e either too
sparing or too liberal? Of what use? and for what purpose? They are vain,
terrestrial things, for which the soul recks nothing, when, radiant, it
ascends towards its Creator. Yesterday, Agricola made me read an article
in a newspaper, in which violent blame and bitter irony are by turns
employed, to attack what they call the baneful tendencies of some of the
lower orders, to improve themselves, to write, to read the poets, and
sometimes to make verses. Material enjoyments are forbidden us by
poverty. Is it humane to reproach us for seeking the enjoyments of the
mind? What harm can it do any one if every evening, after a day's toil,
remote from all pleasure, I amuse myself, unknown to all, in making a few
verses, or in writing in this journal the good or bad impressions I have
received? Is Agricola the worse workman, because, on returning home to
his mother, he employs Sunday in composing some of those popular songs,
which glorify the fruitful labors of the artisan, and say to all, Hope
and brotherhood! Does he not make a more worthy use of his time than if
he spent it in a tavern? Ah! those who blame us for these innocent and
noble diversions, which relieve our painful toils and sufferings, deceive
themselves when they think, that, in proportion as the intellect is
raised and refined, it is more difficult to bear with privations and
misery, and that so the irritation increases against the luckier few.

"Admitting even this to be the case--and it is not so--is it not better
to have an intelligent, enlightened enemy, to whose heart and reason you
may address yourself, than a stupid, ferocious, implacable foe? But no;
enmities disappear as the mind becomes enlightened, and the horizon of
compassion extends itself. We thus learn to understand moral afflictions.
We discover that the rich also have to suffer intense pains, and that
brotherhood in misfortune is already a link of sympathy. Alas! they also
have to mourn bitterly for idolized children, beloved mistresses,
reverend mothers; with them, also, especially amongst the women, there
are, in the height of luxury and grandeur, many broken hearts, many
suffering souls, many tears shed in secret. Let them not be alarmed. By
becoming their equals in intelligence, the people will learn to pity the
rich, if good and unhappy--and to pity them still more if rejoicing in
wickedness.

"What happiness! what a joyful day! I am giddy with delight. Oh, truly,
man is good,