Page:The Writings of Prosper Merimee-Volume 7.djvu/23

PROSPER MERIMEE vii sues, the art in which he excels; and if, at times, he de- scends voluntarily into the contest, more frequently he regards it from afar.

At an early age he was placed in comfortable circum- stances, then in an employment which was both congenial and interesting, that of Inspector of Historic Monuments. He then succeeded to a seat in the Senate Chamber, and later to a post at court.

As Inspector of Historic Monuments, he was capable, painstaking, and valuable; in the Senate he had the good taste to be usually absent or silent; at court, he enjoyed perfect freedom of action and of speech. To travel, to study, to mingle with men and affairs, such was his real occupation, and his official claims proved no restraint to the indulgence of his tastes. We must remember, too, that a man of such genius compels respect, even in the face of obstacles. His irony pierces the best case-hardened armour. Let us see with what ease and grace he handles it, even to the point of directing it against himself, thus making a double shot.

One day, at Biarritz, he had read one of his novels to the empress. "Not long afterward I received a visit from a policeman, who said he had been sent by the grand-duchess. 'In what way may I serve you?' 'I come in the name of her royal highness, to beg that you will attend her this evening with your novel.' 'What novel?' 'The one you read to her majesty the other day.' I replied that I had the honour to be her majesty's jester, and that without her permission I could not accept engagements outside the court. I flew without delay to tell her the