Letter to J. Mᵉ Frachon from Voiron... (1838)

NRA-L-000480 / 1838

Letter to J. Mᵉ Frachon from Voiron, 2 August 1838

Family letter concerning Eugene's conduct and debts, a lost or stolen coat, news of Vincent and Bernard, and a proposed visit before the writer's wife travels to Lyon for Victoire.

Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000480

NRA-L-000480 image 1 showing a folded address panel to J. M. Frachon in Annonay with circular Voiron and Annonay postal marks, handwritten rates and filing notes. — **Image 1**Address panel and postal evidence.

NRA-L-000480 image 2 showing the first handwritten French letter page dated at Voiron in August 1838, with dense text and fold lines. — **Image 2**Letter text — Page 1.

NRA-L-000480 image 3 showing the second handwritten French letter page with continuation text, closing and signature. — **Image 3**Letter text — Page 2 and signature.

Archive Record

Identifier: NRA-L-000480
Date: 1838-08-02
Original date: Voiron Le 2 Aoust 1838.
Type: Family correspondence
Language: French / fr
Sender: Unidentified correspondent
Recipient: J. Mᵉ Frachon
Places: Voiron / Annonay
Extent: 3 documentary sides: Address panel and postal evidence; Letter text — Page 1; Letter text — Page 2 and signature; 3 digital images.
Citation: Neruda Archives, NRA-L-000480.

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Transcript and English translation

working scholarly aid

Address panel

Original transcript

Monsieur
J. Mᵉ Frachon
Annonay

Address panel

English translation

Monsieur
J. Mᵉ Frachon
Annonay

Letter text — Page 1

Original transcript

Voiron Le 2 Aoust 1838.
Mon cher ami
Je reçu ta Lettre du 1 Cᵗ je partage bien ton
avis Sur Eugene mais après lui avoir fait [sentir?] combien
Sa conduite est blamable faut-il le [pousser?] à la
honte & au désespoir s'est-il [résolu?] [passage uncertain] la Leçon
a été assés forte, je l'ai fait venir ici avant hier, j'ai
renouvellé la Leçon & lui ai remis dans Ses mains pour Solder toutes
Ses dettes que je voulais aller payer moi meme; mais
j'ai crains de trop l'humilier j'etais assés [aise?] d'avoir fait
cette demarche au profit d'un [Tiers?].
tu me parle d'un manteau achété l'année
Dʳᵉ mais ce manteau a eté perdu ou bien on l'a
volé à ce que m'a dit Edouard. Eugene s'en [disculpe?]
en ecrivant à son oncle Joseph bien que vous
trouviés sa dépense extraordinaire [passage uncertain]
qu'il n'y a point d'excuse à Sa Soeur qui l'a blamé
[passage uncertain].
Je te repete que je n'ai point reçu de letre de
Vincent je desire beaucoup en recevoir.
Je suis encor seul ma femme ne viendra
que lundi je crois. elle va bien

Letter text — Page 1

English translation

Voiron, 2 August 1838.
My dear friend,
I received your letter of the 1st of the current month. I fully share your
opinion of Eugene, but after having made him [understand?] how blameworthy
his conduct is, must he be [driven?] to shame and despair? Has he [resolved?]
[uncertain passage]? The lesson has been severe enough. I had him come here
the day before yesterday; I repeated the lesson and put into his hands what
was needed to settle all his debts, which I had wanted to go and pay myself.
But I feared humiliating him too much; I was quite [glad?] to have taken this
step for the benefit of a [third party?].
You speak to me about a coat bought last year, but that coat was lost, or else
it was stolen, according to what Edouard told me. Eugene [clears himself?]
by writing to his uncle Joseph. Although you find his expenditure extraordinary,
[uncertain passage] there is no excuse for his sister, who blamed him
[uncertain passage].
I repeat that I have received no letter from Vincent; I very much wish to
receive one. I am still alone. I believe my wife will not come until Monday.
She is well.

Letter text — Page 2 and signature

Original transcript

Je [me suis fait?] [passage uncertain]
Ici Bernard est aux eaux ce qui me Contrarie
beaucoup. mais [passage uncertain]
[passage uncertain]
[passage uncertain] cette circonstance me fait Plaisir
parceque je m'attendois à tarder au p[rint]ems
que l'on [vend?] les papiers
nous ne nous Sommes pas encor aperçu
de la Secheresse
j'aprends avec plaisir que tu vas mieux
ce Seroit le moment de venir nous voir
ensuite tu me ferais, tu nous ferais Plaisir
a tous, & tu t'en trouverois bien. dis moi
par retour du Courier quel jour tu croy
que je puisse t'envoir chercher. ma femme doit
aller à Lyon le 20 ou 22 Cᵗ pour chercher
Victoire & voir la famille. il faut que tu
vienne avant son depart. fais moi ce Plaisir
je t'en Conjure vous vous en trouverez tous
bien
adieu mille baisers à tous
[Signature illegible]

Letter text — Page 2 and signature

English translation

I [have had?] [uncertain passage]. Bernard is at the waters, which is a great
annoyance to me, but [uncertain passage]. [Uncertain passage] in these
circumstances pleases me, because I expected to be delayed until spring,
when the papers are [sold?]. We have not yet noticed the drought.
I am pleased to learn that you are better. This would be the time to come and
see us; you would give me—and all of us—pleasure, and it would do you good.
Tell me by return post on what day you think I can send to fetch you. My wife
is to go to Lyon on the 20th or 22nd of the current month to fetch Victoire
and see the family. You must come before her departure. Do me this favour;
I beg you. You will all benefit from it.
Farewell; a thousand kisses to everyone.
[Illegible signature]

Discovery Terms

Family correspondence
Debt
Travel
Health
Frachon Family Correspondence

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