"REMINISCENCES" 



1878. 



ALBANY, N. Y., United States of North America, January 25, 1878- 



To the Citizen VICTOR Huao, Paris. 

 Sir ! or Citizen ! 



I know not how to address you to be heard from the 

 obscure station where I am, to attain the summit ! where you are. 

 It is half a century (there are forty years I have left France, 

 and I shouldnot hurry to visit her, were it not that the Republic 

 begins to shine there, though with a very dim light, just bright 

 enough to read the name of the thing) that your name sounds 

 in my ear, and when it is not the name, it is the vibration, that 

 induces me to write you to ask you a great favor for me, for us, 

 I and my wife, species of Philemon and Baucis, intend to visit 

 the Urbs par excellence, Paris. When there, we wish to press 

 the liand that has written the chapter ("in the Miserables") 

 " Une Lumiere Inconnue " " An Unknown Light," and very many 

 things besides, " Gaumn ! and Cimourdain ! " 93, ! ! ! etc., etc. 

 I hardly hope that you will answer us. At all events, permit us, 

 at least in imagination, to press your hand with our hearts united* 

 Your sincere admirers, 



L. MENAND AND A. MENAND. 



ALBANY, March 15, 1878. 

 To Citizen VICTOR HUGO. 



Thanks ! many thanks ! our project ta 



visit France, Paris, this year shall be realized since you have de- 

 cided it, by your answer. I was afraid you had taken me for a 

 hunter of autographs, it was not that, nevertheless I am very 

 proud to have it in such a circumstance. 



We shall not abuse of your time; just one minute to shake your 

 hand and to receive a cast of your flame! and our desires shall be 

 accomplished. Yours sincerely, 



L. M. 



