Letter from Jules Lichtenstein to his... (1834)

NRA-L-000060 / 1834

Letter from Jules Lichtenstein to his grandmother and sister Louise, May 7, 1834

Jules Lichtenstein writes from Berlin to his grandmother and his sister Louise about family portraits, religious instruction, holidays, theatre, the museum, and an encounter with a Prussian princess.

Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000060

NRA-L-000060 image 1 showing the address panel to Louise Lichtenstein in Montpellier, with red forwarding marks, circular postal cancellations and folded docketing. — **Image 1**Address panel and postal evidence.

NRA-L-000060 image 2 showing the opening page of a French letter dated at Berlin on 7 May 1834 and addressed to the writer's grandmother. — **Image 2**Letter text - Page 1.

NRA-L-000060 image 3 showing continued French letter text followed by a second section addressed to Louise, with writing visible through the paper. — **Image 3**Letter text - Page 2 and second salutation.

NRA-L-000060 image 4 showing the final French letter page with the closing, signature, an additional note, folds and paper loss. — **Image 4**Letter text - Page 3, closing and signature.

Archive Record

Identifier: NRA-L-000060
Date: 1834-05-07
Original date: Berlin le 7 Mai 1834
Type: Family correspondence
Language: French / fr
Sender: Jules Lichtenstein
Recipient: Louise Lichtenstein [postal addressee]
Places: Berlin, Prussia / Montpellier, France
Extent: 4 documentary sides: Documentary page 1; Documentary page 2; Documentary page 3; Documentary page 4; 4 digital images.
Signature: Jules Lichtenstein
Citation: Neruda Archives, NRA-L-000060.

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Transcript and English translation

working scholarly aid

Address panel

Original transcript

Mademoiselle
Louise Lichtenstein
adress. Lichtenstein Vialars
à Montpellier
France
Dep. de l'Herault

Address panel

English translation

Miss
Louise Lichtenstein
address: Lichtenstein Vialars
in Montpellier
France
Department of Hérault

Documentary page 2

Original transcript

Berlin le 7 Mai 1834
Chère ^bonne^ maman
J'ai reçu une de tes lettres du 15 Avril et je n'ai pu y répondre
quand j'ai répondu à Westphal il y'a deux ou trois jours mais demain
nous avons vacance parceque c'est fête demain en huit nous avons de nouveau
vacance pour 15 jours pour la Pentecôte. à propos je vous avais écrit de
me dire ce que vous désiriez que je fis à l'égard de mon instruction religieuse
n'ayant reçu aucune lettre qui m'en parle, je conclus que qui ne dit mot
consent et je parlerais avec l'oncle a Mr Palmier (le ministre français)
aussitôt que l'occassion s'en présentera. j'ai eu une grande joie ce jour
passé le bon auguste mon cousin de Wolfenbüttel m'a envoyé vos
portraits qu'il a copié sur ceux qu'a fait Theodore ils m'ont fait
le plus grand plaisir tu es très ressemblante augusta aussi pauline delia
et victor aussi mais je trouve que maman et louise ont l'air un peu
trop vielles et sévères, la position que tu as dans ce petit tableau me
prouve encor ton amour pour moi, tu relis une de mes lettres, je pense
aussi bien souvent à toi chère bonne maman, chaque fois que je
porte mes yeux sur ce tableau qui est suspendu dans la chambre
que je suis le plus souvent, ^(revenir dans ma mémoire)^ je sens tous les plaisirs que j'ai
ressenti près de vous tous les moments de joie de ces soirées délicieuses
où pendant que maman avait la bonté de faire une partie d'échec
avec moi louise et augusta chantaient, papa les écoutait et les autres se
roulaient sur le tapis, et toi, tout en tricotant tu nous racontais
quelque chose. Berlin est bien beau, ses grandes tours ses palais
sa promenade (der thiergarten) tout cela est peut être plus somptueux

Documentary page 2

English translation

Berlin, 7 May 1834
Dear Grandmother,
I received one of your letters of 15 April and could not answer it when I replied to Westphal two or three days ago. But tomorrow we have a holiday because it is a feast day. A week from tomorrow we shall have another holiday, fifteen days for Pentecost.
By the way, I had written asking you to tell me what you wished me to do regarding my religious instruction. Having received no letter that mentions it, I conclude that silence means consent, and I shall speak with my uncle to Mr Palmier, the French minister, as soon as the opportunity presents itself.
I had great pleasure a few days ago. Good Auguste, my cousin from Wolfenbüttel, sent me your portraits, which he copied from those made by Théodore. They gave me immense pleasure. You are a very good likeness, as are Augusta, Pauline, Délia, and Victor; but I find that Mamma and Louise look a little too old and severe.
The position in which you are shown in this little portrait proves your love for me once again: you are rereading one of my letters. I too think of you very often, dear Grandmother. Every time I look at this portrait, which hangs in the room where I spend most of my time, all the pleasures I felt with you [return to my memory], all the moments of happiness in those delightful evenings when Mamma had the kindness to play a game of chess with me, Louise and Augusta sang, Papa listened to them, the others rolled about on the carpet, and you told us something as you knitted.

