His success was great. Though a young man as yet, Loti saw his work crowned with what in France may be considered the supreme sanction: he was elected to membership in the French Academy. His name became coupled with those of Bernardin de St. Pierre and of Cha teaubriand. With the sole exception of the au thor of Pam! And Virginia and of the writer of Aid/a, he seemed to be one without a predeces sor and without a master. It may be well here to inquire how much reason there is for this asser tion, and what novel features are presented in his work.