Tarascon, as is well known, never forgave Alphonse Daudet for his "Tartarin"; and in a like way M.Zola, who doubtless counts more enemies than any other literary man of the period, has none bitterer than the worthy citizens of Aix.

They cannot forget or forgive the rascally Rougon-Macquarts.
The name Rougon-Macquart has to me always suggested that splendid and amusing type of the cynical rogue, Robert Macaire.

But, of course, both Rougon and Macquart are genuine French names and not inventions.

Indeed, several years ago I came by chance upon them both, in an old French deed which I was examining at the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris.

I there found mention of a Rougon family and a Macquart family dwelling virtually side by side in the same village.