"La Dame aux Camélias" appeared within eighteen months of the actual death of the heroine, and went into every one's hands, interest being whetted meanwhile by the recent event, and yet more by much gossip--scandal if you will--which universally appeared in the Paris press. Her pedigree was evolved and diagnosed by Count G. de Contades in a French bibliographical journal, _Le Livre_, which showed that she was descended from a "_guénuchetonne_" (slattern) of Longé, in the canton of Brionze, near Alençon; a predilection which the elder Dumas himself had previously put forth when he stated that, "I am certain that one might find taint either on the father's side, or on the mother's, probably on the former's, but more probably still on both." The following eulogy, extracted from a letter written to Dumas _fils_ by Victor Hugo upon the occasion of the inhumation of the ashes of Alexandre Dumas at Villers-Cotterets, whither they were removed from Puits, shows plainly the esteem in which his literary abilities were held by the more sober-minded of his compeers: "MON CHER CONFRÈRE:--I learn from the papers of the funeral of Alexandre Dumas at Villers-Cotterets.... It is with regret that I am unable to attend.... But I am with you in my heart.... What I would say, let me write.... No popularity of the past century has equalled that of Alexandre Dumas. His successes were more than successes: they were triumphs.... The name of Alexandre Dumas is more than 'Français, il est Européen;' and it is more than European, it is universal. His theatre has been given publicity in all lands, and his romances have been translated into all tongues. Alexandre Dumas was one of those men we can call the sowers of civilization.... Alexandre Dumas is seducing, fascinating, interesting, amusing, and informing.... All the emotions, the most pathetic, all the irony, all the comedy, all the analysis of romance, and all the intuition of history are found in the supreme works constructed by this great and vigorous architect. "... His spirit was capable of all the miracles he performed; this he bequeathed and this survives.... Your renown but continues his glory. "... Your father and I were young together.... He was a grand and good friend.... I had not seen him since 1857.... As I entered Paris Alexandre Dumas was leaving. I did not have even a parting shake of the hand. "The visit which he made me in my exile I will some day return to his tomb. "_Cher confrère, fils de mon ami, je vous embrasse._ "VICTOR HUGO." Of Dumas, Charles Reade said: "He has never been properly appreciated; he is the prince of dramatists, the king of romancists, and the emperor of good fellows." Dumas _fils_ he thought a "vinegar-blooded iconoclast--shrewd, clever, audacious, introspective, and mathematically logical." * * * * *