Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 September 1879 — Hugo’s Home. [ARTICLE]

Hugo’s Home.

• The salon is hung with red silk, bordered with yellow bands. Over the fireplace is a Venetian looking glass, Venetian brackets, and the chandelier is also old Venetian, with colored arms. Upon a clock, in the middle of the mantelpiece, is placed a Japanese elephant, with his fighting castle. The body of the elephant is of gilded bronze, with his trunk raised in the air. An old piece of furniture, inlaid with steel, a Louis XV. clock, representing Time and his scythe, a sofa and chairs in velvet and silk, complete the furniture of the room, the ensemble of which conveys an impression of luxury together with a taste for the beautiful things of art. Mme. J. Drouet’s customary place is upon the sofa to the left of the fireplace, and here she holds, as it were, her private reception, while the master occupies the sofa on the other side, and is always to be found in that portion of the room, standing or sitting. Extremely courteous with ladies, he kisses their hand when he salutes them, is very spiritualistic, and every evening discourses upon the immortality of the soul. Once, at least, in the course of the evening he feels tho necessity of speaking upon religion and on the ideal; he is also very fond of anecdote, tells a story admirably, if a little slowly, and possesses a wonderful memory which never by any chance fails him. Beyond the saloon is a smaller room, hung in splendid Cordova leather. The bedroom and dressing-room of the poet are on the first floor. The garden is charming, with fine trees, and the kitchen large and comfortable, leaving nothing to be desired. M. and Mme. Lockroy inhabit a small house next door, and communicating with that of the poet.