One page A.L.S.
N.d. [before 1804].
Single folded letter sheet bearing 8 lines in ink signed "M. St". Handwriting clear and unfaded, paper faintly soiled and creased; very good.
§ A short note in the hand of the French political theorist and woman of letters, Madame de Staël (1766-1817): "Lisez ce papier monsieur, et rapportez le moi le plutot que vous pensiez - j'ai été vivement émue en lisent le discours de M Windham, et mon père dit que por recevoir une impression parfaite, il faudrait l'entendre lire à votre noble voix. - je suis bien de l'air de mon père - mille compliments. M St.
(Read this paper, sir, and return it to me as soon as you can – I was deeply moved by reading Mr. Windham's speech, and my father says that to receive the full effect, one should hear it delivered in your noble voice. – I am very much of my father's opinion – a thousand compliments. M St.)
The addressee is unknown. A note in another hand on the verso reads "Madame de Stael's note given by Mr James OBrien" [signed with an ambiguous monogram].
Mr Windham is very likely the Whig politician William Windham (1750-1810) who became Secretary at War in Pitt's government from 1794-1801. Item #126967
Price: $375.00