Letter from François Frachon to... (1839)

NRA-L-000607 / 1839

Letter from François Frachon to Madame Frachon, 1839-05-15

François Frachon reassures his mother from the Val-de-Grâce hospital, describing his care, diet, visitors and improving health.

Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000607

NRA-L-000607 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-000607 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-000607 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-000607 image 4 showing a handwritten French letter continuation with closing, signature, retained marginal or later annotations, visible folds and complete physical paper edges. — **Image 4**Letter text, closing and retained annotations.

Archive Record

Identifier: NRA-L-000607
Date: 1839-05-15
Original date: Paris le 15 Mai 1839
Type: Family correspondence
Language: French / fr
Sender: François Frachon
Recipient: Jean Marie Frachon
Places: Paris / Annonay, Ardèche
Extent: 4 documentary sides: Documentary page 1; Documentary page 2; Documentary page 3; Documentary page 4; 4 digital images.
Citation: Neruda Archives, NRA-L-000607.

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Transcript and English translation

working scholarly aid

Address panel

Original transcript

Monsieur
Jean Marie Frachon
à Annonay
Ardèche

Address panel

English translation

Mr
Jean Marie Frachon
at Annonay
Ardèche

Documentary page 2

Original transcript

Paris le 15 mai 1839

Ma bonne mère,

Tu as dû être bien inquiète de me savoir malade si loin de toi, de l'idée que tu ne pouvais pas me soigner; mais rassure-toi, ma bonne mère, comme tu dois le voir par l'inspection de mon écriture avec celle de la lettre que j'écrivis à mon père le 6 du courant, qui était très gribouillée et dont je n'avais pu même faire l'adresse, tant j'avais la main faible.

J'oubliais d'accuser réception à mon père de sa lettre du neuf; elle ne m'est parvenue que le 13, ainsi que celle qu'elle contenait pour Monsieur Eugène Liand, auquel je n'ai pu la remettre que ce matin à cause de ces émeutes; j'espérais le voir un peu plus tôt. J'ai beaucoup de plaisir à le voir toutes les fois que je peux.

J'eus hier soir la visite de mon ami Feray et de Monsieur Devenas, qui est venu me voir sur l'avis que lui a donné Madame Clair que j'étais malade, et qui m'a témoigné beaucoup

Documentary page 2

English translation

Paris, 15 May 1839

My good mother,

You must have been very anxious to know that I was ill so far from you, and at the thought that you could not care for me. But be reassured, my good mother: you can see it by comparing my present handwriting with the letter I wrote to my father on the 6th of this month, which was badly scrawled and on which I had not even been able to write the address, so weak was my hand.

I forgot to acknowledge to my father his letter of the 9th. It reached me only on the 13th, together with the letter it contained for Mr Eugène Liand, which I could not deliver until this morning because of the riots; I had hoped to see him sooner. I am always very pleased when I can see him.

Last night I was visited by my friend Feray and by Mr Devenas, who came after Madame Clair told him that I was ill and who showed me much

Documentary page 3

Original transcript

d'intérêt. Je prierai mon père de vouloir bien [prier M.] Frachon de Courson de remercier le père de mon ami Feray, de ma part, de tout l'intérêt que son fils me porte. Il vient me voir toutes les fois qu'il peut en trouver l'occasion et s'est plusieurs fois exposé à être pris pour pouvoir me voir; c'est un ami dévoué.

Depuis quelque temps on me donne à manger et on augmente tous les jours. Aujourd'hui on m'a donné une panade au jaune d'œuf, c'est-à-dire un peu de bouillon maigre dans lequel il y a un peu de pain brouillé et un jaune d'œuf délié, et une bouillie, c'est-à-dire de la farine délayée avec du lait. Le tout est bien léger et me fait bien plaisir. J'espère que demain il me donnera, à la place de la bouillie, un petit œuf au plat, ou peut-être du poisson. J'ai un bon médecin, très prudent et qui prend beaucoup d'intérêt à moi. Je pense que demain il me donnera ma panade avec un œuf à la coque, au plat ou peut-être brouillé; mais je le préférerais au plat.

Il fait froid depuis deux ou trois jours, ce qui est cause que je n'ai pas pu me lever aujourd'hui comme

Documentary page 3

English translation

interest. I shall ask my father to [ask Mr] Frachon de Courson to thank the father of my friend Feray on my behalf for all the concern his son shows me. He visits whenever he can find an opportunity and has several times risked being caught in order to see me; he is a devoted friend.

For some time they have been giving me food and increasing it each day. Today I was given panada with egg yolk: a little lean broth containing some softened bread and an egg yolk stirred into it; and also gruel, flour mixed with milk. It is all very light and agrees with me. I hope that tomorrow, instead of the gruel, he will give me a small fried egg or perhaps some fish. I have a good doctor who is very prudent and takes a great interest in me. I think tomorrow he will give me my panada with a soft-boiled, fried or perhaps scrambled egg, though I would prefer it fried.

It has been cold for two or three days, which is why I was unable to get up today as

Documentary page 4

Original transcript

me l'avait promis le docteur s'il ne faisait pas trop froid. J'ai de la peine à m'échauffer parfois.

Je pense que ma sœur continue à bien se porter. Je lui écrirai un mot, mais le froid me saisit; il faut que ce soit [plus tard]. J'ai écrit à mes frères.

Adieu, je t'embrasse ainsi que mon père et ma sœur comme je vous aime.

F. Frachon

À l'hôpital du Val-de-Grâce, salle 17, n° 3, lit n° 3. Veux-tu donner cette adresse à Charles en y ajoutant: [dernière formule militaire indistincte].

Je t'embrasse de nouveau de tout mon cœur.

Documentary page 4

English translation

the doctor had promised, provided it was not too cold. I sometimes have difficulty getting warm.

I think my sister continues in good health. I shall write her a short note, but the cold is getting to me; it will have to be [later]. I have written to my brothers.

Farewell; I embrace you, my father and my sister with all my love.

F. Frachon

At the Val-de-Grâce hospital, ward 17, no. 3, bed no. 3. Please give this address to Charles, adding [the final military wording is indistinct].

I embrace you again with all my heart.

Discovery Terms

Family correspondence
Health and illness
Hospitalization
Val-de-Grâce
Food and diet
Frachon Family Correspondence

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