In Paris, in late winter, the sky was leaden gray, and the Seine flowed slowly, carrying thin ice, clear and cold.
Inside the gray stone building of the Ministry of Education, a war over textbooks for French public primary schools had reached its most critical moment.
The Republic's emblem, hanging on the meeting room wall, and the bas-relief of "Marianne," silently watched the men and women below.
Count Louis-Philippe de Rohan, chairman of the "French Reader" Compilation Committee, sat at the head of the table.
Attendees included educator Paul Bert, Chief Inspector of Primary Schools Charles Deblanc, poet Eugène Mangin, and several well-known scholars and veteran teachers.
The core of the debate revolved around what content could shape the ideal new generation of "Frenchmen."
Paul Bert's voice was resonant:
"Gentlemen, we must be clear that the 'French Reader' is by no means a simple primer!
It is the first cornerstone in shaping the souls of future citizens of the French Republic.
Therefore, its selections must be broad, diverse, and profound!
Children must see the whole of France through the words, see their compatriots living on this land, with different joys and sorrows!"
Eugène Mangin stood with him:
"We need La Fontaine's fables to teach wisdom, and Hugo's poetry to inspire passion; we also need Daudet's 'The Last Lesson' to make children remember the pain of losing land, and inspire their cherish for the French language;
Similarly, works like 'The Old Guard,' reflecting the twilight of the Empire and the rebirth of the Republic through a small lens... This is the inclusiveness and reflection that the republican spirit should have..."
At the other end of the long table, Charles Deblanc, the Chief Inspector of Primary Schools, sneered, interrupting him:
"Inclusiveness? The 'French Reader' first and foremost needs national identity! A clear, unified, and unwavering national identity!
Every child, whether from the coast of Brittany or a mountain village in the Alps... when he finishes reading the 'French Reader,' he must realize - 'I am a citizen of the French Republic'! Not 'I am a Breton,' 'I am a Provençal,' and certainly not 'I am a Parisian'!"
An education official next to him nodded vigorously:
"Exactly! 'The Last Lesson'? Too much sorrow, not enough fighting spirit! It highlights failure and helplessness; what we need is inspiration and progress!
As for 'The Old Guard'? Letting naive students sympathize with an old soldier figure obsessed with the Napoleonic era? That's too dangerous!"
Charles Deblanc concluded unequivocally:
"So I insist that Madame Augustine Fouillée's 'Le Tour de la France par deux enfants' (France Through Two Children) is the best model for the 'French Reader'!
This novel, through the journey of two orphans across France, introduces the geography, products, history, industry... every aspect of our homeland!
Every chapter promotes hard work, frugality, and patriotism; it is the best moral epic for promoting the 'republican spirit'!
Older students, and even middle schoolers, only need to read this book, supplemented with some classic poems for practice... This is an efficient and reliable educational method!"
Paul Bert almost jumped out of his chair:
"Reducing French education to a travelogue? This is an emasculation of the republican spirit!
'Le Tour de la France par deux enfants' is just a map pieced together for moralizing!
Children need to feel a living, breathing France to touch their hearts and build true identity!"
Charles Deblanc retorted:
"A living, breathing France? Are you suggesting showing social realities to children early?
That will only confuse them! Make them uneasy! Make them lost!
France needs its future builders to be united and optimistic; learning to criticize at a young age, full of pessimism, will only lead them astray!
The France in 'Le Tour de la France par deux enfants' is unified, industrious, and full of hope—this is the cornerstone of a stable nation!
And look at the two protagonist children—they are from Lorraine, orphaned by the cruel Prussians.
After reading this book, every French child's heart will burn with hatred for the Germans, strengthening their resolve to reclaim Alsace-Lorraine!"
Paul Bert despaired; he looked almost pleadingly at Count Rohan:
"Mr. Undersecretary, we just drove the Bible out of textbooks; are we now to welcome a new 'Bible'?"
Count Louis-Philippe de Rohan remained noncommittal, his face vaguely visible behind the cigar smoke.
——————
"Forget it, Lionel..."
Georges Charpentier poured Lionel a glass of wine, advising him.
Lionel sat in a large armchair, holding a copy of "Le Tour de la France par deux enfants," flipping through it at will.
Georges Charpentier added helplessly:
"I didn't expect it to be Hachette and Belin; they are too powerful. 'Charpentier's Bookshelf' might be able to handle one, but two..."
Hachette and Belin were the two largest publishers in France at the time, almost monopolizing educational books in the country.
Lionel closed the book and handed it back to Georges Charpentier:
"This was a carefully orchestrated performance from the beginning, wasn't it?"
Georges Charpentier nodded:
"Jules Ferry, even before he became Minister of Education, had repeatedly articulated his ideal education in parliament.
Ferdinand Buisson, the current director of the Bureau of Primary Education, and Charles Deblanc, the Chief Inspector of Primary Schools, are both supporters of the 'Ferry reforms.'
And before, their works were almost all published by Hachette or Belin.
Then, in 1877, a novel perfectly aligning with Minister Ferry's educational philosophy was published by Belin...
This truly is a performance, rehearsed for three full years. Count Rohan probably wasn't even aware!"
Lionel smiled, looking at the dejected Georges Charpentier:
"So what about me? Why did I become their target?"
Georges Charpentier was furious:
"When the Compilation Committee first met, Count Rohan said, 'We can consider selecting works by young people, such as Lionel Sorell.'
Some committee members were already dissatisfied with 'Le Tour de la France par deux enfants' being implicitly chosen as the core textbook for older grades, so they used you as an argument against students only reading one author, one book.
A few days after that meeting, 'Le Gaulois' published that reader's letter... And you even championed education reform; you were 'one of them'!"
Lionel shook his head:
"Compared to annual profits of tens or even millions of francs, what is the reputation of a young man like me?
This profit can last for many years, making a publishing house invincible. Besides, am I truly 'one of them'?"
Georges Charpentier became anxious:
"But you can't, you can't..."
Lionel shook his head:
"Georges, don't dwell on these things; Count Rohan can't be counted on.
If I'm not mistaken, he only took office last year and is likely an outsider to this big business, otherwise he wouldn't have been so passive before.
They've been planning for three years; 'Le Tour de la France par deux enfants' becoming synonymous with the 'French Reader' is already a foregone conclusion.
What you need to consider is how to also become part of this business..."
Georges Charpentier was stunned:
"Become part? But... is that possible?"
Lionel laughed, making Charpentier feel a chill.
(End of Chapter)