"For the past month I have been busy over some historical researches of
great interest, and I hope that in the absence of talent, which in my
case is altogether problematic, our national manners and customs may
perhaps bring me good luck. I have realised that, no matter how
industrious I am, my efforts will not bring me in anything like a
living wage before the first of next January; and meanwhile the purest
chance has brought to my attention a historic incident of 1798 relating
to the war of the Chouans and the Vendeans, which gives me a subject
that is very easy to handle. It requires no research, except in regard
to the localities.

"My first thought was of you, and I decided to ask you to grant me an
asylum for a matter of twenty days. My muse, her trumpet, a quire of
paper and myself will surely not be greatly in your way." (Balzac in
Brittany, published letter by R. du Pontavice de Heussy.)

The general's father had been a friend of Francois Balzac, who had
rendered him some financial service; accordingly the son hastened to
reply to Honore that his house was open to him. No sooner was the
letter received than the latter set forth, such was his haste to leave
Paris, collect the material for his story, and find the necessary
tranquillity for writing it. He left Paris without change of linen and
with his toilet all in disorder, intoxicated with his sense of liberty,
"to such an extent," writes M. de Pontavice, "that he presented himself
to his provincial friends wearing such a piteous hat that they found it
necessary to conduct him forthwith to the only hatter in Fougeres. That
honourable tradesman went to infinite pains before he succeeded in
discovering any headwear large enough to shelter the bony casket which
contained the Human Comedy."