[Ernest MOUCHEZ (1821-1892) admiral and astronomer]. Jacques - Lot 383

[Ernest MOUCHEZ (1821-1892) admiral and astronomer]. Jacques-Barthélémy MOUCHEZ (1783-1849) former wigmaker to the King of Spain, father of the Admiral. L.S. partly autograph, Chatou May 20, 1841, to his son Ernest Mouchez in Brest; 3 pages in-4, address. Curious letter evoking the debts of the young officer and future admiral. [A naval officer, Ernest Mouchez carried out his first campaign with the naval station in Brazil and La Plata, first on the Fortune (November 12, 1839-October 19, 1840), then on the Églantine (November 23, 1840-May 17, 1841)]. The letter is mainly concerned with Ernest's debts incurred before and during the campaign: "All this has caused me a great deal of pain, first by the fact itself, and then by the harm it may do you"... It also mentions his half-sister, Sophie Finat, who has settled in Madrid; Ernest's intention to undertake long-distance or scientific voyages; the purchase of an instrument for astronomical observations, etc., etc.