New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-11-15
NINE. HENRY GREVILLE.
A SKETCH OF THE FRENCH NOVELIST
WHO Is JUST REACHING THESE SHORES.


novelist. sails in the Normande for New-York ono
week from to-day in order to lecture in the United
| states and 10 study fresh scenes Tor new stories
! Ii may interest your readers who are acquainted
with this remarkable woman only through her
books to be afforded glance at the more private
side of the literary and domestic lie of Henry
| Grevllle. Such il the purpose of this letter.
Her first efforts ut Paris to secure recognition
were of the most discOuraging kind aud yet she
| came to the French capital with literary reputa-
tion that ought TO have opened all doors TO her.
| Tie daughter of a Frenchman, NJ. Jean Fleury,
professor of the University of st. Petersburg. aud
wife of another Frenchman, NJ. Durand, professor
at the Law School of that same city, Nine. Henry
Greville-she is better known by her nom de plume
| and her husband abandoned very fine position
in Russia when they went to Paris in 1872. For
| four years they had lived almost exclusively on
the earnings derived from the wife's stories which
we're published IN the Journal de ST. Petersbourg aud
/ from the husbands Chroaiques which appeared IN
this same widely read paper. And yet thew met
with rebafs at the offices of all the newspapers
and periodicals of Paris. The Recne dcs Deur
Mondes returned two of her stories because
they were too realistic" "LExpIation de
Sav6l" before it finally found a home i'll
| the pages of tho Rcrue. experienced
many viclssitudcs. The Petit Journal refused 1t on
its readers. which was quite true. 1t was also de
clmed with thanks" by tine Journal des Deb1ts
which has rcpugnance to scenes that are rather
violent. But, by the way, this refusal was the
opening wedge for " Dosia" which first
brought ont in the Debats, thanks to the patronage
of one of the staff the eminent frectia adler, NJ de
Moiinar. The Pdrie also turned the cold shoulder
| on "L'Expiation do Sav6h." When the editor
| handed back this much-rejected communication,
whose merits. however, he recognized, he said to
VI. charlottesville: I'VE want longer novel and
one that is geutler in tone" And what do you
mean by longerT asked the clever husband. "Sav
from $4,000 to 5000 lines was the reply. Il have
the very thing yon demand" continued NJ Durand-
GIeville; "my wife is giving the last touches
to just such story; YOU will have to wait only till
1t il copied And hurrying home, Nine Grevllle
was Informed OF this opportunity Of at last finding
q market for some OF her literary wares, went 10
work with a light heart and quick pen, and threw
off without any effort LES Koumassine." As
each sheet of paper filled she passed it 10 her
husband, who made clear copy for the printer
and at the end of twenty DAYS the manuscript for
the trst volume was in the editors hands. and that
of the second volume was completed within like
period Thus story might have roma ned year in
the pigeon holes of the Parties sanctun awaiting
its turn. it, at this moment. the Rerue des Desr
Mondcs aud the Journal des Debats had not both
simultaneously begun the publication OF two Of
Nine GrGyIle's creations. Tho Pdtrie. not to be
outdone by its rivals Immediately opened ITS
saleion columns to this rising literary star, and
thus Nine GrGville was Afforded the unusual pleas
ure of seeing her productions appear at the same
time IN three well-known Partisan periodicals
Nine. Gr6Siilc's early relations with the once in
Aucntial J-Hearidme STEELE and its famous editor
the late Edmond About, not less pIquant. NJ
with Sonia" which The Journal de 81. P<tersboug
had inst issued in feaiiletoM He was met by tho
secretary Of the editorial staff, who informed HIM
rather CURLY that the paper had large stock of
stories ON maud. But YOU may have il for moth
Ingr said. NJ Durand-Gr6vie. Many thanks. but
| must still refuse it," replied the secretary. for
we have a supply that will last us for two years"
Several months later, after Mime Grevie's repu-
tation was made aud her mans was In everybody's
mouth and her novels all the papers, she was at
the theatre with her husband when they met NJ
Franci,que Sarcey the foyer. The distinguisi ed
critic. whom they had known for some time. was
accompanied by Edmond About ald Charles Gar
nier, the architect of the New Opera both of whom
asked TO be presented to the brilliant novelist.
This was the starting point of Mime. Grevie's prof
fable connection with the itr-RearitDle Steele,
where first appeared Sonia Los Epreuves de
Raissa"" Marer "a File etc. Ono day. when
NJ Uurand-tirevil was III tine EDITORIAL rooms he
met About who asked him some questions concern
ing the difficulties that Nine. GrevIlle had
perIeuced at the beginning OF her career But
why didn't You think To come To mel" exclaimed
the sympathetic editor; " with Your wife's talent.
the slightest production of her pen would have
decided me to open wide to her the columns of my
pap-rr About was not little astonished AMI
chagrined when NJ. Durand-GrGuIle recouuted his
interview with the secretary of the Dir-Reurieme
Sitcle apropos of this very sonia" winch had been
offered gratis AMI which was hna.ly bought for a
good round sum About made excuses for his sub
ordinate and himself and added III his clever. good
natured way: But as for the best for l
paired my fault without knowing it,"
Edmond About had very nigh opinion OF Henry
Greyille's literary powers. As early rs 1877 when
abe published her little tale " lie Soir." which
forms a part of the recently isju:d "ldyiles."
| About said TO II. Duranl-Grevile: There's
genius In it saw 80 to your wife for me-" Her last
contribution to the -acarI9no Si1'te before tli5
Sudden death of its editor. was "LIngeuuc"
friend of the author having met About at tho
Tuennal Salon and the conversation turning Oh
this novel the newly elected Academician said:
"'I,Ing6nue' is q perfectly charming piece OF
work full of delicate observation from psyche
logical point OF view. and Is written with light,
| airy pen" You know that Nine. Greve con-
s,ders herself one of your pupils" replied the
friend well ri 20 and ask her to give ME some
Iessonsp answered About as he passed on.
Aboups friend. Sarcey, WAS also an early adj
mlrer of Henry Gr6vIllcs imaginative talents.
During the winter Of 1867 lie lectured one even
ing IN the Sale dcs Conferences IN the Boulevard
des Capucines on the works of the novelist.
"Mms. Henry Gr6vile, began the celebrated and
conpotent critic has far written but one
French story Suzanne Normis,' which consider
far SUPERIOR to her Russian stories | shall speak
OF il nc the end OF my lecture. Let us now take
No the Russian tales" He then Analysed Sonia"
and in order to give his hearers an idea OF the style
of the anthor began to read the chapter where is re-
lated the death Of Nine. Grebaf, mother OF the