This etext was produced by David Widger <widger@cecomet.net>
[NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of thefile for those who may wish to sample the author's ideas before making anentire meal of them. D.W.]
By PHILIPPE DE MASSA
Translated by D. KNOWLTON RANOUS
MARQUIS DE MASSA, soldier, composer, and French dramatist, was born inParis, December 5, 1831. He selected the military career and received acommission in the cavalry after leaving the school of St. Cyr. He servedin the Imperial Guards, took part in the Italian and Franco-German Warsand was promoted Chief of Squadron, Fifth Regiment, Chasseurs a Cheval,September 10, 1871. Having tendered his resignation from active service,he was appointed a lieutenant-colonel in the territorial army February 3,1880. He has been decorated with the Legion of Honor.
The Marquis de Massa is known as a composer of music and as a dramaticauthor and novelist. At the Opera Comique there was represented in 1861Royal-Cravate, written by him. Fragments of two operas by him wereperformed at the Paris Conservatory of Music in 1865, and in 1868. Thelist of his principal plays follows: 'Le Service en campagne, comedy(1882); La Cicatrice, comedy (1885); Au Mont Ida, Fronsac a La Bastille,and La Coeur de Paris, all in 1887; La Czarine and Brouille depuisMagenta (1888), and La Bonne Aventure—all comedies—1889. Together withPetipa he also wrote a ballet Le Roi d'Yvetot (1866); music by CharlesLabarre. He further wrote Zibeline, a most brilliant romance (1892) withan Introduction by Jules Claretie; crowned by the Academie Francaise.This odd and dainty little story has a heroine of striking originality,in character and exploits. Her real name is Valentine de Vermont, andshe is the daughter of a fabulously wealthy French-American dealer infurs, and when, after his death, she goes to Paris to spend her colossalfortune, and to make restitution to the man from whom her father won atplay the large sum that became the foundation of his wealth, certainlively Parisian ladies, envying her her rich furs, gave her the name ofZibeline, that of a very rare, almost extinct, wild animal. Zibeline'sAmerican unconventionality, her audacity, her wealth, and generosity, setall Paris by the ears. There are fascinating glimpses into the drawing-rooms of the most exclusive Parisian society, and also into the historicgreenroom of the Comedie Francaise, on a brilliant "first night." The manto whom she makes graceful restitution of his fortune is a hero of theFranco-Mexican and Franco-Prussian wars, and when she gives him back hisproperty, she throws her heart in with the gift. The story is aninteresting study of a brilliant and unconventional American girl as seenby the eyes of a clever Frenchman.
Later came 'La Revue quand meme, comedy, (1894); Souvenirs et Impressions(1897); La Revue retrospective, comedy (1899); and Sonnets' the sameyear.
PAUL HERVIEU de l'Academe Francaise.
I have often declared that I never would write prefaces! But how can oneresist a fine fellow who brings one an attractive manuscript, signed witha name popular among all his friends, who asks of one, in the mostengaging way, an opinion on the same—then a word, a simple word ofintroduction, like a signal to saddle?
...