Andherememberedthathehaddaredtomurmur！
　　Often，inthemiddleofthenight，herosetolistentothegratefulsongofthoseinnocentcreaturesweigheddownwithseverities，andthebloodrancoldinhisveinsatthethoughtthatthosewhowerejustlychastisedraisedtheirvoicesheavenwardonlyinblasphemy，andthathe，wretchthathewas，hadshakenhisfistatGod。
　　Therewasonestrikingthingwhichcausedhimtomeditatedeeply，likeawarningwhisperfromProvidenceitself:thescalingofthatwall，thepassingofthosebarriers，theadventureacceptedevenattheriskofdeath，thepainfulanddifficultascent，allthoseeffortseven，whichhehadmadetoescapefromthatotherplaceofexpiation，hehadmadeinordertogainentranceintothisone。Wasthisasymbolofhisdestiny？Thishousewasaprisonlikewiseandboreamelancholyresemblancetothatotheronewhencehehadfled，andyethehadneverconceivedanideaofanythingsimilar。
　　Againhebeheldgratings，bolts，ironbars——toguardwhom？Angels。
　　Theseloftywallswhichhehadseenaroundtigers，henowbeheldoncemorearoundlambs。
　　Thiswasaplaceofexpiation，andnotofpunishment；andyet，itwasstillmoreaustere，moregloomy，andmorepitilessthantheother。
　　Thesevirginswereevenmoreheavilyburdenedthantheconvicts。
　　Acold，harshwind，thatwindwhichhadchilledhisyouth，traversedthebarredandpadlockedgratingofthevultures；astillharsherandmorebitingbreezeblewinthecageofthesedoves。
　　Why？
　　Whenhethoughtonthesethings，allthatwaswithinhimwaslostinamazementbeforethismysteryofsublimity。
　　Inthesemeditations，hispridevanished。Hescrutinizedhisownheartinallmannerofways；hefelthispettiness，andmanyatimehewept。AllthathadenteredintohislifeforthelastsixmonthshadledhimbacktowardstheBishop’sholyinjunctions；
　　Cosettethroughlove，theconventthroughhumility。
　　Sometimesateventide，inthetwilight，atanhourwhenthegardenwasdeserted，hecouldbeseenonhiskneesinthemiddleofthewalkwhichskirtedthechapel，infrontofthewindowthroughwhichhehadgazedonthenightofhisarrival，andturnedtowardsthespotwhere，asheknew，thesisterwasmakingreparation，prostratedinprayer。
　　Thusheprayedashekneltbeforethesister。
　　ItseemedasthoughhedarednotkneeldirectlybeforeGod。
　　Everythingthatsurroundedhim，thatpeacefulgarden，thosefragrantflowers，thosechildrenwhoutteredjoyouscries，thosegraveandsimplewomen，thatsilentcloister，slowlypermeatedhim，andlittlebylittle，hissoulbecamecompoundedofsilencelikethecloister，ofperfumeliketheflowers，ofsimplicitylikethewomen，ofjoylikethechildren。AndthenhereflectedthatthesehadbeentwohousesofGodwhichhadreceivedhiminsuccessionattwocriticalmomentsinhislife:thefirst，whenalldoorswereclosedandwhenhumansocietyrejectedhim；
　　thesecond，atamomentwhenhumansocietyhadagainsetoutinpursuitofhim，andwhenthegalleyswereagainyawning；andthat，haditnotbeenforthefirst，heshouldhaverelapsedintocrime，andhaditnotbeenforthesecond，intotorment。
　　Hiswholeheartmeltedingratitude，andhelovedmoreandmore。
　　Manyyearspassedinthismanner；Cosettewasgrowingup。
　　[TheendofVolumeII。"Cosette"]
　　VOLUMEIIIMARIUS。
　　BOOKFIRST。——PARISSTUDIEDINITSATOM
　　CHAPTERI
　　PARVULUS
　　Parishasachild，andtheforesthasabird；thebirdiscalledthesparrow；thechildiscalledthegamin。
　　Couplethesetwoideaswhichcontain，theoneallthefurnace，theotherallthedawn；strikethesetwosparkstogether，Paris，childhood；
　　thereleapsoutfromthemalittlebeing。Homuncio，Plautuswouldsay。
　　Thislittlebeingisjoyous。Hehasnotfoodeveryday，andhegoestotheplayeveryevening，ifheseesgood。Hehasnoshirtonhisbody，noshoesonhisfeet，noroofoverhishead；
　　heislikethefliesofheaven，whohavenoneofthesethings。
　　Heisfromseventothirteenyearsofage，helivesinbands，roamsthestreets，lodgesintheopenair，wearsanoldpairoftrousersofhisfather’s，whichdescendbelowhisheels，anoldhatofsomeotherfather，whichdescendsbelowhisears，asinglesuspenderofyellowlisting；heruns，liesinwait，rummagesabout，wastestime，blackenspipes，swearslikeaconvict，hauntsthewine—shop，knowsthieves，callsgaywomenthou，talksslang，singsobscenesongs，andhasnoevilinhisheart。
　　Thisisbecausehehasinhisheartapearl，innocence；andpearlsarenottobedissolvedinmud。Solongasmanisinhischildhood，Godwillsthatheshallbeinnocent。
　　Ifoneweretoaskthatenormouscity:"Whatisthis？"shewouldreply:
　　"Itismylittleone。"
　　CHAPTERII
　　SOMEOFHISPARTICULARCHARACTERISTICS
　　Thegamin——thestreetArab——ofParisisthedwarfofthegiant。
　　Letusnotexaggerate，thischeruboftheguttersometimeshasashirt，but，inthatcase，heownsbutone；hesometimeshasshoes，butthentheyhavenosoles；hesometimeshasalodging，andhelovesit，forhefindshismotherthere；butheprefersthestreet，becausetherehefindsliberty。Hehashisowngames，hisownbitsofmischief，whosefoundationconsistsofhatredforthebourgeois；
　　hispeculiarmetaphors:tobedeadistoeatdandelionsbytheroot；
　　hisownoccupations，callinghackney—coaches，lettingdowncarriage—steps，establishingmeansoftransitbetweenthetwosidesofastreetinheavyrains，whichhecallsmakingthebridgeofarts，cryingdiscoursespronouncedbytheauthoritiesinfavoroftheFrenchpeople，cleaningoutthecracksinthepavement；
　　hehashisowncoinage，whichiscomposedofallthelittlemorselsofworkedcopperwhicharefoundonthepublicstreets。
　　Thiscuriousmoney，whichreceivesthenameofloques——rags——hasaninvariableandwell—regulatedcurrencyinthislittleBohemiaofchildren。
　　Lastly，hehashisownfauna，whichheobservesattentivelyinthecorners；thelady—bird，thedeath’s—headplant—louse，thedaddy—long—legs，"thedevil，"ablackinsect，whichmenacesbytwistingaboutitstailarmedwithtwohorns。Hehashisfabulousmonster，whichhasscalesunderitsbelly，butisnotalizard，whichhaspustulesonitsback，butisnotatoad，whichinhabitsthenooksofoldlime—kilnsandwellsthathaverundry，whichisblack，hairy，sticky，whichcrawlssometimesslowly，sometimesrapidly，whichhasnocry，butwhichhasalook，andissoterriblethatnoonehaseverbeheldit；hecallsthismonster"thedeafthing。"Thesearchforthese"deafthings"
　　amongthestonesisajoyofformidablenature。Anotherpleasureconsistsinsuddenlypryingupapaving—stone，andtakingalookatthewood—lice。EachregionofParisiscelebratedfortheinterestingtreasureswhicharetobefoundthere。Thereareear—wigsinthetimber—yardsoftheUrsulines，therearemillepedsinthePantheon，therearetadpolesintheditchesoftheChamps—de—Mars。
　　Asfarassayingsareconcerned，thischildhasasmanyofthemasTalleyrand。Heisnolesscynical，butheismorehonest。
　　Heisendowedwithacertainindescribable，unexpectedjoviality；
　　heupsetsthecomposureoftheshopkeeperwithhiswildlaughter。
　　Herangesboldlyfromhighcomedytofarce。
　　Afuneralpassesby。Amongthosewhoaccompanythedeadthereisadoctor。"Heythere！"shoutssomestreetArab，"howlonghasitbeencustomaryfordoctorstocarryhometheirownwork？"
　　Anotherisinacrowd。Agraveman，adornedwithspectaclesandtrinkets，turnsroundindignantly:"Yougood—for—nothing，youhaveseizedmywife’swaist！"——"I，sir？Searchme！"
　　CHAPTERIII
　　HEISAGREEABLE
　　Intheevening，thankstoafewsous，whichhealwaysfindsmeanstoprocure，thehomuncioentersatheatre。Oncrossingthatmagicthreshold，hebecomestransfigured；hewasthestreetArab，hebecomesthetiti。[18]Theatresareasortofshipturnedupsidedownwiththekeelintheair。Itisinthatkeelthatthetitihuddletogether。Thetitiistothegaminwhatthemothistothelarva；thesamebeingendowedwithwingsandsoaring。
