Victor Hugo Autograph

Autograph letter signed, one page, 5,25 x 8 inch, Brussels, 1.07.1866, in French, to an unidentified person - reference made to Jean Severe in `Le Vrai dans Vin," a poem from the collection `Chansons des ru et des bois`*, written and signed in black ink "Victor. Hugo", attractively mounted (removable) for fine display with a photograph, shows Victor Hugo in a beautiful head and shoulders portrait (altogether 16,5 x 11,75 inch), with intersecting letter folds, soiling and mild signs of wear - in fine condition. 

"Vous m`adressez, monsieur, mes propres vers, et quoi que un peu confus de ce changement d`adresse, je ne connais rien de plus gracieux et de plus ingénieux. Vous avez fait de mes trois chansons des rues et des bois une musique charmante et forte.
Ma belle fille me la jouée et chanté au milieu des applaudissements. Vous avez raison, ce que Jean Severe dit de la guerre peut être particulièrement utile a l`heure sombre et fatale ou nous sommes. C`est un peu de bon sens mêle a l`immense ineptie ambiante. A ce bon sens, vous avez ajouté toute la grâce et tout l`esprit de votre beau talent.
Je vous remercie par un serrement de main. - Victor Hugo"

Translated:
"You address my own verses to me, sir, and although I am a little confused by this change of address, I know of nothing more gracious and ingenious. You have made charming and powerful music out of my three `chansons des rues et des bois` (`songs of the streets and woods`).
My daughter-in-law** played and sang it to me amidst applause. You are right; what Jean Severe says about war can be particularly useful in this dark and fatal hour in which we find ourselves. It is a bit of common sense mixed with the immense ineptitude that surrounds us. To this common sense, you have added all the grace and wit of your fine talent.
I thank you with a handshake. - Victor Hugo"

* `Les Chansons des rues et des bois` is a collection of poems by Victor Hugo published in 1866 in France, but whose original edition was published in 1865 by Lacroix and Verboeckhoven in Brussels, Belgium, where he was in exile.

** His daughter-in-law was Alice Lehaene (1847-1928), wife of Charles Hugo, whom he married on October 17, 1865.