Chapter XII: Appendix: B

BLUEBEARD STORIES

The story of Bluebeard has permeated modern literature. Reference is made to some of its publications.

It appeared as a comedy with three acts, under the name of _Barbe-Bleue_. The music was by Grétry, and it was presented for the first time at Paris in the Théâtre des Italiens in 1789.

Another was an opera bouffe written by MM. Henry Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy, music by Offenbach, presented for the first time at Paris in the Théâtre des Variétés in 1866.

Monsieur Charles Lemire published, in 1894, a lyric representation with music, dances, etc., in four parts and ten scenes, entitled _Barbe-Bleue_ (Le sire de Rais). Some of the scenes represented the interior of the Hôtel de la Suze, the public square at Nantes, the Château de Tiffauges, the gate of Machecoul (the arrest), Château de Nantes (the trial), Prairie Piesse (the execution), ending with an allegoric apotheosis.

A Picardy romance of Comte Ory was rendered by Scribe and Rossini into an opera in which the characteristics of Gilles de Retz were presented in the hero.

Walkenaer has investigated, with marvellous patience, the tradition of Bluebeard, and has sought to trace it throughout its various ramifications in literature.

La Rousse in his _Great French Dictionary of the XIXth Century_, under the title of _Barbe-Bleue_, introduces quotations from French littérateurs who have referred to Bluebeard: J. Sandeau, Toussenel, H. de Balzac, Ch. Nadar, Max. du Camp, Oct. Feuillet.

Essays or volumes on Bluebeard have appeared either separately or in magazines or newspapers as shown in the following list:

“Bluebeard.” E. VIZELLY. _Gentlemen’s Magazine_, N. S., vol.
xxii., p. 368.

---- T. C. WOOLSEY. _Lakeside_, vol. v., p. 314.

---- Origin of Story of. W. C. TAYLOR. _Bentley_, vol. xxiii.,
p. 136.

---- Original. _Once a Week_, vol. xviii., p. 15.

---- Rehabilitated, Verses. W. H. HARRISON. _Dub. Univ._, vol.
xc, p. 728.

“Bluebeard’s Ghost.” W. M. THACKERAY. _Fraser_, vol. xxviii.,
p. 413.

“Bluebeard’s Keys.” _Cornn._, vol. xxiii., pp. 192, 688. Same
article _Living Age_, vol. cviii., p. 685; vol. cx., p. 139.

“Bluebeard.” H. C. LEA. _Nation_, vol. xliii., p. 377.

“Gilles de Retz, Baron de: Original Bluebeard.” L. FRECHETTE.
_Arena_, vol. i., p. 141.

“Bluebeard, Case of.” P. EDWARDS. _Green Bag_, vol. v., p. 543D.

“Maréchal de Retz.” _Belgra_, vol. lxxx., p. 58.

_Gilles de Retz (Barbe-Bleue)._ L’ABBÉ EUGENE BOSSARD. 1886. H.
Champion.

_Barbe-Bleue, de la Légende et de l’Histoire._ CH. LEMIRE.
1886. Ernest Leroux.

The works of Abbé Bossard and M. Charles Lemire have been issued since the author left Nantes. Much of the matter in this paper was prepared before these volumes were issued. But the author has not scrupled to use them, as he has those of Michelet, Monstrelet, or Guépin, or to verify from them what he has written, especially their later rendition of the archives. He had access to these records equally with these gentlemen, but he freely acknowledges the aid received from the printed copy of ancient manuscripts, the difficulties of which will be apparent on an examination of the photographic copy on page 137.

M. Paul Saunière published in the _Publicité_ at Nantes, a feuilleton entitled _Barbe-Bleue_, and a novel entitled _The Black Douglas_, by S. R. Crockett, lately published, and a book entitled _La Bas_, by Huysmanns, all deal with Gilles de Retz.