New-York tribune., 1902-07-27
THE DUMAS CENTENARY T..
HOW HIS BOOKS SELL IN FRANCE To-
DAY-THE CELEBRATION AT VII
ERS-COTTERETS-RE
ISCENCES BY HIS
FRIENDS.
FRIENDS.

Picardy-although his BIRTH he himself re-
lates in his 'Memoires." took place on July y,
1SU2-has elected scores Of anecdotes relating
D the genial giant who wrote The Three Mus
kcteers" Monte CTisto.' "Balsamo,' and other
romanccs which are still household words in
French families The sales Of his books, it may
bc noted rival those Of the popular writer's of
cur own day. Inquiries made at the leading
publishing houses in Paris show that of all the
uoyelists Of the last century. Dumas pere IS the
one whose works are most frequently demanded
and have by far the most readers. The other
evening l seized suitable occasion 10 ask the
head of one of the largest publishing houses
here what books of the last century sell best
and what authors of that period remain in pub
lie favor. The conversation proceeded jas fol-
lows:
"Oh. BaIzac still has fair sale, but less so
than is generally supposed. Moreover. an in
faIble sign in our trade indicates that the
author OF the 'Comtdie Humaine is gradually
falling from popularity. / have noticed that the
public no longer call for the complete works OF
Bazac but are beginning to ask for isolated
volumes. This is always bad sign.
How about George Sand?'
Altogether out Of fashion-qute dGmodte, We
sell now and then a 'Mauprat 10 an amateur.
but the bulk Of George Sands works now in
stock is being used old paper to serve as
wrappers for tobacco"
How does Eugene Sue SELF"
Absolutely forgotten by the present genera
ton OF readers. who don't even know his name,"
Paul de Kock?'
There are still old maiden ladies who wish 10
reread La Laittre de MontfermeH.' but two
three copies month are all that We sell OF
Paul de Rocks works"
"Alexandre Dumas the eder2"
Alexandra Dumas is the only novelist of his
time whose books find steady sale There is
constant demand for The Three Musketeers.
for Monte CIisto. for La RENE Margot,' for
lie Vicomte de Bragelonpe,' 'Balsamo' and
the 'Maison Rouge. There is prodigious
vitality in the sale of these books, and
there are no signs as yet of the demand
diminishing. Every week sell the complete
works of Dumas, and the bookbinders say that
The Three Musketeers' and Monte Cristo' are
the two books that are most frequently sent
them to be bound in lasting. luxurious. hand
made morocco covers"
Alexandre Dumas with his gigantic frame and
superb, massive smiling face remains fresh in
the minds of Parisians. There are two prom
inent men of letters. both in excellent health
and mental vigOr. who close friends of his
M. Paul Meurice. now in his eighty-third year
and M. Felix Duques&el. formerly theatrical
manager. and now the dramatic critic of lie
Gaulois." NJ. Victorien s. rdou also knew Dumas
intimately, and his summer residence at Marty
IS not far from the once famous country seat
Ut Saint Germains which still bears the name
Of Monte Cristo," after the former owners
novel. Nj. Sardou invited by the govern
ment to be the orator of the day at VilIers-
Cotterets on Sunday. but he asked if he might
take part in the ceremonies and deliver his
speech lin cutaway jacket and Panama rat "
The authorities replied that this would scarce
~ be an appropriate costume whereupon the
viVacious author of ''Patre" replied that unless
he could wear it he would remain at home on
his terrace at Marly and he did so.
The centenary, however. was celebrated with
great success and quite informally as no
doubt Dumas would have preferred There
was a beyy Of charming actresses from the
Comedie Franeaise and from other Partisan
theatres. There bright and popular
writers present, such Jules Claretie A bel
Hermant Alfred Capus and Henri Lavedan
and the company enjoyed an elaborate repast
which was transformed into a feast of wit and
gayety. Afterward there capital per
formance of Dumas's Mari de Ia Veuve" and
in the night NJ. Henri Menier. whose country
seat is near at hand. in the Retz forest brought
out his famous pack of hounds and gave n
torchlight representaton-in which the actors
wore superb costumes-of a stag hunt in the
time of Louis XIV. OF course many reminis-
cences OF the great romancer were offered in
the course of the celebration. NJ. Paul Meurice
who Il collaboration of Dumas in several of
his plays and novels said: