CHAMFORT Sébastien Roch Nicolas de (1740-1794)... Lot n° 44

CHAMFORT Sébastien Roch Nicolas de (1740-1794) writer and moralist. L.A.S. "de Chamfort", Paris September 16 [1770, to Jean-François de LA HARPE]; 3 1/2 pages in-4. He says he is inconsolable not to have been able to reply earlier, but a fever has forced him to extend his stay in the country... His friend knew the reasons that had "deprived him of the pleasure of spending some time with you and Me de Marnesia", but the silence made him fear he had lost his precious friendship: "I am charmed [...] to be reassured by you and I attribute it all to this bad gout of which you speak". He would be delighted "if I could make up for lost time this winter", but he is held back in Paris by his health and all kinds of commitments, including his comedy Le Marchand de Smyrne "which may be performed this winter, another trifle which will be performed at court at the beginning of November, a tragedy which must be ready next spring, voila more work than a head and health like mine can handle. So Monsieur, I am obliged to put off until another time the project of sharing your solitude"... He is delighted to see him thinking of an Éloge de Fénelonn: "This subject suits you in every way, and his soul is worthy of being praised by yours. Occupations of another kind will prevent me from being your competitor, and my wishes are unreservedly for friendship"...