Madame de MAINTENON and her memory of the house of Saint-Cyr.

Françoise d'Aubigné, Marquise de Maintenon (1683-1715)

Autographed letter signed and addressed to "Monsieur l'Evesque et Comte de Noyon".

Two and three-quarter pages in octavo. Address and wax seal with coat of arms.

In Versailles on December 9th [1703]

« These examples should make us tremble because we see in everything that the poor are evangelized and the rich rejected »

Beautiful autograph letter signed by Mme de Maintenon addressed to Claude-Maur d'Aubigny mentioning the house of Saint-Cyr.

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“ I praise God with all my heart for the blessing He has bestowed upon your words and for the consolation you must have received from the state of grace in which he who died so tragically was. I was struck at first and understood your sorrow, but the circumstance you subsequently describe shows that it was a stroke of Providence. I earnestly hope that it will guide you everywhere, Sir, and I fear your zeal and severity regarding your health more than any harm your canons might inflict upon you . I understand that the crowds of people who follow their Bishop give you great pleasure. These examples should make us tremble, for we see everywhere that the poor are evangelized and the rich rejected .”

I saw your dear nephew, whom Monsieur de Noailles presented to the King yesterday. He is fully grown and very wise. I would with all my heart like to be able to see him freely, but I am neither with myself nor with my family. Our holy friend came to Saint-Cir to examine Mademoiselle de Boufflers for her profession. I sensed in him more holiness than ever. His health is still failing, and I greatly fear that we will lose him. You and I will be more grieved than anyone. He is very happy at Saint-Cir, and you are too kind to this community not to tell you that the good you have seen there increases every day. The news from the superior is wonderful; it is a great joy for me. But as you say, Monsieur, there is none that is not mixed with misfortune; I have my share of it, thanks be to God. Pray to Him for me, and believe me as sincerely as I am, Monsieur, your most humble and obedient servant. Maintenon »

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Abbot Claude-Maur d'Aubigny (1658-1719) was appointed Bishop of Noyon in 1701 and, later, Archbishop of Rouen. He was among the regular correspondents of Madame de Maintenon who, as early as February 1703, recommended Louis d'Aubigny, the bishop's nephew, so that he might find a good position in the army.

Jeanne-Françoise de Boufflers will make her solemn vows on December 29, 1703, thus allowing us to date the letter which lacks the year: similarly, the new Superior of Saint-Cyr, Mme de Fontaines, had succeeded in August 1703 Mme de Hallé, who died in office.

( Letters of Madame de Maintenon, complete and critical edition by Hans Bots and Eugénie Bots-Estourgie, III, 2011, no. 426.)