DUMAS ALEXANDRE: Fils (1824-1895)

DUMAS ALEXANDRE: Fils (1824-1895)

‘The man is honourable, fine, but is he energetic, does he have the character to protect, defend, lead his wife, a 16-year-old woman’

 

DUMAS ALEXANDRE: Fils (1824-1895) French author and playwright. A.L.S., A Dumas f, four pages, 8vo, n.p., n.d., to Madame Porcher, in French. Dumas writes a charming letter to his correspondent, stating that he has arrived in Villeroy to find 'this great news which I was far from expecting', continuing 'I always imagined Bichette at the age of six, and now she is getting married. She is quite right. Of all the follies one can commit, marriage has this advantage over others that one can not repeat it every day' and further writing 'However, she is perhaps a little young and perhaps you have sacrificed a little to the joy of not leaving her, a joy that you would no doubt find difficult to find in another marriage. The man is honourable, fine, but is he energetic, does he have the character to protect, defend, lead his wife, a 16-year-old woman, that doesn't have too much of a husband, and the husband doesn't have too much of a head. I regret not having been in Paris for a year, certainly you would have consulted me, knowing all the interest I have for you, and I would have told you my opinion on the suitor. Alas, I know myself only too well as a man. Fortunately you are all brave and honest people and if God did not protect those there I do not really know what he would take care of. All this will therefore go for the best I hope, but allow me one piece of advice: do not remember in your daughter's household that you are her mother, that you love her as in the past, but for her happiness, abdicate all authority on her. This is what I take the liberty of telling you at this solemn moment, see in it only a new proof of my friendship for you and the quite natural response to the trust you have shown in me'. Some very light, minor age wear to the central vertical fold of the bifolium, otherwise VG