Sophie de MONNIER - Autograph letter signed to MIRABEAU.

(MIRABEAU)

Sophie de MONNIER – Father Claude MAILLET

Autograph letter signed to Mirabeau.

Two pages in-4°. Address. Wax seal.

Gien sur Loire. April 27, 1781.

Important document written on the first two leaves by Father Maillet, confessor of St. Clare; then on the third leaf by Sophie de Monnier speaking directly to her lover, Mirabeau.

“Sir, You only need to have a soul, and a soul sensitive through experience to sympathize with the misfortune of others. Your friend, whom your mutual misfortune has brought to this house, undoubtedly plans a happier fate, and possesses all the qualities capable of softening the most barbaric hearts. I congratulate myself every day that providence has placed me in this community to have the merit and the glory of having been able to soften its fate and lighten as much as was in my power the yoke of captivity . I was of very little help to him and I have only good will in my favor. I have no words strong enough to show you all my sensitivity in relation to the keen interest that you have taken with the Grand Chaplain in my regard. It was settled from all eternity that your friend would be the source of my glory and my happiness , and that you would be the angel who would throw me into the pool. At the first notice you give me I will pay what I owe to his eminence. I have in advance a real glory and a sincere pleasure in repeating throughout my life that I will be indebted to you, and to your friend, for the title of Court Preacher. Be convinced that Madame de Monnier can dispose of me in everything and everywhere. I will be too flattered by proving to him my entire devotion, to prove to you yourself, my perfect gratitude and the feelings of the most distinguished respect with which I have the honor of being, sir, your very humble and very obedient servant. Mallet. Confessor of Saint Clare.

" … could be ; you need to know, at any event, what you and (…) can do. When you see Tagnerette, ask him if he has kept the verses you gave him; If he still has them, I would be very happy if he returned them to you. You will take whatever pretext you want for this, provided that it is not the real one; it is much less for the lady than for her husband (…) Farewell dear beloved and adorable husband. The father asked me if I thought it was more honest if he wrote to you directly rather than sending it to you through me; I preferred this one. The priest of St Louis is said to have had a fall; he is very old, and I think that this will not make him any younger. The father will be delighted that you give him his St Louis sermon but he doesn't think it's his business. Speaking of our sentence, he told me that there was a nullity that could be useful to you , namely that it was executed without having been confirmed in parliament and that a bailiwick does not have this power even to brand and whip, even more so for a severed head, and when it concerns a man of quality like you. This reflection does not seem bad to me. Communicate it to your lawyers, and above all, dear child, only make them act according to the procedure and probative documents, and not according to your conclusions, because I fear them. »