Our interest in the Voyage is height ened by our knowledge that it was actually written during De Maistre's forty-two days' arrest at Turin, referred to in the third chapter. He sent the manuscript, which he regarded as a mere playful effort of his imagination, for his brother's perusal. Joseph was pleased with the book; and Xavier, who had an almost filial affection for his brother, was soon afterwards agree ably surprised by receivmg, in place of his manuscript, the Voyage in print.