The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-07-11
The Career OF a French Writer.

The Paris correspondent of the London Times
gives some recollections OF NJ. Merry, whose death
is just announced.
Merry was native of Marseiles where he began
and completed his education. His frst essay
IN literature was satire 10 verse; published in
lozO, on priest against whom he had some
private grievance. 1t brought him into notice
less from the talent which 1t eNinced than from
the consequences to the writer; ne was prose-
cuted Tor libel, and sentenced TO fifteen months
imprisonment. When the term OF his punish
ment expired he joined Alphonse Rabbe, bar.
rlster at AK, the author Of certain historical
works that had certain vogue in their day. and
an ardent liberal. in editing a newspaper called
the Phocedn, remarkable for its violent oppos-
uon to the government of the Restoration He
soon after founded paper on his own account
under the name OF the Medite77Gnnee; but they
were both subsequently amalgamated, and be-
came the 6e1ndphOre, which still exists and
prOspers.
A year or two later Merry came to Paris, and
was employed by Rabbe in translating Latin
documents for his History OF the Popes.n NJ.
Soule was then editing satirical print called
the Main Jdune; and he engaged Mery as one
OF his contributors. The Nam jaime soon got
into trouble. 1t was prosecuted for q sedltious
libel. The principal editor Soule, was tired
and sentenced TO imprisonment, but succeeded
in leaving France before his appeal to the
higher courts could oe decided He emlgrated
to New Orleans, where lie practised successfully
as an advocate, was elected to the American
Senate, and was sent, under the Presidency of
General Pierce, as United States Minister to
Madrid. One of his first adventures was duel
with the Marquis de Turgot, the French Am
bassador at the same Court, whom he woun ded
severely
1t was while he was writing for the Main
jaime that Merry became associated with Armand
Carrel the founder of the NdtsonaL Victor
Hugo, and the poet Barthelemy. This last, who
cherished bitter rancor against the Govern
ment, associated himself with Merry in his
attacks upon it. satircal poem of some
power, called the "Villeliade," their olnt pro-
duction, brought them prominently into notice.
They gave up the satire under the milder Gov
ernment of NJ. de Martignac, and wrote poem
in praise OF Bonaparte, which they called
'Napoe on en- Egypte." The satircal humor
returned, however on the accession of the
Pohgnac Ministry, when they published the
"Peyronneide" and the 'Guerre d'Alger," which
preceded by only few months the Revolution
of July. During 'the three glorious days"
Merry fought on the barricades; and when the
struggle was over proceeded to celebrate the
victory in poem called "L'Insurrection,"
and in hymn, lie Trcolor," which had the
honor of being set to music by the composer
Halevy.
Barthelemy and Merry then founded the Meme
SlS, which they described as "a journal in verse
of one man." The Nemesis having soon died for
want of funds, Merry set out for Italy, where he
obtained employment from Queen Hortense and
the other members OF the exled Imperial family.
From poetry Merry turned to prose; and on his
return from Italy published a dozen romances
or novels IN the course of seven years. He
paid visit to England in 1910, and on coming
back gave to the public his impressions
de uoydqe In work called Lies Nuts de Lon
dres.n He published subsequently, in the jour
nal La PreSse three romances-"H Heru," LA
Guerre de Nizam," LA Floride"-descriptiv
of the manners and customs of India and Ame-
rica--countries which he had never visited; as,
also, "Anglais" and "Chinois." These were fol.
lowed at no great intervals by twelve or thirteen
tales in feutHetOns, or volumes, on various sub
jects. He then tried his hard at dramatic COM
position, and produced great mauy pieces.
some OF which were represented with success.
Among his productions in verse was a collection
of Melodies Poehques," suggested by the poll
tical and military events of the day, and recited
in the theatres, or set to music as cantates.
Among these last is one on the Italian war of
1859. called .'Nanoleon en- Italien