　　Itsufficesforhimtobethere，withhisradianceofhappiness，withhispowerofenthusiasmandjoy，withhishand—clapping，whichresemblesaclappingofwings，toconferonthatnarrow，dark，fetid，sordid，unhealthy，hideous，abominablekeel，thenameofParadise。
　　[18]Chicken:slangallusiontothenoisemadeincallingpoultry。
　　Bestowonanindividualtheuselessanddeprivehimofthenecessary，andyouhavethegamin。
　　Thegaminisnotdevoidofliteraryintuition。Histendency，andwesayitwiththeproperamountofregret，wouldnotconstituteclassictaste。Heisnotveryacademicbynature。Thus，togiveanexample，thepopularityofMademoiselleMarsamongthatlittleaudienceofstormychildrenwasseasonedwithatouchofirony。
　　ThegamincalledherMademoiselleMuche——"hideyourself。"
　　Thisbeingbawlsandscoffsandridiculesandfights，hasragslikeababyandtatterslikeaphilosopher，fishesinthesewer，huntsinthecesspool，extractsmirthfromfoulness，whipsupthesquareswithhiswit，grinsandbites，whistlesandsings，shouts，andshrieks，tempersAlleluiawithMatantur—lurette，chantseveryrhythmfromtheDeProfundistotheJack—pudding，findswithoutseeking，knowswhatheisignorantof，isaSpartantothepointofthieving，ismadtowisdom，islyricaltofilth，wouldcrouchdownonOlympus，wallowsinthedunghillandemergesfromitcoveredwithstars。
　　ThegaminofParisisRabelaisinthisyouth。
　　Heisnotcontentwithhistrousersunlesstheyhaveawatch—pocket。
　　Heisnoteasilyastonished，heisstilllesseasilyterrified，hemakessongsonsuperstitions，hetakesthewindoutofexaggerations，hetwitsmysteries，hethrustsouthistongueatghosts，hetakesthepoetryoutofstiltedthings，heintroducescaricatureintoepicextravaganzas。Itisnotthatheisprosaic；farfromthat；
　　buthereplacesthesolemnvisionbythefarcicalphantasmagoria。
　　IfAdamastorweretoappeartohim，thestreetArabwouldsay:
　　"Hithere！Thebugaboo！"
　　CHAPTERIV
　　HEMAYBEOFUSE
　　ParisbeginswiththeloungerandendswiththestreetArab，twobeingsofwhichnoothercityiscapable；thepassiveacceptance，whichcontentsitselfwithgazing，andtheinexhaustibleinitiative；
　　PrudhommeandFouillou。Parisalonehasthisinitsnaturalhistory。
　　Thewholeofthemonarchyiscontainedinthelounger；thewholeofanarchyinthegamin。
　　ThispalechildoftheParisianfaubourgslivesanddevelops，makesconnections，"growssupple"insuffering，inthepresenceofsocialrealitiesandofhumanthings，athoughtfulwitness。
　　Hethinkshimselfheedless；andheisnot。Helooksandisonthevergeoflaughter；heisonthevergeofsomethingelsealso。
　　Whoeveryoumaybe，ifyournameisPrejudice，Abuse，Ignorance，Oppression，Iniquity，Despotism，Injustice，Fanaticism，Tyranny，bewareofthegapinggamin。
　　Thelittlefellowwillgrowup。
　　Ofwhatclayishemade？Ofthefirstmudthatcomestohand。
　　Ahandfulofdirt，abreath，andbeholdAdam。ItsufficesforaGodtopassby。AGodhasalwayspassedoverthestreetArab。
　　Fortunelaborsatthistinybeing。Bytheword"fortune"wemeanchance，tosomeextent。Thatpigmykneadedoutofcommonearth，ignorant，unlettered，giddy，vulgar，low。WillthatbecomeanIonianoraBoeotian？Wait，curritrota，theSpiritofParis，thatdemonwhichcreatesthechildrenofchanceandthemenofdestiny，reversingtheprocessoftheLatinpotter，makesofajuganamphora。
　　CHAPTERV
　　HISFRONTIERS
　　Thegaminlovesthecity，healsolovessolitude，sincehehassomethingofthesageinhim。Urbisamator，likeFuscus；
　　rurisamator，likeFlaccus。
　　Toroamthoughtfullyabout，thatistosay，tolounge，isafineemploymentoftimeintheeyesofthephilosopher；particularlyinthatratherillegitimatespeciesofcampaign，whichistolerablyuglybutoddandcomposedoftwonatures，whichsurroundscertaingreatcities，notablyParis。Tostudythesuburbsistostudytheamphibiousanimal。Endofthetrees，beginningoftheroofs；
　　endofthegrass，beginningofthepavements；endofthefurrows，beginningoftheshops，endofthewheel—ruts，beginningofthepassions；endofthedivinemurmur，beginningofthehumanuproar；
　　henceanextraordinaryinterest。
　　Hence，inthesenotveryattractiveplaces，indeliblystampedbythepassingstrollerwiththeepithet:melancholy，theapparentlyobjectlesspromenadesofthedreamer。
　　HewhowritestheselineshaslongbeenaprowleraboutthebarriersofParis，anditisforhimasourceofprofoundsouvenirs。
　　Thatclose—shaventurf，thosepebblypaths，thatchalk，thosepools，thoseharshmonotoniesofwasteandfallowlands，theplantsofearlymarket—gardensuddenlyspringingintosightinabottom，thatmixtureofthesavageandthecitizen，thosevastdesertnookswherethegarrisondrumspractisenoisily，andproduceasortoflispingofbattle，thosehermitsbydayandcut—throatsbynight，thatclumsymillwhichturnsinthewind，thehoisting—wheelsofthequarries，thetea—gardensatthecornersofthecemeteries；
　　themysteriouscharmofgreat，sombrewallssquarelyintersectingimmense，vaguestretchesoflandinundatedwithsunshineandfullofbutterflies，——allthisattractedhim。
　　Thereishardlyanyoneonearthwhoisnotacquaintedwiththosesingularspots，theGlaciere，theCunette，thehideouswallofGrenelleallspeckledwithballs，Mont—Parnasse，theFosse—aux—Loups，AubiersonthebankoftheMarne，Mont—Souris，theTombe—Issoire，thePierre—PlatedeChatillon，wherethereisanold，exhaustedquarrywhichnolongerservesanypurposeexcepttoraisemushrooms，andwhichisclosed，onalevelwiththeground，byatrap—doorofrottenplanks。
　　ThecampagnaofRomeisoneidea，thebanlieueofParisisanother；
　　tobeholdnothingbutfields，houses，ortreesinwhatastretchofcountryoffersus，istoremainonthesurface；allaspectsofthingsarethoughtsofGod。Thespotwhereaplaineffectsitsjunctionwithacityisalwaysstampedwithacertainpiercingmelancholy。
　　Natureandhumanitybothappealtoyouatthesametimethere。
　　Localoriginalitiestheremaketheirappearance。
　　Anyonewho，likeourselves，haswanderedaboutinthesesolitudescontiguoustoourfaubourgs，whichmaybedesignatedasthelimbosofParis，hasseenhereandthere，inthemostdesertspot，atthemostunexpectedmoment，behindameagrehedge，orinthecornerofalugubriouswall，childrengroupedtumultuously，fetid，muddy，dusty，ragged，dishevelled，playinghide—and—seek，andcrownedwithcorn—flowers。Allofthemarelittleoneswhohavemadetheirescapefrompoorfamilies。Theouterboulevardistheirbreathingspace；
　　thesuburbsbelongtothem。Theretheyareeternallyplayingtruant。
　　Theretheyinnocentlysingtheirrepertoryofdirtysongs。
　　Theretheyare，orrather，theretheyexist，farfromeveryeye，inthesweetlightofMayorJune，kneelingroundaholeintheground，snappingmarbleswiththeirthumbs，quarrellingoverhalf—farthings，irresponsible，volatile，freeandhappy；and，nosoonerdotheycatchsightofyouthantheyrecollectthattheyhaveanindustry，andthattheymustearntheirliving，andtheyoffertosellyouanoldwoollenstockingfilledwithcockchafers，orabunchoflilacs。
　　TheseencounterswithstrangechildrenareoneofthecharmingandatthesametimepoignantgracesoftheenvironsofParis。
　　Sometimestherearelittlegirlsamongthethrongofboys，——
　　aretheytheirsisters？——whoarealmostyoungmaidens，thin，feverish，withsunburnthands，coveredwithfreckles，crownedwithpoppiesandearsofrye，gay，haggard，barefooted。Theycanbeseendevouringcherriesamongthewheat。Intheeveningtheycanbeheardlaughing。
　　Thesegroups，warmlyilluminatedbythefullglowofmidday，orindistinctlyseeninthetwilight，occupythethoughtfulmanforaverylongtime，andthesevisionsminglewithhisdreams。
　　Paris，centre，banlieue，circumference；thisconstitutesalltheearthtothosechildren。Theyneverventurebeyondthis。
