3

THE STARTLING EXPLOITS

OF

DR. J. B. QUIÈS

FROM THE FRENCH OF

PAUL CÉLIÈRE

BY

MRS. CASHEL HOEY AND MR. JOHN LILLIE

WITH 120 ILLUSTRATIONS

NEW YORK

HARPER & BROTHERS, FRANKLIN SQUARE

1887

THIS book is only a flight of fancy. I have not written it for the purpose of enlarging the horizon of thought, astonishing the world, or shaking the foundations of the social edifice.

Neither have I conceived the notion of adding anything to the sum of human knowledge; but, although no instruction of a scientific, industrial, or moral character is to be obtained from these startling exploits, they are perfectly inoffensive.

That I shall not be suspected of desiring to turn science and savants into ridicule, I feel assured. I ardently admire the former, I profoundly respect the latter, and I protest that I have not for one moment entertained an idea of assailing the rightful position of either.

Bearing in mind that it has been well said of books, "Every kind is good except the tiresome kind," I have written my book with a simple-minded intention to avoid boring my readers.

P. C.