Letter from veuve Playloust [?] to... (1836)

NRA-L-000056 / 1836

Letter from veuve Playloust [?] to Madame Dubourdieu, February 28, 1836

A condolence letter to Madame Dubourdieu concerning the deaths of a child and a husband, family grief, and an impending maritime separation.

Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000056

NRA-L-000056 image 1 showing the address panel to a woman at Vitré, with circular postal cancellations, folds and a seal remnant. — **Image 1**Address panel and postal evidence.

NRA-L-000056 image 2 showing the opening page of a French letter dated 28 February 1836, with folds and a clipped lower-right corner. — **Image 2**Letter text - Page 1.

NRA-L-000056 image 3 showing the continuation and closing lines of the French letter, with writing visible through the folded paper. — **Image 3**Letter text - Page 2 and closing.

Archive Record

Identifier: NRA-L-000056
Date: 1836-02-28
Original date: 1836-02-28
Type: Family correspondence
Language: French / fr
Sender: veuve Playloust [?]
Recipient: Madame Dubourdieu
Places: Nantes / Vitré
Extent: 3 web-resolution images
Signature: veuve Playloust [?]
Citation: Neruda Archives, NRA-L-000056.

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Transcript and English translation

working scholarly aid

Documentary page 1

Original transcript

A Madame
Dubourdieu Rue Notre dame
A Vitré

Notes

Postal marks:
NANTES / 28 / FEVR / 1836
VITRE / 2 / MARS / 1836
1 / MARS / 1836 / (34)

Later annotations:
soeur

Documentary page 1

English translation

To Madame
Dubourdieu, Rue Notre Dame
In Vitré

Notes

Postal marks:
NANTES / 28 / FEVR / 1836
VITRE / 2 / MARS / 1836
1 / MARS / 1836 / (34)

Documentary page 2

Original transcript

Nantes le 28 [Mars biffé; Février ajouté au-dessus] 1836

j'ai tardé bien longtems a vous ecrire chere soeur, ne m'en voulés pas je vous prie
vous ne pouves pas douter du chagrin que j'eprouve dans Mon particulier de la perte
que vous venez d'eprouver, Combien je la sans et je la partage, je ne vois point de
chagrin plus Cruel que la perte dun anfant et dun Mari, on se Console de toute
les autres, mais de Celle la, jamais, je ne Craint point de vous entretenir de votre
chere fille, j'excite sans doute vos larmes je n'en suis pas fachée il n'y a que Ce
Moyen de vous soulager, qu'elle privation pour vous, Ma chere soeur, votre seulle amie,
enfin ses enfants vous reste voila une Consolation, vous les aver avec vous, l'ainée
vous fera Compagnie elle cherchera a vous distraire de votre douleur, elle est dans
l'age de sentir la perte qu'elle vient de faire, elle fera tous ses efforts pour vous
donner du Courage et en prendre elle Même;
je suis au moment d'une separation bien penible Le 5 Mars il Met a la voile si
les vents le permettent, C'est une absence peut être de deux ans, aumoins dun an si
nos affaires s'arrange prontement, puige esperer les revoir, il fauderait que Ma santé
reprit, je vous avoux qu'elle est bien alterée j'ai grand besoin de tranquilité.
Fanni et sa fille ne peuvent être de retour que [Mardi biffé] Mercredi a 11 heurs ou Minuit
a peinne pourra t'elle voir sa fille, tout M'afflige et Me tue, Mais Ce n'est pas de Moi
dont je dois vous parler, C'est de vous, de votre cher Mari, de vos enfants, faites
leur atous Mes amitiés, je n'ecrit point a Mon frere Cette lettre est pour vous deux
je suis persuadée qu'il sait tout Ce que je sens et Combien je vous suis attachée

Notes

Editorial notes:
The writer initially wrote 'Fevrier' (February) and then wrote 'Mars' (March) over or next to it, likely correcting the date.

Documentary page 2

English translation

Nantes, 28 [March deleted; February inserted above] 1836

I have delayed a very long time in writing to you, dear sister, please do not hold it against me. You cannot doubt the sorrow that I personally feel for the loss that you have just experienced. How much I feel it and share it; I see no sorrow more cruel than the loss of a child and of a husband. One consoles oneself for all the others, but for that one, never. I do not fear at all to speak to you of your dear daughter, I undoubtedly provoke your tears, I am not sorry for it, there is only this way to relieve you. What a deprivation for you, my dear sister, your only friend. Finally, her children remain with you, here is a consolation, you have them with you, the eldest will keep you company, she will seek to distract you from your pain, she is at the age to feel the loss she has just suffered, she will make every effort to give you courage and to take some herself;
I am at the moment of a very painful separation. On March 5th he sets sail if the winds permit it. It is an absence perhaps of two years, at least of one year if our affairs are arranged promptly. May I hope to see them again? My health would have to recover, I confess to you that it is much altered, I have great need of tranquility.
Fanni and her daughter cannot be back until [Tuesday deleted] Wednesday at 11 o'clock or midnight, she will barely be able to see her daughter, everything afflicts me and kills me. But it is not of myself that I must speak to you, it is of you, of your dear husband, of your children. Give them all my regards. I am not writing to my brother at all, this letter is for you both. I am persuaded that he knows all that I feel and how much I am attached to you.

Notes

Editorial notes:
The writer initially wrote 'Fevrier' (February) and then wrote 'Mars' (March) over or next to it, likely correcting the date.

Documentary page 3

Original transcript

vos peines sont les mienes, quand vous verer Mr ladieu dites lui pour Moi tout
Ce que la Circonstance permet puill t'il jouir d'une bonne santé:
Mr et Mad auger Me Charge pour vous tous de leur respects et attachement ils sont
dans de grands embaras et enchanté de leur depart il est bien naturelle qu'une femme
suive son Mari quand rien ne si oppose, Cepandant elle a du regret de nous quitter
le Moment sera bien penible de part et d'autre, donnés Moi de vos nouvelle chere
soeur ou M'en faite donner par dubourdieu ainsi que de Celle de votre Mari
votre affectionée amie
ve Playloust [?]
jembrasse vos petites Mille choses obligeante a Melles dubourdieu et a Mr labé;

Documentary page 3

English translation

your pains are mine. When you see Mr. Ladieu, tell him for me everything that the circumstance permits, may he enjoy good health.
Mr. and Madame Auger charge me for you all with their respects and attachment, they are in great embarrassment and delighted with their departure, it is very natural that a woman follows her husband when nothing opposes it. However, she has regret in leaving us, the moment will be very painful on both sides. Give me news of yourself, dear sister, or have some given to me by Dubourdieu as well as that of your husband.
Your affectionate friend,
Widow Playloust [?]
I kiss your little ones. A thousand obliging things to the Misses Dubourdieu and to Mr. Labé;

Discovery Terms

Family correspondence
Bereavement
Condolence
Maritime travel
Nantes
Vitré

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