An expansive, grandiose storyteller of the old guard. This collection is compilation of works of Gautier compiled by Gautier himself. This book was reviewed by Gautier when it appeared, and it is most likely that he had been previously made acquainted with its contents and had discussed Egyptian funeral rites and modes of sepulture with the author, for it was to Feydeau that he dedicated his novel when it was published in book form by Hachette in 1858.