APPENDIX IV
Cyrano de Bergerac
La vraye et parfaite science des armoires, augmentée par P. Paillot, Dijon et Paris, 1660, folio, gives a description of the arms of Cyrano which (with apologies to heralds) I English as follows:
"Azure, a chevron or, two lion-skins or bound gules suspended in chief, a lion with a tail saltire-wise or armed gules, with a chief gules."
In spite of this imposing shield the Cyrano family failed to establish its claim to nobility at the visitations of 1668 and 1704. On the former occasion Abel de Cyrano (brother of our author) was fined 300livresfor claiming nobility unlawfully and on the latter occasion a cousin, J. D. de Cyrano, was fined the large sum of 3000livresfor the same offence.
[1]Le Bret, Préface, 1657.
[1]Le Bret, Préface, 1657.
[2]"Nothing could be clearer or better in style, and it is less archaic than Corneille." (Remy de Gourmont).
[2]"Nothing could be clearer or better in style, and it is less archaic than Corneille." (Remy de Gourmont).
[3]Which means "Strike, there is the enemy", but might also mean "Strike, there is the sacrament."
[3]Which means "Strike, there is the enemy", but might also mean "Strike, there is the sacrament."
[4]Tallemant des Réaux,Historiettes, 1858. Vol. 7: "Suite des Naifvetez, Bons Mots, etc."
[4]Tallemant des Réaux,Historiettes, 1858. Vol. 7: "Suite des Naifvetez, Bons Mots, etc."
[5]Menagiana, Amsterdam, 1693, page 199.
[5]Menagiana, Amsterdam, 1693, page 199.
[6]Retrospective Review, 1820. Vol. I. Part 2. Art. viii.Satyrical Characters and Handsome Descriptions in Letters, written to several Persons of Quality, by Monsieur de Cyrano Bergerac. Translated from the French by a Person of Honour. London, 1658.
[6]Retrospective Review, 1820. Vol. I. Part 2. Art. viii.Satyrical Characters and Handsome Descriptions in Letters, written to several Persons of Quality, by Monsieur de Cyrano Bergerac. Translated from the French by a Person of Honour. London, 1658.
[7]The critic proceeds to sum up Cyrano's writing in the same Corinthian style. French commentators, quoting this passage, often make the mistake of dating it 1658 instead of 1820.
[7]The critic proceeds to sum up Cyrano's writing in the same Corinthian style. French commentators, quoting this passage, often make the mistake of dating it 1658 instead of 1820.
[8]Charles Nodier,Bibliographie des Fous. Quoted by F. Lachèvre.
[8]Charles Nodier,Bibliographie des Fous. Quoted by F. Lachèvre.
[9]Charles Nodier,Bonaventure Desperiers et Cyrano de Bergerac. Quoted by Remy de Gourmont.
[9]Charles Nodier,Bonaventure Desperiers et Cyrano de Bergerac. Quoted by Remy de Gourmont.
[10]Three errors in ten words!
[10]Three errors in ten words!
[11]In Périgord there is no castle called De Bergerac. (Brun). Mauvières and Bergerac, often known as Sous-Forest, are in the commune of Saint-Forgeux, canton of Chevreuse, arrondissement of Rambouillet. (Frédy de Coubertin).
[11]In Périgord there is no castle called De Bergerac. (Brun). Mauvières and Bergerac, often known as Sous-Forest, are in the commune of Saint-Forgeux, canton of Chevreuse, arrondissement of Rambouillet. (Frédy de Coubertin).
[12]The genealogical tree of the Cyrano family will be found in Appendix III.
[12]The genealogical tree of the Cyrano family will be found in Appendix III.
[13]From Saint-Amant'sLe Débauche. In English it means roughly: "'Sdeath! how it rains outside | Let us make it rain wine in our bellies—you understand that without a word spoken and that's the real jest; sing, laugh, make a row, drink here all night, and to-morrow let the fair Aurora find us all here still at table."
[13]From Saint-Amant'sLe Débauche. In English it means roughly: "'Sdeath! how it rains outside | Let us make it rain wine in our bellies—you understand that without a word spoken and that's the real jest; sing, laugh, make a row, drink here all night, and to-morrow let the fair Aurora find us all here still at table."
[14]See M. Magne'sChevalier de Lignières(1920) for an elaborate and highly-coloured account of this affair. Marshal Gassion is said to have offered Cyrano his protection when he heard of it, which Cyrano refused.
[14]See M. Magne'sChevalier de Lignières(1920) for an elaborate and highly-coloured account of this affair. Marshal Gassion is said to have offered Cyrano his protection when he heard of it, which Cyrano refused.
