AlSTATOLE FRANCE AND HIS CIRCLE. By Paul Gsell. (John Lane.
7s. 6d.)
Admirers of the Master will rejoice in this admirable translation of the Propos d'Anatole France. And who, indeed, are not admirers of Anatole France ? In this book one is admitted to the Master's house by means of description and the excellent illustrations of M. Calmettes, and to his intimate conversation. It is not table talk, in the usual associations of that term, for Anatole France is not given to long-winded dogmatizing, however brilliant, nor to ponderous pronunciamientos. Rather, we find here the first sketches of many of those brilliant maxims which adorn his pages, but more than that, the ready flow of that sparkling satirical fancy which makes the man and his books what they are. It is an intimate glimpse into a mind and a personality which are quintessentially France. But we are given also a complete mental entourage for M. Bergeret. Besides his philosophy and his scintillating conversation, we have his house, his collections, and, above all, his trusted servant, the famous Josephine. It all gives us a delightful sense of the man living. This is the overtone. The effect is produced tirough anecdote and desultory talk. We highly recommend to all dyspeptics the discussions connected with Dr. Brown the American professor in search of an explanation of genius and the incident which had to do with the Academie and Hans Carvers ring.
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