Reading Help The Count of Monte Cristo Ch.40-74
irrepressible curiosity the magistrate whose salute he `
` returned, and who, distrustful by habit, and especially `
` incredulous as to social prodigies, was much more despised `
` to look upon "the noble stranger," as Monte Cristo was `
` already called, as an adventurer in search of new fields, or `
` an escaped criminal, rather than as a prince of the Holy `
` See, or a sultan of the Thousand and One Nights. `
` `
` "Sir," said Villefort, in the squeaky tone assumed by `
` magistrates in their oratorical periods, and of which they `
` cannot, or will not, divest themselves in society, "sir, the `
` signal service which you yesterday rendered to my wife and `
` son has made it a duty for me to offer you my thanks. I have `
` come, therefore, to discharge this duty, and to express to `
` you my overwhelming gratitude." And as he said this, the `
` "eye severe" of the magistrate had lost nothing of its `
` habitual arrogance. He spoke in a voice of the `
` procureur-general, with the rigid inflexibility of neck and `
` shoulders which caused his flatterers to say (as we have `
` before observed) that he was the living statue of the law. `
` `
` "Monsieur," replied the count, with a chilling air, "I am `
` very happy to have been the means of preserving a son to his `
` mother, for they say that the sentiment of maternity is the `
` most holy of all; and the good fortune which occurred to me, `
` monsieur, might have enabled you to dispense with a duty `
` which, in its discharge, confers an undoubtedly great honor; `
` for I am aware that M. de Villefort is not usually lavish of `
` the favor which he now bestows on me, -- a favor which, `
` however estimable, is unequal to the satisfaction which I `
` have in my own consciousness." Villefort, astonished at this `
` reply, which he by no means expected, started like a soldier `
` who feels the blow levelled at him over the armor he wears, `
` and a curl of his disdainful lip indicated that from that `
` moment he noted in the tablets of his brain that the Count `
` of Monte Cristo was by no means a highly bred gentleman. He `
` glanced around. in order to seize on something on which the `
` conversation might turn, and seemed to fall easily on a `
` topic. He saw the map which Monte Cristo had been examining `
` when he entered, and said, "You seem geographically engaged, `
` sir? It is a rich study for you, who, as I learn, have seen `
` as many lands as are delineated on this map." `
` `
` "Yes, sir," replied the count; "I have sought to make of the `
` human race, taken in the mass, what you practice every day `
` on individuals -- a physiological study. I have believed it `
` was much easier to descend from the whole to a part than to `
` ascend from a part to the whole. It is an algebraic axiom, `
` which makes us proceed from a known to an unknown quantity, `
` and not from an unknown to a known; but sit down, sir, I beg `
` of you." `
` `
` Monte Cristo pointed to a chair, which the procureur was `
` obliged to take the trouble to move forwards himself, while `
` the count merely fell back into his own, on which he had `
` been kneeling when M. Villefort entered. Thus the count was `
` halfway turned towards his visitor, having his back towards `
` the window, his elbow resting on the geographical chart `
` which furnished the theme of conversation for the moment, -- `
` a conversation which assumed, as in the case of the `
` interviews with Danglars and Morcerf, a turn analogous to `
` the persons, if not to the situation. "Ah, you `
` philosophize," replied Villefort, after a moment's silence, `
` during which, like a wrestler who encounters a powerful `
` opponent, he took breath; "well, sir, really, if, like you, `
` I had nothing else to do, I should seek a more amusing `
` occupation." `
` `
` "Why, in truth, sir," was Monte Cristo's reply, "man is but `
` an ugly caterpillar for him who studies him through a solar `
` microscope; but you said, I think, that I had nothing else `
` to do. Now, really, let me ask, sir, have you? -- do you `
` believe you have anything to do? or to speak in plain terms, `
` do you really think that what you do deserves being called `
` anything?" `
` `
` Villefort's astonishment redoubled at this second thrust so `
` forcibly made by his strange adversary. It was a long time `
` since the magistrate had heard a paradox so strong, or `
` rather, to say the truth more exactly, it was the first time `
` he had ever heard of it. The procureur exerted himself to `
` reply. "Sir," he responded, "you are a stranger, and I `
` believe you say yourself that a portion of your life has `
` been spent in Oriental countries, so you are not aware how `
` human justice, so expeditions in barbarous countries, takes `
` with us a prudent and well-studied course." `
` `
` "Oh, yes -- yes, I do, sir; it is the pede claudo of the `
` ancients. I know all that, for it is with the justice of all `
` countries especially that I have occupied myself -- it is `
` with the criminal procedure of all nations that I have `
` compared natural justice, and I must say, sir, that it is `
` the law of primitive nations, that is, the law of `
` retaliation, that I have most frequently found to be `
` according to the law of God." `
