The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-05-28
FRANCES GREAT POET DEAD
Victor Hugo, the Aged Ltterateur
Breathes His Last at Paris After
q Painful Illness.
He Declines Spiritual Consolation-k
Sketch OF the Great Poets
Life Work.

Victor Hugo is dead. The word-painter
who as poet, dramatist, and novelist. cleo
trified the world. passed away at his home
in Paris at 80 o'clock on the afternoon OF
May %, at the ripe age OF So years and 3
months. There are all sorts OF reports as
to his last hours. One story is to the eff
feet that he suffered hours of agony before
the end came. This is no doubt magnified
greatly in certain quarters from the fact
that he refused spiritual consolation at the
close. Paris dispatches give the following
particulars of the hast hours of the i'm
mortal poet:
victorHugo's condition had grown so mani
testify worse that his death was regarded as
certain TO take place within a few hours When
this fact became known Cardinal Guibert, the
Of Paris sent anal o.
spiritual aid and the rites or the Catholic
Church M. Lockroy. the poets son law, re-
dSf M tepr SAVING for the dnr
Victor Hugo Is exI ecting death, but he does
not desire the services OF priest" His last
words were "Adieu, Jeanne. adieu, addressed
to his fsvorite granddaughter.
The scenes in Paris following the death OF
Victor Hugo remind the observer forcibly OF the
night OF Dec 81, 1882, when Leon Gambetta%had
just died. The streets and cafes are ass>a Nth
groups discussing the sad event, and many per-
sons are wearing the little mourning badges
with Photographic portraitpf the dead poet
in the center, which are alreadyfor sale by the
thousand.
In the Senate, M. Leroyer delivered eulogy
on nj. Hugo. The speaker said that for the past
sixty wears Victor Hugo had been the admira-
ton Of France and of the world. He had now
entered immortality. His glory belongs to no
party, but to all men.
Prime Minister Brisson delivered eulogy in
the Chamber of Deputies He said the whole
nation mourned the loss OF Victor Hugo, and
moved that the funeral of the poet be conducted
at the states expense. The motion was greeted
with applause
IL is proposed to inter the poets remains in
the Pantheon, and that the day OF the funeral
be declared day OF national mourning, on
which all the Government offices, the schools,
and the theaters shall be closed.
The poet was sketched as he lay upon his
eath-bed by Bonnat. the painter. who will
transfer to canvas the impression taken. The
sculptor Dalon took a cast Of his face. Nadar
took photograph. Glaize made another sketch.
When his death was announced there was a
great rush OF reporters 10 the house, and the
servants were obliged to repel them. Lockroy
closed the front door. leaving the table in the
embalmed, and immense quantities of
flowers were brought TO the residence.
Nine. Bernhardt, dressed completely in white,
brought with her an immense crown of " hite
roses. Deputations from the municipal govern
ment and from Parliament offered their con-
dolence
1t is reported that M. Hugo bequeathcd his
manuscripts to France, and that he left IL to the
Republic TO select burial place for his remains,
and TO decide to the form of his funeral.
Half his fortune 4,00O,00O francs. was be-
queathed by Hugo to his daughter Adele, who
Is In a lunatic asylum. IL was Hugo's wish
that his heirs and executors should hereafter
join in building a lunatic asylum.
The clerical papers denounce Dockroy for
withholding from Victor Hugo the message
from Cardinal Guibert Offering to attend the
death.