Alphonse de LAMARTINE. Autograph letter, Florence, September - Lot 361

Lot n° 361
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500 - 700 EUR
Alphonse de LAMARTINE. Autograph letter, Florence, September - Lot 361
Alphonse de LAMARTINE. Autograph letter, Florence, September 30, 1826, to the Marquise de Montcalm; 4 pages, in-4. A beautiful, lengthy letter on happiness and his stay in Italy. He begins with a reflection on happiness: “If you were to delve into the depths of every conscience, you would find that, when it comes to happiness, the word ‘bearable’ is about all anyone would tell you. Apart from a few months of delirium in a long life—which love may grant only to make one atone for it later—and a few days of glory or satisfied ambition for those who are content with this adornment of happiness, everything else is rather bland. It is enough that it not be too bitter. I don’t know why all my letters to you take on a philosophical tone. It’s either because I apparently consider you a great philosopher, or because, on the contrary, I sense through a secret instinct that you need a higher Philosophy. Alas, I have little of it myself”… He has just spent “a month in the mountains of Lucca and at the monastery of Vallombreuse […] Forests of fir and chestnut trees as high as the Little Alps, eternally green meadows, ever-full torrents, delightful villas from which one can see the sea over the mountains fifteen leagues away—all this under a blue and purple sky that remains unclouded for ten days a year, and amidst the gentlest and most cultured people (I am speaking of the common folk, of course)”... Finally, he discusses his diplomatic situation: “I have become chargé d’affaires following the departure of my minister [the Marquis de Lamaisonfort]. This has been good for my fortune, good for my independence, good for my career advancement, and even better in other respects. Thus, I rejoice in it. Once my duties are fulfilled, I lead a philosophical and very solitary life. I compose a few verses from time to time, I breathe fresh air, I stay warm, I ride my horse over our beautiful hills, I thank God—that is enough!”…
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