from Voltaire to Rousseau, from Racine to Corneille, and, contrary to
his temperament, he drew up plans for violent and pathetic dramas,
suited to the taste of the day.

After he had passed his examinations in law, and the question arose of
a choice of career, his father announced to him the one which he had
decided Honore should adopt: he should be a notary. One of their
friends was willing to turn over his practice to him after a few years
of apprenticeship. It was an honourable position, remunerative and much
sought after. Honore de Balzac had arrived at the turning point of his
existence. Here were two avenues before him, the first that of a
notary, paved with gold, where he might reap honour, profit and esteem,
a straight and easy route, restful and without unknown dangers; the
second, lying outside of all the paths traced by society, and offering
to those who entered upon it only a nebulous future, full of perils,
uncertain combats, care, privation and want. It is a road which one
must hew out for oneself, through the obscure forest of art and ideas,
and many are the imprudent who have over-estimated their strength and
perished there in the midst of indifference and contempt.

Everything urged Balzac towards a notary's career. The family fortune
had diminished; the father had been placed upon the retired list, he
had lost money in investments, it was absolutely necessary to cut down
expenses, and Honore, as the oldest son, was expected to make a
position for himself rapidly. Why did he hesitate to come to a decision
and gratefully accept the proposition made by his father? The family
brought pressure to bear, yet Honore continued to say, "No, I will not
be a notary." It was considered nothing less than scandalous. His
mother reproached him for his ingratitude and warned him that he was
driving her to despair. She was ashamed of a son who repaid the