This you constantly declare.

Recently, in the General Council, you said: "If the rich had only to abandon their wealth to make the people rich we should all be ready to do it." [Hear, hear.

It is true.] And yesterday, in the National Assembly, you said: "If I believed that it was in my power to give to the workingmen all the work they need, I would give all I possess to realize this blessing.
Unfortunately, it is impossible." Although it pains you that the sacrifice is so useless that it should not be made, and you exclaim, with Basile, "Money! money! I detest it--but I will keep it," assuredly no one will question a generosity so retentive, however barren.

It is a virtue which loves to envelop itself in a veil of modesty, especially when it is purely latent and negative.
As for you, you will lose no opportunity to proclaim it in the ears of all France from the tribune of the _Luxembourg_ and the _Palais Legislatif_.
But no one desires you to abandon your fortune, and I admit that it would not solve the social problem.
You wish to be generous, but cannot.

I only venture to ask that you will be just.