The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-12-16
VICTOR HUGO
Subject Of Closing Lecture by
Leon \. Vincent.

1be fourth and nnal lecture in the
| course entitled -Four Evenings with a
Master by that scholar and master in
! English literature. Mr.. Leon II. Vincent.
| was given in the Mathewson Street NJ
y. church before a cultivated audience
last evening literary treat IL Il in
deed, to sit for an hour and listen to
such a master In literary style as Is Mr.
Vincent and his presentation OF Victor
Hugo"-his life and works-last evening.
was certainly distinct and apart from the
stereotyped style Of the general run of
lectures on literary themes.
In opening his lecture the speaker dwelt
briefly on Hugo's pre-eminence in
America and called attention TO the op-
posite view taken In his native land
where his -eminence as master in
literary style has ever been a mooted
question.
Here we think of his successes" he
said. "and over In France they think of
his failures. He had many enemies, but
for a man OF Victor Hugo's peculiar tenn
permanent. not to have had enemies would
be TO be deprived Of half the pleasures of
life He loved his enemies but not in
the Scriptural sense"
Continuing. the speaker gave a most
delightful biographical sketch OF Hugo
dwelling first upon his precocious youth.
He then turned 10 a description OF
Hugo's struggle against the classic
school OF literature In behalf OF the .ro-
mantle school giving a vivid word pic
ture Of his dramas and the presenta ton
OF the first Of his plays in the royal
theatre In Paris.
The circumstances which led TO his book
The History OF Crime" were also most
graphically pictured, together with the
events which led to his exile to the lonely
islands In the British Channel, where ~
years were spent
The speaker explained that these 10
years were the most active OF Hugo's
life. when all his great novels were writs
ten and that immortal epic poem In prose.
Les Miserables." was given to the world
The lecturer gave most interesting
criticism OF Hugo's masterpiece, Les
Miserabies. and the literary character
lstlcs which have made II great
1T is read by all Americans" he said.
who never read Dumas. interesting a.
he IL, or George Sand. The first volume
appeared in April. 1852. and was every
where read ana translated into almost
every language" The speaker explained
also. that the peculiar style OF Hugos
prose is very easy OF imitation and quoted
an extract from Charles Dudley Warner
10 Illustrate MS point.
The last part OF the lecture was de-
voted to an account Of the downfall Of
the existing government, Of which Hugo
was So eloquent an opponent. his return
to-his native land and his royal welcome
home and his serene old age
From 1872 TO 1895" said the speaker.
he lived bis lIfe OF ease and produced
many books, and even today his manu-
scripts are still being published He was
Owed and worshipped by his people. His
after days were full OF serenity: he was
Young for his years-active !
md fond OF out-ofdoor life.
"IIe died on the I'D Of MAY and In a /
he left these words: II /
rive 5000 francs TO the poor. ! Wish 20 4
be taken TO my grave I'm a pauper's !
learse; refuse the prayers OF the
'hurch. but I ask the prayers OF every
human soul" and funeral so impress
i've had not been seen since Napoleon
was brought back from st. Helena