Honore, one of the most distinguished and most prolific of the modern French novelists, was born at Tours on the 20th May 1799. After completing his studies at Vendôme, he entered the office of a notary at Paris, and commenced his literary career by contributions to periodical works; which attempts, however, gave little indication of his genius. Between the years 1821 and 1829 he published, under various pseudonyms, no fewer than thirteen romances; and in the last-mentioned year appeared the first work to which he affixed his name. His writings display a profound knowledge of the human heart, and several of them bear the stamp of unquestionable genius; such, for example, as La Peau de Chagrin, Le Dernier Chouan, La Physiologie de Mariage, Le Pere Goriot, La Femme de Trente Ans; and his later works, Medecin de Campagne, and Parees Pauvres. The most remarkable feature in his private history was his deep attachment to the Countess Eveline Hanska, a Russian princess, who rewarded his long and untiring devotion with the gift of her hand in 1848. Balzac did not long enjoy his felicity. He died at Paris, of hypertrophy of the heart, on the 30th of August 1850. His remains, attended by a vast concourse of people, were deposited in the cemetery of Père-Lachaise.

Jean-Louis-Guez de, was born at Angoulême in 1594. He was one of the most popular writers of his day, but his works have long since sunk into comparative obscurity. Voltaire allows him the merit of having been the first who gave numbers and harmony to French prose, but censures his style as bombastic. His writings extend to two folio volumes, which were published in that form in 1665, with a preface by the Abbé Cassaigne; but his reputation rests chiefly on his Letters. He died in 1655, and was buried in the hospital of Notre Dame des Anges, to which he bequeathed 12,000 livres. He also left an estate of 100 francs per annum for a gold medal to be bestowed every two years for the best discourse on some moral subject. This prize is still continued.