Jasmin: Barber, Poet, Philanthropist | Page 4

His Journeys to remote places Carcassone The Orphan Institute of Bordeaux 'The Shepherd and the Gascon Poet' The Orphan's Gratitude Helps to found an Agricultural Colony Jasmin Letter His Numerous Engagements Society of Arts and Literature His Strength of Constitution At Marseilles At Auch Refusal to shave a Millionaire Mademoiselle Roaldes Jasmin Cheerful Help Their Tour in the South of France At Marseilles again Gratitude of Mademoiselle Roaldes Reboul at Nimes Dumas and Chateaubriand Letters from Madame Lafarge
CHAPTER XV.
Jasmin's Vineyard--'Martha the Innocent'
Agen Jasmin buys a little Vineyard, his 'Papilloto' 'Ma Bigno' dedicated to Madame Veill Description of the Vineyard The Happiness it Confers M. Rodiere, Toulouse Jasmin's Slowness in Composition A Golden Medal struck in his Honour A Pension Awarded him Made Chevalier of the Legion of Honour Serenades in the Gravier Honour from Pope Pius IX 'Martha the Innocent' Description of the Narrative Jasmin and Martha Another Visit to Toulouse The Banquet Dax, Gers, Condon Challenge of Peyrottes Jasmin's Reply His further Poems 'La Semaine d'um Fil' described Dedicated to Lamartine His Reply
CHAPTER XVI.
The Priest without a Church.
Ruin of the Church at Vergt Description of Vergt Jasmin Appealed to for Help The Abbe and Poet Meeting at Perigueux Fetes and Banquets Montignac, Sarlat, Nontron, Bergerac Consecration of the Church Cardinal Gousset Jasmin's Poem 'A Priest without a Church' Assailed by Deputations St. Vincent de paul A Priest and his Parishioners The Church of Vergt again Another Tour for Offerings Creche at Bordeaux Revolution of 1848 Abbe and Poet recommence their Journeys Jasmin invited to become a Deputy Declines, and pursues his Career of Charity
CHAPTER XVII.
The Church of Vergt again--French Academy-- Emperor and Empress
Renewed Journeys Journeys for Church of Vergt Arcachon Biarritz A Troupe of poor Comedians Helped Towns in the South Jasmin's Bell-Tower erected The French Academy M. Villemain to Jasmin M. de Montyon's Prize M. Ancelo to Jasmin Visit Paris again Monseigneur Sibour Banquet by Les Deux Mondes Reviewers Marquise de Barthelemy, described in 'Chambers' Journal Description of Jasmin and the Entertainment Jasmin and the French Academy Visit to Louis Napoleon Intercedes for return of M. Baze Again Visits Paris Louis Napoleon Emperor, and Empress Eugenie The Interview M. Baze Restored to his Family at Agen The Church of Vergt Finished, with Jasmin Bells
CHAPTER XVIII.
Jasmin enrolled Maitre-es-Jeux at toulouse --crowned by Agen
Jasmin invited to Toulouse Enrolled as Maitre-es-Jeux The Ceremony in the Salle des Illustres Jasmin acknowledgment The Crowd in the Place de Capitol Agen awards him a Crown of Gold Society of Saint Vincent de Paul The Committee Construction of the Crown The Public Meeting Address of M. Noubel, Deputy Jasmin's Poem, 'The Crown of My Birthplace'
CHAPTER XIX.
Last poems--more missions of charity
His 'New Recollections' Journey to Albi and Castera Bordeaux Montignac, Saint Macaire Saint Andre, Monsegur Recitation at Arcachon Societies of Mutual Help 'Imitation of Christ' Testimony from Bishop of Saint Flour Jasmin's Self-denial Collects about a Million and a half of Francs for the Poor Expenses of his Journey of fifty Days His Faithful Record Jasmin at Rodez Aurillac Toulouse His last Recital at Villeneuve-sur-Lot
CHAPTER XX.
Death of Jasmin--his character.
Jasmin's Illness from Overwork and Fatigue Last Poem to Renan Receives the Last Sacrament Takes Leave of his Wife His Death, at Sixty-five His Public Funeral The Ceremony Eulogiums M. Noubel, Deputy; Capot and Magen Inauguration of Bronze Statue Character of Jasmin His Love of Truth His Fellow-Feeling for the Poor His Pride in Agen His Loyalty and Patience Charity his Heroic Programme His long Apostolate
APPENDIX
Jasmin Defence of the Gascon Dialect The Mason's Son The Poor Man's Doctor My Vineyard Franconnette
PREFACE.
My attention was first called to the works of the poet Jasmin by the eulogistic articles which appeared in the Revue des Deux Mondes, by De Mazade, Nodier, Villemain, and other well-known reviewers.
I afterwards read the articles by Sainte-Beuve, perhaps the finest critic of French literature, on the life and history of Jasmin, in his 'Portraits Contemporains' as well as his admirable article on the same subject, in the 'Causeries du Lundi.'
While Jasmin was still alive, a translation was published by the American poet Longfellow, of 'The Blind Girl of Castel-Cuille,' perhaps the best of Jasmin's poems. In his note to the translation, Longfellow said that "Jasmin, the author of this beautiful poem, is to the South of France what Burns is to the South of Scotland, the representative of the heart of the people; one of those happy bards who are born with their mouths full of birds (la bouco pleno d'aouvelous). He has written his own biography in a poetic form, and the simple narrative of his poverty, his struggles, and his triumphs, is very touching. He still lives at Agen, on the Garonne; and long may he live there to delight his native land with native songs."
I had some difficulty in obtaining Jasmin's poems; but