The Immortals

Under the stately cupola of the Institut de France, some 20 Living Immortals buzzed away busily last week. In the most felicitous phrases of the world's most crystallized and elegant language, they were discussing the nuances of the word "art." They were the French Academy, founded by Cardinal Richelieu in 1635, the tangible concretion of the ineffable essence of French culture. Since 1935, unhurriedly, imperturbably, through World War II, the fall of France, the German occupation, and liberation, they had regularly donned their plumed bicornes and green-gold uniforms, regularly gathered to compile a new edition of their famed dictionary. And indeed there was no time to lose, for after ten years they were still working on the letter A. The all but illimitable wastes of B still beckoned beyond.

But now there was a distressing interruption. Brilliant Academician Charles Maurras, the aged royalist, had been sentenced to life imprisonment for collaboration (TIME, Feb. 5). Should he be expelled? Heretofore, the old men had loftily disregarded such problems--one of their colleagues was Marshal Petain. But what had he to do with the letter A?

Author Maurras himself had predicted: "L'Academie est trop grande dame pour m'exclure--The Academy is too great a lady to expel me." Maurras was right. The 20 Academicians put their heads together. Immortal Maurras, they reasoned, had lost his "national dignity." Therefore, his colleagues gravely decided, they did not need to expel him: his seat was already vacant. Then, with greater haste than they had ever shown, the 20 Immortals turned back to the pressing problems of the word "art."

Misgivings

The Big Three had conspicuously overlooked the Big Fourth. Wherever and whenever they met again, it was clear that France would not be invited. Promptly the French broke out into a rash of "misgivings." Reported New York Timesman Harold Callender from Paris:

"There are indications that the French are disturbed by reports that Russia might try to establish a German Government under Field Marshal General Friedrich von Paulus (see INTERNATIONAL) and also seek French recognition of the Lublin regime in Poland which General Charles de Gaulle refused to recognize when he was in Moscow.

"On the other hand, the French take emphatic exception to the reported plan of Prime Minister Churchill to place the Rhineland under the control of Britain, the United States, France and Russia. The French contention ... is that the vital industries of the Rhineland should be under 'predominantly' French control... .

"The sharp differences between France and Britain over Syria and Lebanon are emphasized ... in a review of foreign affairs that Foreign Minister Georges Bidault made to the Cabinet. He discussed the demonstrations against the French in those countries which were said here to represent a demand for local control of the armed forces under French command. Mr. Bidault emphatically said that France intends to defend her rights firmly in Syria and Lebanon, and contends that there would be no problem' there, if the British did not interfere. . . ."

Syria and its national liberation movement was much on the French mind last week. For under the ambitious leadership of shrewd President Shukri Bey Kuwatly, the Syrian parliament had voted funds and conscription for a Syrian national army. One fruit of General de Gaulle's visit to Moscow was believed to have been a Russian guarantee of France's colonial empire. Syria's military stirrings gave France a queasy feeling under her colonial belt; they might endanger the whole French position in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, France voluntarily withdrew from the Italian island of Elba, which her North African troops occupied last May. It was to Elba that Napoleon was first exiled. From Elba he dashed back to restore Europe to its traditional turmoil during the Hundred Days. As A.M.G. authorities (British and U.S.) took over the rocky little island last week, the French might well ponder upon the famed palindrome attributed to Napoleon. Read backward or forward, it led to the same historic conclusion: "Able was I ere I saw Elba."

The Heroism of Keeping Clad

Ah, cette guerre! This war! Et -- brrrrr! This frrreezing cold! Never had Paris been so cold. Never had it been so hard to be -well dressed in Paris as it was last week. But pride must bear pain. "II jaur souffrir pour etre belle." At the famed House of Worth, the main salon beyond the double doors was empty.

Then behind a jet of vaporous breath appeared a vendeuse, rubbing her hands, the national gesture of this winter. Mad ame wished to see a dress? The one with the elbow sleeves and the deep V-neck? But certainly, if Madame could bear to try it on. Yes? Ah, Madame was a real Joan of Arc ! The vendeuse led the way to a dressing room. Heroically Madame took off her coat, then her extra lining, then, with thin-lipped determination, her dress. The vendeuse clucked her admiration of such courage. Deftly she inserted Madame into the model of the new gown. Expertly she arranged mirrors so that Madame could have a comprehensive look before grabbing her coat again. These were days for prompt decisions. Madame would take the gown? Bien!

Soon a small male figure in a fur-collared overcoat knocked, entered, pulled off his gloves, delicately measured Madame for alterations. Heaven be praised, it was all over. In a week Madame would have her gown. She might also have pneumonia, but she would not be shabby.

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