Long and effectually has the influence of the usurping class in the English-speaking world succeeded in keeping this brilliant torch that Eugene Sue lighted, from casting its rays across the path of the English-speaking peoples. Several English translations were attempted before this, in England and this country, some fifty years ago. They were all fractional: they are all out of print now: most of them are not to be found even in public libraries of either England or America, not a wrack being left to them, little more than a faint tradition. Only two of the translations are not wholly obliterated. One of them was published by Truebner & Co. jointly with David Nutt, both of London, in 1863; the other was published by Clark, 448 Broome street, New York, in 1867. The former was anonymous, the translator's identity being indicated only with the initials "K. R. H. M." It contains only eight of the nineteen stories of the original, and even these are avowedly abridgments. The latter was translated by Mary L. Booth, and it broke off before well under way--extinguished as if snuffed off by a gale. Even these two luckier fragmentary translations, now surviving only as curios in a few libraries, attest the vehemence and concertedness of the effort to suppress this great gift of Sue's intellect to the human race. It will be thus no longer. _The Mysteries of the People; or, History of a Proletarian Family Across the Ages_ will henceforth enlighten the English-speaking toiling masses as well. DANIEL DE LEON. New York, May 1, 1904. INDEX. Translator's Preface iii Chapter 1. The Guest 1 Chapter 2. A Gallic Homestead 11 Chapter 3. Armel and Julyan 20 Chapter 4. The Story of Albrege 27 Chapter 5. The Story of Syomara 33 Chapter 6. The Story of Gaul 39 Chapter 7. "War! War! War!" 45 Chapter 8. "Farewell!" 53 Chapter 9. The Forest of Karnak 66 CHAPTER I. THE GUEST. He who writes this account is called Joel, the brenn[A] of the tribe of Karnak; he is the son of Marik, who was the son of Kirio, the son of Tiras, the son of Gomer, the son of Vorr, the son of Glenan, the son of Erer, the son of Roderik chosen chief of the Gallic army that, now two hundred and seventy-seven years ago, levied tribute upon Rome. [A] Gallic word for chief. Joel (why should I not say so?) feared the gods, he was of a right heart, a steady courage and a cheerful mind. He loved to laugh, to tell stories, and above all to hear them told, like the genuine Gaul that he was. At the time when Caesar invaded Gaul (may his name be accursed!), Joel lived two leagues from Alre, not far from the sea and the isle of Roswallan, near the edge of the forest of Karnak, the most celebrated forest of Breton Gaul.