　　TheycannomoreescapefromtheParisianatmospherethanfishcanescapefromthewater。Forthem，nothingexiststwoleaguesbeyondthebarriers:Ivry，Gentilly，Arcueil，Belleville，Aubervilliers，Menilmontant，Choisy—le—Roi，Billancourt，Mendon，Issy，Vanvre，Sevres，Puteaux，Neuilly，Gennevilliers，Colombes，Romainville，Chatou，Asnieres，Bougival，Nanterre，Enghien，Noisy—le—Sec，Nogent，Gournay，Drancy，Gonesse；theuniverseendsthere。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　ABITOFHISTORY
　　Attheepoch，nearlycontemporarybytheway，whentheactionofthisbooktakesplace，therewasnot，asthereisto—day，apolicemanatthecornerofeverystreet（abenefitwhichthereisnotimetodiscusshere）；straychildrenaboundedinParis。
　　Thestatisticsgiveanaverageoftwohundredandsixtyhomelesschildrenpickedupannuallyatthatperiod，bythepolicepatrols，inunenclosedlands，inhousesinprocessofconstruction，andunderthearchesofthebridges。Oneofthesenests，whichhasbecomefamous，produced"theswallowsofthebridgeofArcola。"
　　Thisis，moreover，themostdisastrousofsocialsymptoms。
　　Allcrimesofthemanbegininthevagabondageofthechild。
　　LetusmakeanexceptioninfavorofParis，nevertheless。Inarelativemeasure，andinspiteofthesouvenirwhichwehavejustrecalled，theexceptionisjust。Whileinanyothergreatcitythevagabondchildisalostman，whilenearlyeverywherethechildlefttoitselfis，insomesort，sacrificedandabandonedtoakindoffatalimmersioninthepublicviceswhichdevourinhimhonestyandconscience，thestreetboyofParis，weinsistonthispoint，howeverdefacedandinjuredonthesurface，isalmostintactontheinterior。Itisamagnificentthingtoputonrecord，andonewhichshinesforthinthesplendidprobityofourpopularrevolutions，thatacertainincorruptibilityresultsfromtheideawhichexistsintheairofParis，assaltexistsinthewateroftheocean。
　　TobreatheParispreservesthesoul。
　　Whatwehavejustsaidtakesawaynothingoftheanguishofheartwhichoneexperienceseverytimethatonemeetsoneofthesechildrenaroundwhomonefanciesthathebeholdsfloatingthethreadsofabrokenfamily。Inthecivilizationofthepresentday，incompleteasitstillis，itisnotaveryabnormalthingtobeholdthesefracturedfamiliespouringthemselvesoutintothedarkness，notknowingclearlywhathasbecomeoftheirchildren，andallowingtheirownentrailstofallonthepublichighway。
　　Hencetheseobscuredestinies。Thisiscalled，forthissadthinghasgivenrisetoanexpression，"tobecastonthepavementsofParis。"
　　Letitbesaidbytheway，thatthisabandonmentofchildrenwasnotdiscouragedbytheancientmonarchy。AlittleofEgyptandBohemiainthelowerregionssuitedtheupperspheres，andcompassedtheaimsofthepowerful。Thehatredofinstructionforthechildrenofthepeoplewasadogma。Whatistheuseof"half—lights"？Suchwasthecountersign。Now，theerringchildisthecorollaryoftheignorantchild。
　　Besidesthis，themonarchysometimeswasinneedofchildren，andinthatcaseitskimmedthestreets。
　　UnderLouisXIV。，nottogoanyfurtherback，thekingrightlydesiredtocreateafleet。Theideawasagoodone。Butletusconsiderthemeans。Therecanbenofleet，if，besidethesailingship，thatplaythingofthewinds，andforthepurposeoftowingit，incaseofnecessity，thereisnotthevesselwhichgoeswhereitpleases，eitherbymeansofoarsorofsteam；thegalleyswerethentothemarinewhatsteamersareto—day。Therefore，galleyswerenecessary；butthegalleyismovedonlybythegalley—slave；
　　hence，galley—slaveswererequired。Colberthadthecommissionersofprovincesandtheparliamentsmakeasmanyconvictsaspossible。
　　Themagistracyshowedagreatdealofcomplaisanceinthematter。
　　Amankepthishatoninthepresenceofaprocession——itwasaHuguenotattitude；hewassenttothegalleys。Achildwasencounteredinthestreets；providedthathewasfifteenyearsofageanddidnotknowwherehewastosleep，hewassenttothegalleys。
　　Grandreign；grandcentury。
　　UnderLouisXV。childrendisappearedinParis；thepolicecarriedthemoff，forwhatmysteriouspurposenooneknew。
　　Peoplewhisperedwithterrormonstrousconjecturesastotheking’sbathsofpurple。Barbierspeaksingenuouslyofthesethings。
　　Itsometimeshappenedthattheexemptsoftheguard，whentheyranshortofchildren，tookthosewhohadfathers。Thefathers，indespair，attackedtheexempts。Inthatcase，theparliamentintervenedandhadsomeonehung。Who？Theexempts？No，thefathers。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　THEGAMINSHOULDHAVEHISPLACEINTHECLASSIFICATIONSOFINDIA
　　ThebodyofstreetArabsinParisalmostconstitutesacaste。
　　Onemightalmostsay:Noteveryonewhowishestobelongtoitcandoso。
　　Thiswordgaminwasprintedforthefirsttime，andreachedpopularspeechthroughtheliterarytongue，in1834。ItisinalittleworkentitledClaudeGueuxthatthiswordmadeitsappearance。
　　Thehorrorwaslively。Thewordpassedintocirculation。
　　Theelementswhichconstitutetheconsiderationofthegaminsforeachotherareveryvarious。WehaveknownandassociatedwithonewhowasgreatlyrespectedandvastlyadmiredbecausehehadseenamanfallfromthetopofthetowerofNotre—Dame；
　　another，becausehehadsucceededinmakinghiswayintotherearcourtyardwherethestatuesofthedomeoftheInvalideshadbeentemporarilydeposited，andhad"prigged"someleadfromthem；athird，becausehehadseenadiligencetipover；stillanother，becausehe"knew"asoldierwhocamenearputtingouttheeyeofacitizen。
　　ThisexplainsthatfamousexclamationofaParisiangamin，aprofoundepiphonema，whichthevulgarherdlaughsatwithoutcomprehending，——DieudeDieu！Whatill—luckIdohave！tothinkthatIhaveneveryetseenanybodytumblefromafifth—storywindow！
　　（IhavepronouncedI’aveandfifthpronouncedfift’。）
　　Surely，thissayingofapeasantisafineone:"FatherSo—and—So，yourwifehasdiedofhermalady；whydidyounotsendforthedoctor？"
　　"Whatwouldyouhave，sir，wepoorfolksdieofourselves。"
　　Butifthepeasant’swholepassivityliesinthissaying，thewholeofthefree—thinkinganarchyofthebratofthefaubourgsis，assuredly，containedinthisothersaying。Amancondemnedtodeathislisteningtohisconfessorinthetumbrel。ThechildofParisexclaims:
　　"Heistalkingtohisblackcap！Oh，thesneak！"
　　Acertainaudacityonmattersofreligionsetsoffthegamin。
　　Tobestrong—mindedisanimportantitem。
　　Tobepresentatexecutionsconstitutesaduty。Heshowshimselfattheguillotine，andhelaughs。Hecallsitbyallsortsofpetnames:
　　TheEndoftheSoup，TheGrowler，TheMotherintheBlue（thesky），TheLastMouthful，etc。，etc。Inordernottoloseanythingoftheaffair，hescalesthewalls，hehoistshimselftobalconies，heascendstrees，hesuspendshimselftogratings，heclingsfasttochimneys。Thegaminisbornatilerasheisbornamariner。
　　Aroofinspireshimwithnomorefearthanamast。ThereisnofestivalwhichcomesuptoanexecutiononthePlacedeGreve。
　　SamsonandtheAbbeMontesarethetrulypopularnames。Theyhootatthevictiminordertoencouragehim。Theysometimesadmirehim。
　　Lacenaire，whenagamin，onseeingthehideousDautindiebravely，utteredthesewordswhichcontainafuture:"Iwasjealousofhim。"
　　InthebrotherhoodofgaminsVoltaireisnotknown，butPapavoineis。
　　"Politicians"areconfusedwithassassinsinthesamelegend。
　　Theyhaveatraditionastoeverybody’slastgarment。ItisknownthatTolleronhadafireman’scap，Avrilanottercap，Losvelaroundhat，thatoldDelaportewasbaldandbare—headed，thatCastaingwasallruddyandveryhandsome，thatBorieshadaromanticsmallbeard，thatJeanMartinkeptonhissuspenders，thatLecouffeandhismotherquarrelled。"Don’treproacheachotherforyourbasket，"shoutedagamintothem。Another，inordertogetalookatDebackerashepassed，andbeingtoosmallinthecrowd，caughtsightofthelanternonthequayandclimbedit。Agendarmestationedoppositefrowned。"Letmeclimbup，m’sieulegendarme，"
　　saidthegamin。And，tosoftentheheartoftheauthoritiesheadded:
