The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-11
rICroR HuGo sam 10 BE IvsfyE

PARIS, Aug. 20. II has been whispered Tor
some time past that the great poet was suffering
from mental disorder. The fact j. that the
doctors ordered him tor, sien the Presidency II
the Literary Congress. and to hurry away 10 his
Guernsey retreat. The Russian novelist.
Tnurguenict took his place as President II the
Congress. amt seems 10 have delivered much
moro Ineligible speeches than the celebrated
poet was in the habit Of doing.
A. Guernsey the medical advisers Of Hugo
ordered him absolute rest, and nobody
except the members of his family had any
access To- him for several wecks Cases Of
alteration Of the mind at the advanced age Of 10
nre. however. not easily established. The poet
may simply he worn out and suffering from
oyer-eXcitrmcnt. He took great interest In the
Congress. delivered many speeches. and led
generally an professionally active life during
tue hottest iart Of the summer. He eats much.
and every evening after the heaviest - dinncrs
hc sat I'll very late hour at night receiving
adulatlons from the crowd Of admirers which
filled his overheated and overiighted parlors in
the HUE de Cichy
life Of this Kind would tell even on much
younger and stronger constitution. But ia HUI
10 there always something indicative. II
not Of distorted ut all events. Of an oyer-cA-
erted mind. Besides some ~ the best contem-
porary pathologists maintain that all poets are
partial lunatics. The vagaries Of Hugo's mind
show themselves not only in some Of his works
but in many u his habits. His sot-ndmration
for instance. surpasses all bounds Of common
sense. For years past he has been making in
Vulnerable photographs Of himself in all i'm
aGinahle attitudes and costumes. His house
is furnished with not less than fifty-six mirrors
in which lie is constantly contemplating him
self. He i. also rdiculousy superstitious He
will never PERM; thirteen covers la be nuI npon
table. and has an intense AYERS ion for that
number. His son having died on thu thirteenth
OF month after Il journey in a railway car
riage with thirteen passengers. the poet has be-
come more than ever confirmed in his supersti-
ton. His friends and relatives have done their
best to conceal his more recent symptoms Of
unsoundncss Of mind. but alarming indications
became too frequent. His medical advisers
having prohibited him all work. he has become
taciturn and silent and shows a litto animation
only in the evenings. when his daughter in law
sits a, the piano ana makes her two children
dance. For those children Of his dcceased son
Charles, hoy George and a girl Jeanne, the
poet hOs u great admiration.
when the news Of the dangerous character #
| Hugo's illness reached Paris, tho Fgaro sent
ont one Of lis editors VI. pCryier. to Guernsey.
| lie WAS unable 10 see Hugo hut was allowed
10 visit his residence. Hautoyile House. and
sent long description Il il 10 his paper. Thr
! house situated In ono of the narrowcst streets
| OF Saint Pierre, the capital of Guernsey is
| very unpr'l"nilous from without but nrtstl-
| ray arranged within. II seems 10 b" uarticu-
| lary rich in tapestry Bron2cs and antique fur
n,turr are also remarkable. But there are com
| pnrntiNty few pictures.
| tn" household Of Victor Hugo consists Of his
siislor-in,,law, Nine. ,Ghon9y who has charge Of
| HauieYillo House. Nine. DrOuet an old friend
! OF the poet and the pres ding genius Of his