Drama in five acts. There is a novel of the same name.
From A Bibliography of Alexandre Dumas père by Frank Wild Reed: A prose drama in five acts and nine tableaux, of which the first forms a prologue. Paul Bocage is credited with a share in this piece, but probably more because he had a hand in the romance from which it is drawn, and which bears the same name, than for any other reason.
In these years the censorship was growing very suspicions, and play after play by Dumas was interdicted, the authorities entrusted with this work always finding, or claiming to find, some objectionable political insinuations. Was this because of Dumas' well-known republican sympathies, one wonders? Fairly exasperated at last, our author wrote direct to the Emperor Napoleon III., and, after a few minor alterations, this piece was allowed to appear. Already the play had been wholly reconstructed and rewritten three times before this fourth attempt was thus successfully launched. It had a most enthusiastic reception. As for the letter to Napoleon III., quoted frequently, it may be read in full in the preface written for the published version of the play.
First performed at the Gaîté Theatre on the 20th August, 1864.
Original edition: Paris, Michel Lévy Frères, 12mo., 1864.
It is now found in Vol. XXIV. of the 25 Vol. series, and in the final volume of that in 15 Vols. issued by Calmann-Lévy.
References :— Parran: "Bibliographie d'Alex. Dumas," page 36. Glinel: "Alex. Dumas et Son Œuvre," page 460. Lecomte: "Alexandre Dumas," pp. 68-70, 121.
Ferry: "Dernières Années d'A. Dumas," pp. 23-27.
Pifteau: "Alexandre Dumas en Manches de Chemise." pp. 22, 47-48.
"La Censure sous Napoléon III.." pp. 208-16.
