(No. 14.)—Bro. Victor Hugo At Home.

and , iu appearance , would not make a bad representative of an English country gentlemen if he Avere divested of the sugar-loaf wide-a-wake hat which is particularly dear to the hearts of Frenchmen and Americans . What struck us most in his manner , Avas the aspect of calm strength Avhich it Avore . It seemed as if a king among men was

content to set aside his majesty , Avhile serenely conscious of his regal power . But the most striking feature of M . Hugo is the glance Avhich flashes ever and anon from his " eyes of liquid fire , " and we can Avell understand IAOAV his attitude

in the French Chamber when agitated with indignation , must have been at once grand and over-Avhelming . Was it not in Charlotte Bronte ' s "Shirley " that the theory was broached as to the ennobling

power of man ' s attachment to animals ? Certainly Ave have ourselves noticed that those Avho are kind to dogs and other dumb friends , are generally distinguished by some good qualities though they may not possess all the virtues . M . Hugo

possesses a beautiful Italian greyhound , between Avhich and its master there is a strong mutual affection . It is a charming sight to see the great author and his dog together on the little haven at Hauteville House .

We were curious to ascertain Avhat the Guernsey people thought of Mr . Hugo ' s "Toilers of the Sea , " seeing that the scene of the tale Avas laid in the island . That book Ave found to be naturally the best known of all M . Hugo ' s Avorks ,

but we heard no two opinions as to the absolute impossibility of the story . On the principle that the highest attainment of enius is to make the

impossibility appear real , M . Hugo may be said to have succeeded best in the " Toilers ot the Sea , " but Ave confess that Ave much prefer " Les Miserables . " The kindness of M . Hugo to the

fellow-compatriots who are driven to Guernsey for refuge is very remarkable , and is in our judgment the noblest feature in his character . Many are those , Avho Aveak , enfeebled , and in poverty , have sought his counsel and assistance , and never have they been refused . A fellow-countryman in distress needs no passport to the heart of Victor Hugo .

The charity of M . Hugo is not limited in its scope to persons of French birth , but is extended to deserving objects of every class . His dinners to poor children have become celebrated among

all nations , and have served as examples for many noble works of charity elseAvhere . During our visit to Guernsey M . Hugo ' s "Hermania" Avas played at the theatre in the presence of the author , and we much regret that our health

did not admit of our Avitnessing a scene which may one day suggest a fine subject for the exercise of the painter ' s genius . It is to be regretted that M . Hugo has not learnt to speak English . The explanation of this

strange fact is , Ave are informed , that he is afraid to corrupt his knoAvledge of the French language , of Avhich heis undoubtedly the most perfect Master

in the world . Yet Ave cannot help feeling that Hus-o Avould have been dearer to the hearts of Englishmen , if during his long residence under the British CroAvn he had thought it worth his Avhile to study our language . It is however right

to add that M . Hugo's son , Charles Victor , is an excellent English scholar , and has translated Shakespeare most felicitously . We were indebted to Mr . De Putran , an intimate friend of M . Hugo ' s , for an introduction to

the post , Avho on being reminded of our father ' s visit to him in Paris , gave us a very friendly greeting and spoke of the late Mr . Oobden and others , who at that time were also his guests .

On every New Year ' s Day M . Hugo distributes special gifts to his "dear children , " and is accustomed to deliver an address to the visitors who attend on the occasion . This peaceable and benevolent manifesto furnishes a striking contrast to

some of the Avarlike and meaning speeches delivered by his great rival at the Tuilleries on New Year's Day . Many persons of distinction are present at M . Hugo ' s feast of January anniversaries , and this year Mrs . Lynn Liuton , the popular

authoress , was among the visitors , and subsequently Avrote to the Guernsey Star a letter referring to the subject . There we met a good Catholic priest Avho kindly explained to us many matters of interest concerning M . Hugo , to Avkom . Ave had

not then been introduced , and Ave venture to say that Protestanism would be not less popular if some of its clergymen were to learn a little politeness from some of their Romish brethren . The aspect of too many of our clergy is that of

animated pokers , while Catholic priests are generally characterised by the most pleasant and uncondesceuding politeness , but an infatuated Protestant friend of ours says "that's Jesuitism . " Our previous statement that Victor Hugo was