[ Augustine Birrell, author and politician. ] Autograph Letter Signed to Sir Frank T. Marzials, giving an assessment of the character of Victor Hugo on reading Marzials's biography.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium on grey paper. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. He writes that Marzials is 'some days too late' with his 'kind offer', as both Birrell and his wife have read 'with great pleasure' Marzials's book on Victor Hugo. 'It was a difficult task. (I mean the Life, not the reading of it) I am no judge on such a subject – being a very stay at home sort of fellow, but anyhow you succeeded in pleasing me. What a sensible, <?>, shrewd sort of fellow he was in what way may be called ordinary things. None of the extravagances of the School in matters of conduct seem to belong to him.' He asks what Hugo's 'relations' were 'with the other sex'. 'It is a sad little picture for sure of Madam – But such a vitality as his was bound to outlive, in some aspects of love'. He ends with a reference to Washington Irving. In a postscript he says he will stick Marzial's letter in his copy of the book. Marzials's biography was first published in 1888.