KARR, JEAN ALPHONSE, a French literary man of considerable eminence, was b. at Paris Nov. 24, 1808. After getting his preliminary education at home from his father, who was a distingtijshed pianist, he passed with much distinction through the curriculum of the college Bourbon, in which he afterwards, while very young, became a teacher. While employed in this institution, lie fell in love, and began to cultivate the muses; and a copy of verses which he sent to the satirical journal, the Figaro, formed his intro duction to the literary career. His verses were not accepted by.the Figaro, but its editor asked him to send something in prose, and the result was that he became a regular con tributor to the journal. Disappointed in his attachment, he revealed to the world the story of his grief in a novel entitled Sous les Tilleuls (1832, 2 vols. 8vo). A youthful desire to astonish, a determination to seem original. made many ignore the real origin ality of this work; and the curious blending of irony and sentiment, of good sense and nonsense, which form the author's manner, was puzzling to simple people; but the critics declared the book charming; and the public, to whom youthful traits in a a novel are never unpleasimr, on the whole concurred in the verdict. Encouraged by the success he had met with, Karr soon produced a second novel, which did not diminish his reputa tion (Line Ileum trop Turd, 1833); and thereafter, year after year, he produced new works, until lie has become a prolific author, and a recognized popular favorite. Fa Dieze appeared in 1834; Vendredi Soir in 1835; be Chemin plus Court the last a work in which lie again rehearsed the experiences of his youth—at least, it is popularly believed that in it he told the world his own story. He has since published Einerley (1838); Genevieve (1838, 2 vols.); Clotilde (1839); Hortense (1842); Ant Rauehen (1842); Pour ne pas etre Treize and De Midi d guatorze Ileums (1842); Fee Bressler (1845, 2 vols.), originally
published in the Revue des Deux JTondes; Voyage autpur de mon Jardin (1845, 2 vols.); La Alain (1818, 3 rots.); Histoire de Rose et de Jean Duchemin (1849); Les Hes de la Mer (1850); Clovis Gosselin (1851); Contes et Nouvelles (1852). Agathe et Cecile; Fort en 2 Soirees de Sainte-Adresse; Les Femmes; Raoul; .Lettres eerite de mom Jardin ; Au Bord de la Me•, appeared between 1852 and 1855; Promenades hors de mon Jardin was published in 1857; La Penelope Normande in 1858; La Pe.che co Pau donee et en En n salee, and the Dielionnaire du Pieheur, in 1860. The publication of a complete edition of his works commenced in 1860. The letters and sketches which he has from time to time written from Nice, his place of residence in later years—upon horticulture, mid flowers, and fishes—the pldasures of the country and the seaside—have been among the most delightful and popular of his works.
In 1839 31. Karr became chief editor of the Figaro, and in the same year he founded a monthly satirical journal called Les Gu4es, which he long conducted with the most brilliant success, gaining for himself a very high reputation as a wit and satirist, hut making, as was natural, many enemies, of whom one, a lady, made an attempt upon his life, which happily proved abortive. Several volumes of Les Guepes have been reprinted; so also have been three volumes of sketches, which? under the title of Bourdonnements, he began to contribute to the SiLle in 1852. 31. Karr has contributed very largely to periodicals, from which, indeed, many of his works have been republished. At Nice, where lie has lived for many years past, he has occupied himself—combining the man of business With the enthusiast—with the growth of flowers and fruits; and the most beautiful bouquets sold in Paris are made up of the produce of his garden. Several new varieties of flowers, especially a dahlia, bear his name.