Among the novels of Theodor Mundt we note, this sprawling narrative, Count Mirabeau: An Historical Novel. We quote from a translation by Thérèse J. Radford (1868.) In this humorous scene the discussion centers around an experimental balloon flight. The question is what animals should be included in this balloon flight.
Count Mirabeau approached, and,...said with the air of a patron: "Perhaps I can help you a little in your perplexity, M. Montgolfier. Our friend, Madame Helvetius, has of course a very tender heart for her pets, and probably she fears a moral as well as physical injury to them if they are even a few minutes in the society of the Duke de Chartres. I have, however, a dog, called 'Miss Sarah,' to which I am certainly much attached, but which has recently acquired several disagreeable tricks. I have for some time been thinking of devising an extraordinary punishment, and I have found it at last: I sentence her to be the companion of a royal personage such as the duke. I am curious to observe the effects on, the dog-nature of my favorite, not of the higher atmosphere, but of the immediate proximity of such a privileged gentleman. My dog is in the yard, and at your service. Miss Sarah is a creature of rare beauty, and, if you wish to take her, I will bring her to you."
.....Chamfort, ...[went on] "Do you not think it would be suitable to make a little addition, from the philosophic country-seat at Auteuil, to the society of the Duke de Chartres? I propose for this purpose 'Tamtam,' the old black cat, that has so often vexed us by her malignant disposition, and who recently scratched the hands of our fair friend.
Some parts of this sketch have a historical basis: there was a flight with a dog and cat. The people are based on actual historical figures. The home at Auteuil did have cats. I can't tell how likely the comments on the pets are to be historically in tune with 18th century culture,
but the humor comes across the centuries.
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