Juliette DROUET writes to Victor HUGO about Napoleon III.

Juliette DROUET (1806-1883).

Autograph letter to Victor Hugo.

Four pages small in-16° on blue paper with frayed edges.

Brussels. Wednesday morning August 31 [18]70.

« I would give everything in the world so that our poor country comes out of this with honor, which becomes more and more difficult as long as Bonaparte reigns and reigns...»

Juliette laments to Hugo about the war of 1870 and the misdeeds of Napoleon III for France, and ends her missive by offering the great man all her love.

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“ Hello, my big, sweet beloved , how did you spend the night and how is your cold this morning? I hope that Mariette will bring me good news about it soon, as well as about Georges and Jeanne, about whom I adore more and more. As for me, I slept well. As for me, I slept well despite the incessant tumult of travelers begging for asylum at all costs, even in the courtyard of the hotel.

It seems that the flight from Paris is increasing by the hour, which does not prove as much security as we like to say among the so-called: well-informed . For my part, I would give everything in the world so that our poor country comes out of this with honor, which becomes more and more difficult as long as Bonaparte reigns and reigns with the red specter as his herald of arms. I don't know if it's the effect of the pale ray of sunshine this morning but I feel less discouraged than yesterday. What happiness if we could have less desperate news than yesterday!

In the meantime, I'm getting ready to have my molar extracted soon. This work is always unpleasant even when it doesn't hold any more than mine. Another problem is paying for it. I'll have to take your gold or mine. I'll see which is better, small or large pieces. Now that I've finished my little gossip, I'm giving you my heart and soul as a whole. »