[15]Menagiana.1695. Quoted by Remy de Gourmont. The reader will remember Rostand's use of this anecdote.
[15]Menagiana.1695. Quoted by Remy de Gourmont. The reader will remember Rostand's use of this anecdote.
[16]F. T. Perrens,Les Libertins en France au XVIIeSiècle, is an interesting book.
[16]F. T. Perrens,Les Libertins en France au XVIIeSiècle, is an interesting book.
[17]See Rigal'sLe Théâtre Français avant la Période classique.
[17]See Rigal'sLe Théâtre Français avant la Période classique.
[18]I know Descartes was patronised by Mazarin and made a visit to Paris "to be honoured"; but he soon returned to Holland.
[18]I know Descartes was patronised by Mazarin and made a visit to Paris "to be honoured"; but he soon returned to Holland.
[19]Ed. 1657: "returning from Clamard, near Paris (where M. de Cuigny the younger, who is its Seigneur, had entertained several of us....)".
[19]Ed. 1657: "returning from Clamard, near Paris (where M. de Cuigny the younger, who is its Seigneur, had entertained several of us....)".
[20]Girolamo Cardan, 1501-1576, Italian mathematician and astrologer, a man of remarkable scientific attainments. There is an interesting article on him inThe Retrospective Review.
[20]Girolamo Cardan, 1501-1576, Italian mathematician and astrologer, a man of remarkable scientific attainments. There is an interesting article on him inThe Retrospective Review.
[21]Monsieur de Montbazon was governor of Paris in 1649. (Lachèvre).
[21]Monsieur de Montbazon was governor of Paris in 1649. (Lachèvre).
[22]The word "Jesuit" is omitted in the early editions.
[22]The word "Jesuit" is omitted in the early editions.
[23]Tycho Brahe, 1546-1601, Danish astronomer.
[23]Tycho Brahe, 1546-1601, Danish astronomer.
[24]An illustration frequently used by early followers of Copernicus.
[24]An illustration frequently used by early followers of Copernicus.
[25]Cartesian terms.
[25]Cartesian terms.
[26]Linear diameter of sun: 109 × earth's equatorial diameter = 864,000 miles. Sun's mass = 332,000 × mass of the earth.
[26]Linear diameter of sun: 109 × earth's equatorial diameter = 864,000 miles. Sun's mass = 332,000 × mass of the earth.
[27]M. Lachèvre says this notion is "accepted by science," but it is rejected by recent astronomers and assuredly by the Relativists.
[27]M. Lachèvre says this notion is "accepted by science," but it is rejected by recent astronomers and assuredly by the Relativists.
[28]Commentators have seen in this and the following passage a hint of the "nebula theory".
[28]Commentators have seen in this and the following passage a hint of the "nebula theory".
[29]"Ressort". Cyrano's mechanics are vague. He may or may not have imagined some sort of propeller.
[29]"Ressort". Cyrano's mechanics are vague. He may or may not have imagined some sort of propeller.
[30]This was a popular superstition of the age.
[30]This was a popular superstition of the age.
[31]The subsequent pages satirising the book ofGenesiswere greatly mutilated in the early editions, to the great detriment of the sense.
[31]The subsequent pages satirising the book ofGenesiswere greatly mutilated in the early editions, to the great detriment of the sense.
[32]All this long paragraph comes from an earlier work of Cyrano's, a letter called "Le Campagnard".Œuvres Diverses.1654. In Jacob's edition, 1858, the title is "D'une Maison de Campagne".
[32]All this long paragraph comes from an earlier work of Cyrano's, a letter called "Le Campagnard".Œuvres Diverses.1654. In Jacob's edition, 1858, the title is "D'une Maison de Campagne".
[33]Juppont considers this a premonition of the balloon.
[33]Juppont considers this a premonition of the balloon.
[34]A parachute. (Juppont).
[34]A parachute. (Juppont).
[35]Cyrano seems to have forgotten that the apple of Eden came from the Tree of Knowledge, not the Tree of Life.
[35]Cyrano seems to have forgotten that the apple of Eden came from the Tree of Knowledge, not the Tree of Life.
[36]See Appendix I. for Swift's use of this idea.
[36]See Appendix I. for Swift's use of this idea.
[37]Famous sorcerers.
[37]Famous sorcerers.
[38]See Introduction.
[38]See Introduction.
[39]See Introduction.
[39]See Introduction.
[40]See Introduction.
[40]See Introduction.
[41]This shows the disciple of Lucretius.
