"Gil Blas," by Le Sage, is one of the most famous and widely read books in the world. (France, 1668—1747.)
Balzac's best are "Le Père Goriot" (and especially the magnificent preface to this book), "La Recherche de l'Absolu," "Eugénie Grandet," "La Peau de Chagrin," etc. (France, 19th cent.)
[235] Rousseau's "Emile" has been called the greatest book ever written; but we presume that bias and limitation of knowledge on the part of critics (not rare accomplishments of theirs) might procure a similar judgment in respect to almost any strong and peculiar book. Rousseau's "Confessions" are worth some attention. (France, 18th cent.)
Saintine's "Picciola" is a beautiful story. (France, 19th cent.)
[236] Coffin's "Boys of '76," "Boys of '61," "Story of Liberty," etc., are splendid books for young people. The last describes the march of the human race from slavery to freedom. (U. S., 19th cent.)
Charles Reade's "Hard Cash," "Peg Woffington," "Cloister and Hearth" are fascinating stories. (Eng., 19th cent.)
Warren's "Ten Thousand a Year."
[237] Landor's "Imaginary Conversations of Great Men." (Eng., 18th cent.)
Turgenieff's "Liza," "Smoke," and "Fathers and Sons." (Russia, 19th cent.)