The Middle Classes

The Middle Classes  (1854)  by Honoré de Balzac, translated by Katharine Prescott Wormeley

Original French title: "Les Petits Bourgeois", also translated as "The Lesser Bourgeoise". Unfinished by Balzac, but completed by Charles Rabou and published posthumously in 1854. Included as part of La Comédie humaine.

Dedication

Part I: THE LESSER BOURGEOIS OF PARIS

• Chapter I: DEPARTING PARIS
• Chapter II: THE HISTORY OF A TYRANNY
• Chapter III: COLLEVILLE
• Chapter IV: THE CIRCLE OF MONSIEUR AND MADAME THUILLIER
• Chapter V: A PRINCIPAL PERSONAGE
• Chapter VI: A KEYNOTE
• Chapter VII: THE WORTHY PHELLIONS
• Chapter VIII: AD MAJOREM THEODOSIS GLORIAM
• Chapter IX: THE BANKER OF THE POOR
• Chapter X: HOW BRIGITTE WAS WON
• Chapter XI: THE REIGN OF THEODOSE
• Chapter XII: DEVILS AGAINST DEVILS
• Chapter XIII: THE PERVERSITY OF DOVES
• Chapter XIV: ONE OF CERIZET'S FEMALE CLIENTS
• Chapter XV: THE DIFFICULTIES THAT CROP UP IN THE EASIEST OF THEFTS
• Chapter XVI: DU PORTAIL
• Chapter XVII: IN WHICH THE LAMB DEVOURS THE WOLF
• Chapter XVIII: SET A SAINT TO CATCH A SAINT

Part II: THE PARVENUS

• Chapter I: PHELLION, UNDER A NEW ASPECT
• Chapter II: THE PROVENCAL'S PRESENT POSITION
• Chapter III: GOOD BLOOD CANNOT LIE
• Chapter IV: HUNGARY VERSUS PROVENCE
• Chapter V: SHOWING HOW NEAR THE TARPEIAN ROCK IS TO THE CAPITOL
• Chapter VI: 'TWAS THUS THEY BADE ADIEU
• Chapter VII: HOW TO SHUT THE DOOR IN PEOPLE'S FACES
• Chapter VIII
• Chapter IX: GIVE AND TAKE
• Chapter X: IN WHICH CERIZET PRACTISES THE HEALING ART AND THE ART OF POISONING ON THE SAME DAY
• Chapter XI: EXPLANATIONS AND WHAT CAME OF THEM
• Chapter XII: A STAR
• Chapter XIII: THE MAN WHO THINKS THE STAR TOO BRIGHT
• Chapter XIV: A STORMY DAY
• Chapter XV: AT DU PORTAIL'S
• Chapter XVI: CHECKMATE TO THUILLIER
• Chapter XVII: IN THE EXERCISE OF HIS FUNCTIONS

Translator's Note

Addendum

This work published before January 1, 1923 is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.