This etext was produced by David Widger <widger@cecomet.net>
[NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of thefile for those who may wish to sample the author's ideas before making anentire meal of them. D.W.]
By GUSTAVE DROZ
Antoine-Gustave Droz was born in Paris, June 9, 1832. He was the son ofJules-Antoine Droz, a celebrated French sculptor, and grand son of JeanPierre Droz, master of the mint and medalist under the Directoire. Thefamily is of Swiss origin. Gustave entered L'Ecole des Beaux Arts andbecame quite a noted artist, coming out in the Salon of 1857 with thepainting 'L'Obole de Cesar'. He also exhibited a little later various'tableaux de genre': 'Buffet de chemin de fer' (1863), 'A la Sacristie'and 'Un Succes de Salon' (1864), 'Monsieur le Cure, vous avez Raison' and'Un Froid Sec' (1865).
Toward this period, however, he abandoned the art of painting andlaunched on the career of an author, contributing under the name ofGustave Z…. to 'La Vie Parisienne'. His articles found great favor,he showed himself an exquisite raconteur, a sharp observer of intimatefamily life, and a most penetrating analyst. The very gallant sketches,later reunited in 'Monsieur, Madame, et Bebe' (1866), and crowned by theAcademy, have gone through many editions. 'Entre nous' (1867) and 'UneFemme genante', are written in the same humorous strain, and procured himmany admirers by the vivacious and sparkling representations of bachelorand connubial life. However, Droz knows very well where to draw theline, and has formally disavowed a lascivious novel published in Belgium—'Un Ete a la campagne', often, but erroneously, attributed to him.
It seems that Gustave Droz later joined the pessimistic camp. His works,at least, indicate other qualities than those which gained for him thefavor of the reading public. He becomes a more ingenious romancer, amore delicate psychologist. If some of his sketches are realistic, wemust consider that realism is not intended 'pour les jeunes filles dupensiannat'.
Beside the works mentioned in the above text, Gustave Droz wrote: 'Le
Cahier bleu de Mademoiselle Cibot (1868), 'Auteur d'une Source (1869),
'Un Paquet de Lettres' (1870), 'Babolain' (1872), 'Les Etangs' (1875),
'Tristesses et Sourires (1883), and L'Enfant (1884).
He died in Paris, October 22, 1895.
CAMILLE DOUCET de l'Academie Francaise.
The devil take me if I can remember her name, notwithstanding I dearlyloved her, the charming girl!
It is strange how rich we find ourselves when we rummage in old drawers;how many forgotten sighs, how many pretty little trinkets, broken, old-fashioned, and dusty, we come across. But no matter. I was noweighteen, and, upon my honor, very unsuspecting. It was in the arms ofthat dear—I have her name at the tip of my tongue, it ended in "ine"—it was in her arms, the dear child, that I murmured my first words oflove, while I was close to her rounded shoulder, which had a prettylittle mole, where I imprinted my first kiss. I adored her, and shereturned my affection.
I really think I should have married her, and that cheerfully, I canassure you, if it had not been that on certain details of moral weaknessher past life inspired me with doubts, and her present with uneasiness.No man is pe