(3 of 3)
In France, where presumably anything goes in such matters, this was too much for the police. In court last week, charged with "outrage of morality through books," Pauvert was defended by France's most prominent criminal lawyer, Maurice Garçon. Morals are a function of a certain time and place, Garçon argued. Bigamy, once punishable by death, is now simply fined. Abortion is legal in some countries. Jean Cocteau sent a letter arguing: "To attack Sade is to attack Jean Jacques Rousseau. The slightest mystery story from puritanical America is just as nefarious." Concluded Garçon: "Sade is important. We cannot let false prudery prevent us from studying him. That is against all scientific doctrine."
The learned judges announced they would take some time to think things over. "Of course, we'll lose the case," sighed Lawyer Garçon. Even in France, apparently, there are limits.