From A Bibliography of Alexandre Dumas père by Frank Wild Reed: This work contains three stories. Dumas gives his readers to understand that he came by the matter for them in Grisier's Fencing School, whence the name for the general title. He later related in one of his "Causeries"—"Une Chasse aux Éléphants"—that he knew, save for the flight and the murder, the prototype of his Comte Horace of "Pauline." Quérard, and following him Glinel, makes a mistake concerning this collection, by stating that these volumes contain two stories, and that the second, "Pascal Bruno," concerns the return of Murat. As a matter of accuracy, Vol. II. contains two stories, the said "Pascal Bruno," which is one of Dumas' fine brigand stories, but which has no connection with Murat, and another called "Murat," later included in the "Crimes Célèbres." (Refer to 1839.)
"Pauline," which fills the first volume, was developed from some incidents found in the "Impressions de Voyage : en Suisse," and named after a young bride met by Dumas during his travels in La Vendée.
One may perhaps record here an interesting little conjecture. Theodore Hook's translation of "Pascal Bruno" was evidently, as the date proves, taken from the serial publication of the work. In his preface, he refers to its inclusion in the account of Dumas' travels in Sicily. It is certainly not to be found there in the published volumes. Does this, then, mean that serially it was part of the travels, being later "lifted" to make a separate story, just as its author did with "Une Vie d'Artiste," removing it from its position in the serial issue of the "Mémoires" ?
Original edition: Paris, Dumont, 1838, 2 vols., 8vo.
Second edition: Paris, Dumont, 1840, 2 vols., 8vo.
In the standard Calmann-Lévy edition the three stories occupy one volume, entitled "Pauline et Pascal Bruno."
Each of the three is found as a portion of a distinct volume in the 4to. illustrated edition of the same firm.
"Pauline" and "Pascal Bruno" form separate volumes in this firm's "Musée Littéraire."
In Le Vasseur's "Alexandre Dumas Illustré," "Pauline" and "Pascal Bruno" are found in Vol. XVII., and "Murat" in Vol. XVIII.
References :—
Dumas: "Impressions de Voyage : en Suisse," for references to Pauline, towards the end.
Dumas: "Causeries,"—"Une Chasse aux Éléphants." Quérard: "Supercheries Littéraires Dévoilées," Vol I., Column 1095. Parran: "Bibliographie d'Alexandre Dumas," page 42.
Dumas: "Le Capitaine Arena,"—"Le Cage de Fer."
Dumas: "Mes Mémoires," Chapter CLXX.
English Translations :—
"Pascal Bruno," translated by Theodore Hook; London, Colburn, 1837, pp. viii., 287, with a page noting several errata. Hook's translation is very free unless the serial publication in France, from which he took his matter, according to his own statement, differs considerably from the standard text to-day.
"The Sicilian Bandit" ; London, "Parlour Library," Vol. 188, Simms and Macintyre, 8vo., 1859. (With "Captain Paul.")
"Pascal Bruno, the Sicilian Bandit" (with "Christine, an Adventure of Charles XII") ; London, "Library of French Romance" (1847), 8vo., pp. 131, 25.
"Pauline, a Tale of Normandy," translated by a lady; London, C. H. Clarke, 1844, pp. 103.
"Pauline; or, Buried Alive," translated by J. Hay Hodgson, Jnr.; London, Hodgson, 12mo., 1860.
"Pauline ; Pascal Bruno" (and "Bontekoe" from "Les Drames de la Mer"); London, Methuen, 1904.
"Murat," in Vol. II. of "The Crimes of Urbain Grandier and Others"; London, Methuen, 1907.
"Murat," in Vol. V. of "Celebrated Crimes" ; London, Nichols, 1896.
"Murat," in Vol. V. of "Celebrated Crimes"; Philadelphia, Geo. Barrie's Sons (Nichols' version).
"Pauline," London, Routledge, 1873 (and reprints).
"Buried Alive," Philadelphia, Peterson Bros.
"Pascal Bruno," was also issued in weekly and monthly parts by G. Pierce, London. Completed with "Christine, an Adventure of Charles XII," pp. 131, 25 (1847).
