Volume 1

Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau / Jean Jacques Rousseau.

  • Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Date:
1931
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

Credit: Confessions of Jean Jacques Rousseau / Jean Jacques Rousseau. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Dupin, who also contemplated a book, had almost similar views in regard to me. They would have liked to engage me as a kind of secretary, to be shared between them ; and this was the object of Thieriot’s exhortations. I required, as a preliminary, that M. de Francueil should employ his own and Jelyote’s in¬ fluence to get my piece rehearsed at the opera. He consented. The Muses galantes was at first rehearsed several times at the Magasin,1 and afterwards at the Grand Theatre. There was a large audience at the general rehearsal, and several pieces were warmly applauded. Nevertheless, during the performance—very badly conducted by Rebel—I felt myself that the piece would not be accepted, and, indeed, that it could not be presented to the public without great alterations. Accordingly I withdrew it with¬ out saying a word, and without exposing myself to the risk of rejection ; but I clearly saw, from several indications, that, even if the work had been perfect, it would not have passed. M. de Francueil had certainly promised to get it rehearsed, not to secure its acceptance. He scrupulously kept his word. I have always fancied, on this and several other occasions, that neither he nor Madame Dupin were particularly anxious that I should acquire a certain reputation in the world, perhaps for fear that, when their own works appeared, it might be supposed that they had grafted their talents upon mine. However, as Madame Dupin had always entertained a very moderate idea of my abilities, and never employed me except to write at her dictation, or to undertake purely learned researches, this reproach, especially as far as she was concerned, might have been unjust. [1747-1749.]—This last failure completely discouraged me. I abandoned every prospect of fame and promotion ; and, with¬ out thinking further of my real or fancied talents, which were of such little service to me, I devoted my time and trouble to pro¬ viding for the support of myself and my dear Ther£se, in a manner which might be agreeable to those who undertook to assist me in doing so. I accordingly attached myself entirely to Madame Dupin and M. de Francueil. This did not place me in a very affluent position, for the 800 or 900francs which I received for the first two years was hardly sufficient for my most pressing needs, as I was obliged to rent a furnished room in their neigh¬ bourhood, in a somewhat expensive quarter, and to pay for another lodging quite at the other end of Paris, at the top of i The place where the theatrical decorations, costumes, and accessories were kep^