Note 8 — Chapter VIII · THE SCHOOLMASTER: CARPENTRAS (CONTINUED)

We shall see later on with what vindictive energy Fabre scourges the pseudo-scientists, “hateful malefactors,” maufatan de malur, who, in the name of a false science, rob men’s souls of the true and ancient Christian faith, thereby leading society toward the most terrible catastrophes. For the moment our only desire is to do homage to our worthy schoolmasters in the person of one of their old comrades who has become one of our greatest national glories. There are others, too, among us who have exalted by their virtues or their talents the humble nature of their origin or their calling. Of such, as every Frenchman knows, to mention only one of the best known and best beloved, is the author of the Poésie des Bêtes, of Voix rustiques, of La Bonne Terre, of Le Clocher, etc.—François Fabié, that poet who, by his original style, his career, and his genius, which has been too much obscured by his modesty, may in so many respects be compared with Jean-Henri Fabre.8 Of such, too, and among the most eminent writers of the language d’oc, is Antonin Perbosc,9 who does honour to our primary schools, in one of which he is still teaching, by the remarkable works of literature which place him beside his friend, the Abbé Besson,10 in the first rank of the Occitanian Félibrige.