` `
` "If this law were adopted, sir," said the procureur, "it `
` would greatly simplify our legal codes, and in that case the `
` magistrates would not (as you just observed) have much to `
` do." `
` `
` "It may, perhaps, come to this in time," observed Monte `
` Cristo; "you know that human inventions march from the `
` complex to the simple, and simplicity is always perfection." `
` `
` "In the meanwhile," continued the magistrate, "our codes are `
` in full force, with all their contradictory enactments `
` derived from Gallic customs, Roman laws, and Frank usages; `
` the knowledge of all which, you will agree, is not to be `
` acquired without extended labor; it needs tedious study to `
` acquire this knowledge, and, when acquired, a strong power `
` of brain to retain it." `
` `
` "I agree with you entirely, sir; but all that even you know `
` with respect to the French code, I know, not only in `
` reference to that code, but as regards the codes of all `
` nations. The English, Turkish, Japanese, Hindu laws, are as `
` familiar to me as the French laws, and thus I was right, `
` when I said to you, that relatively (you know that `
` everything is relative, sir) -- that relatively to what I `
` have done, you have very little to do; but that relatively `
` to all I have learned, you have yet a great deal to learn." `
` `
` "But with what motive have you learned all this?" inquired `
` Villefort, in astonishment. Monte Cristo smiled. "Really, `
` sir," he observed, "I see that in spite of the reputation `
` which you have acquired as a superior man, you look at `
` everything from the material and vulgar view of society, `
` beginning with man, and ending with man -- that is to say, `
` in the most restricted, most narrow view which it is `
` possible for human understanding to embrace." `
` `
` "Pray, sir, explain yourself," said Villefort, more and more `
` astonished, "I really do -- not -- understand you -- `
` perfectly." `
` `
` "I say, sir, that with the eyes fixed on the social `
` organization of nations, you see only the springs of the `
` machine, and lose sight of the sublime workman who makes `
` them act; I say that you do not recognize before you and `
` around you any but those office-holders whose commissions `
` have been signed by a minister or king; and that the men `
` whom God has put above those office-holders, ministers, and `
` kings, by giving them a mission to follow out, instead of a `
` post to fill -- I say that they escape your narrow, limited `
` field of observation. It is thus that human weakness fails, `
` from its debilitated and imperfect organs. Tobias took the `
` angel who restored him to light for an ordinary young man. `
` The nations took Attila, who was doomed to destroy them, for `
` a conqueror similar to other conquerors, and it was `
` necessary for both to reveal their missions, that they might `
` be known and acknowledged; one was compelled to say, `I am `
` the angel of the Lord'; and the other, `I am the hammer of `
` God,' in order that the divine essence in both might be `
` revealed." `
` `
` "Then," said Villefort, more and more amazed, and really `
` supposing he was speaking to a mystic or a madman, "you `
` consider yourself as one of those extraordinary beings whom `
` you have mentioned?" `
` `
` "And why not?" said Monte Cristo coldly. `
` `
` "Your pardon, sir," replied Villefort, quite astounded, "but `
` you will excuse me if, when I presented myself to you, I was `
` unaware that I should meet with a person whose knowledge and `
` understanding so far surpass the usual knowledge and `
` understanding of men. It is not usual with us corrupted `
` wretches of civilization to find gentlemen like yourself, `
` possessors, as you are, of immense fortune -- at least, so `
` it is said -- and I beg you to observe that I do not `
` inquire, I merely repeat; -- it is not usual, I say, for `
` such privileged and wealthy beings to waste their time in `
` speculations on the state of society, in philosophical `
` reveries, intended at best to console those whom fate has `
` disinherited from the goods of this world." `
` `
` "Really, sir," retorted the count, "have you attained the `
` eminent situation in which you are, without having admitted, `
` or even without having met with exceptions? and do you never `
` use your eyes, which must have acquired so much finesse and `
` certainty, to divine, at a glance, the kind of man by whom `
` you are confronted? Should not a magistrate be not merely `
` the best administrator of the law, but the most crafty `
` expounder of the chicanery of his profession, a steel probe `
` to search hearts, a touchstone to try the gold which in each `
` soul is mingled with more or less of alloy?" `
` `
` "Sir," said Villefort, "upon my word, you overcome me. I `
` really never heard a person speak as you do." `
` `
` "Because you remain eternally encircled in a round of `
` general conditions, and have never dared to raise your wings `
` into those upper spheres which God has peopled with `
` invisible or exceptional beings." `
` `
` "And you allow then, sir, that spheres exist, and that these `
` marked and invisible beings mingle amongst us?" `
` `
` "Why should they not? Can you see the air you breathe, and `
