The Marquis de Sade has been worried about his manuscripts from his prison cell.

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. (Donjon de Vincennes) May 18, 1783.

"I didn't think myself kind or attractive enough to have ever fooled anyone."

A long letter from the Marquis demanding first 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 fine in color and type, but it needs to be much larger, big enough to hold a pint and a half . My servant has just been specifically forbidden to take any more biscuits, so when you send any more, it will be Monsieur de Rougemont's servants who thank you, as it will be their profit. I absolutely refuse any more, in any form or type, however you might send them."

Two dozen meringues and two dozen lemon biscuits from the Palais Royal. The plan of the new Italian room and their initial rooms. Two fine sponges. Six pounds of candles and large nightlights (…) What is called a marabou or brô . It is a small, shiny brown earthenware pot, very clean, used for heating and boiling milk or coffee. It must hold a little more than a pint, close to a pint and a half of chocolate. And a very young puppy, so that I may have the pleasure of raising it… that animals are kept here… there is too much wit in this century to still cling to such a foolish privilege. And if they persist, and tell you: no, Madam, a de Sade must absolutely not see an animal ; you will reply: well then, Sir, grant me its freedom . I am delighted by the vast progress of your children; talent is a truly wonderful thing, and it leads to great things. Please acknowledge receipt of my manuscript as soon as you can , although I have already noticed many mistakes since it was sent, such as excessive repetitions of words and rhymes. Having promised to spare you the tedium of proofreading, I will not send you any, and the youngsters can always copy. It will keep them occupied, and a scraper will do the job. However, as this is a crucial distraction, I am correcting it so that they do not scribble on the title page, to which they will undoubtedly devote themselves. As I was preparing the final version of two works at the same time, I made a mistake with the epigraph and put the epigraph of the comedy on the novel, and the epigraph of the novel on the comedy. This error would create a contradiction in meaning.

Here's what's needed in the comedy sent: "They were supposed to regulate public morals, and they corrupt them; they were meant to be the protectors of virtue, and they become the supporters and models of vice " (mpc pages 231 and 232). I beg you to have this slight change made. The oculists have sent some snake oil that will have miraculous effects; you have to blow it in your eye; in what way does it create a smokescreen ? You certainly do me a great honor; if you continue like this, you'll make me proud. I didn't think myself charming or seductive enough to ever have pulled the wool over anyone's eyes ; apparently I was wrong—not enough self-respect! I immediately took my mirror and posed a riddle , and I said: "Oh, they're right, I am indeed very pretty and very witty . I'm no longer surprised if I've been duping them. Oh, the poor eyes, oh, the heavy eyes that I've blinded! Hail Mary. This 18th of May, 1783. There is a volume in the country library, but I can't 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 that volume. Have the young people look for it for me and send it to me immediately, I beg you…"