Sales catalogue 451: Maggs Bros

Date:
1924
Reference:
WA/HMM/CM/Sal/13/29
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Sales catalogue 451: Maggs Bros. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    540 BEAUMARCHAIS (MARIE THERESE AMELIE WILLERMANLAY, Madame de, 1751-1816). Third wife of the celebrated French Dramatic Author, best known by his ‘‘ Barbier de Séville ’’ and ‘* Mariage de Figaro.”’ AU POGR APH EE TIER SIGNED TO. CHARLOTTE.” VP, 4tO:. Paris, 1 Z-prainial year 7 (5th, jane,.:1 700). £3 10s Extremely interesting letter referring to her husband’s death and her and her children’s future. (Trans.):—‘‘ To the sorrow of this separation is added that of a just anxiety for mine and my children’s fate; four years of exile have nearly annihilated that fine fortune of which my husband was so often envied. We must sacrifice all to satisfy the creditors who have been tormenting us a long time already; for it is our task to honor the memory of the head of the family as well as the famous man to whom posterity will do justice, I hope. Friends have thrown some flowers on his grave, but whilst some try to pay homage to the celebrated and always persecuted man who is no more, other malicious creatures, jealous of every merit and of a reputation which their mediocrity can never reach, try to profane his ashes. This is a part of my troubles! ”’ 541 BEAUMARCHAIS (P. A. CARON DE, 1732-1799). Famous French Writer ‘and Dramatist. ‘Wrote “Barbier de Seville,” © Mariage de Figaro,” etc. AUTOGRAPH LETTER. 2 pp., Ato. Paris, 4th Aweust, 17 70. £4 10s Relative to the affairs of Mme. Campagnol; mentioning also the death orahe Prince de Conti: (Trans.):—‘‘. . . I have sent Mme. Campagnol’s letter to M. de Rossy. I am waiting for his reply to finish this. ‘“T have just received it. He seems in despair at being exhausted and at not being able to come to the assistance of his friend just now. He sends me word that he is going to write to her. . . . I have been told that an abbé of her acquaintance went to. London with the object of bringing her back. What has become of all that? I should very much like in following the impulse of my heart, to be able to be of some use to her! I have complained to no one of the injustice she formerly did me even when I was snatching her and her friend from the danger which seemed to threaten them. To suffer everything and pardon all. If this is not a motto of character, it is at least one of principles. : ‘Yesterday at 5 in the evening, I lost the most august protector, whose affection was so gratifying to me. The Prince de Conti died yesterday. My care was not able to save him. I am worn out with the fatigue of 15 sleepless nights and that great man is no more.’’