An Attic Philosopher in Paris

il

lets, and lilacs perfume the baskets of the flower-girls-all the world have begun their walks again

But, as soon as the stars appear, everything is changed; the glare of the white houses is quenched in the gathering shades; you hear no more any rolling but that of the carriages on their way to some party of pleasure; you see only the lounger or the light-hearted passing by; work has given place to leisure. Now each one may breathe after the fierce race through the business of the day, and whatever stren

e it. If the enjoyments of others embitter jealous minds, they strengthen the humble spirit

enjoying life, and I take a brother's share in their happiness. We are all fellow-soldiers in this earthly battle, and what does it matter on whom the honors of the victory

e shops or to read the handbills. How many things there are to learn in the streets of Paris! What a museum it is! Unknown fruits, foreign arms, f

o mimic the dance of the bison, and to smoke the calumet of peace; they have seen Carter's lions fed; they know the principal national costumes contained in Babin's collection; Goupil's display of prints has placed the tiger-hunts of Africa and the sittings of the English Parliament before their eyes; they have become acquainted with Queen Victoria, the Emperor of Austri

ep of the ladder always set up before us in a vision. When we see them, how many voyages do we take in imagination, what adventures do we dream of, what pictures do we sketch! I never look at that shop near the

seen glance, or a few words caught as the speaker passes by, open a thousand vistas to your imagination. You wish to comprehend what these imperfect disclosures mean, and, as the antiquary endeavors to decipher t

dbare coat had that look of neatness which marks that destitution has been met by a long struggle. He had carefully buttoned it up to hide the want of a shirt. His face was half hid under his gray hair, and his eyes were closed, as if he wished to escape the

ad toward the Faubourg St. Germain. I could just distinguish, within, the sparkling diamonds and the flowers of a ball-dress; the glare of the lamps passed like

ney into the hat he was holdi

ase which troubles the age we live in: the envious hatred of him who su

ng sight in the streets gave place to inward meditation upon all the painful problems which have been written for the la

istaken zealots who have repeated from generation to generation the bloody history of Cain and Abel; and, saddened with these

d who love serious reflection, delight to find a home. There were no shops along the dimly lighted street; on

e street, though I had be

gave the aspect of a lake surrounded by a garland of stars; and I had reached the Louvre, when I was stopped by a crowd c

hand; "the servant who took care of him met with some friends there, and told the child to wait for him while he went to ge

sk him his name, a

say is, that he is called Charles, and that his father is

now in what part of

tleman's child? He has never gone out except in a carriage

upted by some of the voic

e him in the st

would carry him of

ke him to t

he polic

thing. Come,

uder, and drew back toward the parapet. In vain they tried to persuade him; his fears made him resist the m

looking at the lost child; "he

part i

side of the Boulevar

ave seen h

use at the end of the street, where t

uestions that were put to him, and gave such details as left no room for doubt. The othe

asked the mason, who had listened with r

o," replied he; "it'

ill take ch

ly to come

down on the pavement, he set off to

child fol

him right," said I, w

is the same age as the other; but, as the saying is, he knows b

Louvre; the thought came into my head to follow th

his trousers came down in plaits from his waist to his boots of polished leather with mother-of-pearl buttons, and his ringlets were half hid by a velvet cap. The appearance of his guide, on the contrary, was that of the class who dwell on the extreme borders of poverty, but who there maintain their ground with

charming look of innocence and happiness. The features of the other, on the contrary, had something rough in them; his eye was quick and lively, his complexion dark, his smile less merry than

nts of his poor family had kept him from school, and he seemed to feel the loss; for he often stopped before the printshops, and asked his companion to read him the names of the engravings. In this way we reached the Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle, which the little wanderer seemed to know again. Notwithstanding his fa

she had sent in search of them in every directi

warmly, and looked round for the little boy who had recognized and

inue grateful? Had the children met again, and had the happy chance of their first meeting lowere

arapet of the Louvre, and his young guide. But the dress of the latter was greatly changed: his blouse of gray cloth was neat, and even spruce, and was fastened round the waist by a polished leather belt; he wore strong shoes, but made for his feet, and had on a new cloth cap. Just at the

m of our former meeting; he looked at me fo

d he, merrily, "but I want both my hands for

become great f

said the child; "and no

's t

as taken a shop, where he works on his ow

time the cross that decorated his little

o learn, and so I am come to

going to yo

he has a garden where we play together, a

ame as if it were

ood neighbors indeed. But

with a smile,

d had opened a road of true neighborhood and fellowship between the humble workshop and the stately mansion. Instead of hearkening to the voice of interest, they had both listened to that of self-sacrifice, and there was no place left for contempt or envy. Thus, instead of the begga