IV.—ANDRE THEURIET.

Otago Witness, Issue 2558, 25 March 1903, Page 71

IV.— ANDRE THEURIET.

Poet, novelist, dramatic author, Andre Theuriet occupies a place apart in the French literature of our day. Whilst other writers have nought out a reputation in works of an extreme eccentricity, he has known how to interest numbers of readers by the charm of his productions, which exhale a penetrating emotion, and also by the sincerity of his inspiration. Above all, he is a passionate lover of Nature and of the humble, the poet of the woods speaking in musical rhythm, the ■narrator whose stories are wholly impregnated with rustic perfumes. Therein are to be seen his self-same originality, and the characteristic trait of his talent. His family came from Larrain : he himself was born at Marly-le-Roi, not far from Versailles, the 3rd of October, 1833. His studies completed, he devoted himself in Paris to the study of law, and was received as licentiate at the Faculty of Law, 1857. From that time he commenced to make himself known as a poet ; he began writing in La Revue dcs Deux Mondes, as well as in La Revue de Paris, and published a series of poems and poetry in two volumes, under the title of "The Way of the Woods" and "The Blue and the Black," which were crowned by the Academic Francaise. In the book called "La Payse" (another collection of poetry), the impressions of his birthplace ape given with a great deal of charm and of truth. All the qualities of the poet are to be found in bhe productions of the romance -writer. Sis romances and his accounts are the narratives of mosfc simple subjects, with an open taste for nature full of emotional finesse and smiling indulgence ; they are -written in a refined style, without any aim as to effect or violent emotions. They are the true pictures of exact observation, showing us for the most part provincial and rustic life in France in all its virtuous intimacy, surrounded by lovely landscapes. Theie is not one of his stories in which the author does not associate scenes of nature, graceful or -grandiose, with the impressions and episodes through which he makes his characters pose. Andre Theuriet has written too large a number of works of this kind for us to analyse them. We must be content, and only mention those most known, "New Intimates," "The Sufferings of Claude Blouet." "Ravmonde," an exquisite work, equally remarkable for the analysis of character as for the beauty of its descriptions and elegance of style. Sauvageonne" is another work (vigorous) containing a psychological and dramatic study of the most original and living kind. "The Enchantments of the Forest," "The Diary of Tristan," a fine work, full of irnpresaions and souvenirs which attach themselves to the author himself. "Gertrude's Secret," "Stories of Intimate Life," "Boisfleury." "Queen of the Woods," "LAbbe Daniel,'' translated into English and adopted in the schools m Australia. His last work, which recently appeared, is "Soeur de Lait" (Foster-sister). Here again the fields, and especially the forest, are what he glorifies most. No one, in fact, has surpassed him in this language of pong which contains so real an emotion. How many charming works and communicative poesy has he not been inspired with ! This woik counts among the best and the moFt artistic, the most completely imbued with that poes,y of nature where two other authors (French) Ferdinand Fabre and Leon Cladel, like himself, excel. Dramatic author, Theuriet. has written " Jean-Mai ie,"' a Breton idyl, in one act. in verse, and played at the Odeon Theatre, where it was repeated with success ; we must also mention "La Maison dcs Deux ! Barbeaux," in three acts in prose. This drama has been welcomed for the pervading air of honesty it pours forth, as well as the attraction and pathos which are to be found in the two principal characters of the brothers Lafrogne. Andre Theuriet contributed, -writing for several papers, literary and artistic reviews. He is the author of an interesting study of Basten-Lepage, painter (Lorrain), with whom he was intimate. Such are briefly the works of Andre Theuriet, a charming poet, a writer of exquisite taste ; a keen observer, he is justly called the Theocritus of country fields, above all of the forests of his rountry, which he loves for themselves. He lives at Bouig-la-Reine. near to Paris, a delightful retreat, full of floweis. verdure, arid woods. He i<- a member of the Acadmie Fiancaise.

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