[ Honoré de Balzac / Cousin Pons ]
Balzac (1799 - 1850) is one of the major figures of 19th Century French literary culture; his novels and plays are known for their highly realistic and nuanced portrayals of a broad range of human characters.
This novel is the story of Sylvain Pons, a music teacher who has managed over the years to assemble a significantly valuable collection of art. Several of his acquaintances conspire to sell the collection for themselves once Pons becomes ill; he discovers the plot and attempts to outwit his enemies, but ultimately fails and the bad guys win. (Many of Balzac's works are grim, but he wasn't a complete pessimist; this novel is the counterpart to Balzac's Cousin Bette, in which a victim of deception successfully battles back.)
This novel features one mention of a Newfoundland; it is one of the dogs belonging to the conniving and unethical art dealer and money lender Eli Magus. Describing the precautions which Magus takes to protect his place of business (and his beautiful daughter), Balzac explains how Magus employs a porter, Ambramko, who "screens" Magus' visitors:
Abramko, porter of the silent, grim, deserted mansion, divided his office and his lodge with three remarkably ferocious animals — an English bull-dog, a Newfoundland dog, and another of the Pyrenean breed.