René-Théophile LAENNEC (1781-1826). L.A.S., Paris... Lot 375

René-Théophile LAENNEC (1781-1826). L.A.S., Paris September 29, 1819, to his father in Saint-Brieuc; 4 1/2 pages in-8, addressed. On his return to Brittany. He is preparing to leave Paris to settle in Brittany "perhaps forever and at least for a year"; he has carefully considered his decision. It is "very hard to leave my state, at a time when I could hope to make enough of it to save money. [...] In Paris, I will miss four friends and half a dozen acquaintances. Above all, I regret not being able to fully complete my young cousin's education and produce him in the world". He goes on at length about his financial situation. He had hoped to arrive in Kerlouarnec "with enough to do my drying and wait two years for the proceeds", and after having collected his debts. But he's a long way from that! He had hoped to sell his furniture, but given the low price, he preferred to take it with him; he thought he could make better use of his library. In his current situation, it is impossible for him "to know what pension I will be able to pay you; I have not yet lost all hope of being able to continue on the basis of 1200 f", but he can only send him 200 f. "You are basically richer today than I am". He warns his father against complaining and recriminating: "I will always do all I can, no force can make me do anything more. My means of existence are easy for me to demonstrate, my income is in the sun and it is easy to prove that up to now I have shared it between my sister and you". His account books make it clear that he has no savings; "anything you would do in this regard would only put a coldness into my relations that should not be there". He does, however, invite her to visit him in his "hermitage", but not before June, as he has to run around Brittany on various business...