Frédéric-Auguste CAZALS and the death of Paul VERLAINE

(Paul VERLAINE) – Frédéric-Auguste CAZALS (1865-1941)

Autograph letter signed to Edmond Lepelletier, Verlaine's lifelong friend.

Five pages ¼ in-12°. Paris. August 19, 1896.

Unpublished letter.

“… these painful letters that the friends of the poet of Invectives only reread while crying…”

Important plea from Cazals to Lepelletier (then editor-in-chief of the Écho de Paris) to defend the memory of Paul Verlaine (died seven months earlier), following the murderous criticism of Henri Fouquier published in Le Figaro on August 12, 1896 .

Cazals also works hard to erect the Verlaine Monument and mentions Stéphane Mallarmé, president of the Committee.

“Dear Mr. Lepelletier, I read Mr. Henry Fouquier's article too late to refute the various errors it contains. This duty was imposed on me, as much by my role as secretary of the “monument to Verlaine” as by the feelings that some of us profess for the memory of the great poet who was kind enough to honor us with his friendship. I no longer regret now that circumstances gave you the lead over a defender of the sole zeal of friendship: Your reply to Mr Henri Fouquier is decisive. It will forever, I believe, avenge the poet for the outrages he so unjustly suffered. Your article, dear Mr. Lepelletier, is, in fact, restorative, in the sense that many of the points altered by Mr. Henry Fouquier are put back in their true light. You say very well that, during his lifetime, Verlaine never consented to the publication of some of the pieces that make up this book. In any case, the sharpest lines were rightly addressed. Would Mr. Henry Fouquier himself not be obliged to recognize that the jokes for which he holds Paul Verlaine so harsh, were not, as they say, , than a “loan for a return”? Mr Fouquier accuses, moreover quite wrongly, our poet of ingratitude towards “the doctor he treated him”. This is absolutely incorrect. The piece of Invectives to which Mr Fouquier alludes targets a certain "hospital intern" who, committed by his "boss" to the care of the illustrious patient, played a cruel game on himself (and I have the testimony of this from the mouth even of Verlaine) to aggravate by a thousand practices unworthy of science and of the master whom he had the honor of assisting the atrocious sufferings of Poor Lélian . This is the truth attested by an indelible page of “ My Hospitals ”, by the testimony of twenty truthful and honorable friends of the poet and by many letters from him which relate these facts. I will add, in response to Mr. Henry Fouquier, that the poet's feelings towards "the doctor who treated him" - I will name him please, it is Mr. Doctor Chauffard - were those of the the most constant and lively recognition. The dedications are authentic. They contain a sonnet from Verlaine to Chauffard which leaves no doubt on this point. So here, dear Mr. Lepelletier, has truly restored the moral character of Paul Verlaine , the imputations of Mr. Fouquier concerning Verlaine's marriage and his "relations" with his wife and son have been ruined by your response. These slanders will therefore be based solely on the confession of their authors and those who accredit them. But the big culprit in this whole affair is, as you say very well, dear Mr. Lepelletier, the editor of Invectiv es (Léon Vanier). That if this greedy industrialist had, unfortunately, been responsible for the care of the Verlaine monument, it would have been an end to this enterprise which is so dear to us! The character perhaps trusts a little too much in our begninity [sic] : it would be too easy for us to confuse his impudence by producing some of these painful letters that the friends of the poet of Invectives only reread while weeping. I am in the feeling of deep gratitude for your wonderful defense of our master, your all devoted to him, FA Cazals, Secretary of the “monument to Paul Verlaine”, 17 rue Guénégaud – Paris. We would, dear Mr. Lepelletier, have a great obligation to announce the opening in September of the “public subscription” to the “monument to Paul Verlaine”. The appeal, through private channels, has already produced some sums which have been collected at the committee's headquarters. It was written by our eminent president himself, Mr. Stéphane Mallarmé. I am sending you, enclosed, a copy with the earnest request that it be published in the Écho de Paris and also in those of the other newspapers that you honor your collaboration. Duplessys received assistance of fifty francs from the Ministry of Public Education. He asks me to express his gratitude to you for your good recommendation. I would also be obliged to let me know, please, dear Mr. Lepelletier, if you have met Mr. Osiris. I would like to remind you that in my last letter I asked you to contact this person. FCC »

Lepelletier had an article published on the front page of the Écho de Paris on August 26 entitled “The defense of the monument” .

Cazals was at the initiative of founding the Verlaine Committee in May 1896. The “ Monument to Paul Verlaine ” envisaged by the Committee was not finally inaugurated until May 28, 1911, in the Luxembourg gardens. It is the work of the Swiss sculptor Auguste de Niederhausern, known as Rodo (1863.1913).