Jean Alexandre Buchon, autograph letter signed, “Anacreon to Gail,” 1816

  

Jean Alexandre BUCHON - autograph signed letter - Anacreon - to Gail - 1816.

“Anacreon was especially admired for the beauty of the edition. As for Xenophon, it is impossible to find an edition more complete and better prepared.”

Jean Alexandre Buchon was a French historian and writer, born on May 21, 1791, in Menetou-Salon and died on August 29, 1846, in Paris. He is known for his work on medieval history, particularly for the publication of the “French National Chronicles,” a collection of historical documents from the Middle Ages.

Buchon made a significant contribution to the preservation and study of French medieval texts. Gail was one of the pioneers in the critical study of Greek texts in France and enjoyed a great reputation among his contemporaries.

3 pages, quarto format, with address on the back of the second leaf. Very good condition, with a few minor signs of wear on the edges.

“Sir Gail, Member of the Institute, Royal Reader, Knight of the Legion of Honour at the Collège de France, Paris Woodford Welles. Gail,

I have received all the books mentioned in very good condition. You truly treated me as a friend. Anacreon was especially admired for the beauty of the edition.] in this country when it becomes known.

That is what I truly desire from the bottom of my heart. Not only for you, but for the honour of French Hellenists, who, I must confess, are not held in very high esteem here. The fact is that, with the exception of two or three men, at whose head you stand far above the rest, we have no Hellenist who can stand on equal footing with those of Oxford and Cambridge, especially Oxford.

I must confess here that my request for Greek books was mainly made in order to make you known.

I had told you that it was for me, but it was for Mr. [Say], a thinker and teacher whose son is a student at Oxford.

I thought it would be very useful for this work to reach him by one means or another, and I hope to succeed.]

The Reverend Monsignor Rogers, a member of Oxford University, with whom I read some excerpts from your Thucydides, would very much like to have a copy, and he asked me to seize the first opportunity I might have to have one sent to him. If one presents itself on your side, let me know and I will immediately have the necessary funds delivered to you.

In short, your work must gain the reputation it deserves.] I am now trying to arrange for you an article in [.] the most widely read, best produced, and most liberal periodical in England. Think of me from time to time and believe that you have a sincere admirer and a devoted student in your former listener.

Buchon”

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Jean Alexandre Buchon, Buchon, letter, manuscript, medieval history, French National Chronicles, autograph, signed, 19th century, Woodford, Menetou-Salon.