Yet some of the local journals of Bordeaux made light of his appearance in that city for the purpose of reciting his as yet unknown poem.

"That a barber and hairdresser of Agen," they said, "speaking and writing in a vulgar tongue, should attempt to amuse or enlighten the intelligent people of Bordeaux, seemed to them beneath contempt." But Jasmin soon showed them that genius is of no rank or condition of life; and their views shortly underwent a sudden change.

His very appearance in the city was a triumph.

Crowds resorted to the large hall, in which he was to recite his new poem of the Blind Girl of Castel-Cuille.

The prefect, the mayor, the members of the Academy, and the most cultivated people of the city were present, and received him with applause.
There might have been some misgivings as to the success of the poem, but from the moment that he appeared on the platform and began his recitation, every doubt disappeared.