THE MAN-WOLF

AND OTHER TALES

By Emile Erckmann and Alexandre Chatrian

1876

CONTENTS.

PRELIMINARY NOTE BY THE TRANSLATOR.

THE MAN-WOLF.
CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XII.
CHAPTER XIII.

MYRTLE.
CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER II.

UNCLE CHRISTIAN'S INHERITANCE

THE BEAR-BAITING.

THE SCAPEGOAT.

A NIGHT IN THE WOODS.
CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER II.

THE QUEEN OF THE BEES.

PRELIMINARY NOTE BY THE TRANSLATOR.

It has often been remarked, with perfect justice, that the eminent Frenchwriters, a translation of one of whose works is here attempted, aresingularly faithful in their adherence to historic truth. Remove thethread of obvious fiction which is indispensable to make these admirableproductions romances or tales, and what we have left is perfectlyreliable history. It is this feature mainly which gives the indescribablecharm to their historical tales—a charm powerfully realised in theoriginal, though less appreciable in an imperfect translation.

The same claim to perfect truthfulness in all essential points may beplaced to the credit of the following "Roman Populaire," notwithstandingthe startling supernatural element on which the story is founded.Erckmann-Chatrian have not thought it right or necessary to depart inthis case from their practice of abstaining from all prefaces or notes inevery edition of their works. Yet perhaps the translator may be forgiven,and even condoned with thanks, if he ventures upon an explanation tendingto show that the tale of Hugh the Wolf is not entirely founded uponsuperstition and the supernatural.

"Let his heart be changed from man's, and let a beast's heart be givenunto him!" Such was the sentence pronounced and executed upon him ofBabylon whose pride called for abasement from the Lord. Dr. Mead (MedicaSacra, p. 59) observes that there was known among the ancients a mentaldisorder called lycanthropy, the victims of which fancied themselveswolves, and went about howling and attacking and tearing sheep and youngchildren (