VICTOR HUGO (1802-85)
A 2pp. a.l.s.. dated Samedi 7 Aout [185?], Hauteville House [Guernsey], to Charles Ribeyrolles in Brasil, in answer to his letter. He appreciates the ardour of his friendship ('Je vous remercie d' avoir incrusté mon nom dans le diamant de votre livre'), and praises his descriptions of Brazil ('Quel monument vous élevez à ce Brésil, au soleil, à la nature, à la vèrité et à vous-même. Votre lettre m' a ému au fond de coeur; elle a fait trois jours la causerie et la joie de ma famille qui vous aime, il me semble que vous en êtes, tant vous lui manquez!); and another a.l.s. by Hugo, dated 7th November 1859, thanking Mademoiselle Vauthier for a book she has sent him, but marvelling at the length of time it has taken to arrive. (2)
Lot Essay
Before his departure for Brazil, where he died of yellow fever, Charles Ribeyrolles had been editor-in-chief of L' Homme, the organ of the French refugee element in Guernsey.