HUGO Victor Besançon, 1802 - Paris, 1885, poète... Lot n° 317

Autograph letter, signed "Victor Hugo", addressed to Eugène Pelletan. "Hauteville house January 15" [1863?]; 3 pages in-12. In December 1861, Eugène Pelletan appeared before the 10th correctional chamber for a press offence and was sentenced to 3 months in prison, which he served in the "Pavillon des Princes" of St Pelagie. "Dear philosopher, all my soul is yours when I read you. This excerpt from the Holidays of Intelligence that a newspaper brings me, is a moving and profound page. It's kind of a double picture of where I am and where you are. I can see my face and the look on your face. I'm very close to you. Our two minds enter into each other; our two hearts enter into each other. Why isn't my exile prison when you're in it? Why isn't your prison exile when I'm in it? What sweet and good things we would say to each other between the four walls of St . Pelagia that you have inhabited, or between the two infinite ones of the sky and the sea that I inhabit. What a voluptuous mixture of austere thoughts! I have read your Babylon [The New Babylon. Letters from a Provincial published in 1862] applauding on every page. Mr Lacroix has probably told you that in Brussels I was constantly preaching a book by you to him. A novel by you, summing up in a human and social idea, all your current power, would, I am sure, be a resounding success. It comes in memory of a writer like you is one of the needs of his time. You... are light. What would become, without men like you, this sad cruel world which has two poles, crime and vice, and where matter makes the night. I'm indulging in conversation with you as I would with Plato. But with valiant Plato. So intrepid serenity in the face of persecution of all kinds is one of the beautiful spectacles of this time. See you soon, right? Or? Everywhere. I hope to shake your hand soon. I don't have enough room left to tell you how much I love you. Victor Hugo." He adds across both pages: "Your admirable pages