Page:The life and writings of Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870) (IA lifewritingsofal00spurrich).pdf/191

 consistently uncomplimentary references to Buloz. For instance, he would address a letter

"To "M "Havre, "Sixty kilomètres from that idiot of a Buloz."

Or again, would begin a letter:—

",—You, who are in every respect superior to that idiot, Buloz."...

There was a third exception to Dumas's general "friendly relations with all the other powers." This was M. Jules Lecomte, and the circumstances of the case are worth recording, as being "significant of many things." Lecomte, when a young man, was recommended to Dumas by a mutual friend, and the author of course opened his house to the poor and friendless fugitive. In return for this kindness Lecomte ordered costly clothes, and left his host to pay the bill, sponged on the generous author in various ways, and finally disgusted him altogether by masquerading as Alfred de Musset, also at his benefactor's expense. Further, Lecomte, under a pseudonym, sent to Paris by way of Brussels articles containing references to Dumas and Ida Ferrier which were not in the best of taste.

When the great man was staying in Florence, Lecomte had the impudence to call once more on