New-York tribune., 1903-01-20
VICTOR HUG0'S GUERNSEY HOME.
It Has Some Curious Features,

From The Pail Mall Gazette.
One of the most interesting sights of Guern-
sey is the old residence of Victor Hugo. where
he indulged all his fancies, bestrode most of his
hobbies and did. almost incidentally, much of
his most enduring literary work Here. for ex-
ample, he gave rein to his enthusiasm for all
things oaken, and the result is truly wonder
full collection, of which perhaps the most dis,
tinguished single item is the carved oedsteao
of Francis l of France. Another very unusual
oak article is a huge seven -branched candeabra-
which he made himself but never used Many
of the paintings and carvings all over the house
were the work of the great novelist, ana IN no
one of his books is the originality of his mind
or the full merit of his artistic conceptions
brought home to the reader it is in the course
of an hours ramble through the beautiful island
home which still seems TO breathe his living
personality.
The study wherein much of Victor Hugos
literary work was performed is on the roof and
built mostly of glass. He always wrote stand
ing, and his desk nothing more than shelf
of black wood fastened by hinges to the wall.
such is often in the halls of middle class
houses for the convenience of table service.
Next door to this glass study is what the novel;
list called his day bedroom, where it his
bit to rest in the middle of the day. The
name, however, is distinctly misnomer. The
only noteworthy furniture of the apartment con-
sisted of long thick velvet cushion placed
the floor, which the author wont to lie
for an hour or two at stretch contemplating
the magnificent view commanded by the Win
dows. The visitor. on entering the apartment,
is at once struck by the cracked appearance of
the walls Investigation proves that innumer-
able cupboards flush with the wall account for
this peculiarity; and Ii was on these shelves
that the MSS. of all Victor Hugo's greatest
works were laid day by day till they reached
completion Next in interest TO these two rooms
comes the dining room, tiled from floor to ceiling
with Dutch tiles, which give most curious
and somewhat cold effect. The furniture is oak,
but the mantelpece. of very quaint shape tiles
Also and washhand basin let into the wall and
provided with china taps, for ablutions before
and after meals, strike another original note
Facing this lavabo on the opposite wall, stands
small pedestal attached to the wall, bearing
a huge and particularly hideous china salt Gel
lar, the work Of pupil of Mchelangelo, and
valued at 5000. Four golden figures and a
beautiful Venetian glass chandelier both from
the palace Of the Doge are also remarkable
features. The hall is partly hung in ancient
tapestry, and reception room is completely
draped therein; but, though of value it required
a connoisseur to appreciate the workmanship
and artistic beauty at its true merit.
The house is very well situated in it's own
grounds exceedingly quiet and a spot con-
ducive in every way to literary effort. To know
the home of Victor Hugo is in a special sense
to know the man, for his touch is everywhere.
and the impression OF its owner which is al
ways drawn from visit to any house is in this
case clear and vivid to unique degree.