Frank Thomas Marzials

“ His political economy was that of an orthodox popularizer, and in no sense epoch-making. His dramas are negligible. His more serious novels, Madelon (1863) , L’infâme (1867) , the three that form the trilogy of the Vieille Roche (1866) , and Le roman d’un brave homme (1880) —a kind of counterblast to the view of the French workman presented in Zola’s Assommoir—contain striking and amusing scenes, no doubt, but scenes which are often suggestive of the stage, while description, dissertation, explanation too frequently take the place of life. ”

“ During the next few years, with indefatigable energy, and generally with full public recognition, he wrote novels, stories, a play—which failed,—a book-pamphlet on the Roman question, many pamphlets on other subjects of the day, newspaper articles innumerable, some art criticisms, rejoinders to the attacks of his enemies, and popular manuals of political economy, L’A B C du travailleur (1868) , Le progrès (1864) . About’s attitude towards the empire was that of a candid friend. ”

“ His best work after all is to be found in the books that are almost wholly farcical, Le nez d’un notaire (1862) ; Le roi des montagnes (1856) ; L’homme à l’oreille cassée (1862) ; Trente et quarante (1858) ”