Anideaoccurredtohim，alastidea，aflashofinspiration；
　　hedrewfromhispockettheendofBrujon’srope，whichhehaddetachedfromthechimneyoftheNewBuilding，andflungitintothespaceenclosedbythefence。
　　Thisropefellattheirfeet。
　　"Awidow，"[37]saidBabet。
　　[37]ArgotoftheTemple。
　　"Mytortouse！"[38]saidBrujon。
　　[38]Argotofthebarriers。
　　"Thetavern—keeperisthere，"saidMontparnasse。
　　Theyraisedtheireyes。Thenardierthrustouthisheadaverylittle。
　　"Quick！"saidMontparnasse，"haveyoutheotherendoftherope，Brujon？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Knotthetwopiecestogether，we’llflinghimtherope，hecanfastenittothewall，andhe’llhaveenoughofittogetdownwith。"
　　Thenardierrantherisk，andspoke:——
　　"Iamparalyzedwithcold。"
　　"We’llwarmyouup。"
　　"Ican’tbudge。"
　　"Letyourselfslide，we’llcatchyou。"
　　"Myhandsarebenumbed。"
　　"Onlyfastentheropetothewall。"
　　"Ican’t。"
　　"Thenoneofusmustclimbup，"saidMontparnasse。
　　"Threestories！"ejaculatedBrujon。
　　Anancientplasterflue，whichhadservedforastovethathadbeenusedintheshantyinformertimes，ranalongthewallandmountedalmosttotheveryspotwheretheycouldseeThenardier。
　　Thisflue，thenmuchdamagedandfullofcracks，hassincefallen，butthemarksofitarestillvisible。
　　Itwasverynarrow。
　　"Onemightgetupbythehelpofthat，"saidMontparnasse。
　　"Bythatflue？"exclaimedBabet，"agrown—upcove，never！itwouldtakeabrat。"
　　"Abratmustbegot，"resumedBrujon。
　　"Wherearewetofindayoung’un？"saidGuelemer。
　　"Wait，"saidMontparnasse。"I’vegottheveryarticle。"
　　Heopenedthegateofthefenceverysoftly，madesurethatnoonewaspassingalongthestreet，steppedoutcautiously，shutthegatebehindhim，andsetoffataruninthedirectionoftheBastille。
　　Sevenoreightminuteselapsed，eightthousandcenturiestoThenardier；
　　Babet，Brujon，andGuelemerdidnotopentheirlips；atlastthegateopenedoncemore，andMontparnasseappeared，breathless，andfollowedbyGavroche。Therainstillrenderedthestreetcompletelydeserted。
　　LittleGavrocheenteredtheenclosureandgazedattheformsoftheseruffianswithatranquilair。Thewaterwasdrippingfromhishair。
　　Guelemeraddressedhim:——
　　"Areyouaman，young’un？"
　　Gavrocheshruggedhisshoulders，andreplied:——
　　"Ayoung’unlikeme’saman，andmenlikeyouarebabes。"
　　"Thebrat’stongue’swellhung！"exclaimedBabet。
　　"TheParisbratain’tmadeofstraw，"addedBrujon。
　　"Whatdoyouwant？"askedGavroche。
　　Montparnasseanswered:——
　　"Climbupthatflue。"
　　"Withthisrope，"saidBabet。
　　"Andfastenit，"continuedBrujon。
　　"Tothetopofthewall，"wentonBabet。
　　"Tothecross—barofthewindow，"addedBrujon。
　　"Andthen？"saidGavroche。
　　"There！"saidGuelemer。
　　Thegaminexaminedtherope，theflue，thewall，thewindows，andmadethatindescribableanddisdainfulnoisewithhislipswhichsignifies:——
　　"Isthatall！"
　　"There’samanuptherewhomyouaretosave，"resumedMontparnasse。
　　"Willyou？"beganBrujonagain。
　　"Greenhorn！"repliedthelad，asthoughthequestionappearedamostunprecedentedonetohim。
　　Andhetookoffhisshoes。
　　GuelemerseizedGavrochebyonearm，sethimontheroofoftheshanty，whoseworm—eatenplanksbentbeneaththeurchin’sweight，andhandedhimtheropewhichBrujonhadknottedtogetherduringMontparnasse’sabsence。Thegamindirectedhisstepstowardstheflue，whichitwaseasytoenter，thankstoalargecrackwhichtouchedtheroof。Atthemomentwhenhewasonthepointofascending，Thenardier，whosawlifeandsafetyapproaching，bentovertheedgeofthewall；thefirstlightofdawnstruckwhiteuponhisbrowdrippingwithsweat，uponhislividcheek—bones，hissharpandsavagenose，hisbristlinggraybeard，andGavrocherecognizedhim。
　　"Hullo！it’smyfather！Oh，thatwon’thinder。"
　　Andtakingtheropeinhisteeth，heresolutelybegantheascent。
　　Hereachedthesummitofthehut，bestrodetheoldwallasthoughithadbeenahorse。andknottedtheropefirmlytotheuppercross—barofthewindow。
　　Amomentlater，Thenardierwasinthestreet。
　　Assoonashetouchedthepavement，assoonashefoundhimselfoutofdanger，hewasnolongereitherweary，orchilledortrembling；
　　theterriblethingsfromwhichhehadescapedvanishedlikesmoke，allthatstrangeandferociousmindawokeoncemore，andstooderectandfree，readytomarchonward。
　　Thesewerethisman’sfirstwords:——
　　"Now，whomarewetoeat？"
　　Itisuselesstoexplainthesenseofthisfrightfullytransparentremark，whichsignifiesbothtokill，toassassinate，andtoplunder。
　　Toeat，truesense:todevour。
　　"Let’sgetwellintoacorner，"saidBrujon。"Let’ssettleitinthreewords，andpartatonce。TherewasanaffairthatpromisedwellintheRuePlumet，adesertedstreet，anisolatedhouse，anoldrottengateonagarden，andlonewomen。"
　　"Well！whynot？"demandedThenardier。
　　"Yourgirl，Eponine，wenttoseeaboutthematter，"repliedBabet。
　　"AndshebroughtabiscuittoMagnon，"addedGuelemer。"Nothingtobemadethere。"
　　"Thegirl’snofool，"saidThenardier。"Still，itmustbeseento。"
　　"Yes，yes，"saidBrujon，"itmustbelookedup。"
　　Inthemeanwhile，noneofthemenseemedtoseeGavroche，who，duringthiscolloquy，hadseatedhimselfononeofthefence—posts；
　　hewaitedafewmoments，thinkingthatperhapshisfatherwouldturntowardshim，thenheputonhisshoesagain，andsaid:——
　　"Isthatall？Youdon’twantanymore，mymen？Nowyou’reoutofyourscrape。I’moff。Imustgoandgetmybratsoutofbed。"
　　Andoffhewent。
　　Thefivemenemerged，oneafteranother，fromtheenclosure。
　　WhenGavrochehaddisappearedatthecorneroftheRuedesBallets，BabettookThenardieraside。
　　"Didyoutakeagoodlookatthatyoung’un？"heasked。
　　"Whatyoung’un？"
　　"Theonewhoclimbedthewallandcarriedyoutherope。"
　　"Notparticularly。"
　　"Well，Idon’tknow，butitstrikesmethatitwasyourson。"
　　"Bah！"saidThenardier，"doyouthinkso？"
　　BOOKSEVENTH。——SLANG
　　CHAPTERI
　　ORIGIN
　　Pigritiaisaterribleword。
　　Itengendersawholeworld，lapegre，forwhichreadtheft，andahell，lapegrenne，forwhichreadhunger。
　　Thus，idlenessisthemother。
　　Shehasason，theft，andadaughter，hunger。
　　Whereareweatthismoment？Inthelandofslang。
　　Whatisslang？Itisatoneandthesametime，anationandadialect；
　　itistheftinitstwokinds；peopleandlanguage。
　　When，fourandthirtyyearsago，thenarratorofthisgraveandsombrehistoryintroducedintoaworkwrittenwiththesameaimasthis[39]athiefwhotalkedargot，therearoseamazementandclamor。——"What！How！Argot！Why，argotishorrible！
　　Itisthelanguageofprisons，galleys，convicts，ofeverythingthatismostabominableinsociety！"etc。，etc。
　　[39]TheLastDayofaCondemnedMan。
　　Wehaveneverunderstoodthissortofobjections。
　　Sincethattime，twopowerfulromancers，oneofwhomisaprofoundobserverofthehumanheart，theotheranintrepidfriendofthepeople，BalzacandEugeneSue，havingrepresentedtheirruffiansastalkingtheirnaturallanguage，astheauthorofTheLastDayofaCondemnedMandidin1828，thesameobjectionshavebeenraised。
　　Peoplerepeated:"Whatdoauthorsmeanbythatrevoltingdialect？
　　Slangisodious！Slangmakesoneshudder！"
　　Whodeniesthat？Ofcourseitdoes。
　　Whenitisaquestionofprobingawound，agulf，asociety，sincewhenhasitbeenconsideredwrongtogotoofar？togotothebottom？Wehavealwaysthoughtthatitwassometimesacourageousact，and，atleast，asimpleandusefuldeed，worthyofthesympatheticattentionwhichdutyacceptedandfulfilledmerits。
