Struck with poverty, Paul VERLAINE lived in bohemian times. 1887.

Paul Verlaine (1844.1896)

Autograph letter signed to his publisher Léon Vanier.

Four pages in-12° in pencil. Scattered foxing.

[Tenon Hospital. Paris] August 3, 1887.

"It's high time this misery ended! I'm dying of boredom! What a fate!"

Struck by poverty, Paul Verlaine wandered from hospital to asylum. Without resources and even searching for clothes, the poet took refuge in literary creation, hoping to earn some money from his publisher.

A very moving letter from the poet, a perfect testimony of Verlaine's bohemian lifestyle.

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"My dear Vanier, True to my word, I am writing to inform you that I am not yet at Vincennes. It will probably be on Tuesday, unless I am sent back before then, because there is a great deal of congestion at this castle, but I hope not, otherwise what a nuisance! or rather what a misfortune! but, to serious matters."

I am sending you enclosed one poem for Love and issue number 9 of Happiness . Heredia available for your review . Ponchon is currently on hold, but as soon as I am sure that Ponchon agrees to be Seneschal—I believe he led me to believe he would—it will be over soon. For now, I am finishing my short story and continuing the novel that was intended for Dujardin and still is, if he pays up.

Do you have the photo of me from the photographer's studio on Rue Castiglione? [Alcide Allevy] Ghil paid for it in front of me, and I'm entitled to one proof. But what happens to the written exams ?

Michel hasn't found my trousers. It's high time I bought  a very ordinary pair , very dark gray, for around 3 francs, and sent or delivered them to me – via the Heredia . Right? Before Tuesday if possible (my apologies for all this inconvenience). I'll take measurements of my new black trousers, which are rather wide and long, because of the washing and they've shrunk. I'll write to Mendès again; he promised to look after me.

Also write in detail to Mrs. Delporte's lawyer. It's high time this misery ended! I'm dying of boredom! What a fate!

The Romances? Is there any article? – Ah, if you ever go to the country, don't forget to give me a little "fade" beforehand. Could you come Thursday or Sunday? [Edmond] Thomas, my hat, linen, portrait? Do you have anything new? If there's a letter for me (perhaps important), send it quickly. Finally, be mine as I am sincerely and very affectionately yours. PV. 

How many lines make up the first 8 ^issues of Bonheur? Are you sure, however, that I didn't leave another package with you, besides the manuscripts, when I left Vincennes? If so, the trousers would be in there. However, I doubt it .

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Expelled from Broussais Hospital on March 13, 1887, Verlaine wandered penniless from one furnished room to another for several weeks, before being granted – on the recommendation of Doctor Nélaton – a first convalescent stay at the National Asylum of Vincennes, which he left on July 11, 1887. Taking refuge at Tenon Hospital, desperate, begging, and writing about his suicidal bohemian life to those around him, the poet returned to Vincennes on August 9 for only a month: on September 9, 1887, he found himself on the pavement, miserable, with seventy-five centimes in his pocket.