Page:French Poets and Novelists.djvu/74

Rh de Cléopâtre," may be rather irresponsible archæology, but it is admirable imagery:—

If, as an illustration, we could transfuse the essence of one of Gautier's best performances into this colourless report, we should choose the "Capitaine Fracasse." In this delightful work Gautier surpassed himself, and produced the model of picturesque romances. The