　　Whyshouldonenotexploreeverything，andstudyeverything？
　　Whyshouldonehaltontheway？Thehaltisamatterdependingonthesounding—line，andnotontheleadsman。
　　Certainly，too，itisneitheranattractivenoraneasytasktoundertakeaninvestigationintothelowestdepthsofthesocialorder，whereterrafirmacomestoanendandwheremudbegins，torummageinthosevague，murkywaves，tofollowup，toseizeandtofling，stillquivering，uponthepavementthatabjectdialectwhichisdrippingwithfilthwhenthusbroughttothelight，thatpustulousvocabularyeachwordofwhichseemsanuncleanringfromamonsterofthemireandtheshadows。Nothingismorelugubriousthanthecontemplationthusinitsnudity，inthebroadlightofthought，ofthehorribleswarmingofslang。Itseems，infact，tobeasortofhorriblebeastmadeforthenightwhichhasjustbeentornfromitscesspool。
　　Onethinksonebeholdsafrightful，living，andbristlingthicketwhichquivers，rustles，wavers，returnstoshadow，threatensandglares。
　　Onewordresemblesaclaw，anotheranextinguishedandbleedingeye，suchandsuchaphraseseemstomoveliketheclawofacrab。
　　Allthisisalivewiththehideousvitalityofthingswhichhavebeenorganizedoutofdisorganization。
　　Now，whenhashorroreverexcludedstudy？Sincewhenhasmaladybanishedmedicine？Canoneimagineanaturalistrefusingtostudytheviper，thebat，thescorpion，thecentipede，thetarantula，andonewhowouldcastthembackintotheirdarkness，saying:"Oh！howuglythatis！"Thethinkerwhoshouldturnasidefromslangwouldresembleasurgeonwhoshouldaverthisfacefromanulcerorawart。
　　Hewouldbelikeaphilologistrefusingtoexamineafactinlanguage，aphilosopherhesitatingtoscrutinizeafactinhumanity。
　　For，itmustbestatedtothosewhoareignorantofthecase，thatargotisbothaliteraryphenomenonandasocialresult。
　　Whatisslang，properlyspeaking？Itisthelanguageofwretchedness。
　　Wemaybestopped；thefactmaybeputtousingeneralterms，whichisonewayofattenuatingit；wemaybetold，thatalltrades，professions，itmaybeadded，alltheaccidentsofthesocialhierarchyandallformsofintelligence，havetheirownslang。
　　Themerchantwhosays:"Montpelliernotactive，Marseillesfinequality，"
　　thebrokeron’changewhosays:"Assetsatendofcurrentmonth，"
　　thegamblerwhosays:"Tiersettout，refaitdepique，"thesheriffoftheNormanIsleswhosays:Theholderinfeerevertingtohislandedestatecannotclaimthefruitsofthatestateduringthehereditaryseizureoftherealestatebythemortgagor，"theplaywrightwhosays:
　　"Thepiecewashissed，"thecomedianwhosays:"I’vemadeahit，"
　　thephilosopherwhosays:"Phenomenaltriplicity，"thehuntsmanwhosays:"Voileciallais，Voilecifuyant，"thephrenologistwhosays:"Amativeness，combativeness，secretiveness，"theinfantrysoldierwhosays:"Myshooting—iron，"thecavalry—manwhosays:
　　"Myturkey—cock，"thefencing—masterwhosays:"Tierce，quarte，break，"
　　theprinterwhosays:"Myshooting—stickandgalley，"——all，printer，fencing—master，cavalrydragoon，infantry—man，phrenologist，huntsman，philosopher，comedian，playwright，sheriff，gambler，stock—broker，andmerchant，speakslang。Thepainterwhosays:
　　"Mygrinder，"thenotarywhosays:"MySkip—the—Gutter，"
　　thehairdresserwhosays:"Mymealyback，"thecobblerwhosays:
　　"Mycub，"talksslang。Strictlyspeaking，ifoneabsolutelyinsistsonthepoint，allthedifferentfashionsofsayingtherightandtheleft，thesailor’sportandstarboard，thescene—shifter’scourt—side，andgarden—side，thebeadle’sGospel—sideandEpistle—side，areslang。
　　Thereistheslangoftheaffectedladyaswellasoftheprecieuses。
　　TheHotelRambouilletnearlyadjoinstheCourdesMiracles。Thereisaslangofduchesses，witnessthisphrasecontainedinalove—letterfromaverygreatladyandaveryprettywomanoftheRestoration:
　　"YouwillfindinthisgossipafultitudeofreasonswhyIshouldlibertize。"[40]Diplomaticciphersareslang；thepontificalchancellerybyusing26forRome，grkztntgzyalfordespatch，andabfxustgrnogrkzutuXI。fortheDuedeModena，speaksslang。
　　ThephysiciansoftheMiddleAgeswho，forcarrot，radish，andturnip，saidOpoponach，perfroschinum，reptitalmus，dracatholicum，angelorum，postmegorum，talkedslang。Thesugar—manufacturerwhosays:
　　"Loaf，clarified，lumps，bastard，common，burnt，"——thishonestmanufacturertalksslang。Acertainschoolofcriticismtwentyyearsago，whichusedtosay:"HalfoftheworksofShakespeareconsistsofplaysuponwordsandpuns，"——talkedslang。Thepoet，andtheartistwho，withprofoundunderstanding，woulddesignateM。deMontmorencyas"abourgeois，"ifhewerenotajudgeofversesandstatues，speakslang。TheclassicAcademicianwhocallsflowers"Flora，"fruits，"Pomona，"thesea，"Neptune，"love，"fires，"beauty，"charms，"ahorse，"acourser，"thewhiteortricoloredcockade，"theroseofBellona，"
　　thethree—corneredhat，"Mars’triangle，"——thatclassicalAcademiciantalksslang。Algebra，medicine，botany，haveeachtheirslang。
　　Thetonguewhichisemployedonboardship，thatwonderfullanguageofthesea，whichissocompleteandsopicturesque，whichwasspokenbyJeanBart，Duquesne，Suffren，andDuperre，whichmingleswiththewhistlingoftherigging，thesoundofthespeaking—trumpets，theshockoftheboarding—irons，therollofthesea，thewind，thegale，thecannon，iswhollyaheroicanddazzlingslang，whichistothefierceslangofthethieveswhatthelionistothejackal。
　　[40]"Voustrouverezdanscespotains—la，unefoultitudederaisonspourquejemelibertise。"
　　Nodoubt。Butsaywhatwewill，thismannerofunderstandingthewordslangisanextensionwhicheveryonewillnotadmit。
　　Forourpart，wereservetotheworditsancientandprecise，circumscribedanddeterminedsignificance，andwerestrictslangtoslang。Theveritableslangandtheslangthatispre—eminentlyslang，ifthetwowordscanbecoupledthus，theslangimmemorialwhichwasakingdom，isnothingelse，werepeat，thanthehomely，uneasy，crafty，treacherous，venomous，cruel，equivocal，vile，profound，fataltongueofwretchedness。Thereexists，attheextremityofallabasementandallmisfortunes，alastmiserywhichrevoltsandmakesupitsmindtoenterintoconflictwiththewholemassoffortunatefactsandreigningrights；afearfulconflict，where，nowcunning，nowviolent，unhealthyandferociousatoneandthesametime，itattacksthesocialorderwithpin—pricksthroughvice，andwithclub—blowsthroughcrime。Tomeettheneedsofthisconflict，wretchednesshasinventedalanguageofcombat，whichisslang。
　　Tokeepafloatandtorescuefromoblivion，toholdabovethegulf，wereitbutafragmentofsomelanguagewhichmanhasspokenandwhichwould，otherwise，belost，thatistosay，oneoftheelements，goodorbad，ofwhichcivilizationiscomposed，orbywhichitiscomplicated，toextendtherecordsofsocialobservation；
　　istoservecivilizationitself。ThisservicePlautusrendered，consciouslyorunconsciously，bymakingtwoCarthaginiansoldierstalkPhoenician；thatserviceMoliererendered，bymakingsomanyofhischaracterstalkLevantineandallsortsofdialects。
　　Hereobjectionsspringupafresh。Phoenician，verygood！
　　Levantine，quiteright！Evendialect，letthatpass！Theyaretongueswhichhavebelongedtonationsorprovinces；butslang！
