New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-08
VICTOR HUGO.
REMARKS ON THE FALL OF THE TUILE-
RIES-MME. DROUHET.


RIES-MME. DROUHET.
FRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE !
PARIS. March %.
Victor Hugo was yesterday presented with
medal commemorating the destruction OF the Tuil-
cries and struck in his honor. On one Fde there
was an image of the Republic, with her hand rest
ing on volumes of LES Chatiments' and Les
Miserables" and on the other suitable inscription
which mentioned that this work of art was CON-
posed of metals that had been fused IN the burning
of the Palace. The model was by Jacques France
the SCULPTOR and the artisan Taschef, OF the mint
Victor Hugo. in reply to an address read to him,
said that the Tuileries were erected by ana
associated in history with an iniquitous
Italian woman. the niece of Pope. II began with
Catherine de Medic and In its latter days 1t was
the hostelry of an ignobe Cesarism. Its ultimate
fate conveyed a moralzing lesson, and one which
was in many respects consolng. 1t was that monar-
chies founded in Injustice had stability and must
give way to popular justice. for so God willed AS
fire purlies everything 1t touches, Victor Hugo ac-
cepted with gratitude the medal, which also re-
minded him that Paris is cruciDe
wherein vile metals are transmitted into
noble ones This crucible had been at
work for ages, and by Divine appointment.
Its mission was 10 evolve out OF feudal monarchcal
and sacerdotal iniquity the Repubc-that to say,
justice in politics. society, and the distribution OF
national wealth.
In the evening at dinner Victor Hugo enter
tanned his guests with mOnologue on the
women of the Renaissance. He said that
the series began in Lucreta Borga and ended
in Elizabeth of England This Queen had
two great merits: she insisted on Poor law being
voted by her Parliament and she encouraged
Shakespeare to write plays and bring them on the
tbn conca yvprp
French. They were Renee, Duchess of
Ferrara, and Marguerite, Queen of Ma
vsrre. Jane Grey was one of those angels
whose visits to earth are few and far between.
Anne Boleyn aud Mary Stuart were mixed charac-
ters They were also enIgmatical. and would there
fore be eternay interesting Both were compounded
of fine gold and miry clay. Tho most sinister
feminine characters Of tho Renaissance
were Catherine de Medici and Mary Tudor.
But Mary at least had the virtue of sincerity.
Catherine, who began to buIld the Tuileries, had
all the masculine vices of her period and no
feminine virtue. She did not even love
her children, and she is with good
reason accused of having poisoned her eldest
son so rs to break down the political influence of
her daughter-in-aw. The spirit of that unloyed
aud unlovng Queen seemed to haunt the Iuleres.
Victor Hugo, who lie Lucretia Borgia and Mary
Tudor the heroines of dramas, once Thought oil
bringing Catherine upon the stage. But when he
studied her in her acts and letters he found that she
was too odious. A male villain is permissible In a
dramatic work; Thoroughbred female villain Is
not. This Mcclellan Princess was the counterpart
of lago.
Victor Hugo is meuaced with q terrible Der cave
ment His old friend aud companion, Nine. DrOu-
het Is ill., it would unto death Her aiment is
supposed to be cancer in the stomach She mas the
fortitude, when the poet goes to sit and
talk at her bedside TO dIssimulate the
pain and fever from which she suffers
lie does not realize. therefore, that she is seriously
indisposed. and looks forward to taking her to
Guernsey in the SUMNER This lady has been asso-
ciated with his life since "Mare Tudor"
was first played. She pers onated that
Queen. The whole town rayed about her,
and the poet thought her adorable. To please
hun she quilted the stage. and has ever since de-
voted herself TO him. She was for long course of
years his literary secretary. At Guernsey she re-
sided near Hauteyle House, and on the death OF
Mme Victor Hugo she took her place. l have
only known her as an old, WHITE
headed lady. She has a firm character,
suavity of manner quot d gnity fine tact and does
not care about either the praise or blame OF the
world All Victor Hugo's relatives accept her as
the Maintenon of the poet, and the servants
take orders from her only She governs
the household with wise discretion and
without seeming friction, and until
her present illness confined her to her bed, did the
honors of the dining room and drawing-room Her
diction and enunciation in speaking are charming
Although STYLED " Madame" she was never mar
ried. When Victor Hugo was free to marry her she
refused 10 urge him to make use OF his liberty Tor
her advantage marriage she thought wouIa po
an admission that their friendship was not rlghte-
Gus one.