The Memoirs of a Physician; A Sequel to Joseph Balsamo the Second Volume in the Series of Historical Romances Known as the Marie Antoinette Series - Alexandre Dumas

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1903 Excerpt: ...some pamphleteer belonging to the fraternity, living quite near me, upon the same floor, perhaps, looking from his windows into my room. That is not impossible, since the reunions take place even in the Rue Plastriere. Well! this wretch will write stupid lampoons on me, which will make me ridiculous all over Paris. Have I not enemies everywhere?" A moment afterward Rousseau's thoughts took a different turn. "Well," said he to himself, "but where is courage? where is honor? Shall I be afraid of myself? Shall I see in my glass only the face of a coward--a slave? No, it shall not be so. If the whole world should combine to ruin me--if the very street should fall upon me--I will go. What pitiable reasoning does fear produce? Since I met this man, I have been continually turning in a circle of absurdities. I doubt every one, and even myself. That is not logical--I know myself. I am not an enthusiast; if I thought I saw wonders in this projected association, it is because there are wonders in it. Who will say I may not be the regenerator of the human race, I who am sought after, I whom on the faith of my writings the mysterious agents of an unlimited power have eagerly consulted? Shall I retreat when the time has come to follow up my word, to substitute practise for theory?" Rousseau became animated. "What can be more beautiful. Ages roll on; the people rise out of their brutishness; step follows step into the darkness, hand follows hand into the shadows; the immense pyramid is raised, upon the summit of which, as its crowning glory, future ages shall place the bust of Rousseau, citizen of Geneva, who risked his liberty, his life, that he might act as he had spoken--that he might be faithful to his motto: Vitam impendere vero." ...