[41]This shows the disciple of Lucretius.
[42]See Appendix I.
[42]See Appendix I.
[43]This idea comes from Charles Sorel'sBerger Extravagant.
[43]This idea comes from Charles Sorel'sBerger Extravagant.
[44]Charles Sorel'sHistoire Comique de Francion, 1626.
[44]Charles Sorel'sHistoire Comique de Francion, 1626.
[45]This Spaniard is introduced by Cyrano because in Godwin'sMan in the Moon, of which a French translation appeared in March 1648, one Gonzales reaches the Moon in a car drawn by gansas. See Appendix I.
[45]This Spaniard is introduced by Cyrano because in Godwin'sMan in the Moon, of which a French translation appeared in March 1648, one Gonzales reaches the Moon in a car drawn by gansas. See Appendix I.
[46]Meaning, I suppose, that everything which is not Spanish is ridiculous.
[46]Meaning, I suppose, that everything which is not Spanish is ridiculous.
[47]This from so renowned a duellist and so brave a soldier is worth noting.
[47]This from so renowned a duellist and so brave a soldier is worth noting.
[48]The likeness to a gramophone is obvious.
[48]The likeness to a gramophone is obvious.
[49]Something seems to have been omitted in this sentence.
[49]Something seems to have been omitted in this sentence.
[50]Cyrano had the true coterie spirit towards his friends. Compare his description of poor, drunken, gambling Tristan inThe Moon.
[50]Cyrano had the true coterie spirit towards his friends. Compare his description of poor, drunken, gambling Tristan inThe Moon.
[51]Patron of madmen.
[51]Patron of madmen.
[52]It is thoughtThe Mooncirculated in MS. before publication; this explains the entry in Marolles's memoirs.
[52]It is thoughtThe Mooncirculated in MS. before publication; this explains the entry in Marolles's memoirs.
[53]Note that Cyrano's worst persecutor in thisVoyage to the Earthis a country parson. See Introduction.
[53]Note that Cyrano's worst persecutor in thisVoyage to the Earthis a country parson. See Introduction.
[54]Drycona = D. Cyrano.
[54]Drycona = D. Cyrano.
[55]Cyrano's eleventh satirical letter is addressed to Messire Jean; in the MS. of the Bibl. Nat. its title isApotheosis of an Ecclesiastical Buffoon.
[55]Cyrano's eleventh satirical letter is addressed to Messire Jean; in the MS. of the Bibl. Nat. its title isApotheosis of an Ecclesiastical Buffoon.
[56]Mr Pickwick in the Fleet, "sitting for his portrait"!
[56]Mr Pickwick in the Fleet, "sitting for his portrait"!
[57]These ideas and speculations are remarkable for 1650.
[57]These ideas and speculations are remarkable for 1650.
[58]This sentence is so obscure that I do not understand it either in French or English.
[58]This sentence is so obscure that I do not understand it either in French or English.
[59]It has been held that this refers to the "flying dragon" experimented with by Buratini at Warsaw in 1648. The evidence that Cyrano himself had visited Poland is very flimsy.
[59]It has been held that this refers to the "flying dragon" experimented with by Buratini at Warsaw in 1648. The evidence that Cyrano himself had visited Poland is very flimsy.
[60]See Appendix I, for a brief account of Tom d'Urfey's opera derived from this part of Cyrano'sVoyages.
[60]See Appendix I, for a brief account of Tom d'Urfey's opera derived from this part of Cyrano'sVoyages.
[61]Apollonius of Tyana (1st cent.A.D.), Greek neo-Pythagorean. Anaximander (611-547B.C.), Greek philosopher. Æsop (620-560B.C.), Greek fabulist.
[61]Apollonius of Tyana (1st cent.A.D.), Greek neo-Pythagorean. Anaximander (611-547B.C.), Greek philosopher. Æsop (620-560B.C.), Greek fabulist.
[62]There has perhaps been a censor at work here.
[62]There has perhaps been a censor at work here.
[63]"The Abbé de Saint-Yves supposed that a man who was not born in France possessed no common sense." Voltaire,L'Ingénu.
[63]"The Abbé de Saint-Yves supposed that a man who was not born in France possessed no common sense." Voltaire,L'Ingénu.
[64]This would be "savage satire" in Swift; in Cyrano it is merely "madness".
[64]This would be "savage satire" in Swift; in Cyrano it is merely "madness".
[65]Even the Yahoos beat this only in nastiness, not in scorn.
[65]Even the Yahoos beat this only in nastiness, not in scorn.
