New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-24
VICTOR HUGO'S BANQUET.

.
NJ PERRIN
fFBoN TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TRIBUNE
LONDON Dec. 11.-Ihere is a graceful fashion
among the French OF celebrating a great dramatic
triumph By dinner TO which are hidden the author,
the artists who have interpreted his work,
few friends perchancc, and sometimes
even the critics who have pronounced judy
I ment upon IL. The manager Of the theatre Is
the host. But the author may also assume
this part; and this is what Victor Hugo has
done this week in his own brilliant and hearty
way. in recognition Of bis debt TO those who have
helped to make the revival of Hermann" at the
Theatre FranGas an event IN the history Of the
French stage only less important than It's first pro-
duction forty-seven years ago. You have lately
been reading a French account Of dinner given
by the American colony in Paris 10 General Grant
Most Of what can tell you about this Hugo dinner
comes from French sources also ana offers con-
trast 10 tae other complete in nearly every point;
contrast which viii leave the reader to draw for
himself They were both gwen at the Grand Hotel
70 assemble q hundred and fifty PaTi5ians Of
various opinions, says Theodore de Banyille, and
keep them together for four hours under the III
fucnce Of single idea, love for q great art and
admiration Of great genus-to do that is to achieve
a cief fGs1e. This Victor Hugo did on sunday
pray do not De shocked because n was a Sunday,
but bearn mind that Paris Is not Boston, nor France
! the United States. Sunday is the accepted day
throughout that country for soemnites Of all sorts
from for the Grand prX de Paris TO q general
election to ascertain the VIII Of the country in order
that the President Of the Republic may the better
| know how 10 overcome it, Forgive the touch Of
politics; it shall be the only one for politics were
umdy excluded from thc dinner, - which the
people of all politics and Of no politics
were asked with equal freedom. Victor
Hugo describes himself as deeply affected by the
! reception which the press. without distinction Of
party;has given 10 Hermann en- its third repro
/ ducti0n. lie never cared for exceptions to bis
cancellations and perhaps never heard Of the
attacks which q few B0nJpaGtst and reactionary
! papers directed against him. Nor were they all
represented at this dinner, though some Journal Of
each party and fraction Of parry had It's delegate
present. Emile de Ginrlin, Henri de Pfne,
. Paul de Saint Victor lIt5rard, Paul Meuuce,
| LocLroy. are names which may or may not
be generally recognized In America. There
were literary percentages ike Emile Angler,
IagolyG. Daudet, Arsa9e Uou~ayc Lcc0ntc de
Lis.c; publishers like Co'maan Low and Hetzsl;
actor. from the Theatre Fraucais. who nave share
| I'm the performance Of Hermann -; Worms, who las
made himself famous by his" Don Carlos" and Mon
net Suy who has added another to Ls list Of fail
I u
manager; last Of an, and first Of all. and the only
woman among the guests. Sarah Beruhard5 whose
! Do7e Sol may be said to stand midway, a dra-
matte imparsonatiou between her Ms. Ciarhaoo, in
"LEtraugrrc,' and her IHG}gG which last Is the
most finished piece of tNsic acting Of the
| classical school seen on the French stage
since Rachel quilted 1t. Mile. Bernha-dt
sat on Victor ITu-o right; httle George Hugo his
grandson. six year Old, the young hero of l. Art
d'ttrG Grand P1re" faced the wlite-halrad poet at
the bottom of the table. Nothing could be pretier
I than that: nowhere, perhaps, but in France, and
nowhere In France but at a poets banquet, would q
child have been in that position. 1t Is impossible to
/ say what would befall IN" man who, m England,
/ should attempt such Innovations n these upon the
stiff formalitcs Of an English public dinner. This
10 DE sure wa. not public it was Victor Hugo re-
ccivng his friends in the Grand Hotel, because they
We're too numerous for his own house
! At dessert. Victor Hugo spoke as follows. make
no apology for quoting in full 1t Is every "oia
! gold:
81 asl. permission Of my guests to drink to their
health.
"Iam here a. the debtor ofyou all, and begin
bg an expression Of thanks. For their presence,
tl.ir help. their sympathic support, thank the
ra+ talents the noble sYrits the generous writers
the lofty regulations, which surround me. thank,
in fine prr,on of it, honorable director, that maSnih
ceDfnational theatre with which half a century OF
nv lie is connected. nj ONE and the other end;
thank ny dear and valiant conductors. those excel
lent artist, whom the public nightly crowns with
il, plaudts.
Twill pronounce no name, for ! should have to
,aroe tbcu all. Notwithstanding to Nile
Sarah Bernhardt-" permit me- madame to make an
exception which your sex anthorlzcs-more than
that commands.
..You have shown yourself not only the rival, bat
the equal Of the three great actresses, Nile Mars
Nine Dorya Nine Fayart who were your piede
ca.,ors in the role If D0Fl Sol
"Too further. | have tine right 10 say-I who
alas, saw the representation Of l,30-yon have sur
ro.s.d and eclip.ed Mile Mars. This is your glory
Won are queen in your own right; twice queen
onecp by your beauty aud queen by your talent
| Then bcndiug over aud kissing The hand of Nile
Sarah Bcrnhardt-
II thank you. madame and thunders Of applause
rolled through the hall at this graceful homage ron
the illustrious old man TO the beautiful ana Ori
liant Young actress Then Tesuming:
..Geutlemcn. what is this gathering 1t is o SIM
nlo festival purely friendly and purely literary an'
festival, of that sort are always welcome even IN
and above all n-stormy and difficult times.
..Nor single word shall be said here which caI
he thought TO contain an allusion 70 any other pas
sion than that passion for the ideal and for the aD
solute which inspires Us all
I'VE are in a region OF tranquility. We meet Oh
the calm summit where pure spirits dwell liner
are storms around Us, bUt not among U.s.
1T is good that the world Of literature sAouu
cost its Iuipous and clouless ray upon The politi
c,I world II is good that our peaceful domain
bo,Id offer 70 the regions of rcrpexity this Crane
example of concord and this beautiful spectacle o
brotherhood.
Here | meant to stop, but your applause encouI