　　Whatistheuseofpreservingslang？Whatisthegoodofassistingslang"tosurvive"？
　　Tothiswereplyinoneword，only。Assuredly，ifthetonguewhichanationoraprovincehasspokenisworthyofinterest，thelanguagewhichhasbeenspokenbyamiseryisstillmoreworthyofattentionandstudy。
　　Itisthelanguagewhichhasbeenspoken，inFrance，forexample，formorethanfourcenturies，notonlybyamisery，butbyeverypossiblehumanmisery。
　　Andthen，weinsistuponit，thestudyofsocialdeformitiesandinfirmities，andthetaskofpointingthemoutwithaviewtoremedy，isnotabusinessinwhichchoiceispermitted。
　　Thehistorianofmannersandideashasnolessaustereamissionthanthehistorianofevents。Thelatterhasthesurfaceofcivilization，theconflictsofcrowns，thebirthsofprinces，themarriagesofkings，battles，assemblages，greatpublicmen，revolutionsinthedaylight，everythingontheexterior；theotherhistorianhastheinterior，thedepths，thepeoplewhotoil，suffer，wait，theoppressedwoman，theagonizingchild，thesecretwarbetweenmanandman，obscureferocities，prejudices，plottediniquities，thesubterranean，theindistincttremorsofmultitudes，thedie—of—hunger，thecounter—blowsofthelaw，thesecretevolutionofsouls，thego—bare—foot，thebare—armed，thedisinherited，theorphans，theunhappy，andtheinfamous，alltheformswhichroamthroughthedarkness。Hemustdescendwithhisheartfullofcharity，andseverityatthesametime，asabrotherandasajudge，tothoseimpenetrablecasemateswherecrawl，pell—mell，thosewhobleedandthosewhodealtheblow，thosewhoweepandthosewhocurse，thosewhofastandthosewhodevour，thosewhoendureevilandthosewhoinflictit。Havethesehistoriansofheartsandsoulsdutiesatallinferiortothehistoriansofexternalfacts？DoesanyonethinkthatAlighierihasanyfewerthingstosaythanMachiavelli？
　　Istheundersideofcivilizationanylessimportantthantheuppersidemerelybecauseitisdeeperandmoresombre？Dowereallyknowthemountainwellwhenwearenotacquaintedwiththecavern？
　　Letussay，moreover，parenthetically，thatfromafewwordsofwhatprecedesamarkedseparationmightbeinferredbetweenthetwoclassesofhistorianswhichdoesnotexistinourmind。
　　Nooneisagoodhistorianofthepatent，visible，striking，andpubliclifeofpeoples，ifheisnot，atthesametime，inacertainmeasure，thehistorianoftheirdeepandhiddenlife；
　　andnooneisagoodhistorianoftheinteriorunlessheunderstandshow，atneed，tobethehistorianoftheexterioralso。
　　Thehistoryofmannersandideaspermeatesthehistoryofevents，andthisistruereciprocally。Theyconstitutetwodifferentordersoffactswhichcorrespondtoeachother，whicharealwaysinterlaced，andwhichoftenbringforthresults。Allthelineamentswhichprovidencetracesonthesurfaceofanationhavetheirparallels，sombrebutdistinct，intheirdepths，andallconvulsionsofthedepthsproduceebullitionsonthesurface。Truehistorybeingamixtureofallthings，thetruehistorianminglesineverything。
　　Manisnotacirclewithasinglecentre；heisanellipsewithadoublefocus。Factsformoneofthese，andideastheother。
　　Slangisnothingbutadressing—roomwherethetonguehavingsomebadactiontoperform，disguisesitself。Thereitclothesitselfinword—masks，inmetaphor—rags。Inthisguiseitbecomeshorrible。
　　Onefindsitdifficulttorecognize。IsitreallytheFrenchtongue，thegreathumantongue？Beholditreadytostepuponthestageandtoretortuponcrime，andpreparedforalltheemploymentsoftherepertoryofevil。Itnolongerwalks，ithobbles；itlimpsonthecrutchoftheCourtofMiracles，acrutchmetamorphosableintoaclub；itiscalledvagrancy；everysortofspectre，itsdressers，havepainteditsface，itcrawlsandrears，thedoublegaitofthereptile。Henceforth，itisaptatallroles，itismadesuspiciousbythecounterfeiter，coveredwithverdigrisbytheforger，blackedbythesootoftheincendiary；andthemurdererappliesitsrouge。
　　Whenonelistens，bythesideofhonestmen，attheportalsofsociety，oneoverhearsthedialoguesofthosewhoareontheoutside。
　　Onedistinguishesquestionsandreplies。Oneperceives，withoutunderstandingit，ahideousmurmur，soundingalmostlikehumanaccents，butmorenearlyresemblingahowlthananarticulateword。
　　Itisslang。Thewordsaremisshapenandstampedwithanindescribableandfantasticbestiality。Onethinksonehearshydrastalking。
　　Itisunintelligibleinthedark。Itgnashesandwhispers，completingthegloomwithmystery。Itisblackinmisfortune，itisblackerstillincrime；thesetwoblacknessesamalgamated，composeslang。Obscurityintheatmosphere，obscurityinacts，obscurityinvoices。Terrible，toad—liketonguewhichgoesandcomes，leaps，crawls，slobbers，andstirsaboutinmonstrouswiseinthatimmensegrayfogcomposedofrainandnight，ofhunger，ofvice，offalsehood，ofinjustice，ofnudity，ofsuffocation，andofwinter，thehighnoondayofthemiserable。
　　Letushavecompassiononthechastised。Alas！Whoareweourselves？
　　WhoamIwhonowaddressyou？Whoareyouwhoarelisteningtome？
　　Andareyouverysurethatwehavedonenothingbeforewewereborn？
　　Theearthisnotdevoidofresemblancetoajail。Whoknowswhethermanisnotarecapturedoffenderagainstdivinejustice？
　　Lookcloselyatlife。Itissomade，thateverywherewefeelthesenseofpunishment。
　　Areyouwhatiscalledahappyman？Well！youaresadeveryday。
　　Eachdayhasitsowngreatgrieforitslittlecare。Yesterdayyouweretremblingforahealththatisdeartoyou，to—dayyoufearforyourown；to—morrowitwillbeanxietyaboutmoney，thedayafterto—morrowthediatribeofaslanderer，thedayafterthat，themisfortuneofsomefriend；thentheprevailingweather，thensomethingthathasbeenbrokenorlost，thenapleasurewithwhichyourconscienceandyourvertebralcolumnreproachyou；again，thecourseofpublicaffairs。Thiswithoutreckoninginthepainsoftheheart。
　　Andsoitgoeson。Onecloudisdispelled，anotherforms。
　　Thereishardlyonedayoutofahundredwhichiswhollyjoyousandsunny。Andyoubelongtothatsmallclasswhoarehappy！
　　Asfortherestofmankind，stagnatingnightrestsuponthem。
　　Thoughtfulmindsmakebutlittleuseofthephrase:thefortunateandtheunfortunate。Inthisworld，evidentlythevestibuleofanother，therearenofortunate。
　　Therealhumandivisionisthis:theluminousandtheshady。
　　Todiminishthenumberoftheshady，toaugmentthenumberoftheluminous，——thatistheobject。Thatiswhywecry:
　　Education！science！Toteachreading，meanstolightthefire；
　　everysyllablespelledoutsparkles。
　　However，hewhosayslightdoesnot，necessarily，sayjoy。
　　Peoplesufferinthelight；excessburns。Theflameistheenemyofthewing。Toburnwithoutceasingtofly，——thereinliesthemarvelofgenius。
　　Whenyoushallhavelearnedtoknow，andtolove，youwillstillsuffer。Thedayisbornintears。Theluminousweep，ifonlyoverthoseindarkness。
　　CHAPTERII
　　ROOTS
　　Slangisthetongueofthosewhositindarkness。
　　Thoughtismovedinitsmostsombredepths，socialphilosophyisbiddentoitsmostpoignantmeditations，inthepresenceofthatenigmaticdialectatoncesoblightedandrebellious。
　　Thereinlieschastisementmadevisible。Everysyllablehasanairofbeingmarked。Thewordsofthevulgartongueappearthereinwrinkledandshrivelled，asitwere，beneaththehotironoftheexecutioner。Someseemtobestillsmoking。Suchandsuchaphraseproducesuponyoutheeffectoftheshoulderofathiefbrandedwiththefleur—de—lys，whichhassuddenlybeenlaidbare。