[66]"Pain du Roy",i.e.prisoner's rations.
[66]"Pain du Roy",i.e.prisoner's rations.
[67]"Guillots"; I went to five dictionaries, before finding this (dubious) meaning.
[67]"Guillots"; I went to five dictionaries, before finding this (dubious) meaning.
[68]To the best of my knowledge this admirable indictment is Cyrano's own.
[68]To the best of my knowledge this admirable indictment is Cyrano's own.
[69]The famous oracle of Zeus was here.
[69]The famous oracle of Zeus was here.
[70]Nobody "observed Nature" in the 17th century, of course!
[70]Nobody "observed Nature" in the 17th century, of course!
[71]Cyrano seems to have confused Orestes and Pylades with Virgil's Nisus and Euryalus;Æneid, Bk. IX.
[71]Cyrano seems to have confused Orestes and Pylades with Virgil's Nisus and Euryalus;Æneid, Bk. IX.
[72]A body of 300 picked Theban infantry, used notably by Pelopidas and Epaminondas in the battles of Tegyra and Leuctra,B.C.375 and 371.
[72]A body of 300 picked Theban infantry, used notably by Pelopidas and Epaminondas in the battles of Tegyra and Leuctra,B.C.375 and 371.
[73]These tales are from Ovid'sMetamorphoses.
[73]These tales are from Ovid'sMetamorphoses.
[74]Any reader of our Caroline poets will know how fond they were of the Remora.
[74]Any reader of our Caroline poets will know how fond they were of the Remora.
[75]Another hiatus here, perhaps.
[75]Another hiatus here, perhaps.
[76]Some have thought this combat of the Salamander and the Remora was the lostStory of the Spark. In any case it is typical of the age. See Montfaucon de Villars'sComte de Gabalis. 1670.
[76]Some have thought this combat of the Salamander and the Remora was the lostStory of the Spark. In any case it is typical of the age. See Montfaucon de Villars'sComte de Gabalis. 1670.
[77]Probably not!
[77]Probably not!
[78]Or "Scoters"; the text has "Maquereuses".
[78]Or "Scoters"; the text has "Maquereuses".
[79]Descartes died 1650, which dates this part ofThe Sun.
[79]Descartes died 1650, which dates this part ofThe Sun.
[80]This idea is a favourite with Cyrano. It is, of course, a commonplace now.
[80]This idea is a favourite with Cyrano. It is, of course, a commonplace now.
[81]This is rather in the spirit of Mlle de Scudéry'sCarte de Tendre, butCléliewas not published until 1654.
[81]This is rather in the spirit of Mlle de Scudéry'sCarte de Tendre, butCléliewas not published until 1654.
[82]We never get this dream.
[82]We never get this dream.
[83]"Black hellebore, that most renowned plant, and famous purger of melancholy, which all antiquity so much used and admired...." Burton'sAnatomy of Melancholy.
[83]"Black hellebore, that most renowned plant, and famous purger of melancholy, which all antiquity so much used and admired...." Burton'sAnatomy of Melancholy.
[84]This episode allows Cyrano to jest a little at some of the absurd sexual ideas of More and Campanella.
[84]This episode allows Cyrano to jest a little at some of the absurd sexual ideas of More and Campanella.
[85]This is especially aimed at Sir Thomas More: "For a sad and an honest matrone sheweth the woman, be she mayde or widdowe, naked to the wower. And lykewise a sage and discreet man exhibyteth the wower naked to the woman".The Seconde Booke of Utopia.
[85]This is especially aimed at Sir Thomas More: "For a sad and an honest matrone sheweth the woman, be she mayde or widdowe, naked to the wower. And lykewise a sage and discreet man exhibyteth the wower naked to the woman".The Seconde Booke of Utopia.
[86]"Nel tempo innanzi é ad alcuno lecito il coito con le donne sterile et pregne...." (Campanella,Città del Sole.)
[86]"Nel tempo innanzi é ad alcuno lecito il coito con le donne sterile et pregne...." (Campanella,Città del Sole.)
[87]Cyrano coined this verb, "to pulley".
[87]Cyrano coined this verb, "to pulley".
[88]In spite of M. Lachèvre, I cannot help thinking that Cyrano is making fun of theprécieuxstyle in all this.
[88]In spite of M. Lachèvre, I cannot help thinking that Cyrano is making fun of theprécieuxstyle in all this.
[89]This abrupt end indicates that the book is unfinished; I cannot agree with those who think it intentional.
[89]This abrupt end indicates that the book is unfinished; I cannot agree with those who think it intentional.