Chapter 13 Eleven's grievances

If we conclude from the above that Bishop Bienvenu is a "philosophical bishop" or a "patriotic priest", we are likely to be wrong.His encounter with the representative of G of the National Convention, their union, almost, left him with a memory of wonder that softened him even more.That's all. Although Bishop Bienvenu was a political man, we should perhaps say here, very briefly, his attitude to contemporary state affairs, assuming that Bienvenu had thought of adopting an attitude. Let's review some things from a few years ago. Not long after M. Myriel was made bishop, the emperor made him a baron of the empire, and at the same time several other bishops.We know that the Pope was imprisoned on the night of July 5-6, 1809, for which M. Myriel was summoned by Napoleon to Paris to attend the Synod of France and Italy.That meeting was held at Notre-Dame, and the first meeting was held on June 15, 1811, under the presidency of Cardinal Fish.M. Myriel was one of ninety-five bishops present.But he only attended one general meeting and three or four special ones.He was a bishop in a mountainous area, who usually lived a life of poverty and poverty, and was used to being close to the natural environment. He felt that he had brought a insight to change the atmosphere of the meeting place for the dignitaries.He hurried back to Digne.Someone asked him why he went back in such a hurry, he replied:

"They don't like me when they see me. The outside air always follows me to them. In their eyes, I seem to be a door that can't be closed." On another occasion, he also said: "What can be done? Those gentlemen are all princes and grandchildren. And I'm just a wizened country bishop." He is really annoying and makes trouble from time to time.One night, at the home of one of his most respected comrades, he said, perhaps blurting out: "So many beautiful clocks! So many beautiful rugs! So many beautiful dresses! These things are so troublesome! I hate to hear these cumbersome things constantly cry in my ear 'Many people are starving! Many people It's freezing! There are many poor people! There are many poor people!'"

Let us say in passing that the hatred of expensive things is perhaps unwise, since it conceals the hostility to art.However, as far as the church is concerned, it is wrong to use expensive things except for status and ceremonies.Those things seem to reveal the style of giving money that is not sincere.Priests pampered, is deviant.Priests should be close to the poor.Can a man, who is in contact day and night with all misfortunes, pains, and privations, have nothing in himself of that holy coldness, like a little dust in his labour?Can we imagine a man standing by a burning fire without feeling hot?Can we imagine a workman constantly working at a furnace without a hair being burned off, a finger blackened, a drop of sweat, or a speck of ashes on his face?A priest, and especially a bishop, has the least guarantee of his charity, that of poverty.

This must have been the view of the Bishop of Digne. We should not yet think that he is willing to cater to the so-called "trend of the times" on some difficult issues.He seldom took part in the theological debates of the time, and he expressed no opinion on the disputes between church and state; but, if he was pressed closely, he seemed to be more Roman than French.Since we are describing a man, and we do not want to hide anything, we must add that he is, so to speak, icy cold towards the waning Napoleon.After 1813, he participated in, or applauded various resistance activities.When Napoleon returned from Elba, he refused to go to the roadside to welcome him, and during the "Hundred Days" period, he did not arrange a public sacrifice for the emperor.

In addition to his sister, Miss Baptistine, he had two brothers, one who had been a general and the other a governor.He corresponded with them quite frequently.For a time he was quite indifferent to the first brother, who had been in charge of Provence.When the Cannes landed, the general led 1,200 men to intercept the emperor, but let him pass on purpose.The other brother, a former prefect, a man of integrity and self-restraint, who lived in seclusion in the Rue Casset in Paris, his letters to this brother were more fraternal. It shows that Bishop Bienvenu also occasionally had his political views, his depression, and his secrets.The shadow of love and hatred of the past also passed through his gentle and generous heart that pursued eternal things.Of course, a man like him had better have no political opinions.Please do not misinterpret our meaning, and by "political opinion" we do not mean that aspiration for progress, nor that sublime patriotism, patriotism, Democratic and humanitarian ideas are not to be confused with each other.We don't need to delve into those questions that only indirectly touch the content of this book, but let us simply say that if Bienvenu was not a royalist, if he never took his eyes off his quiet admiration for a moment, and could detach himself from the turmoil of the world In addition to changes, it is even more fulfilling to see the three pure rays of truth, justice, and charity in admiration.

Although we admit that God did not create Bishop Bienvenu for a political role, we can still understand and admire his protest for human rights and liberty, which is his proud opposition to the mighty Napoleon. attitudes and just and dangerous acts of resistance.But it is not as satisfying to despise a man who has lost power as to despise a man who has gained power.We love only dangerous struggles, and in any case only the fighters who first take part in the struggle have the final right to destroy the enemy.Whoever did not protest tenaciously in its heyday should have no say in its downfall.Only the person who has sued the victory has the right to judge the defeat.As for us, we can only let nature take its course when the heavens do not favor us and bring disasters.In 1812 the disarmament began.In 1813, the silent legislature, when the national crisis was imminent, was so courageous and uttered nonsense.In 1814, the marshals betrayed their country, the House of Lords passed from one filthy pool to another, at first revering gods, then insulting them, always worshiping idols, and suddenly turning their backs and turning their backs on them. Things ought to arouse our aversion; in 1815, the final catastrophe looms, France is threatened by catastrophe, and Waterloo seems to be looming before Napoleon; There is nothing lamentable about the heroic cheers of the man whose luck has run out. Besides, no matter what kind of person the tyrannical devil is, at this critical moment, the close unity between this great nation and this great hero Always majestic and touching, it seems that the heart of a man like the Bishop of Digne should not be ignored.

Besides, he was always upright, honest, fair, intelligent, modest, modest, good-doing, caring for others, which is also a virtue, in everything.He was a priest, a virtuous man, and a man.His political views, which we have just criticized, and which we can almost reproach him with, must be remarked that, in spite of his views, he is perhaps more honest than those of us who are talking here now. , to be more approachable.The concierge of the city hall was originally placed there by the emperor.He was originally a junior officer in the old Habayashi Army, a recipient of the Austerlitz Battle Medal, and a Napoleon disciple as capable as an eagle.That unlucky ghost would occasionally spit out some complaints inadvertently, which were considered "treasonous speech" by the law at that time.Ever since the emperor's profile was removed from the medals, he never dressed "in compliance" (as he put it) in order to avoid wearing his cross.He personally took off the Royal Shadow of the Emperor from the cross that Napoleon gave him piously, leaving a hole in that way, but he would never replace it with other ornaments.He often said: "I would rather die than hang three toads on my chest!" He deliberately made a loud sarcasm to Louis XVIII.And he used to say: "You bastard with English leggings! Take his braids and go to Prussia!" He used to be able to combine the two things he hated most, Prussia and England, into one curse. Feel smug.He cursed so hard that he lost his job.With his wife and children, he lived on the streets without food or clothing.But the bishop summoned him, reprimanded him lightly, and sent him to serve as halberd-bearer in the cathedral.

M. Myriel was a veritable priest in his parish, and a friend of the public. For nine years Bienvenu had filled Digne with a docile admiration for his sanctity of conduct and good manners.Even his attitude towards Napoleon was accepted and forgiven by the people. The people were originally a group of kind and weak cattle and sheep. They worshiped their emperor and loved their bishop.