　　"Iwillnotfall。""Idon’tcareifyoudo，"retortedthegendarme。
　　Inthebrotherhoodofgamins，amemorableaccidentcountsforagreatdeal。Onereachestheheightofconsiderationifonechancestocutone’sselfverydeeply，"totheverybone。"
　　Thefistisnomediocreelementofrespect。Oneofthethingsthatthegaminisfondestofsayingis:"Iamfineandstrong，comenow！"Tobeleft—handedrendersyouveryenviable。Asquintishighlyesteemed。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　INWHICHTHEREADERWILLFINDACHARMINGSAYINGOFTHELASTKING
　　Insummer，hemetamorphoseshimselfintoafrog；andintheevening，whennightisfalling，infrontofthebridgesofAusterlitzandJena，fromthetopsofcoalwagons，andthewasherwomen’sboats，hehurlshimselfheadlongintotheSeine，andintoallpossibleinfractionsofthelawsofmodestyandofthepolice。Neverthelessthepolicekeepaneyeonhim，andtheresultisahighlydramaticsituationwhichoncegaverisetoafraternalandmemorablecry；
　　thatcrywhichwascelebratedabout1830，isastrategicwarningfromgamintogamin；itscanslikeaversefromHomer，withanotationasinexpressibleastheeleusiacchantofthePanathenaea，andinitoneencountersagaintheancientEvohe。Hereitis:
　　"Ohe，Titi，oheee！Herecomesthebobby，herecomesthep’lice，pickupyourdudsandbeoff，throughthesewerwithyou！"
　　Sometimesthisgnat——thatiswhathecallshimself——knowshowtoread；
　　sometimesheknowshowtowrite；healwaysknowshowtodaub。
　　Hedoesnothesitatetoacquire，bynooneknowswhatmysteriousmutualinstruction，allthetalentswhichcanbeofusetothepublic；
　　from1815to1830，heimitatedthecryoftheturkey；from1830
　　to1848，hescrawledpearsonthewalls。Onesummerevening，whenLouisPhilippewasreturninghomeonfoot，hesawalittlefellow，nohigherthanhisknee，perspiringandclimbinguptodrawagiganticpearincharcoalononeofthepillarsofthegateofNeuilly；
　　theKing，withthatgood—naturewhichcametohimfromHenryIV。，helpedthegamin，finishedthepear，andgavethechildalouis，saying:"Thepearisonthatalso。"[19]Thegaminlovesuproar。
　　Acertainstateofviolencepleaseshim。Heexecrates"thecures。"
　　Oneday，intheRuedel’Universite，oneofthesescampswasputtinghisthumbtohisnoseatthecarriagegateofNo。69。"Whyareyoudoingthatatthegate？"apasser—byasked。Theboyreplied:
　　"Thereisacurethere。"Itwasthere，infact，thatthePapalNunciolived。
　　[19]LouisXVIII。isrepresentedincomicpicturesofthatdayashavingapear—shapedhead。
　　Nevertheless，whatevermaybetheVoltairianismofthesmallgamin，iftheoccasiontobecomeachoristerpresentsitself，itisquitepossiblethathewillaccept，andinthatcaseheservesthemasscivilly。TherearetwothingstowhichheplaysTantalus，andwhichhealwaysdesireswithouteverattainingthem:
　　tooverthrowthegovernment，andtogethistrouserssewedupagain。
　　ThegamininhisperfectstatepossessesallthepolicemenofParis，andcanalwaysputthenametothefaceofanyonewhichhechancestomeet。Hecantellthemoffonthetipsofhisfingers。
　　Hestudiestheirhabits，andhehasspecialnotesoneachoneofthem。Hereadsthesoulsofthepolicelikeanopenbook。
　　Hewilltellyoufluentlyandwithoutflinching:"Suchanoneisatraitor；suchanotherisverymalicious；suchanotherisgreat；suchanotherisridiculous。"（Allthesewords:
　　traitor，malicious，great，ridiculous，haveaparticularmeaninginhismouth。）ThatoneimaginesthatheownsthePont—Neuf，andhepreventspeoplefromwalkingonthecorniceoutsidetheparapet；
　　thatotherhasamaniaforpullingperson’sears；etc。，etc。
　　CHAPTERIX
　　THEOLDSOULOFGAUL
　　TherewassomethingofthatboyinPoquelin，thesonofthefish—market；
　　Beaumarchaishadsomethingofit。GaminerieisashadeoftheGallicspirit。Mingledwithgoodsense，itsometimesaddsforcetothelatter，asalcoholdoestowine。Sometimesitisadefect。
　　Homerrepeatshimselfeternally，granted；onemaysaythatVoltaireplaysthegamin。CamilleDesmoulinswasanativeofthefaubourgs。Championnet，whotreatedmiraclesbrutally，rosefromthepavementsofParis；hehad，whenasmalllad，inundatedtheporticosofSaint—JeandeBeauvais，andofSaint—EtienneduMont；hehadaddressedtheshrineofSainte—GenevievefamiliarlytogiveorderstothephialofSaintJanuarius。
　　ThegaminofParisisrespectful，ironical，andinsolent。Hehasvillainousteeth，becauseheisbadlyfedandhisstomachsuffers，andhandsomeeyesbecausehehaswit。IfJehovahhimselfwerepresent，hewouldgohoppingupthestepsofparadiseononefoot。
　　Heisstrongonboxing。Allbeliefsarepossibletohim。
　　Heplaysinthegutter，andstraightenshimselfupwitharevolt；
　　hiseffronterypersistseveninthepresenceofgrape—shot；hewasascapegrace，heisahero；likethelittleTheban，heshakestheskinfromthelion；Barrathedrummer—boywasagaminofParis；heShouts:
　　"Forward！"asthehorseofScripturesays"Vah！"andinamomenthehaspassedfromthesmallbrattothegiant。
　　Thischildofthepuddleisalsothechildoftheideal。
　　MeasurethatspreadofwingswhichreachesfromMolieretoBarra。
　　Tosumupthewhole，andinoneword，thegaminisabeingwhoamuseshimself，becauseheisunhappy。
　　CHAPTERX
　　ECCEPARIS，ECCEHOMO
　　Tosumitalluponcemore，theParisgaminofto—day，likethegraeculusofRomeindaysgoneby，istheinfantpopulacewiththewrinkleoftheoldworldonhisbrow。
　　Thegaminisagracetothenation，andatthesametimeadisease；
　　adiseasewhichmustbecured，how？Bylight。
　　Lightrendershealthy。
　　Lightkindles。
　　Allgeneroussocialirradiationsspringfromscience，letters，arts，education。Makemen，makemen。Givethemlightthattheymaywarmyou。
　　Soonerorlaterthesplendidquestionofuniversaleducationwillpresentitselfwiththeirresistibleauthorityoftheabsolutetruth；
　　andthen，thosewhogovernunderthesuperintendenceoftheFrenchideawillhavetomakethischoice；thechildrenofFranceorthegaminsofParis；flamesinthelightorwill—o’—the—wispsinthegloom。
　　ThegaminexpressesParis，andParisexpressestheworld。
　　ForParisisatotal。Parisistheceilingofthehumanrace。
　　Thewholeofthisprodigiouscityisaforeshorteningofdeadmannersandlivingmanners。HewhoseesParisthinksheseesthebottomofallhistorywithheavenandconstellationsintheintervals。Parishasacapital，theTown—Hall，aParthenon，Notre—Dame，aMountAventine，theFaubourgSaint—Antoine，anAsinarium，theSorbonne，aPantheon，thePantheon，aViaSacra，theBoulevarddesItaliens，atempleofthewinds，opinion；anditreplacestheGemoniaebyridicule。
　　Itsmajoiscalled"faraud，"itsTransteverinisthemanofthefaubourgs，itshammalisthemarket—porter，itslazzaroneisthepegre，itscockneyisthenativeofGhent。EverythingthatexistselsewhereexistsatParis。ThefishwomanofDumarsaiscanretortontheherb—sellerofEuripides，thediscobolsVejanuslivesagainintheForioso，thetight—ropedancer。TherapontigonusMilescouldwalkarminarmwithVadeboncoeurthegrenadier，Damasippusthesecond—handdealerwouldbehappyamongbric—a—bracmerchants，VincennescouldgraspSocratesinitsfistasjustasAgoracouldimprisonDiderot，GrimoddelaReynierediscoveredlardedroastbeef，asCurtillusinventedroasthedgehog，weseethetrapezewhichfiguresinPlautusreappearunderthevaultoftheArcofl’Etoile，thesword—eaterofPoecilusencounteredbyApuleiusisasword—swalloweronthePontNeuf，thenephewofRameauandCurculiotheparasitemakeapair，ErgasiluscouldgethimselfpresentedtoCambaceresbyd’Aigrefeuille；
　　thefourdandiesofRome:Alcesimarchus，Phoedromus，Diabolus，andArgyrippus，descendfromCourtilleinLabatut’sposting—chaise；
