The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-01

statistics 10 the fact that the Spanish army In
Cuba and elsewhere is an army of boys. Fully
nine-tanths of the rank and file are under age,
unframed. unseasoned. The wonder IL that so
large Q proportion Of them are able to survive
mere existence under military conditions In
he climate Of Cuba
The publication In Paris yesterday o. q vol
ume of private correspondence Of Victor Hugo
eerves to expose to the world how truly the
great poet was "a man Of like passions as we
are" His admirers will be more saddened
than edited by the revelation. Friendship
with him must have been q trying privilege.
for there Is abundant evidence of his morbid
conjuring up of fancied sliKhts and GOODNESS.
His relations with Sainte-Beuve, the critic,
who was his closest, friend for many years, are
most interesting. Sainte-Beuve -as unable to
prevent himself from falling desperately In
love with the poets wife, and therefore ceased
his visits to Hugo's house. The poet pressed
same time reproaching his friend for want Of
confidence in him.. Nevertheless the init
macy between the two men did not cease. and
. few years later we find Hugo writing to
tho other this remarkable letter:
did not wish to write 10 you with the impress
II was too sad and too bitter. / should have
. few days. To-day, at all events. | am calm.
and | can read your letter again without Ie-
me. / must tell you, did not tank that
what has passed between us, what Is known
70 US alone on =, cogid ever DO forgotten: especial!v
than for myselt-yoS arc very alforept from
our new friends have not made even the
shadow of your old ones fade from your
fwRAn ma In the most DAiDful mOmant of nv
life. when I had To choose between her aud
you; recollect what said 70 you. what l pro-
resolution, a. you know. of keeping my prom
Use. and doing what you wished. Recollect
written to me that l showed q want OF OPEN
ness, Of confidence and Of sincerity toward
ward. / forgive you from this moment Per-
haps q dav will como When you will not for
give yourself for IT,
sainte- Beuve's response seems TO have oom-
pletely changed the poets mood. Tor he writes
In answer;
I have Just received your letter, dear friend;
your conduct has been perfectly loyal; you
have mot intuJsd any one ii.hs s s si %H
happy imagination. MY ,frsndI' I love You
now more than ever. hate nyselt.it is
NO eIagRerattnn to say l hate myself for
being 30 foolish and morbid.
But the Irlenubnlp ulu NOT survive much
longer. and the finale was thus pronounced by
Hugo;
20 much hatred and SO many cowardly per-
secutlons have. now TO DO shared with me that
I thoroughly understand how even tho most
tried friendship relax and fall away. Fare
side in silence thai which was already dead
in you, and that which your letter killsin me.
Adieu.
It Is diflcult to understand Hugo's political
influence: in France-and In Europe after gain
ing the insight into his character and temperA-
mept which this book gives. Yet We must
credit him with remarkable foresight and
wisdom when he wrote in July, 1889:
We shall hav" a republic some dav. and
viii not be ripe an August We must know
France in Europe will be the crown OF our old
age. But we must not let our nag be smeared
with red by these blackguards.
The poets admirers will suffer the greatest
disappointment in reading two contrasted let
tiers written respectively in August. 1920, and
In February, 1888. In the FIRST no pays obse-
quious homage to Charles X. while In the sec
ond the future author of Napoleon 10 Petit"
declares himself an ardent supporter of thu
Eapoleonic dynasty. He wrote In 1899 to the
Minister of the Interior in response to notice
that his pension had been raised from 1000
francs 70 5000 francs, as compensation for the
censor's prohibition of his drama Marion
Dslorme."
I am deeply touched by the Kings kindness.
Ny devotion 10 the King, indeed, is sincere and
an old servant OF the State. Ny father and
two uncles served y forty, years with their
nate enough TO reader some humble services
70 the King and TO royalty. I have sold Ave
editions OF a book In which the name OF Bour-
bon Is found on every page. MonseiRneur, this
devotion is quite disinterested. Six years ago
the late King delgned to accord me by royal
ordinance. and simultaneously with my noble
friend NJ. de LamRrtine, a pension OF 1000
francs from the Literary t9ad Of the Ministry
OF the Interior. received this pension with
llclted IL. Monseigneur, this pension. modest
a. IL Is, is sufficient. for me. II is true tbat
tration by the King OF spain, contrary to the