Below the ‘Peau de chagrin,’ but still among its author’s best novels, should be placed ‘La Recherche de l’absolu,’ which, as its title implies, describes the efforts of a chemist to “prove by chemical analysis the unity of composition of matter.”  In the pursuit of his philosophic will-o’-the-wisp, Balthazar Claes loses his fortune and sacrifices his noble wife and children.  His madness serves, however, to bring into relief the splendid qualities of these latter; and it is just here, in its human rather than in its philosophic bearings, that the story rises to real greatness.  Marguerite Claes, the daughter, is a noble heroine; and if one wishes to see how Balzac’s characters and ideas suffer when treated by another though an able hand, one has but to read in conjunction with this novel the ‘Maitre Guerin’ of the distinguished dramatist Emile Augier.  A proper pendant to this history of a noble genius perverted is ‘La Confidence des Ruggieri,’ the second part of that remarkable composite ‘Sur Catherine de Medicis,’ a book which in spite of its mixture of history, fiction, and speculative politics is one of the most suggestive of Balzac’s minor productions.

Concerning ‘Seraphita’ and ‘Louis Lambert,’ the remaining novels of this series, certain noted mystics assert that they contain the essence of Balzac’s genius, and at least suggest the secret of the universe.  Perhaps an ordinary critic may content himself with saying that both books are remarkable proofs of their author’s power, and that the former is notable for its marvelous descriptions of Norwegian scenery.

Of the lesser members of the philosophic group, nearly all are admirable in their kind and degree.  ‘Le Chef-d’oeuvre inconnu’ and ‘Gambara’ treat of the pains of the artistic life and temperament.  ‘Massimila Doni,’ like ‘Gambara,’ treats of music, but also gives a brilliant picture of Venetian life.  ‘Le requisitionnaire,’ perhaps the best of Balzac’s short stories, deals with the phenomenon of second sight, as ‘Adieu’ does with that of mental alienation caused by a sudden shock.  ’Les Marana’ is an absorbing study of the effects of heredity; ’L’Auberge rouge’ is an analysis of remorse, as is also ’Un Drame au bord de la mer’; while ‘L’Enfant maudit’ is an analysis of the effects of extreme sensibility, especially as manifested in the passion of poetic love.  Finally, ‘Maitre Cornelius’ is a study of avarice, in which is set a remarkable portrait of Louis XI.; ‘Les Proscrits’ is a masterly sketch of the exile of Dante at Paris; and ‘Jesus-Christ en Flandre’ is an exquisite allegory, the most delicate flower, perhaps, of Balzac’s genius.