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Saturday, 6 January 1883

We go to watch the procession pass from the windows of M. Marinovitch, Serbia's minister and the princess's brother-in-law, at 240 rue de Rivoli.¹ One could not hope to be much better placed. But there was a sort of mix-up which made me fear I should have only the side windows. To see the procession as through the crack of a door, all the majesty of the perspective lost — I was about to weep with rage.

Nous allons voir passer le cortege des fenetre de M. Marinovitch, ministre de Serbie et beau-frere de la princesse, rue de Rivoli 240. Il serait difficile d'etre beaucoup mieux. Mais il y a eu une sorte de quiproquo qui m'a fait craindre de n'avoir que les fenetres de cote. Voir le cortege comme a travers l'entrebaillement d'une porte, toute la majeste de la perspective perdue, j'allais pleurer de rage.

Then everything is sorted out, and at ten o'clock when the cannon announces the departure of the coffin we are at our windows.

Puis tout s'arrange et a dix heures lorsque le canon annonce la levee du corps nous sommes a nos fenetres.

The hearse — preceded magnificently by bugles, mounted military men, a funeral march, and three enormous carts overloaded with wreaths — causes a surprise I would willingly call disappointment. A harsh word, but a just one, for the two Bastien-Lepages who designed it.² Through the tears wrested from me by the grandiose spectacle, I recognised the two brothers marching close to their work — the architect holding almost one of the cords of the pall, the precedence having been generously granted him by his brother, who has no need of such things to be celebrated. The hearse is low, as though crushed by grief — a black velvet cloth thrown across it, a few wreaths placed at random, a crepe, the coffin wrapped in the flag.

Le char precede magnifiquement de clairons, de militaires a cheval, d'une marche funebre et de trois enormes tombereaux surcharges de couronnes cause une surprise que je nommerai volontiers deception. Mot dur mais juste pour les deux Bastien-Lepage qui l'ont construit. A travers les larmes arrachees par le spectacle grandiose j'ai reconnu les deux freres marchant tout pres de leur oeuvre, l'architecte tenant *presque* un cordon du poele, et auquel son frere a genereusement accorde la preseance n'ayant pas besoin de cela pour etre celebre. Le char est bas comme ecrase de douleur, un drap de velours noir jete en travers, quelques couronnes au hasard, un crepe, le cercueil enveloppe du drapeau.

I would have wished more majesty in it — accustomed perhaps to the pomps of the church... In any case, they were right to want to break free from the classical hearse and imitate a kind of antique chariot that brings to mind the body of Hector borne back to Troy.³

Je lui voudrais plus de majeste habituee peut-etre aux pompes de l'eglise... Enfin ils ont voulu avec raison s'affranchir du corbillard classique et imiter une sorte de char antique qui fait songer au corps de Hector ramene a Troie.

After the passage of the three flower-carts and several gigantic wreaths on foot, one might have thought it was enough — but these three carts are almost forgotten in what follows; for never, by all accounts, has such a procession of flowers, mourning flags, and wreaths been seen. I confess without shame to being completely seized by this magnificence.

Apres le passage des trois camions de fleurs et de plusieurs gigantesques couronnes, a pied, on pouvait croire que c'etait assez, mais ces trois camions s'oublient presque dans la suite car jamais au dire de tout le monde on n'a vu un tel defile de fleurs, de drapeaux en deuil et de couronnes. Moi j'avoue sans honte etre completement empoignee par cette magnificence.

One is moved, on edge, overwhelmed — there are no longer words to say always the same thing: still more! Yes — more, and more, and still more; wreaths of all sizes and all colours, gigantic, fabulous, such as one has never seen on their stretchers; banners and ribbons with patriotic inscriptions; gold fringes glittering through the crepe. Avalanches of flowers, pearls, fringes; beds of roses swaying in the sun; mountains of violets and everlastings; and yet another brass band⁴ whose funeral march, played too fast, dies away into sad notes as it recedes — then the sound of feet on the sandy road, which I should like to compare to the sound of a rain of tears, if... But this splendid procession, illuminated by a spring sun that disperses the mist, has no desolate character... And still the delegations bearing wreaths pass — committees, associations, Paris, France, Europe, the industries, the arts, the schools, the flower of civilisation and intelligence. And still drums veiled in crepe, and the admirable sound of the bugle after formidable silences.