Documentary page 3

Original transcript

qu'a montpellier mais cette dernière ville renferme des objets qui
me sont plus chers que tout ce que l'univers peut posseder ces
objets c'est vous chaque matin m'a premiere pensée est vers montpellier
ma dernière chaque soir est toujours vers montpellier. adieu ma chere
bonne maman je t'embrasse de tout mon cœur et suis pour la vie
ton devoué petit fils jules
P.S. Quand tu iras prendre le café au lait chez tante
Basse ou Roquepine n'oublie pas de leur faire mes amitiés
ainsi qu'aux autres tantes Vassas, pigeaire, Tustel Pauline etc
etc. donne m'en quelques fois des nouvelles.

Chère Louise.
Tu me dis que vous avez vu jouer le Pré aux clercs et que
la musique t'a assez amusé, je l'ai vu jouer chanté par le meilleur
chanteur de l'Opera ici et ..... je me suis endormi.
J'ai aussi vu Bertrand et Raton qui m'a assez interessé pourtant
je n'y ai rien trouvé d'extraordinaire.
Hier la princesse de prusse, Wilhelm femme du second fils du
roi de prusse est venue au musée, l'oncle m'a pris avec lui
pour lui montrer les oiseaux, la princesse m'a parlé en français
m'a dit qu'elle était charmé de faire ma connaissance, et et
n'ayant jamais parlé a des gens d'un si haut rang je crois
que je m'y pris un peu gauchement dans mes réponses, oui
oui Altesse Royale non Altesse Royale etc les dames de la
cour ont aussi beaucoup parlé français avec moi m'ont
demandé le nom de plusieurs oiseaux, p. ex. Coquillade, étourneau,
etc etc la princesse doit revenir au musée et a dit a
l'oncle qu'il devait souvent me mener avec lui

Notes

Editorial notes:
"Le Pré aux clercs" is an 1832 opéra comique by Ferdinand Hérold.
"Bertrand et Raton" is an 1833 play by Eugène Scribe.

Documentary page 3

English translation

Berlin is very beautiful. Its great towers, palaces, and promenade, the Tiergarten, are perhaps more magnificent than those of Montpellier. But Montpellier contains things dearer to me than anything the whole universe can possess. Those things are all of you.
Every morning my first thought turns to Montpellier, and every evening my last thought turns there too.
Farewell, my dear Grandmother. I kiss you with all my heart and remain for life your devoted grandson.
Jules
P.S. When you go to have café au lait at Aunt Basse's or Aunt Roquepine's, do not forget to give them my regards, as well as the other aunts, Vassas, Pigeaire, Tustel, Pauline, etc., etc. Give me news of them from time to time.
Dear Louise,
You tell me that you saw 'Le Pré aux clercs' performed and that the music entertained you fairly well. I saw it too; it was sung by the best singer at the opera here, and ... I fell asleep.
I also saw 'Bertrand et Raton', which interested me somewhat; but I found nothing extraordinary in it.
Yesterday the Princess of Prussia, wife of Prince Wilhelm, the second son of the King of Prussia, came to the museum. Uncle took me with him to show her the birds. The princess spoke to me in French and told me that she was delighted to make my acquaintance. Having never spoken to people of such high rank, I believe I was rather awkward in my replies: 'Yes, yes, Your Royal Highness'; 'No, Your Royal Highness'; and so on.
The ladies of the court also spoke a great deal of French with me and asked me the names of several birds, for example the crested lark, the starling, etc., etc. The princess is to return to the museum and told Uncle that he should often bring me with him, as well as my cousin Moritz, who was also there and helped to carry the birds.

Notes

Editorial notes:
"Le Pré aux clercs" is an 1832 opéra comique by Ferdinand Hérold.
"Bertrand et Raton" is an 1833 play by Eugène Scribe.

Documentary page 4

Original transcript

ainsi que mon cousin moritz qui était aussi la pour aider
a porter les oiseaux.
nous avons aujourd'hui une soiree musicale mais cela
m'ennuye et comme il n'y a pas de façon a faire puisque toute
la societé se reduit a Jules Ramelsberg, fils de l'inspecteur
du Musée, [crossed out: Mr] Hermann Lichtenstein de Helmstädt, que je tutoye
et d'un autre Monsieur je puis vous écrire en tranquillité
je n'y vois plus il est 8 heures et quart du reste cette lettre est
la plus longue je crois que je vous ai jamais écrite mais plus
le temps que je suis eloigné de vous s'aggrandit plus je sens
le plaisir de m'entretenir plus long temps avec vous.
Adieu chere sœur je t'embrasse de tout
mon cœur
ton frère
Jules Lichtenstein
Remets a papa la feuille ci-incluse. embrasse le bien
pour moi, et amusez vous bien le jour de sa fete.
adieu

Documentary page 4

English translation

We have a musical evening today, but it bores me. And as there is no need to stand on ceremony—the entire company consists only of Jules Rammelsberg, son of the museum inspector; Hermann Lichtenstein of Helmstädt, with whom I am on familiar terms; and one other gentleman—I can write to you in peace.
I can no longer see; it is a quarter past eight. Besides, I believe this is the longest letter I have ever written to you. But the longer I am away from you, the more pleasure I feel in conversing with you at greater length.
Farewell, dear sister, I kiss you with all my heart.
Your brother
Jules Lichtenstein
Give Papa the enclosed sheet. Give him a good kiss for me, and enjoy yourselves on his name day.
Farewell.

Later manuscript record

Original transcript

Jules à bonne Maman et Louise / 7 mai 1834

Later manuscript record

English translation

[Jules to Grandmother and Louise. 7 May 1834.]

Discovery Terms

Family correspondence
Education
Religious instruction
Berlin
Montpellier
Museums
Music and theatre

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