Norwich bulletin., 1914-01-15

Here we are at last at Marly-le Roii
 Having climbed the hill opposite the little station, we open the iron gate which encloses the park of the master. We have scarcely taken step when we see Alexander Dumas com ing toward us. He is dressed quite in the approved country costume, coat and trousers of blue cloth, white waist coat and straw hat.
 T heard you open the gate, and so I came out to meet you" he said.
 The author of Denise" looked the picture of superb health. When we told him so, he said: "Oh, whether I am in Paris or in the country, I am al- ways very well. 1 have never been re- ally i'll. and I do not know what it is to have cold. I inherit it from my grandfather General Dumas, whose portrait l will show you presently. He was of Herculean build they tell now of his extraordinary feats of proWess. My father was less strong; however he had vigorous constitution. T re- member when l was only a little boy, my father and came out of the the atre. It was raining in torrents; sud- denly he saw a coachman standing be- fore the entrance and hailed him.
 T am not driving said cabby in OI6HT6HllN. NOl QIlNIuS.. 0AcldlHleQ my father, and before our man had time to stir. he had lifted and swung him upon the seat: then turning toward me he said quietly: This is the way to treat insubordination, little son."
 At last Juvenile "reminiscences over) we arrived at a place of singular beau ty. This is my favorite corner" said Dumas. There l pass hours, seated on that bank dreaming. You are a very early riser, are you not, Mon sieur Dumas ?" we asked.
 "Oh, yes. as soon as day dawns I jump from my bed and begin to exer else. l adore gymnastics, fencing, hunting and walking. I often walk to St. Germain and take the train from there, from purely hygienic reasons. was never born for a writer it is a | real hardship for me to sit down at my desk and say to my literary self, you must work. Quite the contrary I believe I would have made a very good l officer, good diplomat or statesman. Do you see much of Sardou,?" I 1 hazarded.
 Very often, every time go to his l house, I find him on the roof or scaf- 1 folding. He has a mania for building and his property is superb. You can | see it from here. Along the avenue leading to his house are the sphinXes
 which were in the Egyptian palace al l the exposition At the close of said T sirous of possessing them, asked 1 Charles Edmond, manager of the exotic 1 part of the Champ de Mars, if he might 1 buy them.
 T am convinced" replied Monsieur i Edmond, that the viceroy will make i you a present of them"
 This was quite true, they were de 1 lighted to give them to Sardou. ant thus save themselves the expense O. taking them back to Egypt Sardol
 had not thought of the enormous cos l of transportation from the Champ dt Mars to Marly. Do you know how much this sphinx cost him. From I15,0GO to 1S,0 900 francs! Not only were 1 special cars necessary, but they were obliged to make corduroy roads al along the route. It is true that now h. possesses a unique avenue, but at th' cost of much labor and expense Whel Sardou does not build, he writes
 What is your manner of working dear master? % I asked.
 T have no hours, I work when tn spirit moves me, which is not yer! Ioften. de not write a piece until have thought it over long time. IT put it on paper is nothing, to creat