　　Ideasalmostrefusetobeexpressedinthesesubstantiveswhicharefugitivesfromjustice。Metaphorissometimessoshameless，thatonefeelsthatithasworntheironneck—fetter。
　　Moreover，inspiteofallthis，andbecauseofallthis，thisstrangedialecthasbyrights，itsowncompartmentinthatgreatimpartialcaseofpigeon—holeswherethereisroomfortherustyfarthingaswellasforthegoldmedal，andwhichiscalledliterature。
　　Slang，whetherthepublicadmitthefactornothasitssyntaxanditspoetry。Itisalanguage。Yes，bythedeformityofcertainterms，werecognizethefactthatitwaschewedbyMandrin，andbythesplendorofcertainmetonymies，wefeelthatVillonspokeit。
　　Thatexquisiteandcelebratedverse——
　　Maisousontlesneigesd’antan？
　　Butwherearethesnowsofyearsgoneby？
　　isaverseofslang。Antam——anteannum——isawordofThunesslang，whichsignifiedthepastyear，andbyextension，formerly。
　　Thirty—fiveyearsago，attheepochofthedepartureofthegreatchain—gang，therecouldbereadinoneofthecellsatBicetre，thismaximengravedwithanailonthewallbyakingofThunescondemnedtothegalleys:Lesdabsd’antantrimaientsiemprepourlapierreduCoesre。ThismeansKingsindaysgonebyalwayswentandhadthemselvesanointed。Intheopinionofthatking，anointmentmeantthegalleys。
　　Theworddecarade，whichexpressesthedepartureofheavyvehiclesatagallop，isattributedtoVillon，anditisworthyofhim。
　　Thisword，whichstrikesfirewithallfourofitsfeet，sumsupinamasterlyonomatopoeiathewholeofLaFontaine’sadmirableverse:——
　　Sixfortschevauxtiraientuncoche。
　　Sixstouthorsesdrewacoach。
　　Fromapurelyliterarypointofview，fewstudieswouldprovemorecuriousandfruitfulthanthestudyofslang。Itisawholelanguagewithinalanguage，asortofsicklyexcrescence，anunhealthygraftwhichhasproducedavegetation，aparasitewhichhasitsrootsintheoldGallictrunk，andwhosesinisterfoliagecrawlsalloveronesideofthelanguage。Thisiswhatmaybecalledthefirst，thevulgaraspectofslang。But，forthosewhostudythetongueasitshouldbestudied，thatistosay，asgeologistsstudytheearth，slangappearslikeaveritablealluvialdeposit。Accordingasonedigsalongerorshorterdistanceintoit，onefindsinslang，belowtheoldpopularFrench，Provencal，Spanish，Italian，Levantine，thatlanguageoftheMediterraneanports，EnglishandGerman，theRomancelanguageinitsthreevarieties，French，Italian，andRomanceRomance，Latin，andfinallyBasqueandCeltic。Aprofoundanduniqueformation。
　　Asubterraneanedificeerectedincommonbyallthemiserable。
　　Eachaccursedracehasdepositeditslayer，eachsufferinghasdroppeditsstonethere，eachhearthascontributeditspebble。
　　Athrongofevil，base，orirritatedsouls，whohavetraversedlifeandhavevanishedintoeternity，lingertherealmostentirelyvisiblestillbeneaththeformofsomemonstrousword。
　　DoyouwantSpanish？TheoldGothicslangaboundedinit。
　　Hereisboffete，aboxontheear，whichisderivedfrombofeton；
　　vantane，window（lateronvanterne），whichcomesfromvantana；
　　gat，cat，whichcomesfromgato；acite，oil，whichcomesfromaceyte。
　　DoyouwantItalian？Hereisspade，sword，whichcomesfromspada；
　　carvel，boat，whichcomesfromcaravella。DoyouwantEnglish？
　　Hereisbichot，whichcomesfrombishop；raille，spy，whichcomesfromrascal，rascalion；pilche，acase，whichcomesfrompilcher，asheath。
　　DoyouwantGerman？Hereisthecaleur，thewaiter，kellner；thehers，themaster，herzog（duke）。DoyouwantLatin？Hereisfrangir，tobreak，frangere；affurer，tosteal，fur；cadene，chain，catena。
　　Thereisonewordwhichcropsupineverylanguageofthecontinent，withasortofmysteriouspowerandauthority。Itisthewordmagnus；
　　theScotchmanmakesofithismac，whichdesignatesthechiefoftheclan；Mac—Farlane，Mac—Callumore，thegreatFarlane，thegreatCallumore[41]；slangturnsitintomeckandlaterlemeg，thatistosay，God。WouldyoulikeBasque？Hereisgahisto，thedevil，whichcomesfromgaiztoa，evil；sorgabon，goodnight，whichcomesfromgabon，goodevening。DoyouwantCeltic？
　　Hereisblavin，ahandkerchief，whichcomesfromblavet，gushingwater；
　　menesse，awoman（inabadsense），whichcomesfrommeinec，fullofstones；barant，brook，frombaranton，fountain；goffeur，locksmith，fromgoff，blacksmith；guedouze，death，whichcomesfromguenn—du，black—white。Finally，wouldyoulikehistory？Slangcallscrownslesmalteses，asouvenirofthecoinincirculationonthegalleysofMalta。
　　[41]Itmustbeobserved，however，thatmacinCelticmeansson。
　　Inadditiontothephilologicaloriginsjustindicated，slangpossessesotherandstillmorenaturalroots，whichspring，sotospeak，fromthemindofmanitself。
　　Inthefirstplace，thedirectcreationofwords。Thereinliesthemysteryoftongues。Topaintwithwords，whichcontainsfiguresoneknowsnothoworwhy，istheprimitivefoundationofallhumanlanguages，whatmaybecalledtheirgranite。
　　Slangaboundsinwordsofthisdescription，immediatewords，wordscreatedinstantaneouslynooneknowseitherwhereorbywhom，withoutetymology，withoutanalogies，withoutderivatives，solitary，barbarous，sometimeshideouswords，whichattimespossessasingularpowerofexpressionandwhichlive。Theexecutioner，letaule；
　　theforest，lesabri；fear，flight，taf；thelackey，lelarbin；
　　themineral，theprefect，theminister，pharos；thedevil，lerabouin。
　　Nothingisstrangerthanthesewordswhichbothmaskandreveal。
　　Some，lerabouin，forexample，areatthesametimegrotesqueandterrible，andproduceonyoutheeffectofacyclopeangrimace。
　　lnthesecondplace，metaphor。Thepeculiarityofalanguagewhichisdesirousofsayingallyetconcealingallisthatitisrichinfigures。Metaphorisanenigma，whereinthethiefwhoisplottingastroke，theprisonerwhoisarranginganescape，takerefuge。
　　Noidiomismoremetaphoricalthanslang:devisserlecoco（tounscrewthenut），totwisttheneck；tortiller（towriggle），toeat；
　　etregerbe，tobetried；arat，abreadthief；illansquine，itrains，astriking，ancientfigurewhichpartlybearsitsdateaboutit，whichassimilateslongobliquelinesofrain，withthedenseandslantingpikesofthelancers，andwhichcompressesintoasinglewordthepopularexpression:itrainshalberds。Sometimes，inproportionasslangprogressesfromthefirstepochtothesecond，wordspassfromtheprimitiveandsavagesensetothemetaphoricalsense。
　　Thedevilceasestobelerabouin，andbecomesleboulanger（thebaker），whoputsthebreadintotheoven。Thisismorewitty，butlessgrand，somethinglikeRacineafterCorneille，likeEuripidesafterAEschylus。Certainslangphraseswhichparticipateinthetwoepochsandhaveatoncethebarbariccharacterandthemetaphoricalcharacterresemblephantasmagories。Lessorgueuersvontsolliciterdesgailsalalune——theprowlersaregoingtostealhorsesbynight，——
　　thispassesbeforethemindlikeagroupofspectres。Oneknowsnotwhatonesees。
　　Inthethirdplace，theexpedient。Slanglivesonthelanguage。
　　Itusesitinaccordancewithitsfancy，itdipsintoithap—hazard，anditoftenconfinesitself，whenoccasionarises，toalteritinagrossandsummaryfashion。Occasionally，withtheordinarywordsthusdeformedandcomplicatedwithwordsofpureslang，picturesquephrasesareformed，inwhichtherecanbefeltthemixtureofthetwoprecedingelements，thedirectcreationandthemetaphor:
