Benjamin Constant

the novel occupies both invites the reader to share in the task of passing judgement on his
treatment of Ellénore and precludes our reaching any easy conclusions. The Preface and
framing letters add to that richness and com-plexity, and these appear to have been added
at the last moment in London.^5
By late February 1816, after giving several public readings, Constant decided to have
his novel published. It might bring him money and establish his reputation on a terrain
rather less embarrassing than the political one. He found Henry Colburn of 50 Conduit
Street, London, who was as yet little known in England as a publisher but who had
already brought out works by Madame de Staël. Colburn offered him 70 louis for the
manuscript. On 9 and 13 May Constant noted in his diary that he was writing a preface to
the novel,^6 and on Monday 27 May he wrote to Colburn:

Mr Constant’s complts to Mr Colburn—informs him that he sends

to-day the last proofsheet corrected, and that he supposes the little

publication will be finished to-morrow. He wishes that the sale may

begin at the latest on Saturday.^7

As C.P.Courtney has established, a copy of this first edition of Adolphe
was entered under copyright regulations at Stationers’ Hall on 7 June

1816,^8 the novel was therefore published no later than that date. A Paris

edition was published almost simultaneously. Adolphe was an immediate

success in London, though Constant was upset that English newspapers

pounced on the similarity between Adolphe’s relationship with Ellénore
and his own with Madame de Staël. On 23 June he had a letter published

in the Morning Chronicle:

SIR, Various papers have given the public to understand that the

short novel of ‘Adolphe’ contains circumstances personal to me

and to individuals really existing. I think it my duty to disclaim any

such unwarrantable interpretation. I should have thought it foolish

in me to describe myself, and surely the very judgment I passed

upon the hero of that anecdote, ought to have screened me from

that suspicion; for no one can take pleasure in representing himself

as guilty of vanity, weakness and ingratitude. But the accusation of

having described any other person is much more serious. It would

fix on my character a stain I can never submit to. Neither Ellenore,

nor Adolphe’s father, nor the Count de P—, have any resemblance

to any person I have ever known. Not only my friends, but my

acquaintance [sic] are sacred to me.^9

Benjamin constant 232