` yet without which you could not for a moment exist?" `
`
` returned, and who, distrustful by habit, and especially `
` incredulous as to social prodigies, was much more despised `
` to look upon "the noble stranger," as Monte Cristo was `
` already called, as an adventurer in search of new fields, or `
` an escaped criminal, rather than as a prince of the Holy `
` See, or a sultan of the Thousand and One Nights. `
` `
` "Sir," said Villefort, in the squeaky tone assumed by `
` magistrates in their oratorical periods, and of which they `
` cannot, or will not, divest themselves in society, "sir, the `
` signal service which you yesterday rendered to my wife and `
` son has made it a duty for me to offer you my thanks. I have `
` come, therefore, to discharge this duty, and to express to `
` you my overwhelming gratitude." And as he said this, the `
` "eye severe" of the magistrate had lost nothing of its `
` habitual arrogance. He spoke in a voice of the `
` procureur-general, with the rigid inflexibility of neck and `
` shoulders which caused his flatterers to say (as we have `
` before observed) that he was the living statue of the law. `
` `
` "Monsieur," replied the count, with a chilling air, "I am `
` very happy to have been the means of preserving a son to his `
` mother, for they say that the sentiment of maternity is the `
` most holy of all; and the good fortune which occurred to me, `
` monsieur, might have enabled you to dispense with a duty `
` which, in its discharge, confers an undoubtedly great honor; `
` for I am aware that M. de Villefort is not usually lavish of `
` the favor which he now bestows on me, -- a favor which, `
` however estimable, is unequal to the satisfaction which I `
` have in my own consciousness." Villefort, astonished at this `
` reply, which he by no means expected, started like a soldier `
` who feels the blow levelled at him over the armor he wears, `
` and a curl of his disdainful lip indicated that from that `
` moment he noted in the tablets of his brain that the Count `
` of Monte Cristo was by no means a highly bred gentleman. He `
` glanced around. in order to seize on something on which the `
` conversation might turn, and seemed to fall easily on a `
` topic. He saw the map which Monte Cristo had been examining `
` when he entered, and said, "You seem geographically engaged, `
` sir? It is a rich study for you, who, as I learn, have seen `
` as many lands as are delineated on this map." `
` `
` "Yes, sir," replied the count; "I have sought to make of the `
` human race, taken in the mass, what you practice every day `
` on individuals -- a physiological study. I have believed it `
` was much easier to descend from the whole to a part than to `
` ascend from a part to the whole. It is an algebraic axiom, `
` which makes us proceed from a known to an unknown quantity, `
` and not from an unknown to a known; but sit down, sir, I beg `
` of you." `
` `
` Monte Cristo pointed to a chair, which the procureur was `
` obliged to take the trouble to move forwards himself, while `
` the count merely fell back into his own, on which he had `
` been kneeling when M. Villefort entered. Thus the count was `
` halfway turned towards his visitor, having his back towards `
` the window, his elbow resting on the geographical chart `
` which furnished the theme of conversation for the moment, -- `
` a conversation which assumed, as in the case of the `
` interviews with Danglars and Morcerf, a turn analogous to `
` the persons, if not to the situation. "Ah, you `
` philosophize," replied Villefort, after a moment's silence, `
` during which, like a wrestler who encounters a powerful `
` opponent, he took breath; "well, sir, really, if, like you, `
` I had nothing else to do, I should seek a more amusing `
` occupation." `
` `
` "Why, in truth, sir," was Monte Cristo's reply, "man is but `
` an ugly caterpillar for him who studies him through a solar `
` microscope; but you said, I think, that I had nothing else `
` to do. Now, really, let me ask, sir, have you? -- do you `
` believe you have anything to do? or to speak in plain terms, `
` do you really think that what you do deserves being called `
` anything?" `
` `
` Villefort's astonishment redoubled at this second thrust so `
` forcibly made by his strange adversary. It was a long time `
` since the magistrate had heard a paradox so strong, or `
` rather, to say the truth more exactly, it was the first time `
` he had ever heard of it. The procureur exerted himself to `
` reply. "Sir," he responded, "you are a stranger, and I `
` believe you say yourself that a portion of your life has `
` been spent in Oriental countries, so you are not aware how `
` human justice, so expeditions in barbarous countries, takes `
` with us a prudent and well-studied course." `
` `
` "Oh, yes -- yes, I do, sir; it is the pede claudo of the `
` ancients. I know all that, for it is with the justice of all `
` countries especially that I have occupied myself -- it is `
` with the criminal procedure of all nations that I have `
` compared natural justice, and I must say, sir, that it is `
` the law of primitive nations, that is, the law of `
` retaliation, that I have most frequently found to be `
` according to the law of God." `
` `
` "If this law were adopted, sir," said the procureur, "it `
