The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-10-29
zoLA's EARNINGS.
Figures of Circulation of His Novels In France and of His Royalties.
From the Philadelphia Press.

From the Philadelphia Press.
 It Is believed that Emile zola made more money out of his books than any other French novelist. The Rougon- Macquart series alone realized very large sums, and brought in fortune. Of the volumes which constituted the celebrat- ed history of family under the Second Empire, that which sold best was that grim and poignant picture of the Franco German War, La Debacle," or, as 1t was entitled in the English version, "The Downfall" The book in the original is now in its two hundred and second thousands. Next on the list comes an- other of the Rougon- -Macquart novels, "Nana," 142, GOO; La Terre," 129,0OO; Ger minai." the novel dealing with miners life and considered by many critics to be Zola's finest work and La Rova," his one attempt at rosewater romance, 110- 900 each.
 The book of the series, and of all his novels which sold least in French edi- ton was Som Excellence Eugene Rou- gon,'' the English version of which, how ever, was widely read Of the French edition only 32OO0 copies have been hith- erto printed. Among the latter works. "Lourdes." the first of the trilogy of cities has so far reached the highest figure of sales, 149,O0O copies. Rome" comes next with 100000 Eight of Zola's novels attained to over 100000 copies. Among those which have had smaller sales, the Page d'Armour,'' Pot Bouille," La Bete Humaine," ''Docteur Pascal" "Fecondite" have exceeded 9O- 900. So far Ss.0oO copies of Paris" and 77OOO of the last novel published in vol ume form Travail have been sold.
 Naturally, the comparatively popularity of Emile Zola's books cannot be exactly judged by the above list. as the sales of the later works may eventually exceed those of former volumes, and in partic- La Debacie." Up to the day of the novelist death a total of 2,2S3,000 copies in the French original of the Rougon- Macquart series, of the Three Towns of "Fecondite.' and of "Travail'' had been printed.
 For each copy the author drew roy | alty of one franc. The above mentioned volumes accordingly brought him in about $455,O00 This sum does not include the proceeds of one or two works which | appeared before the Rougon-Macquart series, and one of which, "Therese Ra- | quin." realized large sales. Nor does it comprise the receipts from translations of Zola's novels. most of which have ap- peared in dozens of different languages. It is estimated that the late writer must have made a total of nearly $1.OOO,000 by his pen. Of this sum, by the way, only a small fraction could have been drawn from the theatres.
 One of Zolas ambitions was to achieve as much success in the drama as in novel writing, but it was a dream which he never realized. Nothing he wrote direct iy for the stage ever made hit. The two libretti which he produced specially for M Bruneau's operas. .'Messidor" and 'L'Ouragan," were, as such, only moder- ately successful Among the plays adapt ed from his novels only one. "Le' 'Assom- moir" ever proved really popular. AL though Emile Zola was no despiser of the good things of this world, he lived simply and never extravagantly. Beyond com fortable house. with some choice objects of art. of which he was unfeignedly proud and a good dinner. to which he daily asked hosts of friends. he had no use for great luxury It is thought that he must have saved about half of his earn ings, and that he leaves behind him probably over $500, 900.