Littell's Living Age

teous

to throw upon it, some stray glances out of world to accept a specious theory or visthe wonderful treasures of his own knowl- ionary tale. To add after this, as we are edge or experience, or at the best, a cour- inclined to do and yet he was a fervent interest, an unfeigned sympathy. Roman Catholic, accepting a hundred things The first feature in him which struck the as absolutely true which to us seem mere stranger was this gracious gift of courtesy. fables of a fond and excited fancy - would His manners were just touched with the have been to himself but another instance elaboration of the old régime, as became the of " unconquerable British prejudice in reson of an émigré, the inheritor of centuries spect to anything Roman; " yet it is diffiof courtly French breeding. But we do not cult to restrain the expression of this wonthink that this impression of extreme per- der, be it prejudice or be it justice. The attisonal benignity and politeness was, after tude in which at this moment he appears to the first encounter, the aspect of Count de us as a protestant against the last great atMontalembert's character which made most tempt at self-assertion on the part of the lasting impression upon the mind of a re- Papacy, has a certain composing effect upon cent acquaintance. It was rather the keen- the general aspect of his religious character; ness of perception, the rapid vision, the and we have to recall to ourselves that it is sharp wit, never failing in absolute grace the young Christian knight who in the pride of expression, but leaving the less ready of his youth gave up at a word from the insular intelligence, with a puzzled sense Church one of the most cherished of his of discomfiture, miles behind. He took the prospects - that it is the biographer of St. slow Englishman up, who was saying some- Elizabeth, the historian of the monks, of thing probably sensible enough, and cast a whom we are speaking. Not a miracle in gleaming coil of wit round him, and extin- all those saintly lives, not a prodigy recordguished his half-said perplexed reasonings ed in the ages of faith, disturbed his power on the spot an operation which caused a of belief. He accepted them with the full certain sensation of fright, by no means and frank confidence of the simplest bewithout foundation, to the bystanders. This, liever. He, with his keen wit and quick however, was in his days of health and un-perceptions, his learning and sagacity, an bounded activity, while yet the inherent accomplished writer and brilliant man of impatience of a lively and impetuous nature the world, tingling to his finger-points with survived in certain glimmers and sparkles the new sap and modern vigour of his cenof sarcastic vivacity, such as even perfect politeness could not quite annihilate. The enthusiasm of his character, and its intense love of beauty and appreciation of everything noble and generous, did not, we think, show so plainly in his conversation as this intellectual brilliancy and speed. Keen as daylight, sharp upon any pretence as the steel of Ithuriel's spear-instantly conscious of the presence of polite simula- It is not yet time to enter upon any full tion, and pitiless to it—it was rather the account of his life or estimate of his influclearness of his judgment than his poetic ence. The existence which has just ended character which struck the observer. His must be a little further off before it can was the kind of mind one could have sup- "orb into the perfect star" of completed posed quick to sift every belief, less moved being. He had lived about sixty years in by imagination than by reason, more famil- the world, when he was suddenly called out iar with the processes of thought than the of it. For thirty of these years his life was visions of faith. The reader who knows full of activity, and spent very much in the him only by his works will be startled by eye of the public. During this time many such a view of his character. But nobody changes had taken place in France, and who knew Count de Montalembert will be none greater than those religious changes disposed to deny a fact which adds tenfold into which he threw himself heart and soul. to his weight and influence as a believer, and In the spring of '67, the writer, then in which makes it so much the more difficult to Paris, attended by his advice several conunderstand many features in his creed and ferences of the Retraite des Hommes, ir many portions of his work. There could not | Nôtre Dame, during the holy week be found any more clear-sighted observer, most impressive and wonderful sight, such or shrewd and able man of the world. In as it would be difficult to find any parallel things temporal and intellectual he took to in this country, with all its boasted nothing for granted, and was the last in the gravity. Somewhere about four thousand

tury, yet received everything which the hoary past brought to him in the name of religion with the tender faith of a child. Such a phenomenon is to be seen now and then in the world, and when it appears it is always full of attraction, full of interest — one of the finest yet strangest combinations of human character. And such was Charles de Montalembert.

