Duke of Blacas d’Aulps autograph letter signed to Baron de Frénilly, Italy, 1834

  

Duke of Blacas d'Aulps. Autograph letter signed to Baron de Frénilly, Italy, Ariosto, Berry, 1834. French politician, diplomat, and collector of antiquities.

Superb autograph letter signed by Pierre Louis Jean Casimir de Blacas d'Aulps, a leading diplomat, favorite of Louis XVIII, and a major figure of the Restoration and legitimist exile, addressed to Monsieur le Baron de Frénilly, Peer of France, dated February 20, 1834. Written in brown ink on a double sheet of vellum paper, with its seal partially preserved. This letter contains rich historical content, combining travel recommendations for the Grand Tour in Italy, literary references (Ariosto), and news of the royal family in exile.

“I have the honor of sending you, Monsieur le Baron, letters for Rome and Naples. I greatly hope that they may be useful to Mr. your son, and I envy him the happiness he is about to enjoy in visiting this classical land, which recalls so many wonders, so many interesting events, and so many famous men.

The one whose poems you have just translated is the favorite author of the Italians, and Mr. your son will be able to see manuscripts of Ariosto in Ferrara, Modena, Florence (at the Laurenziana), Rome, and even Naples, which will be of double interest to him. I knew that your verse translation of Orlando had been published, and I do not doubt that it will do as much honor to our literature as the translation of Richardet. I have seen many people convinced that this poem was by Dumouriez; this is unquestionably the finest praise one can give it.

Princess Massimo is the person in Rome who sees the most people, and the Marquis Pietracatella is the most obliging man in Naples. I thought these two letters would be enough for Mr. your son; if he desires others, I will hasten to send them to him, and I would be delighted to do anything that might please him.

There are several cardinals in Rome who are friends of mine and to whom I could recommend him, but they are elderly, receive few visitors, and rarely go out; however, if he wishes to go see Cardinal Sala, he will find him informed of his arrival. He is my friend and an excellent man in every respect. and Mme de la Ferronnays will be delighted to see Mr. your son in Naples, and they will know that he is to go there.

I have retained no correspondent in Florence, except the Austrian minister, to whom I can write if you wish. I always think fondly of the time I spent in Italy; I am very eager to be able to make further stays there. But this is not the only one of my plans that encounters difficulties, and one must know how to submit to many annoyances, many troubles, many sorrows...

My position calls for them, and I resign myself to it.

I see from the last letter you did me the honor of writing to me that Mr. de Wimp[ffen]’s absence prevents negotiations with him, and that Mr. de Kunsty thinks he will still create new difficulties. I had assumed they would be resolved by his desire to sell Brunsée, which in fact will be very well paid at the price you had agreed upon.

As soon as it becomes necessary, I will send a formal power of attorney, legalized and before witnesses.

I thank you for the details you kindly give me regarding Madame’s stay in Graz. You know, I suppose, that she is to come to Bohemia in May; what will she do afterward? That is what we do not know...

All health here continues to be very good, the weather is superb, and winter has passed in silence; there has never been a milder one in Prague.

Please convey my respects to your ladies, and receive, Monsieur le Baron, a renewed assurance of my most sincere attachment. I would like to try to settle matters with Mr. de Wimpffen so that I may turn to other acquisitions, either in Styria or in Bohemia, where I am offered new lands for sale every day. I owe you many apologies for having delayed my reply, but how can one do what one wishes?

”

Dimensions: 20.5 x 25.1 cm.
Condition: See photos and description for more details.
Number of pages: 3 pages.

Pierre Louis Jean Casimir de Blacas d'Aulps. Pierre Louis Jean Casimir de Blacas d'Aulps, count, later 1st Duke of Blacas, Peer of France, 1st Prince of Blacas, born January 10, 1771 in Avignon, baptized on the 11th in the parish of Saint Symphorien, died in Vienna on November 17, 1839, buried at the French monastery of Castagnavizza in Goritz, was a politician, diplomat, and...

François-Auguste, Baron Fauveau de Frénilly, born in Paris on November 14, 1768 and died in Graz on August 1, 1848, was a poet, memoirist, and Peer of France.

Marie Caroline Ferdinande Louise de Bourbon, Princess of the Two Sicilies, born November 5, 1798 in Caserta and died April 16, 1870 in Brünnsee, better known by her title of Duchess of Berry...

Ludovico Ariosto, pronounced [ludo'vi ko a'rj? sto], known as Ariosto, born September 8, 1474 in Reggio Emilia and died July 6, 1533 in Ferrara, was an Italian Renaissance poet.

Autograph letters, old papers, antique books, photographs, engravings, stamps... We appraise and/or buy your letters, collections of letters, and antique books throughout France. Feel free to contact me.

Careful shipping in a rigid, waterproof package within three days. Please allow for standard postal delays in addition.

If you are not completely satisfied, return shipping is at the seller’s expense within Europe. For the rest of the world, return shipping is at the buyer’s expense.