Marcel PROUST imagines fleeing to Cabourg.

Marcel Proust (1871.1922)

Autograph letter signed to Georges de Lauris.

Five pages in-12°. Slnd [July 15 or 16, 1908]

Kolb, volume VIII, pages 181-182

“I still believe that I will end up in Cabourg because of the lesser effort it is. But I think it will be very unwise for work, for health, according to what my doctor tells me and what I know well myself, for everything. »

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“My dear Georges, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your letter, it gave me great pleasure. And these journeys as newlyweds with your father to whom you renew the face of the universe move me more than I can say. I don't know anything about my plans yet because when I had almost decided on Cabourg, I learned that the hotel had changed management, staff, and I calculated that nothing but the hotel would cost me at least nine thousand francs for two months and I find that even for a cure it's a lot. And then I would have to start working straight away since at the end of September I would have to leave and then, is it necessary to be in such a surrounded place. I have reached the age where we are asked to put in the Figaro a country house located on a hill, etc. and I will always live there.

I still believe that I will end up in Cabourg because of the lesser effort it is. But I think it will be very unwise for work, for health, according to what my doctor tells me and what I know well myself, for everything.

I have recommended Brès [doctor Pierre Brès] to countless people. I would like everyone to be able to appreciate their merit, their kindness, and talk to me about it afterwards like a delicious book that someone has recommended. We always knew, you and I, that Fromentin was not quite “what a vain people think” [Voltaire, Oedipus, act IV] . But, if I judge from a short extract given by the newspapers, letters published in the Revue des 2 Mondes remove the rather fine mask that he had composed and let us see... what we guessed. In any case I am proud of my insight, because under each vague academic sentence of the masters of yesteryear I had put a proper name. The letters give the same, which was erased in the ceremonial titles.

All this does not prevent it from being a charming read for you in front of the paintings and very “recommendable” to speak like the cooks and Mr. de Fénelon. Kind regards, Marcel. My respects to your father, of whom I think with adoration every time I see him in my mind. »