NRA-L-000041 / 1811

Letter from Veuve Grinois to Nicolas Deschamps, 1811-05-17

French personal correspondence from Arras to Saint-Amand, dated 17 May 1811. Veuve Grinois writes to Nicolas Deschamps about their separation, recent illness, recovery, family greetings and the prospect of reunion.

Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000041

NRA-L-000041 image 1 showing address to Nicolas Deschamps at Saint-Amand, with Arras postal evidence, rotated names and calculations.
Image 1Address panel, postal evidence and later calculations.
NRA-L-000041 image 2 showing page 1 of Veuve Grinois's letter from Arras, dated 17 May 1811.
Image 2Letter text - Page 1.
NRA-L-000041 image 3 showing page 2 describing illness, treatment and convalescence.
Image 3Letter text - Page 2.
NRA-L-000041 image 4 showing page 3, closing and signature of Veuve Grinois.
Image 4Letter text - Page 3 and signature.

Transcript and English translation

working scholarly aid

Address Panel

Original transcript

A Monsieur
Monsieur Nicolas Deschamps
Batelier de Douai de présent
à St. Amand, Dépt. du Nord.
A. S. Amand

Address Panel

English translation

To Monsieur
Monsieur Nicolas Deschamps
Boatman of Douai, presently
at St. Amand, Department of the Nord
At Saint-Amand

Letter Text - Page 1

Original transcript

Arras le 17. Mai 1811.
Mon très cher ami
Je viens de recevoir avec la plus grande
satisfaction ta charmante lettre, en datte du
13. Courant, j'étois dans une inquiétude cruelle
Sur l'état de ta santé, et je suis on ne peut
pas plus satisfaite de te savoir rétabli.
Et mon coeur trésaille de joie en apprenant
que je jouirai bientot du doux plaisir de te
voir, de te presser contre mon coeur, et j'ose
espérer que ce sera pour toujours. quoique ta
ne demande pas de réponse, je ne puis résister

Notes

The phrase 'quoique ta' is incomplete in the manuscript.

Letter Text - Page 1

English translation

Arras, May 17, 1811. My very dear friend I have just received with the greatest satisfaction your charming letter, dated the 13th of the current month. I was in cruel anxiety regarding the state of your health, and I could not be more satisfied to know you are recovered. And my heart leaps with joy upon learning that I will soon enjoy the sweet pleasure of seeing you, of pressing you against my heart, and I dare to hope that it will be forever. Although your [letter] does not ask for a reply, I cannot resist

Notes

The phrase 'quoique ta' is incomplete in the manuscript.

Letter Text - Page 2

Original transcript

Au désir de te marquer ma sensibilité, et te
donner connoissance de ma situation depuis
notre séparation, sans doutte la désolation de
te quitter, et la mauvaise disposition, m'ont
occasionnée une Maladie, qui m'a prit à montaubourg
la nuit par un crachement de sang, suivi d'une
grande sueur, ce qui m'a continué toute la
routte, et à mon arrivée je me suis trouvé
accablée d'une forte fièvre, qui m'a obligé de
me mettre au lit, j'ai fait appeller un Médecin
qui m'a ordonné un Vomitif, qui à très bien joué
& d'après une Médecine qui m'a ôté la fièvre
je suis convalescente, et il résulte de la fièvre
que je suis couverte de bouton, ce qui m'a
sauvé, et ta charmante lettre a achevé ma
guérison.
Mon Cousin et ma Cousine te font mille

Letter Text - Page 2

English translation

the desire to show you my affection, and to give you knowledge of my situation since our separation. Without doubt the desolation of leaving you, and a poor disposition, have caused me an illness, which took me at Montaubourg at night with a spitting of blood, followed by a great sweat, which continued for me the whole journey, and upon my arrival I found myself overwhelmed by a strong fever, which obliged me to take to my bed. I had a doctor called who prescribed me an emetic, which worked very well & after a medicine which took away my fever I am convalescing, and it results from the fever that I am covered in spots, which saved me, and your charming letter has completed my cure. My cousin and my cousin send you a thousand

Letter Text - Page 3

Original transcript

Compliments ils partagent ma joie et
attendent comme moi le plaisir de te voir
Je finis en t'embrassant mille fois
Dans toute la tendresse de mon ame et suis
En attendant le moment heureux de te voir
Mon très cher ami, ta tendre et
sincère amie.
Veuve Grinois

Letter Text - Page 3

English translation

compliments; they share my joy and await like me the pleasure of seeing you. I finish by kissing you a thousand times in all the tenderness of my soul and am, while awaiting the happy moment of seeing you, My very dear friend, your tender and sincere friend. Widow Grinois

Discovery Terms

  • Historical correspondence
  • Separation
  • Reunion
  • Illness
  • Convalescence
  • Medical treatment
  • Boatmen
  • Arras
  • Saint-Amand
  • Douai
  • French language