h humorist and satirist, who
wrote novels, plays, and short stories. He was born in Provence in
southeast France, a district of which he is typical in the warmth of
his imagination. He lived for a time at Lyons but later went to Paris,
where he came in contact with the literary artists of the capital.

Monsieur Daudet, like the moody, imaginative Hawthorne of America, was
guided and influenced in his literary career by his wife, whose
inspiring but practical mind guided his impulsive and impressionable
nature into its best outlet.

As a writer Daudet is remarkable for the grace of his style and the
keenness of his observations. Literary critics appreciate him, not only
for his polished style, but also for his originality and insight into
human nature.

The Siege of Berlin

266, 1. The Siege of Berlin. This is a story of the Franco-Prussian
War, the war between France and Germany in 1870. War was declared in
July and the opening battle was fought the first of August before the
French had had time to complete their preparations. This battle, at
Wissemburg, resulted in a heavy loss for the French troops.

The fighting during August of 1870 covered much the same ground
contested during the World War. It is especially interesting to note
that it was at Sedan that the French met their great defeat in
September, 1870, and that Sedan was captured by the French shortly
before the signing of the Armistice in November, 1918.

The battle of Sedan in 1870 meant the total defeat of the French army,
and the Germans immediately began a four months' siege of Paris. After
terrible suffering the city surrendered to the enemy in January, 1871.

The territory of Alsace-Lorraine lost by France to Germany in the war
of 1870 was returned after the World War.

2. Arc de Triomphe. Sometimes called the Arc de l'Etoile. The great
triumphal arch at the head of the Avenue des Champs-Elysees, begun by
Napoleon to celebrate his victories and completed by Louis Philippe.
After the Germans marched under it in triumph after the siege of Paris,
chains were stretched across the roadway and the order was given that
no one was to drive under the arch again until the lost provinces
should be restored to France. In the great celebration on July 14,
1919, the armies of the victorious French and their Allies marched up
the avenue under the Arc de Triomphe.

3. A cuirassier of the First Empire. A cuirassier is a cavalryman whose
body is protected by