233 - HUGO (Victor), 1802–1885.

HUGO (Victor), 1802–1885. Autograph letter signed “Victor Hugo,” Marine Terrace [Jersey], February 8 (1853), 3 pp., in-12 format, addressed to Mr. Courmeaux; traces of wax seals with a small tear. A beautiful letter on the solidarity among exiles of the Second Empire across borders and the genesis of “Les Châtiments.” In exile in Jersey, Hugo writes to his former companion from his time in exile in Brussels, Eugène Courmeaux (1817–1902)—a librarian in Reims, journalist, and staunch republican who was also exiled following the coup d’état: “[...] “You are among the few men like this whom I have known since December 2, and who make me grateful for exile.” He would like to see him join this small republican community in Jersey: “[...] Will you ever come? At times I find myself wishing that they would harass you terribly over there [...]” Above all, Hugo confesses to being entirely absorbed by his work: “For three months I have been overwhelmed by work. I’m in need of poetry.” He was then working feverishly on *Les Châtiments*, the great satirical collection against Napoleon III that would be published in Brussels a few months later. He speaks emotionally of their friend Noël Madier de Montjau (1814–1892), a former representative from Saône-et-Loire, a member of the Montagne faction, and of the committee resisting the coup d’état. It was Madier who, on behalf of the exiles, had delivered one of the farewell speeches to Hugo in Antwerp on August 1, 1852, just before Hugo’s departure for London and then Jersey. Hugo says he is still “deeply moved and stirred by that magnificent farewell.” The letter concludes by addressing the dissensions plaguing the community of exiles. Hugo, who was then actively working to maintain unity among the Republicans in Jersey, contrasted their relative harmony with the quarrels among the exiles in London: “Living here in peace among ourselves—that is the great and immediate service we can render to the Republic. God willing, we will do the rest.” Attached to it on a loose sheet of paper was a red wax seal bearing Victor Hugo’s seal (“ΑΝΑΡΚΗ”).