　　lecabjaspine，jemarronnequelaroulottedePantintrimedanslesabri，thedogisbarking，IsuspectthatthediligenceforParisispassingthroughthewoods。Ledabestsinve，ladabugeestmerloussiere，lafeeestbative，thebourgeoisisstupid，thebourgeoiseiscunning，thedaughterispretty。Generally，tothrowlistenersoffthetrack，slangconfinesitselftoaddingtoallthewordsofthelanguagewithoutdistinction，anignobletail，aterminationinaille，inorgue，iniergue，orinuche。Thus:Vousierguetrouvaillebonorguecegigotmuche？Doyouthinkthatlegofmuttongood？
　　AphraseaddressedbyCartouchetoaturnkeyinordertofindoutwhetherthesumofferedforhisescapesuitedhim。
　　Theterminationinmarhasbeenaddedrecently。
　　Slang，beingthedialectofcorruption，quicklybecomescorrupteditself。
　　Besidesthis，asitisalwaysseekingconcealment，assoonasitfeelsthatitisunderstood，itchangesitsform。Contrarytowhathappenswitheveryothervegetation，everyrayoflightwhichfallsuponitkillswhateverittouches。Thusslangisinconstantprocessofdecompositionandrecomposition；anobscureandrapidworkwhichneverpauses。Itpassesovermoregroundintenyearsthanalanguageintencenturies。Thuslelarton（bread）becomeslelartif；legail（horse）becomeslegaye；lafertanche（straw）becomeslafertille；
　　lemomignard（brat），lemomacque；lesfiques（duds），frusques；
　　lachique（thechurch），l’egrugeoir；lecolabre（neck），lecolas。
　　Thedevilisatfirst，gahisto，thenlerabouin，thenthebaker；
　　thepriestisaratichon，thentheboar（lesanglier）；thedaggerislevingt—deux（twenty—two），thenlesurin，thenlelingre；thepolicearerailles，thenroussins，thenrousses，thenmarchandsdelacets（dealersinstay—laces），thencoquers，thencognes；theexecutionerisletaule，thenCharlot，l’atigeur，thenlebecquillard。
　　Intheseventeenthcentury，tofightwas"togiveeachothersnuff"；
　　inthenineteenthitis"tocheweachother’sthroats。"
　　Therehavebeentwentydifferentphrasesbetweenthesetwoextremes。
　　Cartouche’stalkwouldhavebeenHebrewtoLacenaire。Allthewordsofthislanguageareperpetuallyengagedinflightlikethemenwhoutterthem。
　　Still，fromtimetotime，andinconsequenceofthisverymovement，theancientslangcropsupagainandbecomesnewoncemore。Ithasitsheadquarterswhereitmaintainsitssway。TheTemplepreservedtheslangoftheseventeenthcentury；Bicetre，whenitwasaprison，preservedtheslangofThunes。ThereonecouldheartheterminationinancheoftheoldThuneurs。Boyanches—tu（bois—tu），doyoudrink？
　　Butperpetualmovementremainsitslaw，nevertheless。
　　Ifthephilosophersucceedsinfixing，foramoment，forpurposesofobservation，thislanguagewhichisincessantlyevaporating，hefallsintodolefulandusefulmeditation。Nostudyismoreefficaciousandmorefecundininstruction。Thereisnotametaphor，notananalogy，inslang，whichdoesnotcontainalesson。
　　Amongthesemen，tobeatmeanstofeign；onebeatsamalady；
　　ruseistheirstrength。
　　Forthem，theideaofthemanisnotseparatedfromtheideaofdarkness。Thenightiscalledlasorgue；man，l’orgue。Manisaderivativeofthenight。
　　Theyhavetakenupthepracticeofconsideringsocietyinthelightofanatmospherewhichkillsthem，ofafatalforce，andtheyspeakoftheirlibertyasonewouldspeakofhishealth。
　　Amanunderarrestisasickman；onewhoiscondemnedisadeadman。
　　Themostterriblethingfortheprisonerwithinthefourwallsinwhichheisburied，isasortofglacialchastity，andhecallsthedungeonthecastus。Inthatfunerealplace，lifeoutsidealwayspresentsitselfunderitsmostsmilingaspect。Theprisonerhasironsonhisfeet；youthink，perhaps，thathisthoughtisthatitiswiththefeetthatonewalks？No；heisthinkingthatitiswiththefeetthatonedances；so，whenhehassucceededinseveringhisfetters，hisfirstideaisthatnowhecandance，andhecallsthesawthebastringue（public—houseball）。——Anameisacentre；profoundassimilation。——Theruffianhastwoheads，oneofwhichreasonsouthisactionsandleadshimallhislifelong，andtheotherwhichhehasuponhisshouldersonthedayofhisdeath；
　　hecallstheheadwhichcounselshimincrimelasorbonne，andtheheadwhichexpiatesitlatronche。——Whenamanhasnolongeranythingbutragsuponhisbodyandvicesinhisheart，whenhehasarrivedatthatdoublemoralandmaterialdegradationwhichthewordblackguardcharacterizesinitstwoacceptations，heisripeforcrime；heislikeawell—whettedknife；hehastwocuttingedges，hisdistressandhismalice；soslangdoesnotsayablackguard，itsaysunreguise。——Whatarethegalleys？
　　Abrazierofdamnation，ahell。Theconvictcallshimselfafagot。——
　　Andfinally，whatnamedomalefactorsgivetotheirprison？
　　Thecollege。Awholepenitentiarysystemcanbeevolvedfromthatword。
　　Doesthereaderwishtoknowwherethemajorityofthesongsofthegalleys，thoserefrainscalledinthespecialvocabularylirlonfa，havehadtheirbirth？
　　Lethimlistentowhatfollows:——
　　ThereexistedattheChateletinParisalargeandlongcellar。
　　ThiscellarwaseightfeetbelowtheleveloftheSeine。Ithadneitherwindowsnorair—holes，itsonlyaperturewasthedoor；
　　mencouldenterthere，aircouldnot。Thisvaulthadforceilingavaultofstone，andforfloorteninchesofmud。Itwasflagged；
　　butthepavementhadrottedandcrackedundertheoozingofthewater。
　　Eightfeetabovethefloor，alongandmassivebeamtraversedthissubterraneanexcavationfromsidetoside；fromthisbeamhung，atshortdistancesapart，chainsthreefeetlong，andattheendofthesechainstherewereringsfortheneck。Inthisvault，menwhohadbeencondemnedtothegalleyswereincarcerateduntilthedayoftheirdepartureforToulon。Theywerethrustunderthisbeam，whereeachonefoundhisfettersswinginginthedarknessandwaitingforhim。
　　Thechains，thosependantarms，andthenecklets，thoseopenhands，caughttheunhappywretchesbythethroat。Theywererivettedandleftthere。Asthechainwastooshort，theycouldnotliedown。
　　Theyremainedmotionlessinthatcavern，inthatnight，beneaththatbeam，almosthanging，forcedtounheard—ofeffortstoreachtheirbread，jug，ortheirvaultoverhead，mudeventomid—leg，filthflowingtotheirverycalves，brokenasunderwithfatigue，withthighsandkneesgivingway，clingingfasttothechainwiththeirhandsinordertoobtainsomerest，unabletosleepexceptwhenstandingerect，andawakenedeverymomentbythestranglingofthecollar；somewokenomore。Inordertoeat，theypushedthebread，whichwasflungtotheminthemud，alongtheirlegwiththeirheeluntilitreachedtheirhand。
　　Howlongdidtheyremainthus？Onemonth，twomonths，sixmonthssometimes；onestayedayear。Itwastheantechamberofthegalleys。
　　Menwereputthereforstealingaharefromtheking。Inthissepulchre—hell，whatdidtheydo？Whatmancandoinasepulchre，theywentthroughtheagoniesofdeath，andwhatcanmandoinhell，theysang；forsonglingerswherethereisnolongeranyhope。
　　InthewatersofMalta，whenagalleywasapproaching，thesongcouldbeheardbeforethesoundoftheoars。PoorSurvincent，thepoacher，whohadgonethroughtheprison—cellaroftheChatelet，said:
　　"Itwastherhymesthatkeptmeup。"Uselessnessofpoetry。
　　Whatisthegoodofrhyme？
