As to "le panache" that surmounts this masterpiece, "Cyrano de Bergerac," of which it is the main feature, sending through it a breath of joyful daring "quand même," the writer sought, as will be seen, to describe it in triolets. These, too, might need to be explained, were it not for the able commentary to be found in the Introduction so kindly written for this book by one of the most learned and esteemed professors of our Columbia University. The writer trusts that he may be pardoned for going at such length into some of the minutiæ of his task, and he certainly should be acquitted if he thereby succeeded in showing how much labour must be expended to produce even a tolerable translation, and consequently, how little justice is very often done to translators in general. He commends these details to his friends as an inducement to think a while before they leap, or rather jump at conclusions. Were he less charitably disposed, or more eager for a practical demonstration, he could say to them simply: "Try the task!" CHARLES RENAULD. NEW YORK, February, 1899. "_LE PANACHE._" TRIOLETS. (_After the fashion of Rostand's in ACT II: "Ce sont les Cadets de Gascogne."_) O'er truth and daring floats a plume That is no flaunting feather vain! In knightly grace and flower's bloom, O'er truth and daring floats a plume! In festive hall, by silent tomb, It waves aloft without a stain. O'er truth and daring floats a plume That is no flaunting feather vain! We'll call it, if you will, a broom; But how it sweeps with proud disdain! It sweeps the skies, and not a room! We'll call it, if you will, a broom. It is a symbol, not of gloom, But of a dash that scorns to gain. We'll call it, if you will, a broom; But how it sweeps with proud disdain! O'er truth and daring floats a plume That is no flaunting feather vain! It marks for ay the hero's doom! O'er truth and daring floats a plume. It nods o'er chisel, brush and loom, And consecrates the poet's strain. O'er truth and daring floats a plume That is no flaunting feather vain! CHARLES RENAULD. NEW YORK, 12th July, 1898. _CAST OF CHARACTERS._ THÉÂTRE DE LA PORTE ST. MARTIN, PARIS, 28th Dec., 1897 (_First night_).