In his early life he suffered the most cruel needs of existence.

When he became a barber's apprentice, he touched the lowest rung of the ladder of reputation; but he had at least learned the beginnings of knowledge.
He knew how to read, and when we know the twenty-four letters of the alphabet, we may learn almost everything that we wish to know.

From that slight beginning most men may raise themselves to the heights of moral and intellectual worth by a persevering will and the faithful performance of duty.
At the same time it must be confessed that it is altogether different with poetical genius.

It is not possible to tell what unforeseen and forgotten circumstances may have given the initial impulse to a poetic nature.

It is not the result of any fortuitous impression, and still less of any act of the will.
It is possible that Jasmin may have obtained his first insight into poetic art during his solitary evening walks along the banks of the Garonne, or from the nightingales singing overhead, or from his chanting in the choir when a child.