Edmond About — French Novelist born on February 14, 1828, died on January 16, 1885

Edmond François Valentin About was a French novelist, publicist and journalist... (wikipedia)

Marriage, in life, is like a duel in the midst of a battle.
It was in the Papal States that I studied the Roman Question. I traveled over every part of the country; I conversed with men of all opinions, examined things very closely, and collected my information on the spot.
I have been further enlightened by the conversation and correspondence of some illustrious Italians, whom I would gladly name, were I not afraid of exposing them to danger.
I fight fairly, and in good faith.
But as the Pope has a long arm, which might reach me in France, I have gone a little out of the way to tell him the plain truths contained in these pages.