can but command the
admiration and respect of the press and the educational and religious
contingent of Paris, none the less attracts sarcasm and irony in the
world's centre of wit, sensual tolerance, and moral skepticism. As the
reproach of his literary confreres expresses it, the author has given
way before the apostle. The "life to be lived" commanded the sacrifice.
Desjardins makes now but rare appearances in his old journalistic
places, and in literature he has determinately severed connections
through which fame and fortune might confidently be expected. He now
gives his writings anonymously to the small weekly publication, the
official organ of the Union for Moral Action, depending for his living
upon his professorial position in the College St. Stanislas.

'Une Critique,' one of Desjardins's earliest essays, strikes the note of
his life and writings at a time when he himself was unconscious of its
portentous meaning to his world and his literature:--

"Whatever deserves to be, deserves the best attention of our
intellect. Everything calls for interest, only it must be an
interest divested of self-interest, and sincere. But above all we
must labor--labor hard--to understand, respect, and tenderly love
in others whatever contains one single grain of simple intrinsic
Goodness. Believe me, this is everywhere, and it is everywhere to
be found, if you will only look for it....

"The supremacy of the truly Good!--here lies the root of the whole
teaching--the whole new way of looking at things and judging
men....

"New views of the universality of our world, of poetry, of
religion, of kindness (human kindness), of virtue, of worth!...
Think it over; these are the objects on which our new generation is
fixing its thoughts, and trying to awaken yours. This it is which
is so new!"

Translation of Madame Blaze de Bury.

[Illustration: signature]

THE PRESENT DUTY

There are many of us who at times have forgotten our personal troubles,
however great they were, by picturing to ourselves the moral distress of
souls around us, and by meditating on the possible remedy for this
universal ill. Some remain serene before this spectacle; they resign
themselves to fatal evil and inextricable doubt; they look with cold
blood on that which is. Others, like the one who speaks here, are more
affirmative because they are more impassioned, more woun