[JULES CLARETIE was born at Limoges, in 1840, and is still a
well-known figure in the literary world of Paris. No man is more
prolific; histories, novels, articles, short stories, plays, pour
without cessation from his pen. Jules Claretie is a man of the most
varied gifts. His best known achievement is his "History of the
Revolution," in five volumes--a monumental work. But there are
those (and we confess ourselves among them) who would rather be the
author of the lovely little story of child-life which we lay before
our readers under the title of "Slap-Bang."]