　　Itisinthiscellarthatnearlyalltheslangsongshadtheirbirth。ItisfromthedungeonoftheGrand—ChateletofParisthatcomesthemelancholyrefrainoftheMontgomerygalley:
　　"Timaloumisaine，timaloumison。"ThemajorityoftheseIcicailleestlatheatreHereisthetheatreDupetitdardant。Ofthelittlearcher（Cupid）。
　　Dowhatyouwill，youcannotannihilatethateternalrelicintheheartofman，love。
　　Inthisworldofdismaldeeds，peoplekeeptheirsecrets。
　　Thesecretisthethingaboveallothers。Thesecret，intheeyesofthesewretches，isunitywhichservesasabaseofunion。
　　Tobetrayasecretistotearfromeachmemberofthisfiercecommunitysomethingofhisownpersonality。Toinformagainst，intheenergeticslangdialect，iscalled:"toeatthebit。"
　　Asthoughtheinformerdrewtohimselfalittleofthesubstanceofallandnourishedhimselfonabitofeachone’sflesh。
　　Whatdoesitsignifytoreceiveaboxontheear？
　　Commonplacemetaphorreplies:"Itistoseethirty—sixcandles。"
　　Hereslangintervenesandtakesitup:Candle，camoufle。
　　Thereupon，theordinarytonguegivescamouflet[42]asthesynonymforsoufflet。Thus，byasortofinfiltrationfrombelowupwards，withtheaidofmetaphor，thatincalculable，trajectoryslangmountsfromthecaverntotheAcademy；andPoulaillersaying:
　　"Ilightmycamoufle，"causesVoltairetowrite:"LanglevielLaBeaumelledeservesahundredcamouflets。"
　　[42]Smokepuffedinthefaceofapersonasleep。
　　Researchesinslangmeandiscoveriesateverystep。Studyandinvestigationofthisstrangeidiomleadtothemysteriouspointofintersectionofregularsocietywithsocietywhichisaccursed。
　　Thethiefalsohashisfoodforcannon，stealablematter，you，I，whoeverpassesby；lepantre。（Pan，everybody。）
　　Slangislanguageturnedconvict。
　　Thatthethinkingprincipleofmanbethrustdowneversolow，thatitcanbedraggedandpinionedtherebyobscuretyranniesoffatality，thatitcanbeboundbynooneknowswhatfettersinthatabyss，issufficienttocreateconsternation。
　　Oh，poorthoughtofmiserablewretches！
　　Alas！willnoonecometothesuccorofthehumansoulinthatdarkness？
　　Isitherdestinytheretoawaitforeverthemind，theliberator，theimmenseriderofPegasiandhippo—griffs，thecombatantofheroesofthedawnwhoshalldescendfromtheazurebetweentwowings，theradiantknightofthefuture？Willsheforeversummoninvaintoherassistancethelanceoflightoftheideal？IsshecondemnedtohearthefearfulapproachofEvilthroughthedensityofthegulf，andtocatchglimpses，nearerandnearerathand，beneaththehideouswaterofthatdragon’shead，thatmawstreakedwithfoam，andthatwrithingundulationofclaws，swellings，andrings？
　　Mustitremainthere，withoutagleamoflight，withouthope，givenovertothatterribleapproach，vaguelyscentedoutbythemonster，shuddering，dishevelled，wringingitsarms，foreverchainedtotherockofnight，asombreAndromedawhiteandnakedamidtheshadows！
　　CHAPTERIII
　　SLANGWHICHWEEPSANDSLANGWHICHLAUGHS
　　Asthereaderperceives，slanginitsentirety，slangoffourhundredyearsago，liketheslangofto—day，ispermeatedwiththatsombre，symbolicalspiritwhichgivestoallwordsamienwhichisnowmournful，nowmenacing。OnefeelsinitthewildandancientsadnessofthosevagrantsoftheCourtofMiracleswhoplayedatcardswithpacksoftheirown，someofwhichhavecomedowntous。Theeightofclubs，forinstance，representedahugetreebearingeightenormoustrefoilleaves，asortoffantasticpersonificationoftheforest。
　　Atthefootofthistreeafirewasburning，overwhichthreehareswereroastingahuntsmanonaspit，andbehindhim，onanotherfire，hungasteamingpot，whenceemergedtheheadofadog。Nothingcanbemoremelancholythanthesereprisalsinpainting，byapackofcards，inthepresenceofstakesfortheroastingofsmugglersandofthecauldronfortheboilingofcounterfeiters。Thediverseformsassumedbythoughtintherealmofslang，evensong，evenraillery，evenmenace，allpartookofthispowerlessanddejectedcharacter。
　　Allthesongs，themelodiesofsomeofwhichhavebeencollected，werehumbleandlamentabletothepointofevokingtears。
　　Thepegreisalwaysthepoorpegre，andheisalwaysthehareinhiding，thefugitivemouse，theflyingbird。Hehardlycomplains，hecontentshimselfwithsighing；oneofhismoanshascomedowntous:"IdonotunderstandhowGod，thefatherofmen，cantorturehischildrenandhisgrandchildrenandhearthemcry，withouthimselfsufferingtorture。"[43]Thewretch，wheneverhehastimetothink，makeshimselfsmallbeforethelow，andfrailinthepresenceofsociety；heliesdownflatonhisface，heentreats，heappealstothesideofcompassion；wefeelthatheisconsciousofhisguilt。
　　[43]Jen’entravequeledailcommentmeck，ledarondesorgues，peutatigersesmomesetsesmomignardsetleslochercriblantsansetreagitelui—meme。
　　Towardsthemiddleofthelastcenturyachangetookplace，prisonsongsandthieves’ritournellesassumed，sotospeak，aninsolentandjovialmien。Theplaintivemalurewasreplacedbythelarifla。
　　Wefindintheeighteenthcentury，innearlyallthesongsofthegalleysandprisons，adiabolicalandenigmaticalgayety。
　　Wehearthisstridentandliltingrefrainwhichweshouldsayhadbeenlightedupbyaphosphorescentgleam，andwhichseemstohavebeenflungintotheforestbyawill—o’—the—wispplayingthefife:——
　　MiralabisuslababoMirlitonribonribetteSurlababimirlababoMirlitonribonribo。
　　Thiswassunginacellarorinanookoftheforestwhilecuttingaman’sthroat。
　　Aserioussymptom。Intheeighteenthcentury，theancientmelancholyofthedejectedclassesvanishes。Theybegantolaugh。
　　Theyrallythegrandmegandthegranddab。GivenLouisXV。
　　theycalltheKingofFrance"leMarquisdePantin。"Andbehold，theyarealmostgay。Asortofgleamproceedsfromthesemiserablewretches，asthoughtheirconscienceswerenotheavywithinthemanymore。Theselamentabletribesofdarknesshavenolongermerelythedesperateaudacityofactions，theypossesstheheedlessaudacityofmind。Asignthattheyarelosingthesenseoftheircriminality，andthattheyfeel，evenamongthinkersanddreamers，someindefinablesupportwhichthelatterthemselvesknownotof。
　　Asignthattheftandpillagearebeginningtofilterintodoctrinesandsophisms，insuchawayastolosesomewhatoftheirugliness，whilecommunicatingmuchofittosophismsanddoctrines。Asign，inshort，ofsomeoutbreakwhichisprodigiousandnearunlesssomediversionshallarise。
　　Letuspauseamoment。Whomareweaccusinghere？Isittheeighteenthcentury？Isitphilosophy？Certainlynot。Theworkoftheeighteenthcenturyishealthyandgoodandwholesome。
　　Theencyclopedists，Diderotattheirhead；thephysiocrates，Turgotattheirhead；thephilosophers，Voltaireattheirhead；
　　theUtopians，Rousseauattheirhead，——thesearefoursacredlegions。
　　Humanity’simmenseadvancetowardsthelightisduetothem。
　　Theyarethefourvanguardsofthehumanrace，marchingtowardsthefourcardinalpointsofprogress。Diderottowardsthebeautiful，Turgottowardstheuseful，Voltairetowardsthetrue，Rousseautowardsthejust。Butbythesideofandabovethephilosophers，therewerethesophists，avenomousvegetationmingledwithahealthygrowth，hemlockinthevirginforest。Whiletheexecutionerwasburningthegreatbooksoftheliberatorsofthecenturyonthegrandstaircaseofthecourt—house，writersnowforgottenwerepublishing，withtheKing’ssanction，nooneknowswhatstrangelydisorganizingwritings，whichwereeagerlyreadbytheunfortunate。
