Gustave Flaubert – The Marquis de Sade & Bouvard and Pécuchet.

Gustave Flaubert (1821.1880)

Autographed letter signed to "his old Bab" [Edmond Laporte]

Two octavo pages. EL from the Laporte collection.

[Paris] – Sunday. 1 a.m. » [January 27-28, 1878]

Sheets folded back at the central crease. Two traces of red felt-tip pen on the first ^sheet .

Pléiade Correspondence, Volume V, page 353.

“Old Bab, Bardou [x] just left here, where he had dinner. I took him into my study alone and spoke to him again about you, insisting as much as possible that it be over. Here is his reply: I promise you that I will think about your recommendation. Soon there will be a complete reorganization at the Beaux-Arts and I will find him something good. Before leaving I spoke to him again about old Laporte, and his last word was, ‘Have no fear.’ Moreover, he told me a trick for finding him at home, alone . It is to go there at 6 p.m. I will take advantage of it [ Édouard Laporte, whom Flaubert nicknamed “el bab,” an Arabic expression meaning “the door,” was then looking for a job.]” Flaubert had approached Agénor Bardoux, Minister of Public Instruction since 1877, who would soon intervene on Laporte's behalf and allow him to find a position in the administration.

Another story: he promises to deliver the famous Féerie! [The Castle of Hearts, a fairy tale written by Flaubert in collaboration with Louis Bouilhet and Charles d'Osmoy, which was not performed on stage but appeared in La Vie moderne in several installments from January 24 to May 8, 1880] Within eight days— I'll give him the manuscript I thought was at Croisset's, and which I found at the bottom of my wardrobe since he left. If it works, it will be a fortune for your giant [Gustave Flaubert refers to himself as such] ! Finally, I've found a fellow who owns all the editions of the old man [the Marquis de Sade] ! With a letter of recommendation, we'll go to his place whenever you like!

I continue to read voraciously, but I'm not making any progress! Because I don't know how to present my historical critique. Let's hope my understanding will be unlocked in a few days. [Passage from his book Bouvard et Pécuchet, which follows the history of the Revolution, when the two characters are seized by the "need for truth for its own sake"]. The story of the Fairy Tale will inevitably lead me to visit B [ardoux] , and I will expedite your case. No news from d'Osmoy. He has a very sick child. As he is involved in "The Castle of Hearts," we will meet again. I am consumed with worry thinking of you , whom I embrace…