Chapter 29
chapter twenty eight of figaro the life of beaumarchais beaumarchais and mirabeau As the readiest way of getting themselves talked about, youthful aspirants to the honours of the forum have been known to adopt the practice of involving some eminent public man in a controversy, and then seeking to disparage and overwhelm him at all that he stands for, in a merciless combat of wits. The celebrity of Beaumarchais at this time caused him to be singled out as a fit subject for such attentions by a most redoubtable adversary of this type. A few years before the production of The Marriage of Figaro, two engineering experts, the brothers Perrier, had conceived the project of supplying Paris with water drawn from the Seine by means of a steam pump which they installed on the heights of Chaillot. Being short of capital, they had applied to Beaumarchais, who had promptly financed the scheme and founded the Paris Water Company for its exploitation.
He had also become a director and one of the chief shareholders. For a few years, the shares fell considerably below par, but in 1785 they suddenly recovered and began to rise rapidly in value. Several bankers, whose interests were threatened by this unexpected turn of events, set themselves to arrest the revival. at this moment mirabeau fresh from jail and in his habitual state of impecuniosity happened to be in paris seeking an opening for his talents and eager as ever to sell his pen to the highest bidder his noisy amours his lawsuits and his amazing adventures had won him some notoriety in scandalous chronicle but otherwise he was unknown to fame
he had however already done a considerable amount of literary hack-work for the financiers clavier and panchot the two men most adversely affected by the success of the paris water company they supplied him with tendacious statistics and hired him to concoct a pamphlet denying the advantages of the scheme and even boldly asserting that the operations of the company were against the public interest When the old Marquis de Mirabeau heard of this transaction, he wrote of his son, quote, This gentleman is now in the pay of the speculators.
They use him as one uses an ill-conditioned, dangerous cur, which is set on to bark at the heels of passers-by and is always ready to snap when bidden, unquote. Beaumarchais, as a director and principal shareholder of the company, thinking that it was in the public interest to prove the contrary of Meribault's assertions, replied to the future orator in a calm and reasoned statement. But after treating his
opponent with marked deference and complimenting him on the ability he had displayed in making out his case, he declared that the author of the pamphlet he was reviewing, quote, was in the pay of speculators known to have the greatest interest in the fall of the market, end quote. He reminded his readers that, quote, novel enterprises had at all periods of history encountered strenuous opposition, end quote. And then, to put the laugh on his side,
characteristically added, quote, when the criticisms were very bitter, they were called philippics. Perhaps in the future some wag would call the present ones by the pretty name of Mirabelle, as derived from the Comte de Mirabeau, who Mirabilia fecit, end quote. He ended by begging the Comte's pardon in advance if any expression had escaped him of which he disapproved. Now, when a man means to be sarcastic, it is futile to introduce his cutting remarks by a conciliatory
preamble of this kind, for it's impossible to say offensive things in an inoffensive way. Such tactics can be safely employed only with a subordinate who is in no position to reply to them. With an equal, it is like suddenly lowering one's guard when the engagement is at its height, and to equals and inferiors alike it is adding insult to injury. Mirabeau took full advantage of his opponent's mistake.
His reply, full of treacherous insinuations, is a bitter denunciation of the life, character, and writings of, quote, that mountebank Beaumarchais, unquote, as he was pleased to call him. In the marriage of Figaro, he declared, quote, every order of the state, every class of society, every law, every rule of life is lacerated, insulted, outraged, end quote. Then turning on its author, he wrote, quote, as for you, sir, who by putting a slanderous interpretation upon my intentions and
my motives, have forced me to treat you with a harshness which nature has placed neither in my heart nor mind. You, whom I never provoked, and to contend with whom would be neither useful nor honorable, I advise you to profit by the bitter lesson which you have compelled me to give you. Withdraw your unsolicited compliments, for on no account whatever am I able to reciprocate them. Take back the pitiful excuses you proffer to me. Withdraw the insolent esteem which you dare to
express to me, henceforth aspire to nothing but to deserve to be forgotten. Beaux-Marchais was no Joseph, on the contrary, but is it not an engaging spectacle to see the scandalized author of the Erotica Biblion emerge, reeling from the obscurity of the Paphian groves to champion the cause of public and private morality so shamelessly outraged in the life and writings of the creator of Figaro. If Goudin is to be credited, the quarrel actually originated in his friend's refusal to
accommodate the impecunious conct with a loan. Mirabeau, he says, quote, who was at that time known only by his love affairs, his debts, and his eloquent work on lettres de cachet, lived solely upon borrowed money. He called upon Beaumarchais. They knew each other only by reputation. The conversation which followed was gay, lively, and witty. Before taking his leave, the comte, with the easy familiarity peculiar to habitual borrowers, asked him for a loan of
twelve thousand francs. Beaumarchais refused with the whimsical gaiety which distinguished him. But it would be easy for you to lend me this amount, said Mirabeau. No doubt, retorted Beaumarchais. But, monsieur le comte, since I should have to quarrel with you on the day the debt fell due, I would just assume it should be today, and I shall be 12,000 francs in pocket. However this may be, the conflict was fast and furious, but of short duration,
for like Major O'Flaherty on a similar occasion, the natural impetuosity of both parties to the quarrel had urged them to fight first and explain afterwards. Beaumarchais, with that sympathetic indulgence toward the weaknesses and necessities of his fellows, which is such a charming trait of his character, never pressed the advantage which his knowledge of the seamy side of Mirabeau's career afforded him, and made no reply to his abuse. His dignity and forbearance, under great
provocation, aided perhaps by an opportune private loan, soon induced the great orator, who after all was a gentleman, to make the first advances towards a reconciliation. Beaumarchais asked for nothing better. Such affairs are easily accommodated when both parties are as entirely free from pettiness and retrospective malice, as were Beaumarchais and Mirabeau. Monsieur de Lomény has published an amusing correspondence, which subsequently passed between them, and in his latter years,
Beaumarchais, the survivor, could write of the man who was destined to carry the maxims of Figaro into action. Quote, we were really divided more in feeling than in opinion. He changed his mind about me, and very handsomely made amends for his misjudgment of me. End of section 29. Read by Sandra, near Montreal, 2022
