Autographed letter signed to Mirabeau.
Important document written on the first two pages by Father Maillet, confessor of the St. Clares; then on the third page by Sophie de Monnier addressing herself directly to her lover, Mirabeau.
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(MIRABEAU)
Sophie de MONNIER – Father Claude MAILLET
Autographed letter signed to Mirabeau.
Two pages in quarto. Address. Wax seal.
Gien-sur-Loire. April 27, 1781.
Important document written on the first two pages by Father Maillet, confessor of the St. Clares; then on the third page by Sophie de Monnier addressing herself directly to her lover, Mirabeau.
“Sir, one need only possess a soul, and a soul made sensitive by experience, to sympathize with the misfortune of another. Your friend, whom your mutual misfortune has led to this house, is undoubtedly contemplating a happier fate and possesses all the qualities capable of softening even the most hardened hearts. I congratulate myself every day that Providence has placed me in this community, so that I may have the merit and the glory of having been able to ease her plight and lighten, as much as was in my power, the yoke of captivity . I have been of very little help to her, and I have nothing to my credit but goodwill. I have no words strong enough to express my deep gratitude for the keen interest you have shown in me, in the presence of the Grand Almoner. It was decreed from all eternity that your friend would be the source of my glory and happiness , and that you would be the angel who cast me into the pool.” At your first notice, I will fulfill my duty to His Eminence. I consider it a true honor and a sincere pleasure to repeat throughout my life that I will be indebted to you and your friend for the title of Preacher to the Court. Be assured that Madame de Monnier can dispose of me in all things and at all times. I would be most flattered, in proving my complete devotion to her, to prove to you my perfect gratitude and the sentiments of the most distinguished respect with which I have the honor to be, sir, your most humble and obedient servant. Maillet, Confessor to the Poor Clares.
“…could be; one must know, in 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 glad if he returned them to you. You can use whatever pretext you like for this, provided it is not the real one; it is much less for the lady than for her husband (…) Farewell, dear beloved and adorable husband. Father asked me if I thought it was more honest of him to write to you directly rather than send it through me; I preferred this one. The priest of St. Louis has apparently fallen; he is quite old, and I think it will not make him any younger. Father will be delighted if you give him his sermon for St. Louis, but he doesn't think it concerns him.” Speaking of our sentence, he told me there was a legal flaw that might be useful to you : it was carried out without being ratified by Parliament , and a bailiwick doesn't have that power, not even to brand and whip, let alone to behead, especially when it concerns a man of your standing. This doesn't seem like a bad point to me. Share it with your lawyers, and above all, my dear child, only have them act according to the procedure and the evidence, not based on your own conclusions, because I fear them.