The 28th of June, 1828, when the struggles of the liberals and the ultras were so heated, Eugene Scribe, in connection with M. de Rougemont, wrote for the Gymnase a piece entitled Avant, Pendant, Apres, historical sketches in three parts.  Avant was a critique of the view of the old regime; Pendant, a critique of those of the Revolution; Apres an appeal for harmony under the Charter and liberty.  This piece seems to us very curious, as a true programme, a faithful reflection of the ideas of the haute bourgeoisie of Paris a little before 1830.

The principal personage is a great liberal noble, the General Count de Surgy, who has served gloriously in the armies of the Republic and of the Empire, and at the close is named as deputy to represent an intelligent and wise royalism.  By the side of the General is a certain Viscount, who has lived in a savage island since the wreck of La Perouse, and who, more royalist than the King, finds himself among strangers and is utterly dumfounded on beholding the new France.  Let us cite some fragments of this piece in which there is more acuteness, more observation, more truth, than in many of the studies called psychologic or historic:—­

“The general.  Ah, do not confuse Liberty with the excesses committed in her name.  Liberty, as we understand her, is the friend of order and duty; she protects all rights.  She wishes laws, institutions, not scaffolds.

The Marquis.  Alas! of what service to you are your courage and your wise opinions?  You are denounced, reduced as I am, to hiding, after shedding your blood for them.

The general.  Not for them but for France.  The honor of our country took refuge in the armies, and I followed it there.  I have done a little good; I have hindered much evil, and if the choice were still mine, I should follow the same route.

A voice (in the street).  A great conspiracy discovered by the Committee of Public Safety.

The general.  Still new victims.

The Marquis.  They who did not respect the virtues of Malesherbes, the talents of Lavoisier, the youth of Barnave, will they recoil from one crime more?

The general.  Decent people will get weary of having courage only to die.  France will reawaken, stronger and more united, for misfortune draws to each other all ranks, all parties; and already you see that we, formerly so divided, are understanding each other better at last, and love each other more than ever.

The Marquis (throwing himself into the General’s arms).  Ah, you speak truly.”

This scene passes in the midst of the Terror.  The conclusion, the moral of the piece, is as follows:—­

“The general.  My friends, my fellow-citizens, we who, after so many storms have finally reached port, and who, under the shelter of the throne and the laws, taste that wise and moderate liberty which has been the object of our desires for forty years; let us guard it well, it has cost us dear.  Always united, let us no longer think of the evil done, let us see only the good that is, let us put away sad memories, and let us all say, in the new France, ‘Union and forgiveness.’”