" Four thousand copies sold in one month in Paris, the edition already sold out, that's good. I think this book will have something of the fortune of Notre Dame de Paris ."
5.500€
Victor Hugo (1802.1885)
Autographed letter to Noël Parfait, in Brussels.
Two and a half pages in-8°. Autograph address, stamp and postal cancellations.
Hauteville house. November 8 and 10 [1859]
"I believe this book will have something of the fortune of Notre Dame de Paris". »
An important letter from the poet concerning the recent publication of his first collection, * La Légende des siècles* (The Legend of the ). The first series, published at the end of September 1859, unleashed a torrent of criticism and admiration throughout Europe. Hugo disregarded the former: " For thirty years, I haven't read a word […] of what has been written against me," and shamelessly sent the opposing press to the latrines of Guernsey. He rejoiced in the admiration, congratulating himself on the publishing success of his work: " Four thousand copies sold in one month in Paris, the edition already sold out, that's good. I believe this book will have something of the fortune of Notre Dame de Paris ."
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“I recognize your kind and dear handwriting on a tape; I open it and find on this tape a Catholic jumble of words entitled ‘The Deaf Man of Brussels.’ Don’t send me any more of this. For thirty years, I haven’t read a single word (those who know me well will attest to this) of what has been written against me . Not a Planche, not a Veuillot, not a Caro, not even a Barbet, has had the pleasure of saying that they had me as a reader. I have other things to do, life is short ; the few minutes I can spare outside of the work that is my function and my duty, I reserve for my friends; as for my enemies, I have nothing for them, I don’t even have time to give them a disdainful smile .”
Charles [Charles Hugo, his son] read three lines of the said Belgian clerical scribbling, then decimated it in the toilet, without any opposition from me. I simply told him: wherever you like .
10 9 bre . – This had been written for two days when I received from you, oh dear and charming friend, yet another Brussels newspaper , yet another Catholic tirade. This one in the Universel , signed M. This capital letter was rightfully in the toilet ; like the other one, and it goes without saying that neither I, nor anyone here, has read a thing about it. If I had been Voltaire, I would have, without anger, blown my nose with Nonotte and wiped myself with Patouillet. *
What I thank you for, dear Parfait, is your letter, in which you poured all your kind and charming soul. Besides, the news is good: four thousand copies [of The Legend of the Ages ] sold in a month in Paris, the edition already sold out—that's excellent. I believe this book will have something of the success of Notre Dame de Paris .
Don't worry about the Independent Review , I've made inquiries, it's a classic doctrinaire piece, written in Anglo-French, printed in London, read nowhere.
Emile Allix has arrived. So I've received everything: copies from Paris and Belgian copies! – Thank you for checking whether those in London had theirs. – By the way , did [Désiré] Bancel get his? And Frédérix? And Van Hasselt? Allix tells me that the honorable Proudhon, former chess partner of [?] this quasi-approver of December 2nd, is furious with * La Légende des siècles* . That goes without saying. This good man is the Chrysalus of bloated socialism. He adores Boileau, and rightly so. Along with the letter for Hetzel, I'm sending you one for Deschanel and one for Mr. Gruson. Would you be so kind as to take care of them? Yours sincerely.
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* Claude Adrien Nonnotte (1711-1793), author of Voltaire's Errors, and Louis Patouillet (1699-1779): “He is more famous for Voltaire's sarcasms than for his writings”.
Former Jacques Martin Collection.