Sevigne, Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, Marquise de (1626-1696) Autograph letter signed. Grignan [France]. Addressed to President de Moulceau, June 5, 1695

File — Box: 1, Folder: 46

Staff Only

Scope and Content

From the Collection:

This collection consists of letters and supporting documentation, books on the art of letter writing, a small miscellaneous grouping of catalogs and photographs, and issues of The Wolf Magazine of Letters from June-July 1979 to Summer Quarterly 1991. The earliest letter, from the Marquise de Sevigne, dates from 1695; while the most recent was signed by entertainer Mike Douglas in 1980. Most of the letters date from the 19th century. The collection, which now numbers 85 letters, will continue to grow; in conjunction with his gift, Mr. Lang established a gift annuity to be used for the maintenance and augmentation of the collection.

Dates

Creation: June 5, 1695

Creator

Sevigne, Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, Marquise de (Author, Person)

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

The records are in English

Restrictions on Access

There are no restrictions on access to this collection.

Extent

From the Collection: 1.26 linear feet

Additional Description

Condition

Good. Moderate browning, slight foxing, two sheets taped together

2.25 pagesp, 8"x 5" (8vo)

Transcription

[translated and transcribed]

Grignan, June 5, 1695,

I plan, Sir, to bring an action against you; and thus I set about it. I wish you to judge it yourself. I have been here for more than a year with my daughter, for whom I have as much love as ever. Since that time you have no doubt heard of the marriage of the Marquis de Grignan to Mademoiselle de Saint-Armand. You have seen her often enough at Montpellier to be acquainted with her person; you have also heard mention of the vast wealth of her father. You are not ignorant that this marriage was solemnised with great pomp in the Castle which you know. I suppose you cannot have forgotten the time when the true esteem we have always preserved for you began. On this subject, I measure your sentiments by my own, and I judge that, we not having forgotten you, you cannot have forgotten us either.

I even include M. de Grignan, whose date is still more ancient than ours. I bring together all these things, and I find myself offended on every side; I complain of it here, I complain of it to your friends. I complain of it to our dear Corbinelli, the jealous confidant and witness of all the esteem and friendship we bear you; and finally, Sir, I complain of it to yourself. Whence proceeds this silence? is it from forgetfulness? from perfect indifference? I know that you are in good health! What would you have me think? What does your conduct resemble? Give a name to it, Sir: the cause of action is now ready for your judgment. Pass on it: I consent that you should be both judge and party.

La M. de Sevigne

My daughter shares fifty-fifty in the sentiments of this letter and is no less hurt than I by your coolness