"As big, as elemental, as original as though the art of fiction began today."—Springfield Republican.

"The most momentous novel that has come to us from France, or from any other European country, in a decade.... Highly commendable and effective translation ... the story moves at a rapid pace. It never lags."—Boston Transcript.

"He embraces with a loving understanding the seven ages of man.... It not only contains a picture of contemporary musical life, but holds a message bearing on our conception of life and art. It presents genius for once without the morbid features that obscure its essence."—New York Times Review.


HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY

PUBLISHERSNEW YORK