On est emu, enerve, excede, il n'y a plus de mots pour dire toujours la meme chose: comment encore ! Oui encore, encore et toujours, des couronnes de toutes les tailles, de toutes les couleurs, gigantesques, fabuleuses, comme on n'en a jamais vues sur des brancards, [Raye: avec] des bannieres et des rubans avec des inscriptions patriotiques, des franges d'or qui brillent a travers le crepe. Des avalanches de fleurs, de perles, de franges, des parterres de roses se balancant au soleil, des montagnes de violettes et d'immortelles et encore un orpheon dont la marche funebre jouee trop vite meurt en s'eloigant en notes tristes, puis le bruit des pas sur le sable de la rue que je voudrais comparer au bruit d'une pluie de larmes si... Mais ce cortege splendide et eclaire par un soleil de printemps qui dissipe le brouillard n'a pas un caractere desole... Et les delegations portant des couronnes passent toujours, les comites, les associations, Paris, la France, l'Europe, les industries, les arts, les ecoles, la fleur de la civilisation et de l'intelligence. Et encore des tambours voiles de crepe et le son admirable du clairon apres de formidables silences.

The lifeguards are cheered, as are the students who saluted as if to say: there may be another among us. Then yet another funeral march, and yet more wreaths. The finest are greeted with murmurs of admiration. Algeria is acclaimed; at the passage through Belleville,⁵ with that faculty for empathy and resonance which I possess to so powerful a degree, I felt a movement of tender pride that veiled my eyes. But when the monumental wreaths from the cities of Alsace-Lorraine appear, and the mourning tricolour flags, a shudder runs through the crowd that wrests tears. And the procession still continues — wreaths following wreaths, ribbons and flowers glittering in the sun through crepe veils. This is not a funeral — it is a triumphal march. I cannot say what prevents me from saying: apotheosis.

Les sauveteurs sont acclames ainsi que les etudiants qui saluaient comme pour dire: il y en a peut-etre un *autre* parmi nous. Puis encore une marche funebre et encore des couronnes. Les plus belles sont saluees par des murmures d'admiration. L'Algerie est acclamee, au passage de Belleville avec cette faculte d'assimilation et de vibration que je possede a un degre si puissant, j'ai ressenti un mouvement de fierte attendrie qui m'a voile les yeux. Mais lorsque paraissent les couronnes monumentales des villes d'Alsace-Lorraine et les drapeaux tricolores en deuil il y a un fremissement dans la foule qui arrache des larmes. Et le defile continue toujours, et les couronnes se succedent, les rubans et les fleurs brillant au soleil a travers des toiles de crepe. Ce n'est pas un enterrement, c'est une marche triomphale. Je ne sais pas ce qui fait que je ne puis dire: apotheose.

It is an entire people marching behind this coffin, and all the flowers of France are cut to honour this genius atrociously killed at forty-four — who embodied all the generous aspirations of his generation, who had ended by appropriating and encompassing in his personality the entire life of young France, who was the poetry, the arts, the hope, the mind of the new men.

C'est un peuple entier qui marche derriere ce cercueil et toutes le fleurs de France sont coupees pour honorer ce genie atrocement tue a quarante-quatre ans, qui incarnait toutes les aspirations genereuses de cette generation, qui avait fini par s'approprier et par englober dans sa personnalite la vie entiere du pays jeune, qui etait la poesie, les arts, l'espoir, la tete des hommes nouveaux.

Dead at forty-four, having had time only to prepare the ground for his work of revenge and greatness.

Mort a quarante-quatre ans n'ayant eu le temps que de preparer le terrain pour son oeuvre de revanche et de grandeur.

