MANON LESCAUT, a short novel of 200 pages, the seventh volume of a larger work, °Memoirs of a Nobleman," has sufficed to as sure the reputation of its author, Prevost d'Exiles (1697-1763), better known as L'Abbe Prevost. After a life of adventure in France, England, Holland and Germany when he was in turn soldier, monk, journalist, teacher and later chaplain of the Prince of Conti, Prevost became a professional writer and composed more than 100 volumes. He also translated many English works, and among those, his adaptations rather than translations of 'Pantela,' 'Clarissa Harlowe' and 'Grandison' gave to Richardson a great popularity in France during the second half of the 18th century, to the detriment of Prevost's own works. Of all Prevost's novels, critical articles in the period ical Pro and Con and pseudo-scientific travel stories, Manon Lescaut alone survives. Pub lished in Holland in 1731, it °took like wild fire" according to contemporary testimony and 'more than 30 editions were printed before the end of the century, that of 1753 revised and corrected by the author being considered as the best. This novel is the story of the passionate
love of the young Chevalier des Grieux for the courtesan Manon. It is told in a simple narra tive style and with a sincerity which leads us to believe that Prevost relates at least in part some episodes of his stormy life. The novel presents a realistic and painful picture of the sufferings which uncontrolled passion brings upon those who lack the will power to resist it, and while Prevost does not attempt to excuse or justify the faults of his heroes, he shows passion as a terrible force whose victims are to be pitied rather than blamed. Prevost had many imitators even in his own time, and the theme of Manon, dealing with rehabilitation through love and sufferings, is found later in 'Marion Delorme' (Hugo), 'La Dame aux Came!Ms' (Dumas), (Sapho) (Daudet) and in the works of several Russian novelists.
Louis A. LOISEAUX.