L.A.S. "Charles", Monday evening [February 10, 1862], to his mother Madame Caroline
AUPICK; 3 pages in-8.
Baudelaire announces to his mother the withdrawal of his candidacy for the French Academy.
"Dear Mother, AS SOON AS you receive this letter, go up to my study, look for the works of Edgar POE (the spine is olive green), take the fourth volume, find out which is the quickest way (Post or rail? I think it is the Post; but the Post does not admit closed packages), and send it to me at once. This copy of Poe is costing me a lot of money, which means that this fourth volume must be wrapped in such a way that the journey cannot damage it in any way. He urgently needs it "to earn 200 francs immediately.
[...] It is for an article entitled the Automate chess player".
Then he speaks about the French Academy: "There was last Thursday an attempt of election to the academy. 13 rounds of voting, and no result. I have just withdrawn my candidacy for the chair of Father Lacordaire, I assure you that I am acting wisely. I know now that I will be nominated, but when? - I do not know.
I embrace you and I look at you as my only salvation and my only love"...
He recommends to protect well "especially the corners and the angles of the volume"...
Correspondance (Bibl. de la Pléiade), t. II, p. 230.
Ph. de Flers, Th. Bodin, L'Académie française au fil des lettres, p. 224-227.
We use cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience, perform site traffic analysis, and deliver content and advertisements most relevant to your interests.
Cookie management:
By allowing these cookies, you agree to the deposit, reading and use of tracking technologies necessary for their proper functioning. Read more about our privacy policy.