When I come from one of the academies of which I am a member, I find myself among the tools which I can manage better than my pen; and most of the members of the circle usually pass through my hands.' "It is a fact that M.Jasmin shaves more skilfully than any other poet.
After a long conversation with this simple-minded man, I experienced a certain confusion in depositing upon his table the amount of fifty centimes which I owed him on this occasion, more for his talent than for his razor; and I remounted the diligence more than charmed with the modesty of his character and demeanour." Endnotes for Chapter VI.
{1} M.Duvigneau thus translated the words into French: he begins his verses by announcing the birth of Henry IV.:-- "A son aspect, mille cris d'allegresse Ebranlent le palais et montent jusqu'au ciel: Le voila beau comme dans sa jeunesse, Alors qu'il recevait le baiser maternel.
A ce peuple charme qui des yeux le devore Le bon Roi semble dire encore: 'Braves Gascons, accourez tous; A mon amour pour vous vous devez croire; Je met a vous revoir mon bonheur et ma gloire, Venez, venez, approchez-vous!'" {2} Gascon or Gasconade is often used as implying boasting or gasconading.
{3} This letter was written before Jasmin had decided to publish the second volume of his Papillotes, which appeared in 1835.
{4} The following are the lines in Gascon:-- "Atai boudroy dan bous fini ma triplo paouzo; Mais anfin, ey cantat, n'hazardi pas gran caouzo: Quand Pegazo reguinno, et que d'un cot de pe M'emboyo friza mas marotos, Perdi moun ten, es bray, mais noun pas moun pape; Boti mous bers en papillotos!" {5} 'Portraits Contemporains,' ii.50.Par C.A.Sainte-Beuve, Membre de l'Academie Francaise.

1847.
{6} 'Perpignan, l'Ariege et le poete Jasmin' (Journal politique et litteraire de Lot-et-Garonne)..