New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-05-13
FRANCE
LITERATURE AT PARIS.

PARIS, Monday, April y, 300.
The literary event OF the time is the publication
of the opg-lcoked-for Comtemplaiions Of Victor
Hugo. They were worth waiting for. High as
expectation was raised, these two volumes have
not disappointed it. They are exciting more attcn-
ton in the literary world than any books that have
appeared here for years. Newspaper editors find
nothing more acceptable to their readers than long
extracts from this work, and the name of Victor
Hugo. at the foot of his own " articles" appears
again. after four years exile, in the journals OF Paris.
It is good to see how political enmities are laid
aside in this case; how Legitimists and Napoleon
sts and Orleanists, if themselves Of the Republic
of letters, join in the loud acclaim of welcome and
honor to its chiefest citizen. Soon, doubtless, this
harmony will be interrupted by the snarling and
earning of political and classical hostility; but
in the present excitement of this triumphal entry.
even the voice of grave, candid critics, carried
away by the sympathy of the mass, loves rather 70
unite in the general applause.
TIE first OF French pOets-the first of living po-
ets-is no longer in exile. The noble part OF him,
his spirit and his fame, superior to Imperial decrees
and passport neutrality-suspicious. to dlsapPoint-
ment and defeat, and heart ache, Knocks all lesser
nobler, stronger, grander more honor ed than ever
He, too, the poet has wsged a successful war
with all generous souls for his allies-he has con-
quered fate; he has made peace with himself; ne
has beCOtten child-living thoughts and burning
words full grown at birth as they sprang from his
head more glorious, more lasting, than any imperi,
al destiny receiving withal hommage
otherwise voluntary and sincere, than the
five sous subscription now getting up all over Paris
for the Napkin at the Tuileres, The first edl-
ton of the Contemptatons was issued on Wednes-
day morning last; not copy remained on the
publishers shelves ON THURSDAY morning.
Les CONCENTRATIONS fill two volumes; the tirst.of
which is entitled Autrefos, and contains poems
written between 1880 and 1S43; the second Is Gu
titled Aujourdhui, and contains poems written be-
tween IS43 and 1855. Between Then and Now
hangs pail whose somber shadow darkens all the
life of Victor Hugo. When he looks back upon,
even to-day. his eye grows dim with tears. Be-
hind it lies the sunshine of bis life 1t shr0uds the
cOrpses of daughter and of son-in-law whom
he loved as he loved his own blood.
The Tad story is short one. one day In tne
Summer of 1s43, his eldest daughter, then newly
married. was drowned. Her husband, Charles
VacQuere, threw himself into the water and made
ain Ost superhuman efforts to save her, Ihricc ne
caught her sinking form, and raised her above the
waves. Thrice in her mad terror she forced him
10 loose his grasp, and finally sank 20 death. lie
rose once more. cast one wild look OF farewell TO
sky and earth and then sought her again. When
their bodies were found hers was close locked
| in his embrace
The present volumes abound in illusions to the
| sad event. But Hugo is not man to be always
| looking backward; and many Of these poems are
bright with hope, profoundly inspired with strong
faith in the future and its progress Beside theln
again. are still other pieces, rich in humor spark
| ling with wit, as light and graceful In form as
though Beranger had written them. Ihere Is n %,
an emotion OF the SOUL not faculty OF the ntelli.
gence, that has not had part IN the prooucaon VI
these pages; not one that is not put in action by
their perusal. You weep, laugh, frown, smile, az
you turn them. On this you reflect; over that you
fall into reverie; here imagination is excited;
there Judgment is called in aid. They are
microcosm Of life of HugO's life-Of yours.
G ie tfes s' 'S' volumes ~erta. s'iS
The suhor has to speak let this book grow WITHIN nun
G h.eu sf ere 1s AID trials has it in biz
Those who will look into it will discover the image IN tnn
Of SOUL What the soampiafonsl II the expression
not 100 they sh Be ssea ts s hs
realities all the PhsIoms or f.nta'ss vague slss
s.ei tIS Sy tn sy or h By sigh Il Is human
from the enigma Of the cradle and ending at the enigma Of the
us this then the life of Yes and the life of other
we'll None of us hes the distinction Of hsy ~, lie
you live what live destiny fake then this mirror
and otk yourself Some people complain OF winters
myself tell you Of yourselves. And you % not scosaMe
this ard thou fanc;es that am not thou rePest II.
hi. book contains the individuality OF the reader nacn
You will not be asonshed then these two volumes
dakerrg shade by shade approaching nearer the
clear nigh sky Of better life Happiness ia JOie) tss
passing flower of youth drops It's leaves page by page ns
first volume which HsEe ata fades aTsy s ns
Death the loss of loved oes We have ad It. There the
history OF soul in these two volumes hu'to A%'H'd "H
An abyss separates them-the grave
Honor and glory and all our grateful thanks to
the sore-tred man. who looking over from exile as
to the graves of loved ones, weeps but never
whines and looks still further 3D. and, still strong
in hope and faith and good works, tights bravey,
bravely for us all in our common cause.
The book, as the mere fact of its publication Ii
Paris sufficiently proves, is far from any direct
illusions to the politics of the day. Inasmuch as
it is written by Victor Hugo, and is full OF his
spirit Of bis love ofliberty and his ardent zeal for
progress, it cannot be "savoury" reading for the
powers that be. Before leaving it, must refer to
one single point. Enough, and more than enough,
has been said and acclaimed, canted and howled,
against the Inconsistency OF Victor Hugo. Because
forsootb, he was once royalist and sung the viz
tues of Roy als.s therefore he must always remain
Roy alst under penalty of a verdict OF inconsls.
tency. earnestly commend such as have joined
in this tenseess cry the admirers of petrifd con-
sstency to read his reply to the reproachtu letter
of a certain Marquis, pages 1917, where no Asks:
"Psce que ysi vssi des chants de roysue
" Susie toujouis rive dals mbeclite"
Finally, to give last glance at the work from
purely literary point Of view, it is noticeable
that, although it is blemished with extravagances
that may offend the taste of less prejudiced judges
than the " Classcists :" it is on the whole perhaps
ess and leaa strained than apy other Of