13 MARCH 1942, Page 4

Having had occasion a day or two ago to look

up one or two facts concerning Victor Hugo, I have come by chance on an instructive pair of literary judgements. Qn Les Miserables the searcher after guidance will find this: " The greatest epic and dramatic work of fiction ever created or conceived."—Encyclopaedia Britannica.

And this:

" A panoramic romance of modern life, mannered beyond measure in style and abounding in absurdities and kngueurs."— Chambers' Encyclopaedia.

The Britannica article was written by Algernon Charles Swin- burne, that in Chambers by W. E. Henley. Henley, to do him justice, does add, " but including also not a little of Hugo sincerest and most touching invention and achievement." Still—.

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