example of his ignorance or imprudence, and his position becomes
uncomfortable. The chemists of my quarter whom I called upon did not
receive me very warmly; they made me feel the distance that separates an
honorable merchant from a beggar, and I was given to understand that they
could patronize me only on condition that I ordered the specialties that
they wished to profit by--iron from this one and tar from that. On
commencing to practise I had as patients only the people of the quarter,
whose principle was never to pay a doctor, and who wait for the arrival
of a new one in order that they may be rid of the old one and this sort
is numerous everywhere. It happened that my concierge was from Auvergne
like myself, and he considered it his duty to make me give free
attendance to all those from our country that he could find in the
quarter and everywhere else, so that I had the patriotic satisfaction of
seeing all the charcoal-dealers from Auvergne sprawling in my beautiful
armchairs. Finally, by remaining religiously at home every Sunday in
summer, while the other doctors were away, by rising quickly at night
every time my bell rang, I was able to acquire a practice among a class
of people who were more reasonable and satisfactory. I obtained a prize
at the Academy. At the same time I delivered, at a moderate price,
lectures in anatomy at schools on the outskirts of the city; I gave
lessons; I undertook all the anonymous work of the book trade and of
journalism that I could find. I slept five hours a day, and in four years
I had decreased my debt seven thousand francs. If my upholsterer wished
to be paid I could have it arranged, but that was not his intention. He
wishes to take his furniture that is not worn out, and to keep the money
that he has received. If I do not pay these three thousand francs in a
few days I shall be turned into the street. To tell the truth, I shall
soon have a thousand francs, but those who owe it to me are not in Paris,
or will pay in January. Behold my situation! I am desperate because there
is no one to whom I can apply; those whom I have asked for money have not
listened to me; I have told you that I have no relatives, and neither
have I any friends--perhaps because I am not amiable. And then I thought
of you. You know me. You know that people say I have a future before me.
At the end of three months I shall be a doctor in the hospitals; my
competitors admit that I shall not miss admission; I