Page:The life and writings of Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870) (IA lifewritingsofal00spurrich).pdf/281

 according to a member of the family, it is certainly the work of our author—probably in collaboration. "La Princesse de Monaco" was simply recueilli by Dumas; "Une Vie d'Artiste" consists of the story of the early struggles of Mélingue, the witty actor and original stage D'Artagnan, most interestingly retold by his friend and patron.

In this year began "Les Mohicans de Paris," still another new departure for the inexhaustible romancer. Frequently with Dumas a new assistant meant a new field of enterprise; on this occasion the 'prentice was, we believe, Paul Bocage, and the story was at once the pioneer of the detective-story, and a reminiscence of the second part of "Monte Cristo," and "The Mysteries of Paris." Our author himself appeared in it, "athlete and poet," in the opening chapters, which take place in a night restaurant. The leading character, the detective, was a forerunner of Sherlock Holmes; but in this particular type of story Dumas was not at his best, and the same remark applies to the better constructed but too lengthy sequel, "Salvator," which commenced to appear the following year.

"Ingenue," also of this year's date, is of much