Victor HUGO (1802-1885). L.A.S. "V.H.", Guernsey, Hauteville - Lot 24

Victor HUGO (1802-1885). L.A.S. "V.H.", Guernsey, Hauteville house May 6, 1857, to Alphonse de Lamartine; 1page in-8 with erasures and corrections. Summons to explain himself after an allusion to the Châtiments in the Cours familier de littérature. [Lamartine had violently attacked satirical poets, likening them to executioners: "This is not the trade of immortals. These are the kind of glories we repent of; we must deny them to ourselves, if not out of respect for our enemies, at least out of respect for ourselves"...] "There is no ambiguity between us. All the outlaws around me here unanimously believe that it was I whom you meant in your interview XVI, page 263. I don't have to explain myself on writings which are the very function of my life and which sum up for me duty in its highest sense. But I must ask you a question. As for me, I'll keep my personal feelings in abeyance until you've answered. Answer me yes or no. The friendships of thirty-seven years must last or end in frankness"... He adds, as a postscript: "I know, through Béranger, that you know the book entitled Châtiments."