The Marquis de SADE worries about his manuscripts from his prison.

Donatien Alphonse François de Sade (1740.1814). Marquis de Sade.

Autograph letter to his wife, Renée-Pélagie de Montreuil.

Four pages in-12°. Autograph address. (Dungeon of Vincennes) May 18, 1783.

“I didn't think I was either lovable enough or attractive enough to have ever thrown smoke in anyone's eyes. »

Long letter from the Marquis first demanding from his wife the goods that his status as jailer requires, then entrusting her with the manuscripts of the comedy and the novel that he has just written.

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“The bowl is good for the color and species but it needs to be much larger and sized to hold a pint and a half . The man who serves me has just been specially forbidden to take more biscuits, so when you send more, it will be Mr. de Rougemont's servants who will thank you because it will be their profits. I absolutely no longer want them in any form, and of such a kind that you can send them.

Two dozen meringues and two dozen lemon biscuits from the Royal Palace. The plan of the new Italian hall and their early pieces. Two fine sponges. Six pounds of candles and large night lights (…) What we call a marabou or brô . It is a small shiny brown earthenware pot, very clean and used to heat and boil milk or coffee. It should hold a little over a pint, close to a pint and a half of chocolate. And a very young little dog, so that I have the pleasure of raising him…………that the animals are kept here…we have too much intelligence in this century to still hold on to a privilege of this stupidity . And if we persist, and we say to you: no Madam, a de Sade absolutely must not see an animal ; you will answer: well Sir, give me his freedom . I am very pleased with the vast progress of your children; Talent is something very beautiful, and it goes a long way. Please acknowledge receipt of my manuscript as soon as you can , although I have already noticed many mistakes since it left, such as too frequent repetitions of words and rhymes. Having promised to get rid of the problem of correction size, I will not send you any, and young people can always copy. That will keep him busy and the scraper will do the trick. However, as this is an essential distraction, I am fixing it so that it does not scribble the title sheet to which it will no doubt apply. As I was putting two works together at the same time, I made a mistake with the epigraph and I gave the novel the epigraph of the comedy, and the comedy that of the novel. It is a mistake which would create a contradiction in meaning.

Here is what is needed in the comedy sent: “they had to regulate public morals and they corrupt them; they were given to be the protectors of virtue and they become the supports and models of vice ” mpc pages 231 and 232. I ask you to carry out this slight change. The oculists have sent a powder of perlimpinpin which will have miraculous effects; you have to blow that in your eye; how this is smoke and mirrors . You certainly do me honor; If you continue like this, you will make me proud. I had not believed myself to be either lovable enough or attractive enough to have ever thrown dust in anyone's eyes ; Apparently I was wrong – not enough self-esteem! on the spot I took my mirror and I made up a riddle , and I said: oh, they are right, so I have a very pretty face and I have a lot of wit , I am not more surprised if I threw smoke and mirrors. Oh the poor eyes, oh the heavy eyes of those I have blinded. I salute you marie. This May 18, 1783. There is a volume from the country library, but I cannot tell you which one, which ends with a very short story, the title of which I believe is or singular adventure , something like that. I have an infinite need for this volume. Make me look for this through the youth and send it to me at once please…. »