Oeuvres/Related Works The Companions of Jehu - New York, P. F. Collier & Son, n.d., The Works of Alexandre Dumas in Thirty Volumes (vol. 29), blue cloth, gilt spine
From Reviews (AC) by Alexandra Chiriac: Les Compagnons de Jehu is set in the 1800s, during Napoleon's rise to
power. The title refers to a secret organisation of young
aristocrats-turned-highwaymen that continuously steals the money of the
Directoire in order to finance the restoration of monarchy. It has all
the typical Dumas ingredients, that is to say duels, political
intrigues, noble heros and a tragic love store that would make
Shakespeare green with envy. Not to mention a hero with a murky past who
you will love-to-hate. Be prepared to shed quantities of tears. You've
been warned!
From A Bibliography of Alexandre Dumas père by Frank Wild Reed: A fine story, one of the best of Dumas' later efforts. He says his son supplied him with the two characters of Roland de Montrevel and Sir John Tanlay. Charles Nodier's "Souvenirs de la Révolution" gave him the ground-work for his plot. Edmond About mentions seeing a large pile of notes upon Dumas' table : the first draft of the work, in a neat handwriting. Mr. R. S. Garnett suggests that of de Cherville. Be that as it may, this book is of Dumas' writing and reveals him constantly throughout. There is prefixed to it "Un Mot au Lecteur," which is a considerable portion of his "Causerie" "La Figurine de César."
It centres round Napoleon as First Consul, and the royalist conspiracies against the government. Period 1799-1800.
It ran first as a serial through the pages of the "Journal Pour Tous," during 1857, the final instalment appearing on 4th of April.
Original edition : Paris, Cadot, 7 vols., 8vo., 1857.
First illustrated edition : Paris, Legrand, Troussel et Pomey.
It now fills three volumes in the standard Calmann-Lévy edition, one in the firm's "Musée Littéraire," and (with "El Salteador") two volumes in their illustrated series.
In Le Vasseur's "Alexandre Dumas Illustré" it forms part of Vol. IV.
References :— Glinel: "Alexandre Dumas et Son Œuvre," page 440. Parran: "Bibliographie d'Alex. Dumas," page 65. Nodier: "Souvenirs de la Revolution," Vol. I., pp. 114-136 (Charpentier's Edition, N.D.).
Lenotre (G.): "La Compagnie de Jéhu; " Paris, Perrin, 1931.
English Translations :—
"Roland de Montrevel;" London, Ward Lock, 12mo., 1860.
"The Company of Jehu;" London, Low, 2 vols., 1894.
"The Companions of Jehu;" London, Dent, 2 vols., cr. 8vo., illustrated, 1895. Reprinted, same firm, 1906 and 1926.
"The Companions of Jehu;" London, Chapman and Dodd, sm. cr. 8vo., 1922.
From A Bibliography of Alexandre Dumas père by Frank Wild Reed: (CCXV.) Chapter XLI., LE CHANT DU POSTILLON. Two four-line stanzas, rhyming alternately.
(CCXVI.) Chapter LIII., nine four-line stanzas, rhyming alternately.