　　AulusGelliuswouldhaltnolongerinfrontofCongriothanwouldCharlesNodierinfrontofPunchinello；Martoisnotatigress，butPardaliscawasnotadragon；PantolabusthewagjeersintheCafeAnglaisatNomentanusthefastliver，HermogenusisatenorintheChamps—Elysees，androundhim，Thraciusthebeggar，cladlikeBobeche，takesupacollection；theborewhostopsyoubythebuttonofyourcoatintheTuileriesmakesyourepeatafteralapseoftwothousandyearsThesprion’sapostrophe:Quisproperantemmeprehenditpallio？
　　ThewineonSureneisaparodyofthewineofAlba，theredborderofDesaugiersformsabalancetothegreatcuttingofBalatro，PereLachaiseexhalesbeneathnocturnalrainssamegleamsastheEsquiliae，andthegraveofthepoorboughtforfiveyears，iscertainlytheequivalentoftheslave’shivedcoffin。
　　SeeksomethingthatParishasnot。ThevatofTrophoniuscontainsnothingthatisnotinMesmer’stub；ErgaphilaslivesagaininCagliostro；theBrahminVasaphantabecomeincarnateintheComtedeSaint—Germain；thecemeteryofSaint—MedardworksquiteasgoodmiraclesastheMosqueofOumoumieatDamascus。
　　ParishasanAEsop—Mayeux，andaCanidia，MademoiselleLenormand。
　　Itisterrified，likeDelphosatthefulguratingrealitiesofthevision；itmakestablesturnasDodonadidtripods。Itplacesthegrisetteonthethrone，asRomeplacedthecourtesanthere；
　　and，takingitaltogether，ifLouisXV。isworsethanClaudian，MadameDubarryisbetterthanMessalina。Pariscombinesinanunprecedentedtype，whichhasexistedandwhichwehaveelbowed，Greciannudity，theHebraiculcer，andtheGasconpun。
　　ItminglesDiogenes，Job，andJack—pudding，dressesupaspectreinoldnumbersoftheConstitutional，andmakesChodrucDuclos。
　　AlthoughPlutarchsays:thetyrantnevergrowsold，Rome，underSyllaasunderDomitian，resigneditselfandwillinglyputwaterinitswine。TheTiberwasaLethe，iftheratherdoctrinaryeulogiummadeofitbyVarusVibiscusistobecredited:ContraGracchosTiberimhabemus，BibereTiberim，idestseditionemoblivisci。
　　Parisdrinksamillionlitresofwateraday，butthatdoesnotpreventitfromoccasionallybeatingthegeneralalarmandringingthetocsin。
　　Withthatexception，Parisisamiable。Itacceptseverythingroyally；
　　itisnottooparticularaboutitsVenus；itsCallipygeisHottentot；
　　providedthatitismadetolaugh，itcondones；uglinesscheersit，deformityprovokesittolaughter，vicedivertsit；beeccentricandyoumaybeaneccentric；evenhypocrisy，thatsupremecynicism，doesnotdisgustit；itissoliterarythatitdoesnotholditsnosebeforeBasile，andisnomorescandalizedbytheprayerofTartuffethanHoracewasrepelledbythe"hiccup"ofPriapus。
　　NotraitoftheuniversalfaceislackingintheprofileofParis。
　　ThebalMabileisnotthepolymniadanceoftheJaniculum，butthedealerinladies’wearingappareltheredevoursthelorettewithhereyes，exactlyastheprocuressStaphylalayinwaitforthevirginPlanesium。TheBarriereduCombatisnottheColiseum，butpeopleareasferociousthereasthoughCaesarwerelookingon。
　　TheSyrianhostesshasmoregracethanMotherSaguet，but，ifVirgilhauntedtheRomanwine—shop，Davidd’Angers，BalzacandCharlethavesatatthetablesofParisiantaverns。Parisreigns。
　　Geniusesflashforththere，theredtailsprosperthere。
　　Adonaipassesonhischariotwithitstwelvewheelsofthunderandlightning；Silenusmakeshisentrythereonhisass。ForSilenusreadRamponneau。
　　ParisisthesynonymofCosmos，ParisisAthens，Sybaris，Jerusalem，Pantin。Allcivilizationsarethereinanabridgedform，allbarbarismsalso。Pariswouldgreatlyregretitifithadnotaguillotine。
　　AlittleofthePlacedeGreveisagoodthing。Whatwouldallthateternalfestivalbewithoutthisseasoning？Ourlawsarewiselyprovided，andthankstothem，thisbladedripsonthisShroveTuesday。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　TOSCOFF，TOREIGN
　　ThereisnolimittoParis。Nocityhashadthatdominationwhichsometimesderidesthosewhomitsubjugates。Topleaseyou，OAthenians！exclaimedAlexander。Parismakesmorethanthelaw，itmakesthefashion；Parissetsmorethanthefashion，itsetstheroutine。Parismaybestupid，ifitseesfit；itsometimesallowsitselfthisluxury；thentheuniverseisstupidincompanywithit；thenParisawakes，rubsitseyes，says:"HowstupidIam！"andburstsoutlaughinginthefaceofthehumanrace。
　　Whatamarvelissuchacity！itisastrangethingthatthisgrandiosenessandthisburlesqueshouldbeamicableneighbors，thatallthismajestyshouldnotbethrownintodisorderbyallthisparody，andthatthesamemouthcanto—dayblowintothetrumpoftheJudgmentDay，andto—morrowintothereed—flute！Parishasasovereignjoviality。Itsgayetyisofthethunderanditsfarceholdsasceptre。
　　Itstempestsometimesproceedsfromagrimace。Itsexplosions，itsdays，itsmasterpieces，itsprodigies，itsepics，goforthtotheboundsoftheuniverse，andsoalsodoitscock—and—bullstories。
　　Itslaughisthemouthofavolcanowhichspattersthewholeearth。
　　Itsjestsaresparks。Itimposesitscaricaturesaswellasitsidealonpeople；thehighestmonumentsofhumancivilizationacceptitsironiesandlendtheireternitytoitsmischievouspranks。
　　Itissuperb；ithasaprodigious14thofJuly，whichdeliverstheglobe；itforcesallnationstotaketheoathoftennis；
　　itsnightofthe4thofAugustdissolvesinthreehoursathousandyearsoffeudalism；itmakesofitslogicthemuscleofunanimouswill；
　　itmultipliesitselfunderallsortsofformsofthesublime；
　　itfillswithitslightWashington，Kosciusko，Bolivar，Bozzaris，Riego，Bem，Manin，Lopez，JohnBrown，Garibaldi；itiseverywherewherethefutureisbeinglightedup，atBostonin1779，attheIsledeLeonin1820，atPesthin1848，atPalermoin1860，itwhispersthemightycountersign:Liberty，intheearoftheAmericanabolitionistsgroupedabouttheboatatHarper’sFerry，andintheearofthepatriotsofAnconaassembledintheshadow，totheArchibeforetheGozziinnontheseashore；itcreatesCanaris；
　　itcreatesQuiroga；itcreatesPisacane；itirradiatesthegreatonearth；itwaswhileproceedingwhitheritsbreathurgethem，thatByronperishedatMissolonghi，andthatMazetdiedatBarcelona；
　　itisthetribuneunderthefeetofMirabeau，andacraterunderthefeetofRobespierre；itsbooks，itstheatre，itsart，itsscience，itsliterature，itsphilosophy，arethemanualsofthehumanrace；
　　ithasPascal，Regnier，Corneille，Descartes，Jean—Jacques:Voltaireforallmoments，Moliereforallcenturies；itmakesitslanguagetobetalkedbytheuniversalmouth，andthatlanguagebecomestheword；
　　itconstructsinallmindstheideaofprogress，theliberatingdogmaswhichitforgesareforthegenerationstrustyfriends，anditiswiththesoulofitsthinkersanditspoetsthatallheroesofallnationshavebeenmadesince1789；thisdoesnotpreventvagabondism，andthatenormousgeniuswhichiscalledParis，whiletransfiguringtheworldbyitslight，sketchesincharcoalBouginier’snoseonthewallofthetempleofTheseusandwritesCredevillethethiefonthePyramids。
　　Parisisalwaysshowingitsteeth；whenitisnotscoldingitislaughing。
　　SuchisParis。Thesmokeofitsroofsformstheideasoftheuniverse。
　　Aheapofmudandstone，ifyouwill，but，aboveall，amoralbeing。
　　Itismorethangreat，itisimmense。Why？Becauseitisdaring。
　　Todare；thatisthepriceofprogress。
　　Allsublimeconquestsare，moreorless，theprizesofdaring。
　　InorderthattheRevolutionshouldtakeplace，itdoesnotsufficethatMontesquieushouldforeseeit，thatDiderotshouldpreachit，thatBeaumarchaisshouldannounceit，thatCondorcetshouldcalculateit，thatArouetshouldprepareit，thatRousseaushouldpremeditateit；
　　itisnecessarythatDantonshoulddareit。
　　Thecry:Audacity！isaFiatlux。Itisnecessary，forthesakeoftheforwardmarchofthehumanrace，thatthereshouldbeproudlessonsofcouragepermanentlyontheheights。Daringdeedsdazzlehistoryandareoneofman’sgreatsourcesoflight。
