“A series of pleasantly desultory papers—neither history, biography,
criticism, nor romance, but compounded of all four: always lively and
graceful, and often sparkling with esprit, that subtle essence which may be
so much better illustrated than defined. M. Houssaye's aim in these sketches—
for evidently he had an aim beyond the one he alleges of pastime for
his leisure hours—seems to have been to discourse of persons rather celebrated
than known, whose names and works are familiar to all, but with
whose characters and histories few are much acquainted. To the mass of
readers, his book will have the charm of freshness; the student and the
man of letters, who have already drunk at the springs whence M. Houssaye
has derived his inspiration and materials, will pardon any lack of novelty
for the sake of the spirit and originality of the treatment.”