` would greatly simplify our legal codes, and in that case the `
` magistrates would not (as you just observed) have much to `
` do." `
` `
` "It may, perhaps, come to this in time," observed Monte `
` Cristo; "you know that human inventions march from the `
` complex to the simple, and simplicity is always perfection." `
` `
` "In the meanwhile," continued the magistrate, "our codes are `
` in full force, with all their contradictory enactments `
` derived from Gallic customs, Roman laws, and Frank usages; `
` the knowledge of all which, you will agree, is not to be `
` acquired without extended labor; it needs tedious study to `
` acquire this knowledge, and, when acquired, a strong power `
` of brain to retain it." `
` `
` "I agree with you entirely, sir; but all that even you know `
` with respect to the French code, I know, not only in `
` reference to that code, but as regards the codes of all `
` nations. The English, Turkish, Japanese, Hindu laws, are as `
` familiar to me as the French laws, and thus I was right, `
` when I said to you, that relatively (you know that `
` everything is relative, sir) -- that relatively to what I `
` have done, you have very little to do; but that relatively `
` to all I have learned, you have yet a great deal to learn." `
` `
` "But with what motive have you learned all this?" inquired `
` Villefort, in astonishment. Monte Cristo smiled. "Really, `
` sir," he observed, "I see that in spite of the reputation `
` which you have acquired as a superior man, you look at `
` everything from the material and vulgar view of society, `
` beginning with man, and ending with man -- that is to say, `
` in the most restricted, most narrow view which it is `
` possible for human understanding to embrace." `
` `
` "Pray, sir, explain yourself," said Villefort, more and more `
` astonished, "I really do -- not -- understand you -- `
` perfectly." `
` `
` "I say, sir, that with the eyes fixed on the social `
` organization of nations, you see only the springs of the `
` machine, and lose sight of the sublime workman who makes `
` them act; I say that you do not recognize before you and `
` around you any but those office-holders whose commissions `
` have been signed by a minister or king; and that the men `
` whom God has put above those office-holders, ministers, and `
` kings, by giving them a mission to follow out, instead of a `
` post to fill -- I say that they escape your narrow, limited `
` field of observation. It is thus that human weakness fails, `
` from its debilitated and imperfect organs. Tobias took the `
` angel who restored him to light for an ordinary young man. `
` The nations took Attila, who was doomed to destroy them, for `
` a conqueror similar to other conquerors, and it was `
` necessary for both to reveal their missions, that they might `
` be known and acknowledged; one was compelled to say, `I am `
` the angel of the Lord'; and the other, `I am the hammer of `
` God,' in order that the divine essence in both might be `
` revealed." `
` `
` "Then," said Villefort, more and more amazed, and really `
` supposing he was speaking to a mystic or a madman, "you `
` consider yourself as one of those extraordinary beings whom `
` you have mentioned?" `
` `
` "And why not?" said Monte Cristo coldly. `
` `
` "Your pardon, sir," replied Villefort, quite astounded, "but `
` you will excuse me if, when I presented myself to you, I was `
` unaware that I should meet with a person whose knowledge and `
` understanding so far surpass the usual knowledge and `
` understanding of men. It is not usual with us corrupted `
` wretches of civilization to find gentlemen like yourself, `
` possessors, as you are, of immense fortune -- at least, so `
` it is said -- and I beg you to observe that I do not `
` inquire, I merely repeat; -- it is not usual, I say, for `
` such privileged and wealthy beings to waste their time in `
` speculations on the state of society, in philosophical `
` reveries, intended at best to console those whom fate has `
` disinherited from the goods of this world." `
` `
` "Really, sir," retorted the count, "have you attained the `
` eminent situation in which you are, without having admitted, `
` or even without having met with exceptions? and do you never `
` use your eyes, which must have acquired so much finesse and `
` certainty, to divine, at a glance, the kind of man by whom `
` you are confronted? Should not a magistrate be not merely `
` the best administrator of the law, but the most crafty `
` expounder of the chicanery of his profession, a steel probe `
` to search hearts, a touchstone to try the gold which in each `
` soul is mingled with more or less of alloy?" `
` `
` "Sir," said Villefort, "upon my word, you overcome me. I `
` really never heard a person speak as you do." `
` `
` "Because you remain eternally encircled in a round of `
` general conditions, and have never dared to raise your wings `
` into those upper spheres which God has peopled with `
` invisible or exceptional beings." `
` `
` "And you allow then, sir, that spheres exist, and that these `
` marked and invisible beings mingle amongst us?" `
` `
` "Why should they not? Can you see the air you breathe, and `
` yet without which you could not for a moment exist?" `
`