joined himself to Lamennais and Lacordaire in the management of their paper called “L'Avenir." A year later the Christian Liberals found themselves aux prises with Rome, as they bad already got into contact with civil law at home. The spiritual authority was more difficult to struggle with than the temporal; and it was only after a long process of deliberation and anxious thought that the two friends, Lacordaire and Montalembert, made up their minds what was their highest duty. The story is told by Montalembert himself in his life of

him." In short, the devout and enthusiastic yet reasonable mind of the young French priest, recognized that perfect modes of working were not to be found in human so

men, a dark mass, but faintly lighted by great flambeaux of gas placed here and there, were closely packed in the great central isle of the Cathedral, listening with rapt attention to the preaching of Père Félix, who, though a very popular preacher, is no orator by right divine, nor capable by his own attraction only of calling so great a multitude together. The chanting by this mass of men, in plain song, of the Stabat Mater on Holy Thursday, and of the shorter hymns of the Church at the conclusion of the other services the great thunder of so many male voices in unison -was his friend. There he describes Lacordaire such a strain as we never remember to have as wandering and musing about the memoryheard before, and which no one could listen haunted ruins of Rome, pondering many to without emotion. M. de Montalembert's things which are not written there to the face brightened when he heard the impres- common eye. He understood, from all he sion made by this wonderful scene upon the saw around him, "not only the inviolate mind of the writer. When he began his ca- majesty of the supreme Pontificate, but its reer, he said with a certain gleam of high difficulties, its long and patient plans, its satisfaction in his eye, it had been consid- adoption of necessary expedients (ménageered a wonder in France to see a young ments indispensables) for the government of man enter a church, or to hear him avow men and things below." "The weakness any charity towards Christianity. These and infirmities inseparable from the mixture were the days when Charles de Montalem- of human things with divine did not escape bert, a youth half English, or rather half Scotch, and whole enthusiast, speaking French with a taint of insular accent, and with ideas not yet wholly Continental, made acquaintance with the young Henri La-ciety: that the support of the Papacy, the cordaire. They had met, and joined themselves together, and set their young wits to work on the grandest patriotic problemhow to lead France back to Christian faith and a religious life, cherishing all her liberties, all her privileges, the residue of good left behind by the devastating torrent of the Revolution, at the same time. What they had succeeded in doing, in one point at least, we had learned in the crowded nave of Notre Dame during those rainy chilly April evenings, and on the bright winter morn at the early communion. It was a sign of accomplished work which might well have cheered any reformer. This was one of the great objects of Montalembert's life -one which does not show largely in ordinary history: he had helped to make religion possible, helped to make it real, in his country; and if ever the history of the revival of religion in France during the last forty years should be written - - and there could be no more interesting chapter of modern history -the name of Count de Montalembert would take its natural place there, side by side with that of his friend. He poured the whole force of his young life into this highest scheme; he threw himself into plans of public instruction in every way in which it was practicable to him. His first step in public life was taken when he

greatest of spiritual institutions, was far more likely to advantage a great religious work, than any wild fight for independence which he could adopt. He recognized what many men in all churches have always recognized, that something must be swallowed, something endured, in turn for the great spiritual support of a universal church behind you, with all its popular traditions, and fundamental hold, however obscured now and then for a moment, upon ancient Christendom. We may accept this description written by Montalembert of his friend, as his own creed. He, too, bowed his head to the Pope's bull, when it came, forbidding the immediate work in which they were engaged. They yielded to it, both knowing that they had more important matters in hand, which forbade the possibility of schism or sectarian opposition, and thus their lives were decided in obedience to Rome; while Lainennais, in some respects a greater figure than either, mistook or declined the lesson, and giving up Rome, gave up at the same time, as happens so often, along with his faith in the Pope, his faith in Christianity.

