STENDHAL (MARIE-HENRI BEYLE). (1783-1842). French novelist whose works including Le Rouge et le Noir (1831) and La Chartreuse de Parme (1839) presaged the modern novel. ALS. (“Henri”). 2¾ pp. Small 4to. N.p., January 20, 1810. To his sister Pauline Perier-Lagrange. In French with translation.
“”So write to me, my dear Pauline. I bombard Faure with questions about you […]. I absolutely must give you some interests to follow in order to receive letters from you. Mr. Charp[entier] has written, but his letter has not had the desired effect, namely: that Mr. Mo[ntalivet] would mention it to Mr. Z., which would have given Mr. Z. another opportunity to bring up my request. Mr. M[ontalivet] is very obliging, but what mind could withstand 1,200 requests for the same thing? So one may fear—without too much humility—that he will completely forget the merits of Mr. B[eyle; Stendhal is referring to himself in the third person]. Therefore, Mr. Ch[arpentier] must write again, but without mentioning my qualities, rights, or other grand words. All of that means nothing and is less than nothing, as it only bores the reader. Quite simply: Mr. B[eyle], cousin of Mr. D[aru], who takes the greatest interest in him, son of the mayor of Grenoble—just a twenty-line letter. If my uncle wishes to use his influence by writing to his friend and to Mr. Bat[aille], it could be very useful to me; the friend would be pleased to show his power. Press my uncle on this matter, but in a proper manner—it is in his interest as well as mine. It is clear that, being an A[uditor], I will be better positioned to advance G[aétan] if I become a War Commissioner deep in Spain […]”
