Page:Journey Round my Room by Xiavier de Maistre trans. Henry Attwell.djvu/10

iv against Persia, and attained the rank of major-general.

Our interest in the "Voyage" is heightened by our knowledge that it was actually written during De Maistre's forty-two days' arrest at Turin, referred to in the third chapter. He sent the manuscript, which he regarded as a mere playful effort of his imagination, for his brother's perusal. Joseph was pleased with the book; and Xavier, who had an almost filial affection for his brother, was soon afterwards agreeably surprised by receiving, in place of his manuscript, the "Voyage" in print.

This success encouraged him to begin a sequel to the "Voyage." Joseph, however, disapproved of this new attempt. The "Expedition Nocturne" was, notwithstanding, finished, and was published some years later.