Questions about Camille, Tacitus and Rousseau

[cat-empress.livejournal.com]

Hello. I was wondering if anyone could help me answer some questions. After going through about ten different topics for my honours thesis, I have finally settled on investigating the third issue of Le Vieux Cordelier. In particular Camille's use of Tacitus, and the reception of the issue. I'm also particularly interested in the whole "burning is not answering" thing I've heard a bit about.

I'm aware of the fact that quite a lot of what Camille claims is from Tacitus isn't actually from Tacitus at all. It's stuff he's made up, and I'm having trouble figuring out exactly what is and isn't. Basically I was wondering if anyone could point me towards the bits of the Annals that he is working from. I can probably figure it out from there.

Regarding the second topic, I was wondering if anyone could tell me exactly where in Rousseau the line "burning is not answering" comes from.

My last question. Does anyone know where I could find an English translation of the second half of the third issue?

Thanks in advance!

Comments

[lucieandco.livejournal.com]

The "burning is not answering" bit is said, I think, to appear in his long letter to Christophe de Beaumont, sometime Archbishop of Paris, in defence of his "Emile" (which was indeed being burned and which, along with its author, had been attacked by Beaumont). I don't know the entire letter, but I've never encountered it in the parts I have read (though it would not be out of place there). I have, however, in a Google spree driven by just this question, seen the phrase attributed to Beaumarchais instead, and then traced back from him to Jean Calvin, who is supposed to have said "Burning is not answering and it is easier to find Dominicans than to find reasons". (So while we can quite safely assume that Monsieur le journaliste did not come up with it himself, just who and what he took it from and whether or not a deliberate misattribution happened seems to be a little unclear.)

[estellacat.livejournal.com]

I believe Desmoulins is supposed to be referring to the reign of Tiberius.

As to the phrase "brûler n'est pas répondre", it is supposed to come from Rousseau's letter to Christophe de Beaumont (http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k1063574.image.r=jean-jacques+rousseau+beaumont.f1.pagination.langFR), but I can't say for sure because I gave up looking after the first twenty pages or so... If you find it, let me know, and I can translate it in context.

I don't think the translation you want exists, but I might be able to make one, if I have time.

[estellacat.livejournal.com]

Regarding the first point, Palmer, on the other hand, asserts the following (I do wish he would cite his source though!): "Pretending to be a translation from Tacitus, it [the third issue of the Vieux Cordelier] drew a gripping picture of society under the Caesars [...] Only in 1933 was it revealed that Camille's 'translation of Tacitus' was modeled on a French translation of an English adaptation of the Latin original."

So... anyone know of any books or articles treating this subject that were published in 1933?

[sneerbite.livejournal.com]

I read something similar recently - about a translation being used - but can't remember where. I think it might have been in 'French Revolutionaries and English Republicans: The Cordeliers Club, 1790-1794' by Rachel Hammersley. But it might not have been. It's a good book anyhow if you're working on Camille.

[estellacat.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I'll have to check that out and see if it gives a reference...

[cat-empress.livejournal.com]

I've seen that book! But I never quite got around to having a closer look at it. Thanks for reminding me!

[misatheredpanda.livejournal.com]

I've been (very slowly) working on a translation of the Vieux Cordelier and have got through part of the 3rd issue - unfortunately not finished - but where do you need the translation to start? I might at least be able to give you some of it. There's also an article on the subject (and a lot of footnotes) by Mathiez in his edition of the Vieux Cordelier, I can see about getting that to you perhaps? I believe this might be the article estellacat mentions above, Mathiez is rather scathing toward Desmoulins in that way people are when they're attacking a myth..

[cat-empress.livejournal.com]

The translation I'm using is the one here. (http://community.livejournal.com/vieux_cordelier/1946.html) It finishes at the bit that goes, "et il a fallu avant tout que la république s’assurât du champ de bataille." That's about 4 (A4) pages from the end. If you could send me anything else you've got that would be really helpful.

The Mathiez article looks like it would be really helpful. I've just looked, and I can't find that particular edition available in any Australian libraries so if you could send it to me or point me towards it online, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!