INTRODUCTION

, René Bazin was born at Angers in 1853. His early years were passed in the country near Legré, a few miles from his birthplace. Becàuse of his frail constitution he was allowed to roam at will the fields and forests. Thus he came to know nature intimately; the changes of the seasons, heralded by the progressive stages of végétation, the flight of birds of passage, the multiple rounds of rural life. He heard, toô, weird taies from poachers, rat-catchers, wolf-traihers, from ail the nomads of the country side. This life was an admirable training for his powers of observation, which were by nature very keen, and an excellent préparation for the work which he wàs to do. Thé results of it may be felt in his books of travel, in his novels and in the séries of sketches published under the title En Province,

After à period of less agreeable study he was admitted tô the bar and became professer of law iii the university of his native city, Angers. * Soon, hôwever, his talent for story-telling, a talent which he first exercised only for the pleàsure of children and of intimàte friends, led him to begin to write for publication.

Bazin has always possessed the rare gift of seeing

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