tamerlane,
Taste
V.

ignored

ii. 97. aesthetics,

conscience, ii. 269. successful, ii. 90. of, i. 226. joy, ii. 64. character, and
our

Teaching,
the Tears
art

and

origin of, i. 241. Temperament, Temptation

Tenderness ii. 47. individuality,
natural

state, ii. 55.

Temptations,

etc.,

never

ending, i. 259.

towards

our

neighbours,

ii. 243.

Thales, hylozoism

of, ii. 194.

Theism, Christian, i. 270. Theory and practice, i. 33, 130. Thought and feeling, ii. 139. kind of opium, i. 135. a
Time, flightof, i.
192
;

ii. 24.

Timidity, Amiel's, ii. 44, 192. and pride, Amiel's, i. 180. Tocqueville, i. 27, 28.
on
'

obedience, i. 277.
man

To

every

his

turn,' ii. 310.

Too

late, i. 237.
i. 52. his tourist

Toppfer,

class, i. 289.

Totality. Amiel's
Tradition Trial and
v.

tendency

to, ii. 43.

force, i. 231.

duty, i. 260.
117.

Trials, i.
True Truth love and and

defined, ii. 325.

error,

i. 75.

faith,ii. 118-120.

40O
Truth,
common

INDEX.

fear

of, it. 21.

identification

with, i. 99.

rarely sought for, ii. 222.

the
test

of

religion, ii. 212.

103.

Truthfulness, i.

Truths, philosophic, ii. 195. Turin, i. 94.

Twentieth

century,
and

newspaper

of

the, ii.344.

Ugliness

beauty, ii. 113, disappearance of, i. 232.

nature

X14.

Unconscious

of

i. 179, life,

193.

Understanding
the
art

and

judgment,

ii. no.

of, i. 265. the, i. 116.

in

things, requisites for, ii. 256.

Unexpected, Unions, Unfinished, the, i. 249.
a

mystery

all,ii. 217.
want

Unity
of

of action, Amiel's

of, ii. 258.

everything,

i. 108.

Universal

suffrage, ii. 163.

relations of

Universe, different
Unknown,
Unselfishness domain

the, i. 81.

of the, ii. 276.

implies love, i. 309.

Amiel's doubts
as

Usefulness,
Utilitarian

to

his, ii. 188,

materialism, i.
La

30.

Vacherot's Vae

Religion, ii. 31. sign of, ii. 252.

i. 22.

viciis, ii. 281.

the last

Vanity,
Vesta Via

and

Beelzebub,

dolorosa, i. 158.
his

Vinet, i. 69.

praise of weak
a

things, ii. 264.

ii. 85.

Virtue

sine

qua

non,

Visionaries,good

and

bad, i. 80.

INDEX.

401

Voltaire, L

309;

ii. 232. ii. 160.

causes

Voltairianism,

Vulgarisation,

of

modem,
227.

ii. 341.

Vulgarity
Wagner, Want, War,
War
sense

and

nobility,i.

i.

136. of, i.
214.

125.

ii. 213,
rumours,

lessons kindness

of, ii. 287.

Wariness Wasted Watchwords 'We'

and

incompatible,

ii. 264.

life,i. 237.
of the

people, ii. 298. the, ii. 264.

i. 183.

always

right, ii. 164.

Weak,
Weber,

charity towards
Dr.

Weather,

caprices of the, i. 215. George,

Weltgeist, the, ii. 345.

Weltmude,
West and

the, i. 285.
East

contrasted,
of the, i.
men,

i. 251-253.

Whole,
'

sense

187. young,' i. 259.

Whole-natured Whom the

disappearance of, ii. 91.

die

gods

love

Wickedness,

fascination

Will, England
feebleness

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

of the, i. 107.

preceded the, i.
Winter

by feeling and

instinct, i. 88.

139.

in Switzerland, i. 213.

ii. 280, 281.

Wisdom,
the Wisdom's

heritage of the few, ii. 84.

two

halves, ii. 132.

ii. 207.

Wit, Doudan's,
Woman and Woman's
'

monstre

incomprehensible ^ ii. 16.

2x0.

man

contrasted, ii.60-62.

faithful heart, i.

family influence, ii. 135.

402

INDEX.

Women,

austere,

ii.

325.

emancipation
Manou's views orators,

of, of,
ii. i.

ii.

34. 33.

ii.

never

138-141.

Women's

love,
careless the flavour

304.

Words,
Work

use

of,
of of

ii.

240.

life, the,
needs

ii. ii.

348.
282.

World, Worship, Worth,

meanness

humanity
i.

a,

ii.

2.

165.
i.
art

individual,

271.

Writing,

the

of,

ii.

192.

YotWG,
Youth

secret

of

remaining,
i.
50.

i.

212.

and renewal revival

manhood, of,
ii. ii.
27. 106.

of,

Youthful

impressions,
ii.

i.

100.

presumption,

159.

Zeno,

i.

37;

ii.

276.

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