The Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau — CompleteRousseau, Jean-Jacques
Philosophy
The Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau — Complete
Rousseau, Jean-Jacques
Authors, French -- 18th century -- Biography; Rousseau, Jean-Jacques, 1712-1778
Behold me then so full of this concert, that night or day I could think
of nothing else, and it actually employed a great part of my time to
select the music, assemble the musicians, look to the instruments, and
write out the several parts. Madam de Warens sang; Father Cato (whom I
have before mentioned, and shall have occasion to speak of again) sang
likewise; a dancing-master named Roche, and his son, played on the
violin; Canavas, a Piedmontese musician (who was employed like myself in
the survey, and has since married at Paris), played on the violoncello;
the Abbe Palais performed on the harpsichord, and I had the honor to
conduct the whole. It may be supposed all this was charming; I cannot
say it equalled my concert at Monsieur de Tretoren’s, but certainly it
was not far behind it.
This little concert, given by Madam de Warens, the new convert, who
lived (it was expressed) on the king’s charity, made the whole tribe of
devotees murmur, but was a very agreeable amusement to several worthy
people, at the head of whom it would not be easily surmised that I
should place a monk; yet, though a monk, a man of considerable merit,
and even of a very amiable disposition, whose subsequent misfortunes
gave me the most lively concern, and whose idea, attached to that of
my happy days, is yet dear to my memory. I speak of Father Cato, a
Cordelier, who, in conjunction with the Count d’Ortan, had caused the
music of poor Le Maitre to be seized at Lyons; which action was far from
being the brightest trait in his history. He was a Bachelor of Sorbonne,
had lived long in Paris among the great world, and was particularly
caressed by the Marquis d’Antremont, then Ambassador from Sardinia. He
was tall and well made; full faced, with very fine eyes, and black hair,
which formed natural curls on each side of his forehead. His manner was
at once noble, open, and modest; he presented himself with ease and
good manners, having neither the hypocritical nor impudent behavior of a
monk, or the forward assurance of a fashionable coxcomb, but the manners
of a well-bred man, who, without blushing for his habit, set a value
on himself, and ever felt in his proper situation when in good company.
Though Father Cato was not deeply studied for a doctor, he was much so
for a man of the world, and not being compelled to show his talents, he
brought them forward so advantageously that they appeared greater than
they really were. Having lived much in the world, he had rather attached
himself to agreeable acquirements than to solid learning; had sense,
made verses, spoke well, sang better, and aided his good voice by
playing on the organ and harpsichord. So many pleasing qualities were
not necessary to make his company sought after, and, accordingly, it
was very much so, but this did not make him neglect the duties of his
function: he was chosen (in spite of his jealous competitors) Definitor
of his Province, or, according to them, one of the greatest pillars of
their order.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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