New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-12
LIES MISERABLES."
THE STORY OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION
OF HUGO's ROMANCE.

The recent centenary of Victor Hugo was the
occasion for NJ. Adolphe Brisson to contribute
TO the Temps" of Paris, a couple Of long arti-
cles describing an interview with NJ. Albert
I.acroix who was the publisher of Hugo's Les
Miserables. NJ LacroiX, in 1861, having at
that time associated himself with his com
patriot VerboekhoVen, in Brussels, heard the
report that Hugo had finished book with the
title Les AIisera bles." They determined to be-
come its publishers. They opened negotiations
with the great author then an exile in Guernsey
through his son Charles To him Victor Hugo
wrote his terms. He demanded 100000 francs.
cash down. for exclusive rights for eight years
He reserved the right Of translation; but with
that the price would be 100000 francs. He
thus describes his manuscript in letter dated
September 5. 1861:
The work is not political. The part dealing
with politics is purely Observation-Disclosures,
Louis PhiIippe'5 reign, the instruction or June
1892; the book beginning in 1918, closes In
1895 So it has no allusion TO the present gov
eminent Furthermore ii is a drama, a social
drama, the drama of our society and our times
II will include eight volumes at least perhaps
nine and VIII be divided into three parts. each
having a special title and intended to appear
hshers-once a month, for instance. The re-
vision which I shall make will be finished in
two months at the latest. II might therefore
appear in February. like 'Notre Dame de
Paris" And if il were February Is, it would be
Just thirty years afterward to a day. That
'1:3" has brought no bad luck to 'Notre Dame.
Iacroix was already excited over the prospect
Of getting the book; but to please his partner he
raised two objections relating TO its length and
the price asked for it. Hugo promptly answered
both. He wrote on September 20:
The plot is continuous The three parts bear
special titles. but the whole book relates to one
chief parsonage. What you say about long
novels does not seem to me TO be borne out by
the facts Of the publishing business Few sue
cesses are comparable TO those OF 'Gn Bias"
Don Quixote" and ''Clarissa Harlowe." three
long novels. The price I named is equivalent
TO about 10000 francs a volume, for an eight
years privilege. II is very moderate. For a
single edition of 'Notre Dame de Paris" / got
a royalty of 10000 francs
Lacroix then paid visit TO Guernsey TO talk
over the details with Victor Hugo. He tells
graphically his palpitation meeting the great
man; OF their walk through the town, Of Hugo's
ceaseless flow of stories; OF their return to the
lookout in Hugo's house. when Lacroix turned
TO him and said. Master. agreed? I will
sign in advance whatever you please" Victor
Hugo handed him a pen, piece of paper and
said. Write" Without hesitation he dictated
q contract in all its details It called for pay
rnent Of 10000 francs for Les Miserables,"
$4,000 on delivery of the manuscript. which
was 10 take place between November Is and
December 10; 10000 two months after the pub
LEGATION Of the first part. and the remaining
5000 two months after the publication of the
second part. Lacroix signed it. He had not a
cent in the world
There was also agreement in case the pub
Mcation was prohibited by the French Govern
rnent-what Hugo called secret treaty" to
be kept till IT should prove to be needed. II the
publication punished with a fine, Hugo
agreed to pay the fine and II It was prohibited
he prolonged the exclusive rights number of
years equal 10 those for which the book should
be kept back by the government. Before he
signed his name Lacroix seized with a
desire. He the of the desk en-
enormous pile Of blackened pages. It was the