This incredible, unique procession lasts more than two and a half hours, and at last the crowd closes back — indifferent and noisy, thinking of nothing now but laughing at the fright of the last cuirassiers' horses. There has never been anything like it: the music, the flowers, the guilds, the children, in that light mist which the sun made resemble the images of an apotheosis.

Cet incroyable et unique defile dure plus de deux heures et demie et enfin la foule se referme, la foule indifferente et tapageuse ne songeant plus qu'a rire de la frayeur des chevaux des derniers cuirassiers. Il n'y a jamais eu rien de pareil, les musiques, les fleurs, les corporations, les enfants dans ce leger brouillard que le soleil faisait ressembler a des images d'une apotheose.

This golden haze and these flowers would call to mind the impossible funeral of some young god.

Cette vapeur doree et ces fleurs feraient songer au convoi impossible de quelque jeune dieu.

Even setting aside politics, I understand why everyone is moved to express tender regret for him.

Meme en mettant de cote la politique, je comprends que tout le monde soit porte a lui temoigner des regrets attendris.

He was the friend, the intellectual comrade [crossed out: speaking immaterially] of this whole generation; he was the Republic, Paris, France, youth, the arts. I seem to see a piece of fabric from which the principal ornament has been removed, leaving nothing but a mark and severed threads.

Il etait l'ami, le camarade intellectuel, [Raye: immateriellement parlant] de toute cette generation, il etait la Republique, Paris, la France, la jeunesse, les arts. Il me semble voir un morceau d'etoffe d'ou le principal ornement a ete enleve ne laissant qu'une marque et des fils coupes.

Ah — the flowers, the wreaths, the funeral marches, the flags, the delegations, the honours — lavish them on him, impatient people, ungrateful people, unjust people. It is finished now. Wrap in tricolour cloths the sad box that contains the horrible remains of this luminous intelligence.

Ah les fleurs, les couronnes, les marches funebres, les drapeaux, les delegations, les honneurs, prodiguez-les lui, peuple impatient, peuple ingrat, peuple injuste. C'est fini a present. Enveloppez d'etoffes tricolores la triste boite qui renferme les restes horribles de cette lumineuse intelligence.

You are worthy indeed to honour this mutilated corpse — you who poisoned the last year of this soul's life. All is finished. There is nothing left but little men stupefied before the gaping pit of the one who had so long embarrassed them with his superiority. How many were saying to themselves in a whisper that Gambetta prevented them from making a place for themselves, by his all-absorbing genius. The place is yours — show yourselves! Mediocre, jealous, and harmful: his death will not transform you.

Vous etes bien digne d'honorer ce cadavre mutile, vous qui avez empoisonne la derniere annee de la vie de cette ame. Tout est fini. Il n'y a plus rien que des petits hommes stupefaits devant la fosse beante de celui qui les genait tant par sa superiorite. Combien y en a-t-il qui se disait tout bas que Gambetta leur empechait de se faire une place par son absorbant genie. Elle est a vous la place, montrez-vous ! Mediocres, jaloux et nuis, sa mort ne vous transformera pas.

Our whole party lunches at Mme Marinovitch's — Mme Gavini eats, laughs, and rapturises over the beauty of the procession; Maman pursues the Baronne des Michels, the new ambassadress in Madrid, to invite her to our soirée; Dina laughs at my tears; everyone is very gay. I do not weep before everyone, but my throat is tight and my arms inert. We leave at about three; everyone has gone to the left side; the Champs-Élysées are grey and empty. So recently this man walked there so cheerful, so young, so alive, in that very simple carriage for which he was so much reproached. What bad faith everywhere. For intelligent, honest, educated, French, patriotic men could not in their hearts and consciences have believed the infamies with which they burdened Gambetta.

Toute notre societe dejeune chez Mme Marinovitch, Mme Gavini mange, rit et s'extasie sur la beaute du cortege, maman poursuit la baronne des Michels, nouvelle ambassadrice a Madrid pour l'inviter a notre soiree, Dina rit de mes larmes, on s'amuse beaucoup, je ne pleure pas devant tout le monde mais j'ai la gorge serree et les bras inertes, nous sortons de la vers trois heures, tout le monde s'est porte a gauche, les Champs Elysees sont gris et deserts, il y a si peu de temps encore cet homme s'y promenait si gai, si jeune, si vivant, dans cette tres simple voiture qu'on lui a tant reproche. Quelle mauvaise foi partout. Car les hommes intelligents, probes, instruits, francais, patriotes, *ne pouvaient pas en leur ame et conscience* croire aux infamies dont ils chargeaient Gambetta.