　　Thedawndareswhenitrises。Toattempt，tobrave，topersist，topersevere，tobefaithfultoone’sself，tograspfatebodily，toastoundcatastrophebythesmallamountoffearthatitoccasionsus，nowtoaffrontunjustpower，againtoinsultdrunkenvictory，toholdone’sposition，tostandone’sground；thatistheexamplewhichnationsneed，thatisthelightwhichelectrifiesthem。
　　ThesameformidablelightningproceedsfromthetorchofPrometheustoCambronne’sshortpipe。
　　CHAPTERXII
　　THEFUTURELATENTINTHEPEOPLE
　　AsfortheParisianpopulace，evenwhenamangrown，itisalwaysthestreetArab；topaintthechildistopaintthecity；anditisforthatreasonthatwehavestudiedthiseagleinthisarrantsparrow。
　　Itisinthefaubourgs，aboveall，wemaintain，thattheParisianraceappears；thereisthepureblood；thereisthetruephysiognomy；
　　therethispeopletoilsandsuffers，andsufferingandtoilarethetwofacesofman。Thereexistthereimmensenumbersofunknownbeings，amongwhomswarmtypesofthestrangest，fromtheporteroflaRapeetotheknackerofMontfaucon。Fexurbis，exclaimsCicero；
　　mob，addsBurke，indignantly；rabble，multitude，populace。Thesearewordsandquicklyuttered。Butsobeit。Whatdoesitmatter？
　　Whatisittomeiftheydogobarefoot！Theydonotknowhowtoread；
　　somuchtheworse。Wouldyouabandonthemforthat？Wouldyouturntheirdistressintoamalediction？Cannotthelightpenetratethesemasses？Letusreturntothatcry:Light！andletusobstinatelypersisttherein！Light！Light！Whoknowswhethertheseopacitieswillnotbecometransparent？Arenotrevolutionstransfigurations？
　　Come，philosophers，teach，enlighten，lightup，thinkaloud，speakaloud，hastenjoyouslytothegreatsun，fraternizewiththepublicplace，announcethegoodnews，spendyouralphabetslavishly，proclaimrights，singtheMarseillaises，sowenthusiasms，teargreenboughsfromtheoaks。Makeawhirlwindoftheidea。
　　Thiscrowdmayberenderedsublime。Letuslearnhowtomakeuseofthatvastconflagrationofprinciplesandvirtues，whichsparkles，burstsforthandquiversatcertainhours。Thesebarefeet，thesebarearms，theserags，theseignorances，theseabjectnesses，thesedarknesses，maybeemployedintheconquestoftheideal。
　　Gazepastthepeople，andyouwillperceivetruth。Letthatvilesandwhichyoutrampleunderfootbecastintothefurnace，letitmeltandseethethere，itwillbecomeasplendidcrystal，anditisthankstoitthatGalileoandNewtonwilldiscoverstars。
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　LITTLEGAVROCHE
　　Eightornineyearsaftertheeventsnarratedinthesecondpartofthisstory，peoplenoticedontheBoulevardduTemple，andintheregionsoftheChateau—d’Eau，alittleboyelevenortwelveyearsofage，whowouldhaverealizedwithtolerableaccuracythatidealofthegaminsketchedoutabove，if，withthelaughofhisageonhislips，hehadnothadaheartabsolutelysombreandempty。
　　Thischildwaswellmuffledupinapairofman’strousers，buthedidnotgetthemfromhisfather，andawoman’schemise，buthedidnotgetitfromhismother。Somepeopleorotherhadclothedhiminragsoutofcharity。Still，hehadafatherandamother。
　　Buthisfatherdidnotthinkofhim，andhismotherdidnotlovehim。
　　Hewasoneofthosechildrenmostdeservingofpity，amongall，oneofthosewhohavefatherandmother，andwhoareorphansnevertheless。
　　Thischildneverfeltsowellaswhenhewasinthestreet。
　　Thepavementswerelesshardtohimthanhismother’sheart。
　　Hisparentshaddespatchedhimintolifewithakick。
　　Hesimplytookflight。
　　Hewasaboisterous，pallid，nimble，wide—awake，jeering，lad，withavivaciousbutsicklyair。Hewentandcame，sang，playedathopscotch，scrapedthegutters，stolealittle，but，likecatsandsparrows，gaylylaughedwhenhewascalledarogue，andgotangrywhencalledathief。Hehadnoshelter，nobread，nofire，nolove；
　　buthewasmerrybecausehewasfree。
　　Whenthesepoorcreaturesgrowtobemen，themillstonesofthesocialordermeetthemandcrushthem，butsolongastheyarechildren，theyescapebecauseoftheirsmallness。Thetiniestholesavesthem。
　　Nevertheless，abandonedasthischildwas，itsometimeshappened，everytwoorthreemonths，thathesaid，"Come，I’llgoandseemamma！"
　　Thenhequittedtheboulevard，theCirque，thePorteSaint—Martin，descendedtothequays，crossedthebridges，reachedthesuburbs，arrivedattheSalpetriere，andcametoahalt，where？Preciselyatthatdoublenumber50—52withwhichthereaderisacquainted——
　　attheGorbeauhovel。
　　Atthatepoch，thehovel50—52generallydesertedandeternallydecoratedwiththeplacard:"Chamberstolet，"chancedtobe，ararething，inhabitedbynumerousindividualswho，however，asisalwaysthecaseinParis，hadnoconnectionwitheachother。
　　Allbelongedtothatindigentclasswhichbeginstoseparatefromthelowestofpettybourgeoisieinstraitenedcircumstances，andwhichextendsfrommiserytomiseryintothelowestdepthsofsocietydowntothosetwobeingsinwhomallthematerialthingsofcivilizationend，thesewer—manwhosweepsupthemud，andtheragpickerwhocollectsscraps。
　　The"principallodger"ofJeanValjean’sdaywasdeadandhadbeenreplacedbyanotherexactlylikeher。Iknownotwhatphilosopherhassaid:"Oldwomenareneverlacking。"
　　ThisnewoldwomanwasnamedMadameBourgon，andhadnothingremarkableaboutherlifeexceptadynastyofthreeparoquets，whohadreignedinsuccessionoverhersoul。
　　Themostmiserableofthosewhoinhabitedthehovelwereafamilyoffourpersons，consistingoffather，mother，andtwodaughters，alreadywellgrown，allfourofwhomwerelodgedinthesameattic，oneofthecellswhichwehavealreadymentioned。
　　Atfirstsight，thisfamilypresentednoveryspecialfeatureexceptitsextremedestitution；thefather，whenhehiredthechamber，hadstatedthathisnamewasJondrette。Sometimeafterhismovingin，whichhadborneasingularresemblancetotheentranceofnothingatall，toborrowthememorableexpressionoftheprincipaltenant，thisJondrettehadsaidtothewoman，who，likeherpredecessor，wasatthesametimeportressandstair—sweeper:"MotherSo—and—So，ifanyoneshouldchancetocomeandinquireforaPoleoranItalian，orevenaSpaniard，perchance，itisI。"
　　Thisfamilywasthatofthemerrybarefootboy。Hearrivedthereandfounddistress，and，whatisstillsadder，nosmile；
　　acoldhearthandcoldhearts。Whenheentered，hewasasked:
　　"Whencecomeyou？"Hereplied:"Fromthestreet。"Whenhewentaway，theyaskedhim:"Whitherareyougoing？"Hereplied:
　　"Intothestreets。"Hismothersaidtohim:"Whatdidyoucomeherefor？"
　　Thischildlived，inthisabsenceofaffection，likethepaleplantswhichspringupincellars。Itdidnotcausehimsuffering，andheblamednoone。Hedidnotknowexactlyhowafatherandmothershouldbe。
　　Nevertheless，hismotherlovedhissisters。
　　Wehaveforgottentomention，thatontheBoulevardduTemplethischildwascalledLittleGavroche。WhywashecalledLittleGavroche？
　　Probablybecausehisfather’snamewasJondrette。
　　Itseemstobetheinstinctofcertainwretchedfamiliestobreakthethread。
　　ThechamberwhichtheJondrettesinhabitedintheGorbeauhovelwasthelastattheendofthecorridor。ThecellnexttoitwasoccupiedbyaverypooryoungmanwhowascalledM。Marius。
　　LetusexplainwhothisM。Mariuswas。
　　BOOKSECOND。——THEGREATBOURGEOIS
　　CHAPTERI
　　NINETYYEARSANDTHIRTY—TWOTEETH
　　IntheRueBoucherat，RuedeNormandieandtheRuedeSaintongetherestillexistafewancientinhabitantswhohavepreservedthememoryofaworthymannamedM。Gillenormand，andwhomentionhimwithcomplaisance。Thisgoodmanwasoldwhentheywereyoung。
　　Thissilhouettehasnotyetentirelydisappeared——forthosewhoregardwithmelancholythatvagueswarmofshadowswhichiscalledthepast——
　　fromthelabyrinthofstreetsinthevicinityoftheTempletowhich，underLouisXIV。，thenamesofalltheprovincesofFrancewereappendedexactlyasinourday，thestreetsofthenewTivoliquarterhavereceivedthenamesofallthecapitalsofEurope；aprogression，bytheway，inwhichprogressisvisible。
