_Gambara_ exhibits a curious and, it must be admitted, a somewhat incoherent mixture of two of Balzac's chief outside interests--Italy and music. In his helter-skelter ramblings, indulged in despite his enormous literary labors, he took many a peep at Italy; and it is evident that for him the country exercised a powerful fascination. In his eyes it was ideal--ideal in its music, in its painting, and in those who fanned the fires divine. His affection for Italy was, in fact, about as ardent and untutored as that for the arts. The story of _Gambara_ is an illustration of these two sentiments; it can best be understood when the author's attitude is known. There is a little about the forceful character of Andrea Marcosini that reminds one of de Marsay. He has an inherent nobleness unknown to the latter, but unfortunately made subservient to a banality which even the genius of Balzac cannot efface. This marring clause of the Count and Marianna is hardly to be excused on the ground of dramatic necessity, since other themes of this nature are not cloyed by baser earth. The introductory scene in the restaurant is good, and stands out brightly contrasted with Gambara's music-ravings and the faint echo of Giardini's cookery conceits. Each is but the quest of something unattained--a note more grandly uttered in _La Peau de Chagrin_, or _La Recherche de l'Absolu_, or the wonderful sketch, _Le Chef d'Oeuvre Inconnu_. But as a fresh embodiment of this thought, _Gambara_ may be welcomed, for in such themes as these the novelist is most distinctly in his element. The first appearance of _Gambara_ was in the _Revue et Gazette Musicale de Paris_ during July and August 1837, in four chapters and a conclusion. In 1839 it was included in a book with the _Cabinet des Antiques_. Ten years later it was included as _Le Livre des Douleurs_ with _Séraphita_, _Les Proscrits_, and _Massimilla Doni_. It took its place in the _Comédie_ in 1846. ABOUT CATHERINE DE' MEDICI _To Monsieur le Marquis de Pastoret, Member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts._