Page:The life and writings of Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870) (IA lifewritingsofal00spurrich).pdf/131

 The romancer was still full of energy, physical and mental. M. About, in his oration at the unveiling of the Dumas statue in 1883, told an anecdote illustrative of this, which we give in Mr Lang's words:

"He met the great man at Marseilles. Dumas picked up M. About, literally lifted him in his embrace, and carried him off to see a play which he had written in three days. The play was a success; the supper was prolonged till three in the morning. M. About was almost asleep as he walked home, but Dumas was as fresh as if he had just got out of bed.

Go to sleep, old man,' he said. I, who am only fifty-five, have three feuilletons to write, which must be posted to-morrow. If I have time I shall knock up a little piece for Montigny—the idea is running in my head.' So next morning M. About saw the three feuilletons made up for the post, and another packet addressed to M. Montigny: it was the play 'L'Invitation à la Valse,' a chef-d'œuvre!"

The Mousquetaire died in 1857, but Dumas at once started another journal on the same lines, called Monte Cristo. This year he crossed the Channel with his son, and he has given us, in his "Causeries," an account of his brief visit chez nous.

The pair crossed from Calais to Dover one Mon-