With the publication of the present and the ensuing volume, "The Pearlof the Andes," I am enabled to perfect the most important series ofAimard's Tales of Indian Life and Adventure. To preserve uniformity, thevolumes of this series should be arranged in the following order on thebook-shelf;—
1. THE ADVENTURERS.
2. THE PEARL OF THE ANDES.
3. THE TRAIL-HUNTER.
4. PIRATES OF THE PRAIRIES.
5. THE TRAPPER'S BRIDE.
6. THE TIGER SLAYER.
7. THE GOLD SEEKERS.
8. THE INDIAN CHIEF.
9. THE RED TRACK.
Gustave Aimard has a precedent in Fenimore Cooper for introducing thesame hero in a long range of volumes, and, like his great predecessor,he has so arranged, that each work should be complete in itself, andnot necessitate the purchase of another. But Aimard has one markedadvantage over Cooper; for while "Leather-Stocking" is but a creationof the fancy, or, at the most, the type of the Backwoodsman, the CountLouis who figures as the hero of Aimard's series, is a real man. Countde Raousset Boulbon, had he succeeded in his daring attempt of foundingan independent kingdom in Mexico, would in all probability have becomethe Napoleon of the West. A gallant adventurer and thorough gentleman,he staked his life upon the issue, and ended his career the victimof unparalleled treachery, as Aimard has faithfully recorded. HenceAimard's romances have the great merit of being founded on an historicbasis, and but little fiction was required to heighten the startlinginterest of the narrative.
Valentine Guillois, there is very little doubt, is intended for theAuthor himself, with all his qualities and defects. When he firstreached the New World, he was the true, reckless Parisian; but constantintercourse with nature rendered him a generous and thoughtful friendof humanity. So soon as he returned to civilization, he began recordingthe history of his past life; not so much as a livelihood, as forthe pleasure he felt in living once again the life of excitement andadventure which he had known among the Indians. Hence his books arewritten without an effort; they flow spontaneously from his pen; and theabsence of artistic effect is the best guarantee of their truthfulness.
It is not surprising, consequently, that M. Aimard's books have metwith such extensive popularity. They have been translated into nearlyevery modern language, and the Author is now generally recognised as theFrench Cooper. The reception given to his stories in this country hasbeen most flattering, and each day heightens their popularity. Henceit is not too much to assume that they will become standard works,especially with young readers, for whom they are especially adapted;because M. Aimard has never yet written a line which could proveoffensive to the most delicate mind.
L.W.