ALS in French, three pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.25 x 8.25, February 5, 1900. Rare and beautiful handwritten letter by the illustrious author, giving some advice on marriage to his "dear friend." In part (translated): “What is good is that you are unhappy about yourself. This is the only way to make moral progress regarding your marriage project. I can only repeat what I already said several times and of which I am fully convinced: that one who cannot reach complete chastity makes ‘the next best,’ as the British put it, by marrying with the firm resolution not to forsake their wife until death. Only be careful not to be carried away by the carnal aspect of marriage, i.e. to marry a woman whose convictions are different from yours and who does not have enough humility and affection towards you in order to accept your convictions. In any case, this is a difficult and dangerous step, and one should think twice before making it. [A letter from his friend Fontaine] has much pleased me. I tried to deter him from traveling to Russia. I always experience a painful feeling of a great duty which I cannot fulfill when people come from so far only to see me. He writes that he will come all the same. If he comes, I will do my best to be useful to him.” In fine condition, with professional repairs on the reverse.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$150.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
