Lettre autographe signée inédite à Jules Hetzel : "Je vous écris ces quatre lignes en toute hâte"

Autograph letter signed by Victor Hugo dated May 13, 1856. A page with a folded sheet with watermark "Barbet Smith Street Guernsey".
Published in Correspondence de Victor Hugo , Paris, year 1856, p. 246
transcription letter Adèle Hugo (probably unpublished)
"Guernsey May 11 [1856]
Hauteville House
Very dear madam, thank you for your good memory, thank you for autograph dedication of the author us your pain (?). Alas we mourn our loves, which filled our youth, faith does not prevent suffering and then everything is dark, barely a gleam. It is something that this manifestation about contemplations, but that it is far from the real rebellion. Finally it is equal, it is one more ray in our exile.
And your children as they should surround you, your Hélène, she is an angel of [], does she remember me a little? She may want to marry and give you small children, it's a whole future for you.
Has Robert finished his lessons? Tell me a lot about them. Do you still live in your house, that I see you thinking that I live with you.
My children are doing well, and live at work, they have the material and the test for teaching, it is a little rough but it is beneficial.
We are much reduced (seduced?) Now in Guernsey. The expulsion from Jersey was widely dispersed. Mr B [Napoleon III] knew well what he was doing by demanding expulsion but also the small nucleus here is strong and resolute, which is worth the number.
You promised me madam a portrait of our great sculptor. I have a room where all the dear flyers are, this beautiful soul has a guarded place. ah! do not forget me !
I […] dear friend, my hand kisses your hands, your memory is with all of us, here below and above.


transcription letter Victor Hugo

"Guernsey, May 13 [1856].
I do not want, madam, for this letter to leave without bearing my thanks, my respect and my memory. You are the widow of our great David d'Angers, and you are his worthy widow as you were his worthy wife.
At this hour, whenever I turn to the homeland, it is only to the shadows that I turn, for that is where glory, pride, greatness of souls, light are; and there is now more life in the dead than in the living.
David is one of the shadows I talk to most often, shadow myself. My exile is as a neighbor of his tomb, and I distinctly see his great soul out of this world, as I see his great life in the severe history of our time. Be proud, madam, of the grave and illustrious name you carry. David is today a figure of memory, a famous marble, an inhabitant of the pedestal after having been the worker. Today, death has crowned man and statuary is a statue. The shadow it casts on you, madam, gives your life the form of glory.
I am glad that the book of Contemplations has been read by you. You have found our dear memories and our common aspirations. Exile has that good, that it puts the seal on the man and that it preserves the soul as it is.
Before long, perhaps, madam, my family will ask you to give him back this bust which is my figure, which is little, but which is a masterpiece of David, which is everything. He's him even more than me, and that's why we want to have him with us.
I put at your feet my tender and respectful friendship.
unpublished postscript: would you be good enough to have this letter mailed. Many thanks, hope, madam. VH
VH "