When he had finished his recitations, he returned to Agen, sometimes on foot, sometimes in the diligence, and quietly resumed his daily work.
His success as a poet never induced him to resign his more humble occupation.

Although he received some returns from the sale of his poems, he felt himself more independent by relying upon the income derived from his own business.
His increasing reputation never engendered in him, as is too often the case with self-taught geniuses who suddenly rise into fame, a supercilious contempt for the ordinary transactions of life.

"After all," he said, "contentment is better than riches." Endnotes to Chapter X.
{1} Journal de Toulouse, 4th July, 1840.
{2} The Society of the Jeux-Floraux derives its origin from the ancient Troubadours.

It claims to be the oldest society of the kind in Europe.
It is said to have been founded in the fourteenth century by Clemence Isaure, a Toulousian lady, to commemorate the "Gay Science." A meeting of the society is held every year, when prizes are distributed to the authors of the best compositions in prose and verse.

It somewhat resembles the annual meeting of the Eisteddfod, held for awarding prizes to the bards and composers of Wales.
{3} The following was his impromptu to the savants of Toulouse, 4th July, 1840:-- "Oh, bon Dieu! que de gloire! Oh, bon Dieu! que d'honneurs! Messieurs, ce jour pour ma Muse est bien doux; Mais maintenant, d'etre quitte j'ai perdu l'esperance: Car je viens, plus fier que jamais, Vous payer ma reconnaissance, Et je m'endette que plus!" {4} This is the impromptu, given on the 5th July, 1840: "Toulouse m'a donne un beau bouquet d'honneur; Votre festin, amis, en est une belle fleur; Aussi, clans les plaisirs de cette longue fete, Quand je veux remercier de cela, Je poursuis mon esprit pour ne pas etre en reste Ici, l'esprit me nait et tombe de mon coeur!" {5} 'Causeries du Lundi,' iv.