NRA-L-000655 / 1844

Letter from Nancy Jouve's brother announcing the birth of his son, 4 October 1844

Nancy Jouve's brother announces the birth of his son, asks Henry to be godfather, and relies on Nancy to tell their mother and Annette and to report on little Délia.

Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000655

NRA-L-000655 image 1 showing the opening text together with the address and postal evidence.
Image 1Opening letter text, address panel and postal evidence.
NRA-L-000655 image 2 showing the handwritten closing and signature.
Image 2Letter text and signature.

Transcript and English translation

working scholarly aid

Address panel

Original transcript

Madame
Madame Jouve
Négociante à
Realmont
(Tarn)

Address panel

English translation

Madame Jouve
Merchant
Réalmont
(Tarn)

Letter text - Image 1

Original transcript

Tarascon le 4 8bre 1844

Ma chere Nancy

Je ne viens pas t'annoncer une nouvelle, fanny a du te faire
part de l'heureux resultat de ses couches? mais je viens te dire combien je
suis fier d'avoir un garçon, je ne doute pas de la part que tu dois prendre
à tout mon bonheur, ainsi que ton cher Aram et toutes les personnes qui
me veulent du bien. Il y a deux jours que j'ai écrit à henry, pour le
prier d'en être le Parrain. ses occupations & un départ sont la cause
que je n'ai pas eu le plaisir de pouvoir t'ecrire par le meme Courrier.
je viens de faire partir plusieurs lettres de faire part pour Realmont
je n'ai pas cru devoir en adresser à ma mere, ni à Annette, j'ai pensé
que tu aurais la bonté d'aller pour moi leur annoncer toute ma félicité
et que cette demarche seroit plus convenable, ainsi tu vois que je compte
sur ton obligeance pour me representer dans cette circonstance et suis
assuré d'avance que ma commission sera parfaitement remplie.
ma femme me dit dans une de ses lettres qu'elle avoit eu le
plaisir de te voir quelques instans à Castres, et que tu avois ta petite délia
un peu indisposée, lorsque tu m'ecriras ne manque pas je te prie

[Address]

Letter text - Image 1

English translation

Tarascon, 4 October 1844.

My dear Nancy,

I am not writing to announce news to you, for Fanny must already have told you of the happy outcome of her confinement. Rather, I want to tell you how proud I am to have a son. I do not doubt the part you will take in all my happiness, together with your dear Aram and everyone who wishes me well. Two days ago I wrote to Henry to ask him to be the boy's godfather. His business and an impending departure prevented me from having the pleasure of writing to you by the same post.

I have just sent several birth announcements to Réalmont. I did not think it appropriate to address any to my mother or to Annette; I thought you would be kind enough to go in my stead and tell them of all my happiness, and that this would be the more suitable course. You see that I am relying on your kindness to represent me on this occasion, and I am certain in advance that my commission will be perfectly carried out.

My wife tells me in one of her letters that she had the pleasure of seeing you for a few moments at Castres, and that your little Délia was slightly unwell. When you write, please do not fail

[Address]

Letter text continuation - Image 2

Original transcript

je te prie de me donner de ses nouvelles.
a Dieu ma chere Nancy, mille choses affectueuses pour moi à aram,
je pense qu'en arrivant des Bains [crossed out text] ^de lacaune^ en famille, tu n'auras pas passé à
Castres, sans aller voir fanny et embrasser ton petit neveu et que dans
ta prochaine lettre dis moi si le rejeton de la branche Cadète a bonne mine.
Embrasse ta petite pour moi et crois moi toujours ton devoué
frère et ami
[Signature]

Letter text continuation - Image 2

English translation

to give me news of her.

Farewell, my dear Nancy. Give Aram a thousand affectionate greetings from me. I imagine that, on returning with the family from the baths at Lacaune, you cannot have passed through Castres without going to see Fanny and kissing your little nephew. In your next letter, tell me whether the offspring of the younger branch of the family looks well.

Kiss your little girl for me, and believe me always your devoted brother and friend,
[Signature]

Discovery Terms

  • Birth
  • Family correspondence
  • Godparents
  • Health

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