[192.]--14. j'ai été faire. The use of être for aller when followed by an infinitive is inelegant, though the construction is sometimes used by good writers.
[195.]--24. médaille. The reference is to the military medal, conferred for meritorious military service (instituted in 1852).
THÉOPHILE GAUTIER
Tarbes, 1811--Paris, 1872
Born in Gascony, Gautier was educated, partly in his native town, partly at the Lycée Charlemagne in Paris. Here he became a friend of Gérard de Nerval, who was of such influence on the later decadent school. He was a friend of the Romanticist, Victor Hugo, and the typical red waistcoat which he wore at the first presentation of Hernani has become almost historic. In 1830 he published a volume of verse, and two years later Albertus in the extreme Romantic style. A novelist and poet, he traveled extensively and embodied his experiences and impressions in many works on travel and art criticism. His work is characterized by a remarkable esthetic appreciation, an almost flawless, ornate style, and a strong tendency toward the fantastic. Faguet says of him: "He knew all the resources of the French language and style." He stands above all for form (cf. his poem, L'Art).
Important works: Poésies (1830), Albertus (1832), Mademoiselle de Maupin (1835), Fortunio (1838), Les Grotesques (1844), Avatar and Jettatura (1857), Émaux et Camées (1858), Le Roman de la Momie (1858), Le Capitaine Fracasse (1863), besides descriptions of his travels.
Edition: Charpentier, in 34 vols.
LA MILLE ET DEUXIÈME NUIT
The title is borrowed from the Mille et Une Nuits, translated into French by Galland (1704).
[201.]--1. favorite. This peculiar feminine form is due to analogy with petite (in the masculine petit and favori end with the same sound, hence by analogy they have the same sound in the feminine).