Oct 29, 2009 - Sale 2192

Sale 2192 - Lot 273

Price Realized: $ 3,840
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 3,000 - $ 4,000
"A VERSAILLES PREACHER . . . WOULD WILLINGLY REFUSE ME A BURIAL" VOLTAIRE, FRANÇOIS MARIE AROUET DE. Letter Signed, "V.," to the Count and Countess de Rochefort (lacking salutation), in French, apologizing for not having written sooner, explaining that he has been very ill, expressing concern about arrangements for his funeral and burial, stating that a former Jesuit priest at Versailles had refused to bury him, and ridiculing "these poor ex-Jesuits." 2 pages, 8vo, with integral blank; minor scattered foxing. Paris, 16 April 1778
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". . . I think that Monsieur the Abbey of Beauregard, preacher of Versailles, so-called former Jesuit, would willingly refuse me a burial, which is very unfair, because they say that I would not ask for more than to bury him; and he owes me, it seems, the same courtesy. I do not think whatsoever that the master and the mistress of the house mocked this abbey of Beauregard. It is good that they do not indulge in the fury of his zeal, which is that to which all honnêtes gens limit themselves. These poor ex-Jesuits are allowed to hate a man who, not long ago, forced them to return wealth to seven small children in the service of the King. The devout never forgive this type of sacrilege. I sent six young officers to them whom they then robbed. It is true that I did not preach about Lent, but in truth, I observed it more rigorously than all the monks of Europe; hence I am more diaphanous and thinner than all of Loyola's disciples. I look like Lazarus leaving his tomb.
". . . I will take interest in all that concerns you until the day I die. Your kindness will console me until these last days of my life."