　　M。Gillenormand，whowasasmuchaliveaspossiblein1831，wasoneofthosemenwhohadbecomecuriositiestobeviewed，simplybecausetheyhavelivedalongtime，andwhoarestrangebecausetheyformerlyresembledeverybody，andnowresemblenobody。
　　Hewasapeculiaroldman，andinverytruth，amanofanotherage，thereal，completeandratherhaughtybourgeoisoftheeighteenthcentury，whoworehisgood，oldbourgeoisiewiththeairwithwhichmarquisesweartheirmarquisates。Hewasoverninetyyearsofage，hiswalkwaserect，hetalkedloudly，sawclearly，drankneat，ate，slept，andsnored。Hehadallthirty—twoofhisteeth。
　　Heonlyworespectacleswhenheread。Hewasofanamorousdisposition，butdeclaredthat，forthelasttenyears，hehadwhollyanddecidedlyrenouncedwomen。Hecouldnolongerplease，hesaid；
　　hedidnotadd:"Iamtooold，"but:"Iamtoopoor。"Hesaid:
　　"IfIwerenotruined——Heee！"Allhehadleft，infact，wasanincomeofaboutfifteenthousandfrancs。Hisdreamwastocomeintoaninheritanceandtohaveahundredthousandlivresincomeformistresses。Hedidnotbelong，asthereaderwillperceive，tothatpunyvarietyofoctogenarieswho，likeM。deVoltaire，havebeendyingalltheirlife；hiswasnolongevityofacrackedpot；
　　thisjovialoldmanhadalwayshadgoodhealth。Hewassuperficial，rapid，easilyangered。Heflewintoapassionateverything，generallyquitecontrarytoallreason。Whencontradicted，heraisedhiscane；hebeatpeopleashehaddoneinthegreatcentury。
　　Hehadadaughteroverfiftyyearsofage，andunmarried，whomhechastisedseverelywithhistongue，wheninarage，andwhomhewouldhavelikedtowhip。Sheseemedtohimtobeeightyearsold。
　　Heboxedhisservants’earssoundly，andsaid:"Ah！carogne！"
　　Oneofhisoathswas:"Bythepantouflocheofthepantouflochade！"
　　Hehadsingularfreaksoftranquillity；hehadhimselfshavedeverydaybyabarberwhohadbeenmadandwhodetestedhim，beingjealousofM。Gillenormandonaccountofhiswife，aprettyandcoquettishbarberess。M。Gillenormandadmiredhisowndiscernmentinallthings，anddeclaredthathewasextremelysagacious；
　　hereisoneofhissayings:"Ihave，intruth，somepenetration；
　　Iamabletosaywhenafleabitesme，fromwhatwomanitcame。"
　　Thewordswhichheutteredthemostfrequentlywere:thesensibleman，andnature。Hedidnotgivetothislastwordthegrandacceptationwhichourepochhasaccordedtoit，buthemadeitenter，afterhisownfashion，intohislittlechimney—cornersatires:
　　"Nature，"hesaid，"inorderthatcivilizationmayhavealittleofeverything，givesitevenspecimensofitsamusingbarbarism。
　　EuropepossessesspecimensofAsiaandAfricaonasmallscale。
　　Thecatisadrawing—roomtiger，thelizardisapocketcrocodile。
　　Thedancersattheoperaarepinkfemalesavages。Theydonoteatmen，theycrunchthem；or，magiciansthattheyare，theytransformthemintooystersandswallowthem。TheCaribbeansleaveonlythebones，theyleaveonlytheshell。Suchareourmorals。Wedonotdevour，wegnaw；wedonotexterminate，weclaw。"
　　CHAPTERII
　　LIKEMASTER，LIKEHOUSE
　　HelivedintheMarais，RuedesFilles—du—Calvaire，No。6。
　　Heownedthehouse。Thishousehassincebeendemolishedandrebuilt，andthenumberhasprobablybeenchangedinthoserevolutionsofnumerationwhichthestreetsofParisundergo。Heoccupiedanancientandvastapartmentonthefirstfloor，betweenstreetandgardens，furnishedtotheveryceilingswithgreatGobelinsandBeauvaistapestriesrepresentingpastoralscenes；thesubjectsoftheceilingsandthepanelswererepeatedinminiatureonthearm—chairs。Heenvelopedhisbedinavast，nine—leavedscreenofCoromandellacquer。Long，fullcurtainshungfromthewindows，andformedgreat，brokenfoldsthatwereverymagnificent。
　　Thegardensituatedimmediatelyunderhiswindowswasattachedtothatoneofthemwhichformedtheangle，bymeansofastaircasetwelveorfifteenstepslong，whichtheoldgentlemanascendedanddescendedwithgreatagility。Inadditiontoalibraryadjoininghischamber，hehadaboudoirofwhichhethoughtagreatdeal，agallantandelegantretreat，withmagnificenthangingsofstraw，withapatternofflowersandfleurs—de—lysmadeonthegalleysofLouisXIV。andorderedofhisconvictsbyM。deVivonneforhismistress。M。Gillenormandhadinheriteditfromagrimmaternalgreat—aunt，whohaddiedacentenarian。Hehadhadtwowives。
　　Hismannersweresomethingbetweenthoseofthecourtier，whichhehadneverbeen，andthelawyer，whichhemighthavebeen。
　　Hewasgay，andcaressingwhenhehadamind。Inhisyouthhehadbeenoneofthosemenwhoarealwaysdeceivedbytheirwivesandneverbytheirmistresses，becausetheyare，atthesametime，themostsullenofhusbandsandthemostcharmingofloversinexistence。Hewasaconnoisseurofpainting。Hehadinhischamberamarvellousportraitofnooneknowswhom，paintedbyJordaens，executedwithgreatdashesofthebrush，withmillionsofdetails，inaconfusedandhap—hazardmanner。M。Gillenormand’sattirewasnotthehabitofLouisXIV。noryetthatofLouisXVI。；
　　itwasthatoftheIncroyablesoftheDirectory。Hehadthoughthimselfyounguptothatperiodandhadfollowedthefashions。
　　Hiscoatwasoflight—weightclothwithvoluminousrevers，alongswallow—tailandlargesteelbuttons。Withthisheworeknee—breechesandbuckleshoes。Healwaysthrusthishandsintohisfobs。
　　Hesaidauthoritatively:"TheFrenchRevolutionisaheapofblackguards。"
　　CHAPTERIII
　　LUC—ESPRIT
　　Attheageofsixteen，oneeveningattheopera，hehadhadthehonortobestaredatthroughopera—glassesbytwobeautiesatthesametime——ripeandcelebratedbeautiesthen，andsungbyVoltaire，theCamargoandtheSalle。Caughtbetweentwofires，hehadbeatenaheroicretreattowardsalittledancer，ayounggirlnamedNahenry，whowassixteenlikehimself，obscureasacat，andwithwhomhewasinlove。Heaboundedinmemories。Hewasaccustomedtoexclaim:
　　"Howprettyshewas——thatGuimard—Guimardini—Guimardinette，thelasttimeIsawheratLongchamps，herhaircurledinsustainedsentiments，withhercome—and—seeofturquoises，hergownofthecolorofpersonsnewlyarrived，andherlittleagitationmuff！"
　　HehadworninhisyoungmanhoodawaistcoatofNain—Londrin，whichhewasfondoftalkingabouteffusively。"IwasdressedlikeaTurkoftheLevantLevantin，"saidhe。MadamedeBoufflers，havingseenhimbychancewhenhewastwenty，haddescribedhimas"acharmingfool。"Hewashorrifiedbyallthenameswhichhesawinpoliticsandinpower，regardingthemasvulgarandbourgeois。
　　Hereadthejournals，thenewspapers，thegazettesashesaid，stiflingoutburstsoflaughterthewhile。"Oh！"hesaid，"whatpeopletheseare！Corbiere！Humann！CasimirPerier！
　　There’saministerforyou！Icanimaginethisinajournal:
　　`M。Gillenorman，minister！’thatwouldbeafarce。Well！Theyaresostupidthatitwouldpass"；hemerrilycalledeverythingbyitsname，whetherdecentorindecent，anddidnotrestrainhimselfintheleastbeforeladies。Heutteredcoarsespeeches，obscenities，andfilthwithacertaintranquillityandlackofastonishmentwhichwaselegant。
　　Itwasinkeepingwiththeunceremoniousnessofhiscentury。
　　Itistobenotedthattheageofperiphraseinversewastheageofcruditiesinprose。Hisgod—fatherhadpredictedthathewouldturnoutamanofgenius，andhadbestowedonhimthesetwosignificantnames:Luc—Esprit。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　ACENTENARIANASPIRANT
　　HehadtakenprizesinhisboyhoodattheCollegeofMoulins，wherehewasborn，andhehadbeencrownedbythehandoftheDucdeNivernais，whomhecalledtheDucdeNevers。NeithertheConvention，northedeathofLouisXVI。，northeNapoleon，northereturnoftheBourbons，noranythingelsehadbeenabletoeffacethememoryofthiscrowning。
　　TheDucdeNeverswas，inhiseyes，thegreatfigureofthecentury。
　　"Whatacharminggrandseigneur，"hesaid，"andwhatafineairhehadwithhisblueribbon！"