　　Someofthesepublications，oddtosay，whichwerepatronizedbyaprince，aretobefoundintheSecretLibrary。Thesefacts，significantbutunknown，wereimperceptibleonthesurface。
　　Sometimes，intheveryobscurityofafactlurksitsdanger。
　　Itisobscurebecauseitisunderhand。Ofallthesewriters，theonewhoprobablythenexcavatedinthemassesthemostunhealthygallerywasRestifdeLaBretonne。
　　Thiswork，peculiartothewholeofEurope，effectedmoreravagesinGermanythananywhereelse。InGermany，duringagivenperiod，summedupbySchillerinhisfamousdramaTheRobbers，theftandpillageroseupinprotestagainstpropertyandlabor，assimilatedcertainspeciousandfalseelementaryideas，which，thoughjustinappearance，wereabsurdinreality，envelopedthemselvesintheseideas，disappearedwithinthem，afterafashion，assumedanabstractname，passedintothestateoftheory，andinthatshapecirculatedamongthelaborious，suffering，andhonestmasses，unknowneventotheimprudentchemistswhohadpreparedthemixture，unknowneventothemasseswhoacceptedit。Wheneverafactofthissortpresentsitself，thecaseisgrave。Sufferingengenderswrath；
　　andwhiletheprosperousclassesblindthemselvesorfallasleep，whichisthesamethingasshuttingone’seyes，thehatredoftheunfortunateclasseslightsitstorchatsomeaggrievedorill—madespiritwhichdreamsinacorner，andsetsitselftothescrutinyofsociety。Thescrutinyofhatredisaterriblething。
　　Hence，iftheill—fortuneofthetimessowillsit，thosefearfulcommotionswhichwereformerlycalledjacqueries，besidewhichpurelypoliticalagitationsarethemerestchild’splay，whicharenolongertheconflictoftheoppressedandtheoppressor，buttherevoltofdiscomfortagainstcomfort。Theneverythingcrumbles。
　　Jacqueriesareearthquakesofthepeople。
　　Itisthisperil，possiblyimminenttowardsthecloseoftheeighteenthcentury，whichtheFrenchRevolution，thatimmenseactofprobity，cutshort。
　　TheFrenchRevolution，whichisnothingelsethantheideaarmedwiththesword，roseerect，and，withthesameabruptmovement，closedthedoorofillandopenedthedoorofgood。
　　Itputastoptotorture，promulgatedthetruth，expelledmiasma，renderedthecenturyhealthy，crownedthepopulace。
　　Itmaybesaidofitthatitcreatedmanasecondtime，bygivinghimasecondsoul，theright。
　　Thenineteenthcenturyhasinheritedandprofitedbyitswork，andto—day，thesocialcatastrophetowhichwelatelyalludedissimplyimpossible。Blindishewhoannouncesit！Foolishishewhofearsit！RevolutionisthevaccineofJacquerie。
　　ThankstotheRevolution，socialconditionshavechanged。
　　Feudalandmonarchicalmaladiesnolongerruninourblood。
　　ThereisnomoreoftheMiddleAgesinourconstitution。Wenolongerliveinthedayswhenterribleswarmswithinmadeirruptions，whenoneheardbeneathhisfeettheobscurecourseofadullrumble，whenindescribableelevationsfrommole—liketunnelsappearedonthesurfaceofcivilization，wherethesoilcrackedopen，wheretheroofsofcavernsyawned，andwhereonesuddenlybeheldmonstrousheadsemergingfromtheearth。
　　Therevolutionarysenseisamoralsense。Thesentimentofright，oncedeveloped，developsthesentimentofduty。Thelawofallisliberty，whichendswherethelibertyofothersbegins，accordingtoRobespierre’sadmirabledefinition。Since’89，thewholepeoplehasbeendilatingintoasublimeindividual；thereisnotapoorman，who，possessinghisright，hasnothisrayofsun；
　　thedie—of—hungerfeelswithinhimthehonestyofFrance；thedignityofthecitizenisaninternalarmor；hewhoisfreeisscrupulous；
　　hewhovotesreigns。Henceincorruptibility；hencethemiscarriageofunhealthylusts；henceeyesheroicallyloweredbeforetemptations。
　　Therevolutionarywholesomenessissuch，thatonadayofdeliverance，a14thofJuly，a10thofAugust，thereisnolongeranypopulace。
　　Thefirstcryoftheenlightenedandincreasingthrongsis:
　　deathtothieves！Progressisanhonestman；theidealandtheabsolutedonotfilchpocket—handkerchiefs。BywhomwerethewagonscontainingthewealthoftheTuileriesescortedin1848？Bytherag—pickersoftheFaubourgSaint—Antoine。Ragsmountedguardoverthetreasure。Virtuerenderedthesetatterdemalionsresplendent。
　　Inthosewagonsinchests，hardlyclosed，andsome，even，half—open，amidahundreddazzlingcaskets，wasthatancientcrownofFrance，studdedwithdiamonds，surmountedbythecarbuncleofroyalty，bytheRegentdiamond，whichwasworththirtymillions。Barefooted，theyguardedthatcrown。
　　Hence，nomoreJacquerie。Iregretitforthesakeoftheskilful。
　　Theoldfearhasproduceditslasteffectsinthatquarter；
　　andhenceforthitcannolongerbeemployedinpolitics。Theprincipalspringoftheredspectreisbroken。Everyoneknowsitnow。
　　Thescare—crowscaresnolonger。Thebirdstakelibertieswiththemannikin，foulcreaturesalightuponit，thebourgeoislaughatit。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　THETWODUTIES:TOWATCHANDTOHOPE
　　Thisbeingthecase，isallsocialdangerdispelled？Certainlynot。
　　ThereisnoJacquerie；societymayrestassuredonthatpoint；
　　bloodwillnolongerrushtoitshead。Butletsocietytakeheedtothemannerinwhichitbreathes。Apoplexyisnolongertobefeared，butphthisisisthere。Socialphthisisiscalledmisery。
　　Onecanperishfrombeingunderminedaswellasfrombeingstruckbylightning。
　　Letusnotwearyofrepeating，andsympatheticsoulsmustnotforgetthatthisisthefirstoffraternalobligations，andselfishheartsmustunderstandthatthefirstofpoliticalnecessitiesconsistsinthinkingfirstofallofthedisinheritedandsorrowingthrongs，insolacing，airing，enlightening，lovingthem，inenlargingtheirhorizontoamagnificentextent，inlavishinguponthemeducationineveryform，inofferingthemtheexampleoflabor，nevertheexampleofidleness，indiminishingtheindividualburdenbyenlargingthenotionoftheuniversalaim，insettingalimittopovertywithoutsettingalimittowealth，increatingvastfieldsofpublicandpopularactivity，inhaving，likeBriareus，ahundredhandstoextendinalldirectionstotheoppressedandthefeeble，inemployingthecollectivepowerforthatgranddutyofopeningworkshopsforallarms，schoolsforallaptitudes，andlaboratoriesforalldegreesofintelligence，inaugmentingsalaries，diminishingtrouble，balancingwhatshouldbeandwhatis，thatistosay，inproportioningenjoymenttoeffortandagluttoneed；
　　inaword，inevolvingfromthesocialapparatusmorelightandmorecomfortforthebenefitofthosewhosufferandthosewhoareignorant。
　　And，letussayit，allthisisbutthebeginning。Thetruequestionisthis:laborcannotbealawwithoutbeingaright。
　　Wewillnotinsistuponthispoint；thisisnottheproperplaceforthat。
　　IfnaturecallsitselfProvidence，societyshouldcallitselfforesight。
　　Intellectualandmoralgrowthisnolessindispensablethanmaterialimprovement。Toknowisasacrament，tothinkistheprimenecessity，truthisnourishmentaswellasgrain。
　　Areasonwhichfastsfromscienceandwisdomgrowsthin。Letusenterequalcomplaintagainststomachsandmindswhichdonoteat。
　　Ifthereisanythingmoreheart—breakingthanabodyperishingforlackofbread，itisasoulwhichisdyingfromhungerforthelight。
　　Thewholeofprogresstendsinthedirectionofsolution。
　　Somedayweshallbeamazed。Asthehumanracemountsupward，thedeeplayersemergenaturallyfromthezoneofdistress。
