Victor Hugo And Politics

Víctor Hugo, in spite of everything that has been said to the contrary, was distinctly not a republican at the outset of bis caieer, and is more than questionable wbether he would have ever becorue the blataut one he did if Louis Philippe and Louis Napoleon had cousented to take hün at his own valuation as a statesman. Berauger, who was a republican pure and simple, notwithstanding his supposed sbare in the establishment of Louis Philippe on the French throne, summed np Victor Hugo's republicanism in one line. One day, shortly after the February revolntiou which overtopped that throne - as itwould seem forever - an acquaintancë of Beranger met him comiug out of the Palais Bourbon. "I shall feel obliged, " the poetsaid, "if youwillsee me home, for I do not feel at all wel!. Those violent scènes inside there are not to my taste." This, pointing to the erstwbile residence of the illegitimate daughter of Lonis XIV by Mme. de Montespau, better known as the widow of that mischievous dwarf Louis, third duke de ÉSonrbon -Conde, the sniall minded and sruall bodied son of the great Conde. "I am not at all well," he repaated with a wistful smile. "I have been accused of baving held the plank over which Louis Philippe wnt to the Tuileries. I wish I could be the bridge across the ehauuel on which he would return now. Cerliainly, I would have liked a republic, but not one such as we are having iu (here. " And his haud pointed once more t;o the home of the constituent asserubly. "You onght to be pleased," remarked his interlocutor. "Victor Hugo is in the name regiment with you." "Victor FTncn ia nnt in tho reaiment : he is in the