The evening times., 1895-09-10
Things Foreign.

The memoirs Of Prince Stanislas Ponia-
towski, now in course Of publication, will
be OF unusual interest. The Prince was
lOrn in Poland in 754. He was nephew
of King Stanislas Augustus Poniatowski,
for whom the favor OF Catherine the Great
| secured the throne OF Poland. During the
sixty SIX years of his life the author of these
memoirs witnessed many things. Contem-
| porary OF Louis XIV, Frederick the Great,
Maria Theresa, Catherine OF Russia. and OF
Napoleon, his birth gave him access to a
| great number OF illustrious persons. His
! rapid notes are full of interest and unknown
anecdotes. Prince Stanislas took an active
part In the events which preceded the last
struggle OF Poland for independence. After
the partition, he went to st. Petersburg,
where he saw the great Catherine for the
last time. He says OF her: 1.-The general
idea OF the Empress Is very different from
the reality. Her conversation was simple,
natural and highly instructive A stranger
would have taken her for the wife OF a
burgomaster, or some rich and enlightened
merchant, and such it pleased her to be at
times when she saw in it no Inconvenience
from quitting ner great role. The only
moments when she showed the autocratic
spirit were hen she spoke Of her empire;
then she became gradually carried away.
And, indeed, was she not speaking OF one
fifth OF the globe?"
At the top of a house at the>Rue des
Saints Peres, in Paris, N. Koch, pro-
lessor of the university, nephew of Nine.
Drouet, who, as will be well remembered,
was the Interpreter Of 'Lucrece Borgia,'
and later one of the most intimate friends of
Victor Hugo, has established a little
memorial museum, furnished with objects
once belonging TO the great man. Respect
is due to the sincerity of NJ. Koch's en-
thusiasm, but what Il singular Victor Hugo
one discovers in this sanctuary. Among
other things one notes by the side OF objects
collected on the field of Waterloo during
the genesis OF LES Miserables," pebbles
from Jersey. an assortment OF goose quill
pens, a dirty cap, an old leather portfolio
and no one knows what beside. All these
fragments are ornamented with small la
bels on which Victor Hugo has certified
that they have belonged to him, and that
be guarantees their authenticity. There
is something ludicrous about it. 1t is a fact
that even at a time when he was far from
being deified, Victor Hugo distributed
his relics with a certificate of geDuineness.
Pebbles from jersey generally bore large
signature in ink, with the date. And he
W rote: II attest having Travelled 500
leagues with this bag, which contained the
manuscript of Les Miserables.' The
room contains a table of the style of Louis
XIII, covered with plate glass, under which
in letters Of large dimensions, is this in
scriptioD: II present to Nine. Drouet this
table on which l wrote La Legende des
Siecles.' Victor Hugo, jersey, August 16,
A1s59." The owner of the table relates
that, one day, a new servant took sponge
with the intent of Cleaning the table,
and was prevented by the entrance Of one
of the family. A workman, called in haste.
placed the glass, thus protecting the in
scription from future danger. 1t is al
most to be regretted, for the sake of Hugo's
memory, that the arm of the servant was ar
rested. The table would have remained
an authentic souvenir of a masterpiece
happily But why should the deformities
of q great man be set in relief?