From A Bibliography of Alexandre Dumas père by Frank Wild Reed: One of Dumas' quiet little stories. Black, the dog, plays an unusually prominent part in the plot, which is decidedly uncommon, and of a nature quite exceptional with our author. De Cherville is generally credited with having had a hand in this, but Dumas certainly wrote it. The Tahiti portion is his, and it will be remembered that at this time he was much interested in the South Seas. Very possibly he obtained some hints and local colouring from Madame Giovanni. The period is 1793 to 1842.
It was reprinted in "Le Monte-Cristo," from February 16th to May 3rd, 1860.
Original edition : Paris, Cadot, 4 vols., 8vo., 1858.
First illustrated edition : Paris, Legrand, Troussel et Pomey.
It now occupies one volume in the standard Calmann-Lévy edition, and one in their "Musée Littéraire."
In Le Vasseur's "Alexandre Dumas Illustré" it forms part of Vol. XX.
References :— Glinel: "Alexandre Dumas et Son Œuvre," page 445. Parran: "Bibliographie d'Alexandre Dumas," page 66.
English Translation :—
"Black;" London, Dent, 1 vol., cr 8vo., illustrated, 1895. Reprinted, same firm, 1906 and 1927.
