Letter from Babeuf to l'Observateur
16 August 1789
You, Monsieur, are still a very new writer, and this is plain to see. Even if the title of your latest issue did not confirm that you are only on your fourth issue, one would easily recognise the young writer by the style of your writing. If, in future, you were to avoid a few inappropriate expressionsâor rather, those placed out of context in your writingsâit might well be possible for people to read your work. You must absolutely correct these faults. So do take a few lessons from my long experience.
For example, what on earth were you thinking when you wrote recently: âFrançois! Freedom of the press has made us citizens. It was this that created the National Assembly, which,â &c.
Take it easy, monsieur, take it easy. You should know that such grand words are beginning to go out of fashion. We are returning to the old errors. All these sweeping innovations were worth a try; but it seems it has already been recognised that the previous formsâthat is to say, those of arbitrary powerâwere far better than all the trappings of this much-vaunted freedom, which people sought to substitute for them. A public writer, monsieur, if he wishes to make his way in the world, must adapt to the times and circumstances. Take your cue from one of your wise colleagues (*), who, whilst you continue to gush with enthusiasm as you were still doing four days ago, is prudently conforming to the tone of the aristocratic regime which we are led to hope will be reborn. Consult him:
âThe Director-General of Finance presented, on behalf of the King, an informative memorandum to the Committee on Provisions of the Estates-General,â &c.
There you have it, Monsieur, how people are beginning to speak again. It is always wise, as you can see, to warn young people and to protect them from the dangers to which their inattention exposes them. You, in my colleagueâs place, might perhaps have added: âthe National Assemblyââa term that is meaningless and jarringly discordant to many readers.
If you appreciate the full value of the service my letter may render you, I do not believe you will find that I am demanding excessive gratitude by asking you to include it in LâObservateur, No. 5. This would serve to prove to me that you wish to make use of my warnings, and to share them with the citizens who read your paper.
I am, Monsieur, one of those citizens. Babeuf, 40 Rue Quincampoix.
(*) M. ***; Journal de 1. V., 16 August 1789.
The Police Committee at the HĂ´tel-de-Ville permits the free circulation of the publication entitled LâObservateur, in accordance with the Regulation requiring that the name of the printer OR the bookseller be printed on each copy. 14 August 1789. DUMANGIN, President. PITRA. FAUCHET.
