In a word, it is the story of the foundation of all religions." To the foregoing account of "Lourdes" as supplied by its author, it may be added that the present translation, first made from early proofs of the French original whilst the latter was being completed, has for the purposes of this new American edition been carefully and extensively revised by Mr.E.A.Vizetelly,--M.

Zola's representative for all English-speaking countries.

"Lourdes" forms the first volume of the "Trilogy of the Three Cities," the second being "Rome," and the third "Paris." LOURDES THE FIRST DAY I.PILGRIMS AND PATIENTS THE pilgrims and patients, closely packed on the hard seats of a third-class carriage, were just finishing the "Ave maris Stella," which they had begun to chant on leaving the terminus of the Orleans line, when Marie, slightly raised on her couch of misery and restless with feverish impatience, caught sight of the Paris fortifications through the window of the moving train.
"Ah, the fortifications!" she exclaimed, in a tone which was joyous despite her suffering.

"Here we are, out of Paris; we are off at last!" Her delight drew a smile from her father, M.de Guersaint, who sat in front of her, whilst Abbe Pierre Froment, who was looking at her with fraternal affection, was so carried away by his compassionate anxiety as to say aloud: "And now we are in for it till to-morrow morning.

We shall only reach Lourdes at three-forty.