George SAND - Autograph letter signed to V. HUGO. Wretched.

George Sand (1804.1876)

Autograph letter signed to Victor Hugo.

Four pages in-8° on paper in his number.

Nohant, May 6, 1862.

« Be calm deep down, you hold in your hands a great current of the destinies of our time.»

George Sand announces to Hugo the marriage of his son Maurice, then marvels at the power of Hugo's masterpiece, Les Misérables , thus erasing the broad criticisms expressed in his letter of April 17.

“ Master, I would think I was failing in the affection that is due to you, and that I owe you on my own account, if I did not inform you of my domestic events. They are my whole life, and as high as you are, you have proven more than anyone that you put family in your heart and in your instincts well above glory. My son is getting married, he is marrying Miss Calamatta, the kind and charming daughter of one of my oldest and dearest friends. The four of us have known each other, her since she was born, the other three for thirty years. So we have joy without fear and emotion without pain. We are very happy in the expectation and faith of a life of love and mutual trust. If destiny betrays us, it will not be the fault of any of us, for we have not sacrificed to the false gods of this age of bronze, who are nothing but pride, lies and greed. You can well imagine, dear Master, that we read you more than once. Everyone in the family wants to read to you alone first and then we talk about it and then we read together. These prefer one side, one situation, those another aspect of the picture. I sometimes cry out against a little too much Christianity because of the times in which we live, and where we must stand together against the fallacious people who exploit the doctrine. But I am rereading the death of the old constitutionalist, another grandiose side of the work and then, these discussions that you raise are great proof of your authority . We discuss the actions of sovereigns and this is something other than one-day royalty. Be calm in the end, you hold in your hands a great current of the destinies of our time , the current which precipitates us all, the docile as well as the rebels, towards the shores where we fail only to founder. Believe, dear Master, in my very deep and devoted feelings. George Sand. Nohant May 6, 1862. If Madame Hugo has returned to you, offer her all my affectionate compliments. You must have learned with pleasure of the brilliant success that Paul Meurice has just achieved. He is one of your most devoted disciples and a great talent with a noble heart. For these three reasons, I signed the piece with him. »

This same May 6, 1862, Hugo took up his pen to regret to Sand his critical letter towards Les Misérables of April 17: “ Your letter saddened me… ”. The letters will cross. On May 11, Sand finally wrote to Hugo of his admiration; then on the 18th, Hugo returns to this literary misunderstanding: “It is sweet to be hurt by the goddesses when it is by them that we are healed. Thank you for your two exquisite and good letters…. »