BLONDET (Joseph), elder son of Judge Blondet of Alencon; born in that city about 1799.  In 1824 he practiced law and aspired to become a substitute judge.  Meanwhile he succeeded his father, whose post he filled till his death.  He was one of the numerous men of ordinary talent. [Jealousies of a Country Town.]

BLONDET (Madame Joseph), nee Claire Blandureau, wife of Joseph Blondet, whom she married when he was appointed judge at Alencon.  She was the daughter of wealthy linen dealers in the city. [Jealousies of a Country Town.]

BLONDET (Emile), born at Alencon about 1800; legally the younger son of Judge Blondet, but really the son of a prefect of Orne.  Tenderly loved by his mother, but hated by Judge Blondet, who sent him, in 1818, to study law in Paris.  Emile Blondet knew the noble family of d’Esgrignon in Alencon, and for the youngest daughter of this illustrious house he felt an esteem that was really admiration. [Jealousies of a Country Town.] In 1821 Emile Blondet was a remarkably handsome young fellow.  He made his first appearance in the “Debats” by a series of masterly articles which called forth from Lousteau the remark that he was “one of the princes of criticism.” [A Distinguished Provincial at Paris.] In 1824 he contributed to a review edited by Finot, where he collaborated with Lucien de Rubempre and where he was allowed full swing by his chief.  Emile Blondet had the most desultory of habits; one day he would be a boon companion, without compunction, with those destined for slaughter on the day following.  He was always “broke” financially.  In 1829, 1830, Bixiou, Lousteau, Nathan and he were frequenters of Esther’s house, rue Saint-Georges. [Scenes from a Courtesan’s Life.] A cynic was Blondet, with little regard for glory undefiled.  He won a wager that he could upset the poet Canalis, though the latter was full of assurance.  He did this by staring fixedly at the poet’s curls, his boots, or his coat-tails, while he recited poetry or gesticulated with proper emphasis, fixed in a studied pose. [Modeste Mignon.] He was acquainted with Mlle. des Touches, being present at her home on one occasion, about 1830, when Henri de Marsay told the story of his first love affair.  He took part in the conversation and depicted the “typical woman” to Comte Adam Laginski. [Another Study of Woman.] In 1832 he was a guest at Mme. d’Espard’s, where he met his childish flame, Mme. de Montcornet, also the Princesse de Cadignan, Lady Dudley, d’Arthez, Nathan, Rastignac, the Marquis d’Ajuda-Pinto, Maxime de Trailles, the Marquis d’Esgrignon, the two Vandenesses, du Tillet, the Baron Nucingen and the Chevalier d’Espard, brother-in-law of the marquise. [The Secrets of a Princess.] About 1833 Blondet presented Nathan to Mme. de Montcornet, at whose home the young Countess Felix de Vandenesse made the acquaintance of the poet and was much smitten with him for some time. [A Daughter of Eve.] In 1836 he and Finot and Couture chimed in on the narrative