第38章 JASMIN AT TOULOUSE.(2)

It is altogether natural and becoming in the high-minded smith."M.Charles Nodier--Jasmin's old friend--was equally complimentary in his praises of Franconnette.When a copy of the poem was sent to him,with an accompanying letter,Nodier replied:--"I have received with lively gratitude,my dear and illustrious friend,your beautiful verses,and your charming and affectionate letter.I have read them with great pleasure and profound admiration.A Although ill in bed,I have devoured Franconnette and the other poems.I observe,with a certain pride,that you have followed my advice,and that you think in that fine language which you recite so admirably,in place of translating the patois into French,which deprives it of its fullness and fairness.I thank you a thousand times for your very flattering epistle.I am too happy to expostulate with you seriously as to the gracious things you have said to me;my name will pass to posterity in the works of my friends;the glory of having been loved by you goes for a great deal."The time at length arrived for the presentation of the testimonial of Toulouse to Jasmin.It consisted of a branch of laurel in gold.The artist who fashioned it was charged to put his best work into the golden laurel,so that it might be a chef d'oeuvre worthy of the city which conferred it,and of being treasured in the museum of their adopted poet.The work was indeed admirably executed.The stem was rough,as in nature,though the leaves were beautifully polished.It had a ribbon delicately ornamented,with the words "Toulouse a Jasmin."When the work was finished and placed in its case,the Mayor desired to send it to Jasmin by a trusty messenger.He selected Mademoiselle Gasc,assisted by her father,advocate and member of the municipal council,to present the tribute to Jasmin.

It ought to have been a fete day for the people of Agen,when their illustrious townsman,though a barber,was about to receive so cordial an appreciation of his poetical genius from the learned city of Toulouse.It ought also to have been a fete day for Jasmin himself.

But alas!an unhappy coincidence occurred which saddened the day that ought to have been a day of triumph for the poet.

His mother was dying.When Mademoiselle Gasc,accompanied by her father,the Mayor of Agen,and other friends of Jasmin,entered the shop,they were informed that he was by the bedside of his mother,who was at death's door.The physician,who was consulted as to her state,said that there might only be sufficient time for Jasmin to receive the deputation.

He accordingly came out for a few moments from his mother's bed-side.M.Gasc explained the object of the visit,and read to Jasmin the gracious letter of the Mayor of Toulouse,concluding as follows:--"I thank you,in the name of the city of Toulouse,for the fine poem which you have dedicated to us.This branch of laurel will remind you of the youthful and beautiful Muse which has inspired you with such charming verses."The Mayor of Agen here introduced Mademoiselle Gasc,who,in her turn,said:--"And I also,sir,am most happy and proud of the mission which has been entrusted to me."Then she presented him with the casket which contained the golden laurel.Jasmin responded in the lines entitled 'Yesterday and To-day,'from which the following words may be quoted:--"Yesterday!Thanks,Toulouse,for our old language and for my poetry.Your beautiful golden branch ennobles both.And you who offer it to me,gracious messenger--queen of song and queen of hearts--tell your city of my perfect happiness,and that Inever anticipated such an honour even in my most golden dreams.