This is what floats up confusedly, pell-mell, for the year 1817, and is now forgotten. History neglects nearly all these particulars, and cannot do otherwise; the infinity would overwhelm it. Nevertheless, these details, which are wrongly called trivial, - there are no trivial facts in humanity, nor little leaves in vegetation, - are useful. It is of the physiognomy of the years that the physiognomy of the centuries is composed. In this year of 1817 four young Parisians arranged a fine farce.
In 1817, various events and details, often overlooked by history, contributed to the overall tapestry of human experience. These seemingly minor facts, although dismissed as trivial, play a significant role in shaping the essence of our understanding of past eras. Just like the individual leaves on a tree are vital to its structure, these details form the complex narrative of humanity over time.
In this particular year, four young Parisians created an engaging farce, highlighting how personal and cultural endeavors reflect the spirit of their time. Victor Hugo emphasizes that while history may forget much, the richness of life lies in these moments, illustrating the interplay between individual actions and broader historical movements.