New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-06-07
GIIMPsEs OF HUGO.
THE POET AT HOME--PROrESSOR BOYI
SENS RECOLLECT1ONS.
Copyrtghs, 1888.


Lsmartine who courtsously returned IL; so for soma
time the epstle was kept IN motion, tcsttyng to thu
mOdesty OF the poets and their regard for each other
II such letter had reached Victor Hugo In 1872 when
had the honor OF his acquaintance daresay be would
have opened it, First, because Lamartine was dead:
secondly. because France has produced poet since
Lamartne who could presume TO be Ills rival
IL owed to Tourguene my Introduction TO Victor Hugo
and Victor Hugo, In recognition OF this fact know
Ipe except AS ~ Faai de III. 7omgueneH My remnis-
Of him confined visits ride
on the top of an omnibus. His house in Avenue
dEyau Is regaly fitted up. with luxury almost Oriental
There display of Venetian glass and japanese
bronze in the salon which quite dazzling CurosItcs
and and costly brica-jrsc every available
spot But compared with Haueyie House. Hugos
residence the Isandl,ot Guernsey I'm the British
Channel, this Partisan abode is plain affair 10 was
during his exile believe he contracted his fondness for
candle light because the British Channel there are no
consolidated gas companies and the fine frenzy
had to be produced without this artificial aid The salon
in Avenue dEylau during my visit lighted by up
ward of eighty candles
Victor Hugos presence impressive his bear.
ing courtly and erect and his devoid Of
certanl ceremoniousness, which fiue mixture Of
friendlness and dignity It the Of the
democratic Senator but Of the Peer of France In 1879
he looked wonderfully vigorous; aud his gait aud voice
were those OF a youngman. His fine gray eyes shone
when he grew .animatet In conversation and hts
voice and fell with soft infections. When
lady entered he always greeted her with bow OF eK
treme courtesy and kiss upon her hand His daily life
regular the movements Of clock. 10 rose At
in the morning and worked until g. Then after light
breakfast 1t bis habit 10 climb DIP tie top OF an
omnibus and make his daily round Of the city. Tho
omnibus drivers all knew him. had many q chat with
him. and conded to him many bit Of pathetic autobL
ography. Hardly a day passed mo matter what the
weather that he ala make this Of specton
through the poorer quarters f the CITY SHE cherished
passionate devotion for Paris and felt kind Of propre
torshp in its sacred soil Who docs remember his
extravagant manifestoes during the Siege, when he
declared that II Paris fell civilization would be aecap
itated and would perish for want OF head In the
and drest lanes. where families packed
together like sailed mackere Victor Hugo often
during morning hours oonversing with ragged and
defiant ontcas and noting with a poets instinct what
might serve his literary purpose. About noon he
turned homo and unched and unless obliged to attend
the session OF the Senate he would occupy himself until
evening with literary work At dinner he appeared 70
best advantage Then his spirits high and his
versatonal powers most brilliant As Daucet once said
he ate with the magnificent insolenco OF a man who
always feels WELL bathes in cold water and works with his
windows OPEN" While the young authors and Deputies
his table, selecting carefully the most easily
dgestible dishes the hearty octogenarlaa consumed
tarts, cucumbcrs and lobster salads with superb
Germ
It's needless say that Victor Hugos receptions were
thirty persons present though week the largo
salon crowded. The poet would such occasions
rarely indulge social small talk but he woua after
half hour devoted to inquiries aud light
observations, usually get started grand topc
would henceforth Isolioquze to .rapt listeners His
manner that Of an inspired rhaps Odist He would
himself down the sofaand with his eyes toward
ceiling unron magnificent ystas of the worlds and
hunaniy's future. have In magazine article given
specimen Of his eloqusnce on such an occasion. Ho
talked when heari him. about the future OF Africa
and the whole discourse with It's brief epigr smmadc
sentences sounded de chapter from one OF his books
into aud altogether very absurd things
COMPANY bnrnei incense the host. and psriest
unconccn with which he received the nsuseatins
BATTERIES was amusing, to say the least.
My most memorable con! ersaton with Victor Hugo
change OF thought-came about quite without premeta-
ton was goug out to Passy and had Just composed
| I discovered that Victor Hugo was my neiglbor lie
returned nv greeting afably anu asked me II not
odd things about America recently In letters written
Frenchmen resident in New YORK aud he confessed that
ne was at loss 10 understand the social conditions
which prevailed side OF the Atlantic "The fact
is" he sad. = America dlsappoiats me- There is no
anything Of any consequences has happened In America
considerable event; and also quoted the observation
that the happest nations IKE the happiest womep were
There be no one who detcsts than do.
them with swords. Now, American history since tfs
Revolution seems devoid OF ideaty. Americans seem
tile banner OF idea aud stand forth before tho
world as the opponents OF t. They have no fratenai
conscious OF historic mission. and there is nothing
eyating TO a nation than that CONSEQUENCES"
sail in reply that thought he misap preheuded tho
American character. The dramatic element largely
lacking in ~; and the most unobtrnsive and uniTamao
way Of doing thing sure TO be the American
A for sympathy with the oppressed. venured 10 main
tain that 10 did exist but that inermeidng with foreign
politics for the purpose OF expressing ths sympathy
would necessilate standing army and navy which
the Instruments OF oppression which elcL
| ta,ei ourselves on having gotten rid Of
There Is much that IS plausible In what you say" no
answered; ant rs have not been Ia America cannot
OF course have absolute cona Ience ia my udsmcnt.
Bu great and rich republic Ike that-what vast deal
it could accomplish for humanity IL were conscious OF
grand cyilizng mission And the fact that II ncs
conscious OF sneh mission AMI feels no need 20 speH
it, own blessings TO others Who suffer- shows AN ignoe
materialstic ease which you must nave nber1ea IRON
~, IN E,rorc set ont 10 repuseanize the yvoriT
but Is content 10 let the woru alone, long "a
To complete the portrait OF Victor HUGO feel incllnei
| 20 relate ule anecdote which related to by
French OF letters who again had Il rem nber ot
the poets household Victor Hugo had for quarter 81
century m ancient domestic named Marianne, who was
FOR long rme high authority In the family. Like
other irresponsible rulers she at times inclined 70
Protestant with all her sOul During her masters exile,
however. be was at times obliged 10 employ ProieStanf
servants, with whom Marianne made haste to quarrel
She tainted them with their heresy and occasionally
boxed their ears. When complaint was made Victor
Hugo felt called upon 20 Interfere in behalf Of religious
liberty Seating himself upon the table IN tho Kitchen ne
would confront the irate defender OF the faith begin
a discourse the beauty Of charity. tue duty OF
neighbory love- the folly OF violence argameat
| in religious controversy. lie would end with
| peremptOry demand that Marianne should beg the
pardon OF the mo,ested Protestant In the evening AZ
Marianne waiting upon the table her master would
say In an underOne Well Marianne, have you
| I told yod r. And Marianne would reply in a choked
| whisper: 4" have, sir.
! After hearing his story could well realize Victor
| HugO's inability comprehend the condition OF thDT
in America such Ioey would scarcely he.s eriax
! masters eloquence did not prevent Marianne IRON
Selling the opportunity that offered itself for foxng
the ears OF Protests nsm. Possibly she enough Of
Frenchwoman to feel what distinction n was 20 have