Authors, French -- 19th century -- Biography; Autobiographies; Hugo, Victor, 1802-1885
I entertained my usual Sunday guests. We had fish, butter and white
bread for dinner.
February 6.--Bourbaki, defeated, has killed himself. A grand death.
Ledru-Rollin is drawing back from the Assembly. Louis Blanc came and
read this news to me to-night.
February 7.--We had three or four cans of preserves which we ate to-day.
February 8.--To-day, elections for the National Assembly. Paul Meurice
and I went to vote together in the Rue Clauzel.
After the capitulation had been signed, Bismarck, on leaving Jules
Favre, entered the room where his two secretaries were awaiting him and
said: “The beast is dead.”
I have put my papers in order in anticipation of my departure.
Little Jeanne is very merry.
February 11.--The counting of the votes progresses very slowly.
Our departure for Bordeaux has been put off to Monday the 13th.
February 12.--Yesterday, for the first time, I saw my boulevard. It is
a rather large section of the old Boulevard Haussmann. “Boulevard Victor
Hugo” is placarded on the Boulevard Haussmann at four or five street
corners giving on to this boulevard.
The National Assembly opens to-day at Bordeaux. The result of the
elections in Paris has not yet been determined and proclaimed.
While I have not yet been appointed, time presses, and I expect to leave
for Bordeaux to-morrow. There will be nine of us, five masters and four
servants, plus the two children. Louis Blanc wants to leave with us. We
shall make the journey together.
In my hand-bag I shall take various important manuscripts and works that
I have begun, among others, _Paris Besieged_ and the poem “Grand Père.”
February 13.--Yesterday, before dinner, I read to my guests, M. and Mme.
Paul Meurice, Vacquerie, Lockroy, M. and Mme. Ernest Lefevre, Louis Koch
and Vilain (Rochefort and Victor did not arrive until the dinner hour),
two pieces of poetry which will form part of Paris Besieged (“To Little
Jeanne,” and “No, You will not Take Alsace and Lorraine”).
Pelleport brought me our nine passes. Not having yet been proclaimed
a Representative, I wrote on mine: “Victor Hugo, proprietor,” as the
Prussians require that the quality or profession of the holder of the
pass be stated.
It was with a heavy heart that I quitted this morning the Avenue Frochot
and the sweet hospitality that Paul Meurice had extended to me since my
arrival in Paris on September 5.
THE ASSEMBLY AT BORDEAUX. EXTRACTS FROM NOTE-BOOKS.
February 14.--Left yesterday at 12.10 P.M. Arrived at Etampes at 3.15.
Wait of two hours, and luncheon.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account