George SAND (1804-1876). L.A.S., Paris "rue de Condé 8" April 22, 1848, [to Eliza Ashurst]; 4 pages in-8 in her own handwriting (last page very slightly soiled). Very beautiful letter on the revolution of 1848 and on her journal La Cause du Peuple (whose 3rd and last issue will appear the day after this letter). She sends her newspaper to her "friend and sister", and thanks her for the news she gives her about "our Italian hero" [Mazzini]. As for the Cause of the People: "The political and financial crisis has reached this point here, that my personal situation has become very poor. I don't care about that at all, and I don't intend, by doing the People's Cause, to find the least means of existence. I only regret not having a few thousand francs to launch it in the public. A friend of mine has advanced me 3000 FF which I use to pay the expenses. Another 1000 FF would serve me to make the announcements or to use some other more popular means of publicity, and Mazzini told me that you were offering them to me. But, before accepting them, I want to tell you the situation of the business. This newspaper cannot please the bourgeoisie, enemy of the republic, and will have no success, no product on that side. Before it goes to the people, who are plunged into misery, it is necessary to resign oneself to serving the newspaper more or less free of charge for three months. At the end of this time, if the clubs subscribe, the business will be able to work on its own, still make its expenses, or make a profit. But it is impossible for me to foresee whether the material situation in France will allow me to continue this publication, and whether the small sacrifices of my friends will not be lost. I don't need to tell you that my will is to pay them back, but I cannot guarantee that this will be possible before some time, because none of us in France, among those who have believed it their duty to put nothing aside for a rainy day, can say if he will have enough to eat next month. So, to conclude, if you are rich, or if you are, to offer me your help, several people who can risk a sacrifice without damaging their existence, send me 1000 FF. They will at least serve to spread some ideas that I believe useful for the people. If you are poor and if the sacrifice is too expensive for several people, do not do it, because it could be materially lost. You must be astonished to learn how poor France is at this moment. Don't feel sorry for it, it is rich in ideas and feelings, and this misery in which I find myself thrown in with the people is the sweetest time of my life. I do not blame myself for having put myself in a position to preserve myself from it in advance. I have lived from day to day, spoiling and giving. The people are cheerful like me. In their patriotic celebrations, they fast and sing. What a people! My friend, I would like you to see them; it is the most beautiful spectacle that history has ever offered"... Nouvelles lettres retrouvées, n° 86.