　　IntheeyesofM。Gillenormand，CatherinetheSecondhadmadereparationforthecrimeofthepartitionofPolandbypurchasing，forthreethousandroubles，thesecretoftheelixirofgold，fromBestucheff。
　　Hegrewanimatedonthissubject:"Theelixirofgold，"heexclaimed，"theyellowdyeofBestucheff，GeneralLamotte’sdrops，intheeighteenthcentury，——thiswasthegreatremedyforthecatastrophesoflove，thepanaceaagainstVenus，atonelouisthehalf—ouncephial。
　　LouisXV。senttwohundredphialsofittothePope。"Hewouldhavebeengreatlyirritatedandthrownoffhisbalance，hadanyonetoldhimthattheelixirofgoldisnothingbuttheperchlorideofiron。
　　M。GillenormandadoredtheBourbons，andhadahorrorof1789；
　　hewasforevernarratinginwhatmannerhehadsavedhimselfduringtheTerror，andhowhehadbeenobligedtodisplayavastdealofgayetyandclevernessinordertoescapehavinghisheadcutoff。
　　IfanyyoungmanventuredtopronounceaneulogiumontheRepublicinhispresence，heturnedpurpleandgrewsoangrythathewasonthepointofswooning。Hesometimesalludedtohisninetyyears，andsaid，"IhopethatIshallnotseeninety—threetwice。"
　　Ontheseoccasions，hehintedtopeoplethathemeanttolivetobeahundred。
　　CHAPTERV
　　BASQUEANDNICOLETTE
　　Hehadtheories。Hereisoneofthem:"Whenamanispassionatelyfondofwomen，andwhenhehashimselfawifeforwhomhecaresbutlittle，whoishomely，cross，legitimate，withplentyofrights，perchedonthecode，andjealousatneed，thereisbutonewayofextricatinghimselffromthequandryandofprocuringpeace，andthatistolethiswifecontrolthepurse—strings。Thisabdicationsetshimfree。Thenhiswifebusiesherself，growspassionatelyfondofhandlingcoin，getsherfingerscoveredwithverdigrisintheprocess，undertakestheeducationofhalf—sharetenantsandthetrainingoffarmers，convokeslawyers，presidesovernotaries，haranguesscriveners，visitslimbsofthelaw，followslawsuits，drawsupleases，dictatescontracts，feelsherselfthesovereign，sells，buys，regulates，promisesandcompromises，bindsfastandannuls，yields，concedesandretrocedes，arranges，disarranges，hoards，lavishes；shecommitsfollies，asupremeandpersonaldelight，andthatconsolesher。Whileherhusbanddisdainsher，shehasthesatisfactionofruiningherhusband。"
　　ThistheoryM。Gillenormandhadhimselfapplied，andithadbecomehishistory。Hiswife——thesecondone——hadadministeredhisfortuneinsuchamannerthat，onefineday，whenM。Gillenormandfoundhimselfawidower，thereremainedtohimjustsufficienttoliveon，bysinkingnearlythewholeofitinanannuityoffifteenthousandfrancs，three—quartersofwhichwouldexpirewithhim。
　　Hehadnothesitatedonthispoint，notbeinganxioustoleaveapropertybehindhim。Besides，hehadnoticedthatpatrimoniesaresubjecttoadventures，and，forinstance，becomenationalproperty；
　　hehadbeenpresentattheavatarsofconsolidatedthreepercents，andhehadnogreatfaithintheGreatBookofthePublicDebt。
　　"Allthat’stheRueQuincampois！"hesaid。HishouseintheRueFilles—du—Clavairebelongedtohim，aswehavealreadystated。
　　Hehadtwoservants，"amaleandafemale。"Whenaservantenteredhisestablishment，M。Gillenormandre—baptizedhim。Hebestowedonthementhenameoftheirprovince:Nimois，Comtois，Poitevin，Picard。
　　Hislastvaletwasabig，foundered，short—windedfellowoffifty—five，whowasincapableofrunningtwentypaces；but，ashehadbeenbornatBayonne，M。GillenormandcalledhimBasque。AllthefemaleservantsinhishousewerecalledNicolette（eventheMagnon，ofwhomweshallhearmorefartheron）。Oneday，ahaughtycook，acordonbleu，oftheloftyraceofporters，presentedherself。
　　"Howmuchwagesdoyouwantamonth？"askedM。Gillenormand。
　　"Thirtyfrancs。""Whatisyourname？""Olympie。""Youshallhavefiftyfrancs，andyoushallbecalledNicolette。"
　　CHAPTERVI
　　INWHICHMAGNONANDHERTWOCHILDRENARESEEN
　　WithM。Gillenormand，sorrowwasconvertedintowrath；hewasfuriousatbeingindespair。Hehadallsortsofprejudicesandtookallsortsofliberties。Oneofthefactsofwhichhisexteriorreliefandhisinternalsatisfactionwascomposed，was，aswehavejusthinted，thathehadremainedabriskspark，andthathepassedenergeticallyforsuch。Thishecalledhaving"royalrenown。"
　　Thisroyalrenownsometimesdrewdownuponhimsingularwindfalls。
　　Oneday，therewasbroughttohiminabasket，asthoughithadbeenabasketofoysters，astout，newlybornboy，whowasyellinglikethedeuce，anddulywrappedinswaddling—clothes，whichaservant—maid，dismissedsixmonthspreviously，attributedtohim。
　　M。Gillenormandhad，atthattime，fullycompletedhiseighty—fourthyear。Indignationanduproarintheestablishment。
　　Andwhomdidthatboldhussythinkshecouldpersuadetobelievethat？
　　Whataudacity！Whatanabominablecalumny！M。Gillenormandhimselfwasnotatallenraged。Hegazedatthebratwiththeamiablesmileofagoodmanwhoisflatteredbythecalumny，andsaidinanaside:
　　"Well，whatnow？What’sthematter？Youarefinelytakenaback，andreally，youareexcessivelyignorant。M。leDucd’Angouleme，thebastardofhisMajestyCharlesIX。，marriedasillyjadeoffifteenwhenhewaseighty—five；M。Virginal，Marquisd’Alluye，brothertotheCardinaldeSourdis，ArchbishopofBordeaux，had，attheageofeighty—three，bythemaidofMadamelaPresidenteJacquin，ason，arealchildoflove，whobecameaChevalierofMaltaandacounsellorofstate；oneofthegreatmenofthiscentury，theAbbeTabaraud，isthesonofamanofeighty—seven。Thereisnothingoutoftheordinaryinthesethings。Andthen，theBible！
　　UponthatIdeclarethatthislittlegentlemanisnoneofmine。
　　Lethimbetakencareof。Itisnothisfault。"Thismannerofprocedurewasgood—tempered。Thewoman，whosenamewasMagnon，senthimanotherparcelinthefollowingyear。Itwasaboyagain。
　　Thereupon，M。Gillenormandcapitulated。Hesentthetwobratsbacktotheirmother，promisingtopayeightyfrancsamonthfortheirmaintenance，ontheconditionthatthesaidmotherwouldnotdosoanymore。Headded:"Iinsistuponitthatthemothershalltreatthemwell。Ishallgotoseethemfromtimetotime。"
　　Andthishedid。Hehadhadabrotherwhowasapriest，andwhohadbeenrectoroftheAcademyofPoitiersforthreeandthirtyyears，andhaddiedatseventy—nine。"Ilosthimyoung，"saidhe。
　　Thisbrother，ofwhombutlittlememoryremains，wasapeaceablemiser，who，beingapriest，thoughthimselfboundtobestowalmsonthepoorwhomhemet，buthenevergavethemanythingexceptbadordemonetizedsous，therebydiscoveringameansofgoingtohellbywayofparadise。AsforM。Gillenormandtheelder，heneverhaggledoverhisalms—giving，butgavegladlyandnobly。
　　Hewaskindly，abrupt，charitable，andifhehadbeenrich，histurnofmindwouldhavebeenmagnificent。Hedesiredthatallwhichconcernedhimshouldbedoneinagrandmanner，evenhisrogueries。Oneday，havingbeencheatedbyabusinessmaninamatterofinheritance，inagrossandapparentmanner，heutteredthissolemnexclamation:"Thatwasindecentlydone！
　　Iamreallyashamedofthispilfering。Everythinghasdegeneratedinthiscentury，eventherascals。Morbleu！thisisnotthewaytorobamanofmystanding。Iamrobbedasthoughinaforest，butbadlyrobbed。Silva，sintconsuledignae！"Hehadhadtwowives，aswehavealreadymentioned；bythefirsthehadhadadaughter，whohadremainedunmarried，andbythesecondanotherdaughter，whohaddiedatabouttheageofthirty，whohadwedded，throughlove，orchance，orotherwise，asoldieroffortunewhohadservedinthearmiesoftheRepublicandoftheEmpire，whohadwonthecrossatAusterlitzandhadbeenmadecolonelatWaterloo。
　　"Heisthedisgraceofmyfamily，"saidtheoldbourgeois。
　　Hetookanimmenseamountofsnuff，andhadaparticularlygracefulmannerofpluckingathislacerufflewiththebackofonehand。
　　HebelievedverylittleinGod。