New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-10-20

himself at some place and time convenient for
both. To this suggestion NJ. Hugo readily agreed,
and it was settled that the interview should take
place at Versailles in the Chamber of the Senate, of
which NJ. Hugo is a member. But it happened that
this conversation occurred just before the 18th OF
May and the dispersion of the Legislature broke up
the rendezvous
But the Emperor, as you know, is not easily
bafiled when once he has made up his mind to a
thing Not many days later note was brought to
NJ Victor Hugo. thus conceived: "QueiqP un reHdrd
rOus ror domain matin neQ heTes."' suppose the
some one" saved the etiquette. Puncually at nine
the following morning appeared the Emperor OF
Brazil His visit lasted till one and from the first
the two were on the best of terms. The civillties
that passed between them may be easily imagined.
They talked many subjects, among others, natur-
ally, on NJ Victor Hugos poetry. On the Emperors
expressing his admiration for some of the poets early
writings, NJ. Hugo asked him whether he had read
his last book, "L'Art detre Grand-Pere." "Tenez,
vous allez volr," exclaimed his Imperial Majesty,
and forthwith recited the lines beginning:
"Jeanne pare; ellie dit des chooses qu ellie ignore"
"A compliment to which, albeit coming from
Emperor, the Republican not insensible. The
Emperor then asked il he might see the fam GUS
Jeanne, and the little girl-now, l believe seven
years old--was sent for and presently came into the
he have kiss, tool entreated the Emperor, upon
which the child in French fashion offered her cheek.
No, said his Majesty, you must kiss me as you
kissed your grandfather. and holding his arms wide
open, the child sprang into them and put her arms
about his neck and kissed him aifectionately
the mouth. the Emperor holding her some
time and returning kiss for kiss. NJ. Victor Hugo
inquired whether, as his Majesty had shown
some interest in the book and its heroine, he
might offer him a copy. 1t was readily accepted,
and upon NJ. Victor Hugo returning with the book
which ne had gone into another room to seek aud
taking up a pen, the Emperor said, You will per-
NIT to dictate the inscription" aud under his
dctation the poet wrote on the fly leaf: Victor
Hugo Dom Pedro de Alcantara which, / pre-
sumo, was the Emperors way OF relieving bis host
from all recognition of his rank and expressing his
own desire to receive the book the gift of per-
sonal friend and equal fear, indeed, that the
grace and good will OF the interview both sides
quite vanish under my pen, but yet you would have
understood and felt it all If you could have heard it
from the lips of ". Louis Blanc. There no trace
ofanything so offensive as condescension on the part
of tine Emperor. or SO needless sef-asscrtlon on
the side of the poet. They parted with many as
sugances of mutual respect aud liking, but NJ. Victor
Hugo added, ~ they stood at the door together,
" should be sorry. indeed. if there were many En-
perors ike YOU" but whyi" Because 1 should
find 1t so difficult to speak i'll OF them" And with
this the iilustrous Republican dismissed
his Imperial guest. Not, however, before the
latter had asked leave to repeat his
visit And he did. Some days later, as NJ Victor Hugo
had Just sat down to dinner with few frends-he
seldom dimes alone-the bell rang, the door opened
and the Emperor appeared, crying out, " Is there
room for me |! shall disturb nobodyP There was
room; lie sat down, dined talked, as his way - to
everybody, on all manner of topics. and departed
leaving behind him nothing but pleasant impress
sions Of his good sense and good feeling.
G.. W. 9.
some one will you tomorrow At nine o'clock