They say that his deputy's bench has already been reserved by some insect of the Chamber.

On dit que son banc de depute est deja retenu par un insecte de la Chambre.

Is there then no one to oppose this gross insult to the memory of the man who made famous the tribune of that chamber — whose steps are strewn with wreaths, adorned with lamp-stands, and veiled like a widow in a gigantic black crepe that falls from the pediment [words blacked out: in a sash] and envelops it in its transparent folds — the veil is an inspiration of genius, and one could not invent a more dramatic decoration. The effect is striking — it hurts, and gives an impression of cold, of terror, like the black flag of a nation in peril.

Il n'y a donc la personne pour s'opposer a cette grossiere injure a la memoire de celui qui a illustre la tribune de cette chambre au perron jonche de couronnes ornee de lampadaires et voilee comme une veuve d'un gigantesque crepe noir qui tombe du fronton [Mots noircis: en echarpe] et l'enveloppe de ses plis transparents, le voile est une inspiration de genie et on ne pourrait inventer une decoration plus dramatique. L'effet est saisissant, cela fait mal et donne une impression de froid, de terreur comme le drapeau noir de la patrie en danger.

We have many visitors — the Comtesse de Villevieille and her daughter, the Duchesse de Fitz-James, the Marquise de Villeneuve-Bonaparte, the Comtesse Duros, etc. These silly women talk of civil burial⁶ — I believe God himself does not trouble about such nonsense, and that he reserves a different welcome for the divine soul of a genius than for the small mitre-souls of the devout. These women are stupid; and we shall see a good deal of this society, I think, thanks to the old duchess — a torment for me, but one that flatters vanity on the whole.

Nous avons beaucoup de visites, la comtesse de Villevieille et sa fille, la duchesse de Fitz-James, la marquise de Villeneuve-Bonaparte, la comtesse Duros etc. Ces sottes parlent d'enfouissement civil, je crois que Dieu lui-meme ne s'inquiete pas de ces niaiseries et qu'il reserve un autre accueil a l'ame divine d'un genie qu'aux petites ames-mitres des devotes. Elles sont betes ces femmes et nous allons voir pas mal de cette societe je crois, grace a la vieille duhesse; c'est une souffrance pour moi mais qui flatte la vanite en somme.

Notes

240 rue de Rivoli: an excellent address directly facing the Tuileries Garden, with a direct view onto the processional route. Marinovitch, the Serbian minister, was in the social circle of the princess (Bojidar's mother), giving the Bashkirtseff family access to this privileged viewpoint. ↩

The Bastien-Lepage brothers designed the funeral hearse: Jules Bastien-Lepage had been commissioned to design the funeral chariot, with his brother Émile the architect executing it. Marie's ambivalence — respecting the concept, regretting the execution — is characteristic of her critical precision. ↩

Hector borne back to Troy: the final books of the Iliad, in which Achilles returns Hector's body to King Priam. The image of the slain hero's body carried in triumph through the streets resonates with Gambetta's Republican heroism. ↩

Brass band (orphéon): a civic wind band, typically composed of amateur players from working-class or trade associations. Their funeral march "played too fast" is a detail of acute observation — the amateur timing contrasting with the grandeur of the occasion. ↩

Belleville: the working-class district of north-eastern Paris, Gambetta's own political constituency and stronghold. When the procession passed through Belleville the emotional intensity was at its height — these were his own people. ↩

Civil burial (enfouissement civil): a burial without religious rites. Gambetta, an agnostic Republican, was given a fully civil funeral — no priests, no church, no last rites. This scandalised traditional Catholic society, whose reaction Marie contemptuously dismisses. ↩

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