[12] These lectures were given first in the Rue de la Paix, later in the Rue Cadet, and later still in the Rue Scribe. They were most interesting and instructive. The present writer often attended them in the last years of the Empire to hear Deschanel the elder, J. J. Weiss, Eugène Pelletan, Laboulaye, Legouvé, St. Marc-Girardin, Henri Martin, Sarcey, Wolowski, and others. [13] No date appears on the title of the first edition (18mo, 3 francs), which bears the imprints of Hetzel and Lacroix, and Poupart-Davyl & Co., Printers. [14] A pun on the name of the publisher, Michel Lévy. It must he admitted that while the authors of "Ohé! les petits Agneaux" scoffed at Flaubert, they gave him a splendid advertisement. [15] Zola to Valabrègue, February 6, 1865. [16] "Les Romanciers Naturalistes," Paris, 1881, p. 238. [17] The first performance took place on December 5, 1865. [18] Though "1866" appears on the title-page, the above is the exact date of publication and registration at the Ministry of the Interior. Alexis is therefore in error when he says the book appeared in October. The question of date has some importance in connection with Zola's departure from Hachette's and the cause thereof. [19] About _3d._; or six cents (American). [20] Say $100. [21] R. H. Sherard's "Émile Zola: A Biographical and Critical Study." London, 1895, pp. 52, 53. [22] Fernand Xau's "Émile Zola." 12mo, 68 pages, Paris, 1880. IV IN THE FURNACE OF PARIS 1866-1868 Henri de Villemessant, the Barnum of the Parisian press--His papers, "L'Événement" and "Le Figaro"--The first interviews in French journalism--Millaud and Timothée Trimm--Girardin's fresh idea every day--Zola inaugurates "Literary Gossip"--A glance at French literature in 1866--Zola, Littré, and Michelet--Zola's first impression of Alphonse Daudet--The Librairie Nouvelle and the Librairie Internationale--Zola and the Open-Air School of Art--Léopold Tabar and "L'Œuvre"--Zola's articles on the Salon of 1866--The great sensation in the art-world--A holiday at Bennecourt--"Le Vœu d'une Morte"--"Marbres et Plâtres"--"La Madeleine"--A "definition of the novel"--Hard times--Zola in love--More writings on art--"Les Mystères de Marseille"--"Thérèse Raquin"--Arsène Houssaye and his moral tag--Ulbach and "putrid literature"--Ste.-Beuve's criticism and Zola's reply--"Les Mystères de Marseille" as a play--"La Honte," otherwise "Madeleine Férat"--First idea of the Rougon Macquarts.