BEFORE perusing this work it is as well that the reader should understand M Zolas aim in writing it and his viewsas distinct from those of his charactersupon Lourdes its Grotto and its cures A short time before the book appeared M Zola was interviewed upon the subject by his friend and biographer Mr Robert H Sherard to whom he spoke as follows
Lourdes came to be written by mere accident In 1891 I happened to be travelling for my pleasure with my ...