.

'THE BLIND GIRL OF CASTEL-CUILLE.'.
Jasmin was now thirty-six years old.

He was virtually in the prime of life.

He had been dreaming, he had been thinking, for many years, of composing some poems of a higher order than his Souvenirs.

He desired to embody in his work some romantic tales in verse, founded upon local legends, noble in conception, elaborated with care, and impressive by the dignity of simple natural passion.
In these new lyrical poems his intention was to aim high, and he succeeded to a marvellous extent.