The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-06-25

many OF W most OF all the nOveItStS who
have ever taken pen in hand. But no
only shook his gray head and said: II do
not count In French literature"
Sixty.six, and but for his limp still hale
and hearty, with much in his face that re-
minded one of Victor Hugo, like . fine
old sea captain. ruddy Of face and full Of
life. One eyelid sIightly droops, but the
gaze is firm and clear and from his whole
person emanates an aroma of goodness
and kindness of heart, which have ever
been tho characteristics of the man Of
whom Hector Malot. writing many years
ago, said: He 10 the best of best fellows"
Of the man whom the frigid and reserved
Alexander Dumas loves like brother,
vnd who has not and never has had. in
spite Of his brilliant success. a single real
enemy. Ills health troubles him unfor-
tunate.y. fiate his eyes have weakened,
80 that at times he Is unable to guide his
pen, and there are days when gastraigia
martyrzss him. But he Is as valiant q,
ever.
II have written sixty-six volumes" he
said. land il God grants me life, shall
finish eighty"
Jules Verne lives on the Boulevard
Longueville, at Amiens. at the corner Of
the Rue Charles Dubois, in tine spacious
house, which he rents. IL is house Of
three stories. with three rows of five win
dows on the boulevard lsongueviiie and
three windows at the corner and three
more on the Rue Charles Dubois. The
carriage and other entrance are in the
street. The windows on the Boulevard
Longueville command magnificent view
Of the picturesque If misty town Of
Amiens, with its old cathedral and other
medieval buildings Right in front Of the
house. on the ether side Of the boulevard.
IL railway cutting. which jus; opposite
Vernc's study window. disappears into =
pleasure ground, where there is a large
music kiosk. in which during the fine
weather the reglnentaI band plays. This
combination is To my thinking very en-
bIem of the work OF the great writer. the
rushing train. with ali the roar and rattle
of ulira-nsodernism and the romance Of
the music Aud Is il not by . combina-
ton of science and iniusiriaiism with ell
that Is most romantic in lsfe, that Nerne's
novels possess an originality which can
be found in the works of no other living
writer. not even amongst those OF the men
who count most IN French 'iterasure9
A high wall skirss the Rue Charles Du-
bois and hides the courtyard and garden
of Verne's house from the passer-by.
When one has rung At the little side en-
trance and, in response 10 . great peal tho
door has been opened, one finds him self in
q paved court yard. Opposite are the
kitchen and Offices. TO the left may be seen
a pleasant garden well ssockcd with trees
and TO the right Is the house, to which .
row Of brosd steps extending the whole
length OF the facade lead up. A conserve
tory flied with flowers and palms forms
the entrance room and passing through
this the visitor enters the drawing room.
This is richly furnished room. With
marbles and bronzes. warm rich hangings
and the most comfortable Of easy chairs.
the room OF man Of means and leisure,
but without any Characteristic feature
about IT, II looks like room
which Is little used, and this 10 the fact.
Both Monsieur and Nine. Verne are very
simple people, who care nothing for show
and all for quiet and comfort. The adj
joining large dining room ~ rarely used.
except wAen dinner parties are given or
family Jete IL held and the novelist and
his wife take their simple meals IN little
breakfast room. which adjoins the kitchen.
From the court yard the visitor notices ia
the far corner Of the house . lofty tower.
The winding staircase which leads 10 the
upper stories 10 in this tower and at the
very top o. the stasscas. Is Mr.. yerue's
private domain. A passage earpeted
with red stun. ike the staircase, leads
past maps and chasts to little corner
room, which Is furnished with PLAIN
camp bedssead. Against . bay window
stands . small table GA which manuscript
papsS very neatly cut may b seen. On
the maniei-piece Of the tiny fireplace
stand two stAtuesfes. ons Of Moiiere and
the other OF Shakespeare, And above them
hangs . wstsr-coios painting sepseseus2nS