In Germany, where the young Montalembert wandered after his unsuccessful mission to Rome, and where he again encountered Lacordaire, the materials for his beautiful Life of St. Elizabeth, one of the finest idylls

of democratic sentiment. It was not only rank, or wealth, or temporal advantage, which the mob resented, but, above all, the superiority of mind and sway of intelligence. Epicier France was glad to be free of ces gens-là-the Guizots, the Thiers, the liberal statesmen and men of talent who had been the leaders of their generation. It was a relief to the surging and heaving popular mass to throw off the sway of every one better than themselves, and to be ruled by men of nothing. Even his politeness was scarcely proof against any rash approval of absolute power; and the sentimental English fancy, or profession of a fancy, for theoretic Cæsarism, irritated him to a high degree. Why, for heaven's sake," he writes, in respect to a review of his own touching Memoir of General Lamoricière, "do you incline towards M. Carlyle's theory of autocratic government?" The mere suggestion stirred him to a sharpness keen and angry; and so did the English admiration for the Emperor, which was once more lively than now. This sentiment stung him as a poor man might be stung by commendations of poverty made by a rich and easy neighbour. "It is well for you to applaud a rule which you would not have for a single day," was his indig nant comment, often repeated. Not only the actual evil, but the reproach upon France, the implication of her indifference to those liberties which he prized so much for her, wounded him to the quick. And with this feeling was mingled all the contempt, half expressed but always understood, of the old noble fils des croisés for a parvenu court. He, too, was impatient of ces gens-là; and still more impatient, still more contemptuous, was the high-born household which surrounded him.

of Christian literature, were collected. It was published in the year 1836, his first work of importance. On his return to France he threw himself into political life, and lived and laboured with all the energy of his nature, taking part in all the events and all the important movements of the time. It was, the heroic age of our religious and liberal struggles," he says, in his Life of Lacordaire; and everything that belonged to that enlightened and conservative liberalism, which is the natural creed of all eclectic politicians, moved him with more than merely political ardour. Justice, freedom, purity, and not party names or party objects, were with him the recognized aims of legislation. His code was that all men should be free to do well, to say what good was in them, to make such efforts as they were capable of for the advancement of the world; but yet there was in him, it must be allowed, a certain reserve as to what constituted political well-doing, and inclination to set up an arbitrary standard of his own. It was good for France to be free and united, but he did not see that the same necessity held for Italy. And there are other inconsistencies in his political creed. He was in favour of the expedition to Rome, though Poland and Ireland (which he always classed together) filled him with indignant sympathy. In short, he was no perfect man, but one full of individual partialities and prejudices, and laden with the defects as well as the virtues of his opinions. Although he speaks of the " odious injustice and unpardonable uselessness" of the Revolution of '48, his political career lasted beyond the coup d'état. He even made an effort to submit himself to what was inevitable as long as his own honourable, upright, straightforward spirit could do so. The spoliation of the Orleans princes was, it is Montalembert's generous, liberal, unfacsaid, the point which brought his patience tious spirit, made it at the same time diffito an end. But he continued to sit in the cult for him to maintain full amity even Chamber until 1857, when he was defeated with the Catholic party, to which he had in his own department, and retired from done, one time and another, immeasurable active political life, though not from such service. It was not in him to adopt unsharp usage of his pen as brought him, on hesitatingly a certain party, with its drawvarious occasions, into contact with the au- backs and advantages. He could not bind thorities, and exposed him to trials and vain himself, whatever the penalties might be, sentences of imprisonment, which the Em- to the paltry and untrue. He who had peror was wise enough never to permit to made the beginning of his career extraordibe carried out. His opinion of the present nary by bowing his head, in all the youthGovernment of France was very low, and ful fire of his genius, under the yoke of the touched with an indignant bitterness. The Papal decree — who for the best part of his inevitable and fast-growing triumph of de- life was incessantly occupied in serving the mocracy was his favourite horror. With a interests of his Church, and by all the force contemptuous vehemence which no hearer of his talent and influence aiding her procould forget, he would describe the hatred gressbecame such a mark for the arrows of mediocrity for anything superior to itself, of the Ultramontane party as no profane which was, in his opinion, the true essence person could have been. "There is VOL. XVII. 757

