Mr. Cable's sketches of life in the old French quarter of New Orleans display a freshness and originality, an insight into the character of the mixed races there, and a faculty of seizing on the picturesque phases of life among these oddly contrasted people, that give them an importance far above their value as a mere collection of clever stories. "Sieur George," "Madame Délicieuse," "Jean-ah Poquelin," and "The Belles Demoiselles' Plantation," are some of the stories included—carrying even in their titles some of their quaint attractiveness.
CRITICAL NOTICES.
"It is very seldom indeed that we meet with a book so distinctly marking the advent of a writer of high artistic power and fresh observation, as this of Mr. Cable's. After re-reading carefully, and with the keenest enjoyment, the stories now collected under one heading, we not only have no hesitation in pronouncing their author a genius with special and captivating endowments, but we feel it an imperative critical duty to so declare him."—Boston Courier.
"Mr. Cable has the rare gift of keen observation united to great descriptive power. … He has portrayed the character of the remnant of France stranded on a foreign shore, in so many aspects, that the reader gains a most perfect idea of the strange compound of courtesy and selfishness, of grace and unfaithfulness, of bravery and cunning, which that character presents. . . The stories, themselves, display an inventive genius which ranks the author among the best of our modern writers."—Christian Intelligencer.
"These charming stories attract attention and commendation by their quaint delicacy of style, their faithful delineation of Creole character, and a marked originality. The careful rendering of the dialect reveals patient study of living models; and to any reader whose ear is accustomed to the broken English, as heard in the parts of our city every day, its truth to nature is striking."—New Orleans Picayune.
"Here is true art work. Here is poetry, pathos, tragedy, humor. Here is an entrancing style. Here is a new field, one full of passion and beauty. Here is local color with strong drawing. Here, in this little volume, is life, breath, and blood. The author of this book is an artist, and over such a revelation one may be permitted strong words."—Cincinnati Times.
"To a keen zest for what is antique and picturesque, Mr. Cable adds a surprising skill, for so young a writer, in conceiving and developing a plot. … He has rendered very finely the attractive childlike quality so often seen among men of Latin races, and as to his women, they are as delightful as the scent of the flowers which he mentions every now and then."—N. Y. Times.
"The seven sketches which compose this bright little volume are full of a delicate pathetic humor which has rarely been equaled in American Literature."—Detroit Free Press.
"These half-pathetic, half-humorous, and altogether delicate sketches, constitute extremely good literature. … There is the touch of a true artist in them."—Ev. Post.
"These stories contain a most attractive blending of vivid descriptions of local scenery with admirable delineations of personal character."—Congregationalist.
∵ The above book for sale by all booksellers, or will be sent, prepaid, upon of price, by
CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS, Publishers,
743 and 745 Broadway, New York.
