INTRODUCTION V

counts of his txips to Spain, Italy, the East, etc., wherein he finds an opportunity to display his great talent as a landscapepainter. Finally, he is the author of several books of short stories from which I hâve selected the material of the présent volume.

His literary gifts are as much in évidence in his short stories as in his novels. They show that he sees life in a more rosycolored light than the writers of the naturalistic school. He may be called an optimistic realist while the tendencies of the other disciples of the same school are pessimistic.

Thèse brief taies are written in a pleasant mood, generally ending in a satisfactory way, and leaving the reader under a more agreeable impression than he will usually dérive from the gloomy taies of Guy de Maupassant.

His subjects are mostly chosen from rustic life, and he delights in reviving the former customs, manners, and traditions of his native province, Vendée. That is why his name is so of ten linked with those of the provincial writers, such as George Sand, Ferdinand Fabre, André Theuriet, Emile Pouvillon, Anatole Le Braz, etc. But he differs greatly from George Sand, the leader of that school, in that his characters are lifelike, true, while hers are too highly idealized.

His literary success is especially due to his great feeling for nature; his broad sympathy for, and tender interest in, his characters, however lowly ; his optimistic view of life ; his délicate and sometimes quaint style ; his fine talent as a painter of natural scenery; his fearless treatment of the social problems of the présent time ; his clevemess as a moralist.

In this collection, I hâve been guided by the désire to meet the needs and gratify the taste of the students for whom it is intended, by offering them stories full of interest and variety, and I hope I hâve succeeded.

Contes de Bonne Perrette proved to be a real mine. From it were taken La Jument bleue, Le Moulin qui 7te tourne plus,