INTRODUCTION

" L'oncle Sarcey " is at the présent day one of the most prominent and charactéristic figures of that tout Paris in which the intellectual and social lif e of the French capital is summed up. To form an accurate idea of the position which he occupies, it is sufficient to take up any issue of the weekly Annales Politiques et Littéraires, There, in the place of honor, immediately after the political review, will invariably be found an article signed with his name, into which is condensed, with the simplicity and clearness of consummate art, the common-sense view of some point of literature, philosophy or social ethics. The arguments are brief , but always driven home by telling illustration. The language is simple, often to f amiliarity, and invariably so easy that the inexperienced reader is convinced he could hâve written thus himself. • The good-nature, the bonhomie of the writer's tone, his many fiashes of wit and humor, his breadth of view, the absence of ail dogmatism, the sound sensé with which the expérience of a long lifetime has tempered his naturally shrewd and vigorous mind, go to make him one of the most powerful advocates of any cause. He is a recognized authority, and justly so, according to his own définition of authority, as " the reward of having long proved one's self right." But he wields this authority in a spirit of such kindliness, with such warmth of heart, and also with such fun,