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him." In short, the devout and enthusiastic yet reasonable mind of the young French priest, recognized that perfect modes of working were not to be found in human so

men, a dark mass, but faintly lighted by great joined himself to Lamennais and Lacordaire flambeaux of gas placed here and there, in the management of their paper called were closely packed in the great central isle "L'Avenir." A year later the Christian of the Cathedral, listening with rapt atten- Liberals found themselves aux prises with tion to the preaching of Père Félix, who, Rome, as they bad already got into contact though a very popular preacher, is no with civil law at home. The spiritual auorator by right divine, nor capable by his thority was more difficult to struggle with own attraction only of calling so great a than the temporal; and it was only after a multitude together. The chanting by this long process of deliberation and anxious mass of men, in plain song, of the Stabat thought that the two friends, Lacordaire Mater on Holy Thursday, and of the and Montalembert, made up their minds shorter hymns of the Church at the conclu- what was their highest duty. The story is sion of the other services the great thun- told by Montalembert himself in his life of der of so many male voices in unison was his friend. There he describes Lacordaire such a strain as we never remember to have as wandering and musing about the memoryheard before, and which no one could listen haunted ruins of Rome, pondering many to without emotion. M. de Montalembert's things which are not written there to the face brightened when he heard the impres- common eye. He understood, from all he sion made by this wonderful scene upon the saw around him, "not only the inviolate mind of the writer. When he began his ca- majesty of the supreme Pontificate, but its reer, he said with a certain gleam of high difficulties, its long and patient plans, its satisfaction in his eye, it had been consid- adoption of necessary expedients (ménageered a wonder in France to see a young ments indispensables) for the government of man enter a church, or to hear him avow men and things below." The weakness any charity towards Christianity. These and infirmities inseparable from the mixture were the days when Charles de Montalem- of human things with divine did not escape bert, a youth half English, or rather half Scotch, and whole enthusiast, speaking French with a taint of insular accent, and with ideas not yet wholly Continental, made acquaintance with the young Henri La-ciety: that the support of the Papacy, the cordaire. They had met, and joined themselves together, and set their young wits to work on the grandest patriotic problem how to lead France back to Christian faith and a religious life, cherishing all her liberties, all her privileges, the residue of good left behind by the devastating torrent of the Revolution, at the same time. What they had succeeded in doing, in one point at least, we had learned in the crowded nave of Notre Dame during those rainy chilly April evenings, and on the bright winter morn at the early communion. It was a sign of accomplished work which might well have cheered any reformer. This was one of the great objects of Montalembert's life one which does not show largely in ordinary history: he had helped to make religion possible, helped to make it real, in his country; and if ever the history of the revival of religion in France during the last forty years should be written and there could be no more interesting chapter of modern history -the name of Count de Montalembert would take its natural place there, side by side with that of his friend. He poured the whole force of his young life into this highest scheme; he threw himself into plans of public instruction in every way in which it was practicable to him. His first step in public life was taken when he

greatest of spiritual institutions, was far more likely to advantage a great religious work, than any wild fight for independence which he could adopt. He recognized what many men in all churches have always recognized, that something must be swallowed, something endured, in turn for the great spiritual support of a universal church behind you, with all its popular traditions, and fundamental hold, however obscured now and then for a moment, upon ancient Christendom. We may accept this description written by Montalembert of his friend, as his own creed. He, too, bowed his head to the Pope's bull, when it came, forbidding the immediate work in which they were engaged. They yielded to it, both knowing that they had more important matters in hand, which forbade the possibility of schism or sectarian opposition, and thus their lives were decided in obedience to Rome; while Laennais, in some respects a greater figure than either, mistook or declined the lesson, and giving up Rome, gave up at the same time, as happens so often, along with his faith in the Pope, his faith in Christianity.

