Voltaire

“ THESE ROMANCES, mostly short stories, are regarded by many of the foremost experts in literature as among the finest and strongest productions of Voltaire's unique literary genius. Each was written with a definite purpose; it holds the mirror up to a delusion of the day, and perhaps to some of our day. This it does ruthlessly enough, yet with so gracious a humor that the shock carries with it a sensation of exquisite pleasure and tonic after-effect. ”

“ National poverty; disaster of the man of forty crowns; conversation with a geometrician; adventure with a Carmelite; the man of forty crowns marries; on taxes paid to a foreign power; on proportions; a great quarrel ”