A man,—not a writer, for in a writer there are many men,—an author,
rather, should resemble Janus, see behind and before, become a spy,
examine an idea in all its phases, delve alternately into the soul of
Alceste and into that of Philaenete, know everything though he does not
tell it, never be tiresome, and—
We will not conclude this programme, for we should tell the whole, and
that would be frightful for those who reflect upon the present
condition of literature.
Furthermore, an author who speaks for himself in the middle of his
book, resembles the old fellow in “The Speaking Picture,” when he puts
his face in the hole cut in the painting. The author does not forget
that in the Chamber, no one can take the floor _between two votes_.
Enough, therefore!
Here follows the female portion of the book: for, to resemble marriage
perfectly, it ought to be more or less hermaphroditic.