Serge Panine | Page 6

at large. If inquiring spirits seek to learn
the customs and manners of the France of any age, they must look for it
among her crowned romances. They need go back no farther than
Ludovic Halevy, who may be said to open the modern epoch. In the
romantic school, on its historic side, Alfred de Vigny must be looked
upon as supreme. De Musset and Anatole France may be taken as
revealing authoritatively the moral philosophy of nineteenth-century
thought. I must not omit to mention the Jacqueline of Th. Bentzon, and
the "Attic " Philosopher of Emile Souvestre, nor the, great names of
Loti, Claretie, Coppe, Bazin, Bourget, Malot, Droz, De Massa, and last,

but not least, our French Dickens, Alphonse Daudet. I need not add
more; the very names of these "Immortals" suffice to commend the
series to readers in all countries.
One word in conclusion: America may rest assured that her students of
international literature will find in this series of 'ouvrages couronnes' all
that they may wish to know of France at her own fireside--a knowledge
that too often escapes them, knowledge that embraces not only a
faithful picture of contemporary life in the French provinces, but a
living and exact description of French society in modern times. They
may feel certain that when they have read these romances, they will
have sounded the depths and penetrated into the hidden intimacies of
France, not only as she is, but as she would be known.
GASTON BOISSIER
SECRETAIRE PERPETUEL DE L'ACADEMIE FRANCAISE

GEORGES OHNET
The only French novelist whose books have a circulation approaching
the works of Daudet and of Zola is Georges Ohnet, a writer whose
popularity is as interesting as his stories, because it explains, though it
does not excuse, the contempt the Goncourts had for the favor of the
great French public, and also because it shows how the highest form of
Romanticism still ferments beneath the varnish of Naturalism in what is
called genius among the great masses of readers.
Georges Ohnet was born in Paris, April 3, 1848, the son of an architect.
He was destined for the Bar, but was early attracted by journalism and
literature. Being a lawyer it was not difficult for him to join the
editorial staff of Le Pays, and later Le Constitutionnel. This was soon
after the Franco-German War. His romances, since collected under the
title 'Batailles de la Vie', appeared first in 'Le Figaro, L'Illustration, and
Revue des Deux Mondes', and have been exceedingly well received by
the public. This relates also to his dramas, some of his works meeting
with a popular success rarely extended to any author. For some time
Georges Ohnet did not find the same favor with the critics, who often
attacked him with a passionate violence and unusual severity. True, a
high philosophical flow of thoughts cannot be detected in his writings,
but nevertheless it is certain that the characters and the subjects of
which he treats are brilliantly sketched and clearly developed. They are

likewise of perfect morality and honesty.
There was expected of him, however, an idea which was not quite
realized. Appearing upon the literary stage at a period when Naturalism
was triumphant, it was for a moment believed that he would restore
Idealism in the manner of George Sand.
In any case the hostile critics have lost. For years public opinion has
exalted him, and the reaction is the more significant when compared
with the tremendous criticism launched against his early romances and
novels.
A list of his works follows:
Serge Panine (1881), crowned by the French Academy, has since gone
through one hundred and fifty French editions; Le Maitre des Forges
(1882), a prodigious success, two hundred and fifty editions being
printed (1900); La Comtesse Sarah (1882); Lise Fleuyon (1884); La
Grande Maynieye (1886); Les Dames de Croix-Mort (1886); Volonte
(1888); Le Docteur Rameau (1889); Deynier Amour (1889); Le Cure
de Favieyes (1890); Dette de Haine (1891); Nemsod et Cie. (1892); Le
Lendemain des Amours (1893); Le Droit de l'Enfant (1894.); Les
Vielles Rancunes (1894); La Dame en Gris (1895); La Fille du Depute
(1896); Le Roi de Paris (1898); Au Fond du Gouffre (1899); Gens de la
Noce (1900); La Tenibreuse (1900); Le Cyasseur d'Affaires (1901); Le
Crepuscule (1901); Le Marche a l'Amour (1902).
Ohnet's novels are collected under the titles, 'Noir et Rose (1887) and
L'Ame de Pierre (1890).
The dramatic writings of Georges Ohnet, mostly taken from his novels,
have greatly contributed to his reputation. Le Maitre des Forges was
played for a full year (Gymnase, 1883); it was followed by Serge
Panine (1884); La Comtesse Sarah (1887). La Grande Mayniere (1888),
met also with a decided and prolonged success; Dernier Amour
(Gymnase, 1890); Colonel Roquebrune (Porte St. Martin, 1897).
Before that he had