of Christian literature, were collected. It of democratic sentiment. It was not only was published in the year 1836, his first rank, or wealth, or temporal advantage, work of importance. On his return to which the mob resented, but, above all, France he threw himself into political life, the superiority of mind and sway of intelliand lived and laboured with all the energy gence. Epicier France was glad to be free of his nature, taking part in all the events of ces gens-là-the Guizots, the Thiers, the and all the important movements of the liberal statesmen and men of talent who time. "It was the heroic age of our reli- had been the leaders of their generation. gious and liberal struggles," he says, in his It was a relief to the surging and heaving Life of Lacordaire; and everything that be- popular mass to throw off the sway of every longed to that enlightened and conservative one better than themselves, and to be ruled liberalism, which is the natural creed of all by men of nothing. Even his politeness eclectic politicians, moved him with more than was scarcely proof against any rash apmerely political ardour. Justice, freedom, proval of absolute power; and the sentipurity, and not party names or party objects, mental English fancy, or profession of a were with him the recognized aims of legis- fancy, for theoretic Cæsarism, irritated him lation. His code was that all men should to a high degree. "Why, for heaven's be free to do well, to say what good was in sake," he writes, in respect to a review of them, to make such efforts as they were ca- his own touching Memoir of General Lamopable of for the advancement of the world; ricière, do you incline towards M. Carbut yet there was in him, it must be allowed, lyle's theory of autocratic government? a certain reserve as to what constituted The mere suggestion stirred him to a sharppolitical well-doing, and inclination to set ness keen and angry; and so did the Engup an arbitrary standard of his own. It lish admiration for the Emperor, which was was good for France to be free and united, once more lively than now. This sentibut he did not see that the same necessity ment stung him as a poor man might be held for Italy. And there are other incon- stung by commendations of poverty made sistencies in his political creed. He was in by a rich and easy neighbour. It is well favour of the expedition to Rome, though for you to applaud a rule which you would Poland and Ireland (which he always classed not have for a single day," was his indigtogether) filled him with indignant sympa- nant comment, often repeated. Not only thy. In short, he was no perfect man, but the actual evil, but the reproach upon one full of individual partialities and preju- France, the implication of her indifference dices, and laden with the defects as well as to those liberties which he prized so much the virtues of his opinions. Although he for her, wounded him to the quick. And speaks of the "odious injustice and unpar- with this feeling was mingled all the condonable uselessness" of the Revolution of tempt, half expressed but always under'48, his political career lasted beyond the stood, of the old noble fils des croisés for a coup d'état. He even made an effort to parvenu court. He, too, was impatient of submit himself to what was inevitable as ces gens-là; and still more impatient, still long as his own honourable, upright, more contemptuous, was the high-born straightforward spirit could do so. The household which surrounded him. spoliation of the Orleans princes was, it is Montalembert's generous, liberal, unfacsaid, the point which brought his patience tious spirit, made it at the same time diffito an end. But he continued to sit in the cult for him to maintain full amity even Chamber until 1857, when he was defeated with the Catholic party, to which he had in his own department, and retired from done, one time and another, immeasurable active political life, though not from such service. It was not in him to adopt unsharp usage of his pen as brought him, on hesitatingly a certain party, with its drawvarious occasions, into contact with the au- backs and advantages. He could not bind thorities, and exposed him to trials and vain himself, whatever the penalties might be, sentences of imprisonment, which the Em- to the paltry and untrue. He who had peror was wise enough never to permit to made the beginning of his career extraordibe carried out. His opinion of the present nary by bowing his head, in all the youthGovernment of France was very low, and ful fire of his genius, under the yoke of the touched with an indignant bitterness. The Papal decree who for the best part of his inevitable and fast-growing triumph of de- life was incessantly occupied in serving the mocracy was his favourite horror. With a interests of his Church, and by all the force contemptuous vehemence which no hearer of his talent and influence aiding her procould forget, he would describe the hatred gress — became such a mark for the arrows of mediocrity for anything superior to itself, of the Ultramontane party as no profane which was, in his opinion, the true essence person could have been. "There is

LIVING AGE.

VOL. XVII. 757

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Littell's Living Age, Volume 105