Alain-FOURNIER and Jacques RIVIERE write to their friend Jean Tronche.

Alain FOURNIER (1886.1914) – Jacques RIVIERE (1886.1925)

Autographed letter signed to Jean Gustave Tronche.

Four pages in 12mo, written in two hands. (La Chapelle d'Angillon. August 1910)

"You know that I write literary letters that earn me the respect of all booksellers."

A very fine letter co-written by the two men (two oblong pages in Alain-Fournier's hand, signed Henri, and two vertical pages in Rivière's hand) informing their correspondent of their ongoing literary work.

__________________________________________________

Alain-Fournier:

My dear friend, Although I am quite pleased to be writing this Bourdelle article, I regret for you that you haven't found the time to finish it. I am filled with great hesitation and reluctance towards Paris-Journal. I was paid 26.50 francs for this immense collection of interviews on Puvis de Chavannes! And I have a mad urge to kill the great Chichet, to whom I am, incidentally, very friendly and who calls me "my little one." You know that I write a literary column that earns me two sous a line and has garnered me the respect of all the literary merchants and the hatred of L' Intransigeant . I don't know if I will have the courage to continue or if I will take refuge in England to do in peace what I believe I must do. Not only was Jacques mentioned in the usherette's letter, but several lines from his article were quoted: "intelligent and sensual, two qualities rarely found together." I gave Rouché *Les Dames du village* as a replacement for the overly clerical *Madeleine* . To the *Nouvelle Revue Française*, some curious notes on Roosevelt at the Sorbonne , but not yet officially accepted. Jacques is contributing a Gauguin , next to which the Cézanne will seem rather dreary. I'm quite disappointed to have nothing more to tell you this morning. Couldn't you, during your travels, far from any inhabited places, find me a farmer who might have a daughter of marriageable age? Henri.

Jacques Rivière :

My dear friend, I had kept a copy of NRF for you and was planning to give it to you upon your return. It's the one I sent you yesterday. So you'll have to use your stamps to write to us. I also sent you an Art et Décoration magazine to give you a bit of a break. We don't all get a chance to laugh every day. I only have this one for you and André. You'll have to sort it out yourselves. Besides, it's only interesting for someone who needs entertainment. I'm in a state of terrible mental fatigue. I'm incapable of doing anything. I spend entire days moping over my papers with a terrible ache across my forehead. I have several projects underway, and I can't write a single line. I recently received a hilarious letter from Bourdelle , in which he describes my writing as "well-done work," and me as a "rascal" he'd like to show off his skills to. He asked me to write about him in connection with his exhibition next year. I agreed. It will probably be in Art et Décoration. Besnard also wrote to thank me. He was very enthusiastic and asked me to come and see him. Finally, Willy, in the usherette's letter, mentioned my Debussy . I take my leave, my dear friend, asking you to give Madame Tronche and your sister our warmest regards, and to know that we are yours sincerely.

__________________________________________________

Jean-Gustave Tronche (1884-1974), administrator of the NRF from 1912 to 1922, then independent publisher, was at the center of literary life in the first half of the 20th century. He maintained professional and personal relationships with Aragon, Fournier, Gide, Martin-du-Gard, Paulhan, Rivière, among others.