　　Theobliterationofmiserywillbeaccomplishedbyasimpleelevationoflevel。
　　Weshoulddowrongwerewetodoubtthisblessedconsummation。
　　Thepastisverystrong，itistrue，atthepresentmoment。Itcensures。
　　Thisrejuvenationofacorpseissurprising。Behold，itiswalkingandadvancing。Itseemsavictor；thisdeadbodyisaconqueror。
　　Hearriveswithhislegions，superstitions，withhissword，despotism，withhisbanner，ignorance；awhileago，hewontenbattles。
　　Headvances，hethreatens，helaughs，heisatourdoors。Letusnotdespair，onourside。LetussellthefieldonwhichHannibalisencamped。
　　Whathavewetofear，wewhobelieve？
　　Nosuchthingasaback—flowofideasexistsanymorethanthereexistsareturnofariveronitscourse。
　　Butletthosewhodonotdesireafuturereflectonthismatter。
　　Whentheysay"no"toprogress，itisnotthefuturebutthemselvesthattheyarecondemning。Theyaregivingthemselvesasadmalady；
　　theyareinoculatingthemselveswiththepast。ThereisbutonewayofrejectingTo—morrow，andthatistodie。
　　Now，nodeath，thatofthebodyaslateaspossible，thatofthesoulnever，——thisiswhatwedesire。
　　Yes，theenigmawillutteritsword，thesphinxwillspeak，theproblemwillbesolved。
　　Yes，thepeople，sketchedoutbytheeighteenthcentury，willbefinishedbythenineteenth。Hewhodoubtsthisisanidiot！
　　Thefutureblossoming，thenearblossomingforthofuniversalwell—being，isadivinelyfatalphenomenon。
　　Immensecombinedpropulsionsdirecthumanaffairsandconductthemwithinagiventimetoalogicalstate，thatistosay，toastateofequilibrium；thatistosay，toequity。Aforcecomposedofearthandheavenresultsfromhumanityandgovernsit；
　　thisforceisaworkerofmiracles；marvellousissuesarenomoredifficulttoitthanextraordinaryvicissitudes。Aidedbyscience，whichcomesfromoneman，andbytheevent，whichcomesfromanother，itisnotgreatlyalarmedbythesecontradictionsintheattitudeofproblems，whichseemimpossibilitiestothevulgarherd。
　　Itisnolessskilfulatcausingasolutiontospringforthfromthereconciliationofideas，thanalessonfromthereconciliationoffacts，andwemayexpectanythingfromthatmysteriouspowerofprogress，whichbroughttheOrientandtheOccidentfacetofaceonefineday，inthedepthsofasepulchre，andmadetheimaumsconversewithBonaparteintheinterioroftheGreatPyramid。
　　Inthemeantime，lettherebenohalt，nohesitation，nopauseinthegrandioseonwardmarchofminds。Socialphilosophyconsistsessentiallyinscienceandpeace。Itsobjectis，anditsresultmustbe，todissolvewrathbythestudyofantagonisms。Itexamines，itscrutinizes，itanalyzes；thenitputstogetheroncemore，itproceedsbymeansofreduction，discardingallhatred。
　　Morethanonce，asocietyhasbeenseentogivewaybeforethewindwhichisletlooseuponmankind；historyisfulloftheshipwrecksofnationsandempires；manners，customs，laws，religions，——andsomefinedaythatunknownforce，thehurricane，passesbyandbearsthemallaway。ThecivilizationsofIndia，ofChaldea，ofPersia，ofSyria，ofEgypt，havedisappearedoneaftertheother。Why？Weknownot。
　　Whatarethecausesofthesedisasters？Wedonotknow。
　　Couldthesesocietieshavebeensaved？Wasittheirfault？
　　Didtheypersistinthefatalvicewhichdestroyedthem？
　　Whatistheamountofsuicideintheseterribledeathsofanationandarace？Questionstowhichthereexistsnoreply。
　　Darknessenwrapscondemnedcivilizations。Theysprungaleak，thentheysank。Wehavenothingmoretosay；anditiswithasortofterrorthatwelookon，atthebottomofthatseawhichiscalledthepast，behindthosecolossalwaves，attheshipwreckofthoseimmensevessels，Babylon，Nineveh，Tarsus，Thebes，Rome，beneaththefearfulgustswhichemergefromallthemouthsoftheshadows。
　　Butshadowsarethere，andlightishere。Wearenotacquaintedwiththemaladiesoftheseancientcivilizations，wedonotknowtheinfirmitiesofourown。Everywhereuponitwehavetherightoflight，wecontemplateitsbeauties，welaybareitsdefects。
　　Whereitisill，weprobe；andthesicknessoncediagnosed，thestudyofthecauseleadstothediscoveryoftheremedy。
　　Ourcivilization，theworkoftwentycenturies，isitslawanditsprodigy；itisworththetroubleofsaving。Itwillbesaved。
　　Itisalreadymuchtohavesolacedit；itsenlightenmentisyetanotherpoint。Allthelaborsofmodernsocialphilosophiesmustconvergetowardsthispoint。Thethinkerofto—dayhasagreatduty——
　　toauscultatecivilization。
　　Werepeat，thatthisauscultationbringsencouragement；itisbythispersistenceinencouragementthatwewishtoconcludethesepages，anaustereinterludeinamournfuldrama。Beneaththesocialmortality，wefeelhumanimperishableness。Theglobedoesnotperish，becauseithasthesewounds，craters，eruptions，sulphurpits，hereandthere，norbecauseofavolcanowhichejectsitspus。
　　Themaladiesofthepeopledonotkillman。
　　Andyet，anyonewhofollowsthecourseofsocialclinicsshakeshisheadattimes。Thestrongest，thetenderest，themostlogicalhavetheirhoursofweakness。
　　Willthefuturearrive？Itseemsasthoughwemightalmostputthisquestion，whenwebeholdsomuchterribledarkness。
　　Melancholyface—to—faceencounterofselfishandwretched。Onthepartoftheselfish，theprejudices，shadowsofcostlyeducation，appetiteincreasingthroughintoxication，agiddinessofprosperitywhichdulls，afearofsufferingwhich，insome，goesasfarasanaversionforthesuffering，animplacablesatisfaction，theIsoswollenthatitbarsthesoul；onthesideofthewretchedcovetousness，envy，hatredofseeingothersenjoy，theprofoundimpulsesofthehumanbeasttowardsassuagingitsdesires，heartsfullofmist，sadness，need，fatality，impureandsimpleignorance。
　　Shallwecontinuetoraiseoureyestoheaven？istheluminouspointwhichwedistinguishthereoneofthosewhichvanish？
　　Theidealisfrightfultobehold，thuslostinthedepths，small，isolated，imperceptible，brilliant，butsurroundedbythosegreat，blackmenaces，monstrouslyheapedaroundit；yetnomoreindangerthanastarinthemawoftheclouds。
　　BOOKEIGHTH。——ENCHANTMENTSANDDESOLATIONS
　　CHAPTERI
　　FULLLIGHT
　　ThereaderhasprobablyunderstoodthatEponine，havingrecognizedthroughthegate，theinhabitantofthatRuePlumetwhitherMagnonhadsenther，hadbegunbykeepingtheruffiansawayfromtheRuePlumet，andhadthenconductedMariusthither，andthat，aftermanydaysspentinecstasybeforethatgate，Marius，drawnonbythatforcewhichdrawstheirontothemagnetandalovertowardsthestonesofwhichisbuiltthehouseofherwhomheloves，hadfinallyenteredCosette’sgardenasRomeoenteredthegardenofJuliet。ThishadevenprovedeasierforhimthanforRomeo；
　　Romeowasobligedtoscaleawall，Mariushadonlytousealittleforceononeofthebarsofthedecrepitgatewhichvacillatedinitsrustyrecess，afterthefashionofoldpeople’steeth。
　　Mariuswasslenderandreadilypassedthrough。
　　Astherewasneveranyoneinthestreet，andasMariusneverenteredthegardenexceptatnight，herannoriskofbeingseen。
　　Beginningwiththatblessedandholyhourwhenakissbetrothedthesetwosouls，Mariuswasthereeveryevening。If，atthatperiodofherexistence，Cosettehadfalleninlovewithamanintheleastunscrupulousordebauched，shewouldhavebeenlost；fortherearegenerousnatureswhichyieldthemselves，andCosettewasoneofthem。