Letter from an unidentified... (1840)

NRA-L-000597 / 1840

Letter from an unidentified correspondent to Madame Frachon, 1840-11-26

An unidentified female correspondent writes to Madame Frachon about Jean Marie's health, the advancement of François, Vincent's placement, Albert's recovery from jaundice and the damage caused by Rhône flooding.

Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000597

NRA-L-000597 image 1 showing a folded address panel to a Frachon correspondent at Annonay, with handwritten delivery address, postal marks, sealing evidence, folds and retained annotations. — **Image 1**Address panel to a Frachon correspondent at Annonay, with postal evidence and retained annotations.

NRA-L-000597 image 2 showing a handwritten French letter page with manuscript dateline and text, visible fold lines and complete physical paper edges. — **Image 2**Letter text - Page 1.

NRA-L-000597 image 3 showing a handwritten French letter page with manuscript dateline and text, visible fold lines and complete physical paper edges. — **Image 3**Letter text - Page 2.

NRA-L-000597 image 4 showing a handwritten French letter continuation with closing, retained marginal or later annotations, visible folds and complete physical paper edges. — **Image 4**Letter text and closing.

Archive Record

Identifier: NRA-L-000597
Date: 1840-11-26
Original date: Tournon 26 9bre
Type: Family correspondence
Language: French / fr
Sender: Unidentified correspondent
Recipient: Madame Frachon
Extent: 4 documentary sides: Documentary page 1; Documentary page 2; Documentary page 3; Documentary page 4; 4 digital images.
Citation: Neruda Archives, NRA-L-000597.

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Transcript and English translation

working scholarly aid

Address panel

Original transcript

Madame
M.me Frachon
à Annonay
Ardèche

Address panel

English translation

Madame
Madame Frachon
at Annonay
Ardèche

Documentary page 2

Original transcript

Tournon 26 9bre

Ma chère soeur les occupations de Mon Mari
Ne lui permettant pas de [[strikethrough]]vouz[[/strikethrough]] répondre a par[?] demain
il me cede la jouisance de m'entretenir quelques
instants avec vous, j'éspere que ce leger Mieu qu'eprou
=ve Jn Marie se soutiendra et qu'avec un peu plus de
nouriture ces forces reviendront nous sommes
Malheureusement dans une saison ingrate pour
les Malades, puissions nous avoir un hiver
Moins rigoureux, et sa santé s'en trouverait bien
je pense qu'il continue toujours son lait d'anesse
puisque ces Medecins le lui conseillent c'est un
remede dont il faut faire usage longtems.
nous nous sommes tous réjouit icy de
l'avancement de votre fils françois, et de ce
que vincent a été placé à sa satisfaction,
je vous remercie de nous en avoir fait part
vous saviés combien nous étions empressées
de l'apprendre, nous nous en sommes aussi
réjouis parent pour votre Mari persuadées
que ces bonnes Nouvelles influeront sur sa
santé ayant vu combien sa tendresse pour
ces fils le lui faisoit désirer, nous aurons
bien du plaisir à voir vincent.

Documentary page 2

English translation

Tournon, 26 November

My dear sister, my husband's occupations do not permit him to answer you [unclear phrase], so he yields to me the pleasure of conversing with you for a few moments. I hope that the slight improvement Jean Marie is experiencing will continue and that, with a little more nourishment, his strength will return. Unfortunately this is a harsh season for the sick. May we have a milder winter; his health would benefit from it. I think he is still taking donkey's milk, since his doctors recommend it; it is a remedy that must be continued for a long time.
We were all delighted here by the advancement of your son François and that Vincent has found a position to his satisfaction. I thank you for letting us know; you knew how eager we were to hear it. We were also happy for your husband, convinced that this good news would benefit his health, having seen how much his affection for his sons made him desire it. We shall be very pleased to see Vincent.

Documentary page 3

Original transcript

la santé de Mon Mari est bonne, ainsi que de
nous tous dans ce Moment, Mon petit fils albert
a été Malade [[strikethrough]]preu[[/strikethrough]] d'une [[strikethrough]]atta[[/strikethrough]] légère jaunisse, cet
enfant était triste, ne s'amusait pas, le Medecin
lui avoit défendu le travail, il a donc reste
tout ce tems sans aller au college, à present il
est bien a repris sa gaieté et son travail depuis
lundi, il va au college.
le rhône nous quitte, Mais lentement, il y a
plusieurs jours qu'il n'est plus dans la ruë, et
ni dans les caves, Mon fils a repris ces[?] prosedes[?]
à M[?]r[?]ot que ces fortes inondations avaient
interrompues. Mon Mari et Moi n'y avons pas encore
été on me dit que les eaux y ont fait du Mal
Mai ce n'est rien auprès de tant d'autres personnes
dont les proprietés sont entierrement ravagés
la vuë de nos fenêtres qui ordinairement sont
agréables etaient dans ce Moment d'inondation
bien triste. on avait le Coeur Malade de
tant de Malheur.
adieu Ma chere soeur j'espere à tout le bonheurs

Documentary page 3

English translation

My husband's health is good, as is that of all of us at present. My grandson Albert had been ill with a slight jaundice. The child was sad and did not play; the doctor had forbidden him to work, so he stayed away from school all that time. He is now well, has recovered his cheerfulness and resumed his work on Monday; he is going to school.
The Rhône is receding, but slowly. For several days it has no longer been in the street or the cellars. My son has resumed his [work or process] at [unclear place], which the severe floods had interrupted. My husband and I have not yet been there. I am told that the waters caused damage there, but it is nothing compared with so many other people whose properties have been completely devastated. The view from our windows, usually so pleasant, was very sad during the flood. One's heart was sick at so much misfortune.
Farewell, my dear sister. I hope for all the happiness

Documentary page 4

Original transcript

que nous eprouvons quand vous, dites que votre
Mari est Mieux, et à tout ce qui peut vous accorder
d'heureux dans la reussite de votre famille, Mes
tendres amitiés je vous prie à tous
je vous embrasse [[strikethrough]]zelie[[/strikethrough]] et elizabeth de tout
Mon Coeur Mon Mari et tout ce qui M'entoure
se réunit a Moi. votre afectionnée soeur
[signature]
Ma petite fille Me demande de la
Nommer et de dire Mille tendresse
à sa Cousine

Documentary page 4

English translation

that we feel when you say that your husband is better, and for everything that may bring you happiness through your family's success. Please give my tender regards to everyone. I embrace you and Élisabeth with all my heart. My husband and everyone around me join me. Your affectionate sister,
[stylized signature]
My little daughter asks me to mention her and to send a thousand affectionate wishes to her cousin.

Discovery Terms

Family correspondence
Health and illness
Military promotion
Employment
Flooding
Frachon Family Correspondence

Transcriptions and English translations are provided as working scholarly aids, not as replacements for the images of the original documents. Some readings may remain uncertain, especially where handwriting, spelling, damage, abbreviations, names or places are difficult.

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