The objective of _l'Avenir_, then, was both political and literary; it was in sympathy with modern literature, and, in the person of the Abbé de Lamennais, it possessed, besides, one of the leading writers of the day; it was one of those rare papers (_rari nantes_) in which one could follow the human mind under its two aspects. _Liber_, in Latin, may be allowed to mean also _libre_ (free) and _livre_ (book). I have already told how we literary men of the new school had made implacable enemies of all the papers on the side of the political movement. It was all the more strange that the literary revolution had preceded, helped, prepared the way for and heralded the political revolution which was past, and the social revolution which was taking place. For example, we recollect an article upon _Notre Dame de Paris_, wherein, whilst regretting that the author was not more deeply Catholic, Comte Charles de Montalembert praised the style and poetry of Victor Hugo with the enthusiasm of an adept. It was about this time, and several days, I believe, after the representation of _Antony_, that M. de Lamennais expressed the desire that I should be introduced to him. This wish was a great honour for me, and I gratefully acquiesced. A mutual friend took me to the house of the famous founder of _l'Avenir_, who was then living in the rue Jacob--I remember the name of the street, but have forgotten the number of the house. Before that day, I had already joyfully acknowledged an admiration for him which sprang up in my heart and soul fresh, and strong, and unalloyed. Meanwhile, _l'Avenir_ was successful; this was soon apparent from the anger and hatred launched against its doctrines. Amongst the various advices it gave to the clergy, that of renouncing the emoluments administered by the State, and of simply following Christ in poverty, was not at all relished; and people grew indignant. It was in vain for the solemn voice of the Abbé de Lamennais to exclaim-- "Break these degrading chains! Put away these rags!" The clergy replied under their breath: "Call them rags if you wish, but they are rags dear to our hearts." Do my readers desire to know to what degree the journal _l'Avenir_ had its roots buried in what is aristocratically styled Society? Then let us quote the first lines dedicated to the trial of _l'Avenir_ in the _l'Annuaire_ of Lesur--