Letter concerning a proposed marriage... (1818)

NRA-L-000671 / 1818

Letter concerning a proposed marriage to Justine

A printer in Tours writes to a bailiff in Chinon about his circumstances and a proposed marriage to Justine.

Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000671

NRA-L-000671 image 1 showing a folded address side to a merchant in Chinon, with wax-seal remnants. — **Image 1**Address panel and postal evidence.

NRA-L-000671 image 2 showing a French handwritten letter on folded, partly damaged paper, text side 1. — **Image 2**Letter text - Page 1.

NRA-L-000671 image 3 showing a French handwritten letter on folded, partly damaged paper, text side 2. — **Image 3**Letter text - Page 2.

Archive Record

Identifier: NRA-L-000671
Date: 1818-03-02
Original date: Tours, 2 Mars 1818
Type: Personal correspondence
Language: French / fr
Sender: J. M. [initials only]
Recipient: M. Nerpin
Places: Tours / Chinon, Indre-et-Loire
Extent: 3 documentary sides: Letter page 1; Letter page 2; Address side; 3 digital images.
Signature: J. M.
Citation: Neruda Archives, NRA-L-000671.

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Transcript and English translation

working scholarly aid

Letter page 1

Original transcript

Tours, 2 Mars 1818.

A M. Nerpin, huissier à Chinon,

Frappez, on vous ouvrira ; demandez, vous recevrez, nous dit l'Evangile. Voilà,
Monsieur, ce qui me fait hasarder de prendre la liberté de vous entretenir
de ce qui m'est, depuis quelque temps, plus cher que la vie, espérant
que vous daignerez m'entendre.
L'Amour, je n'en puis douter, guidant mes pas (ô charmant souvenir !)
j'aperçois une Nymphe jolie, le sourire du bonheur sur ses lèvres, les
pas gracieux, la tournure légère, en un mot de Vénus les attraits.
Quel plaisir, me dis-je, le cœur palpitant, de vivre sous les lois d'une
aussi tendre amie ! Qu'il serait doux de pouvoir près d'elle abandonner
son ame ! Que les plaisirs seraient purs ! Ce serait le vrai bonheur. Par
quel enchantement, par quelle faveur, dis-je encore, la ville de Tours
se voit-elle en ce moment embellie d'un si joli portrait ? Je cours,
je m'informe, et j'apprends que c'est à Chinon où réside Mlle
Justine, ce précieux trésor.
Mais emporté par l'enthousiasme, je m'écarte du point principal
que je veux traiter. Ainsi, vous apercevez sans doute que votre demoiselle
a su, sans le vouloir, charmer mon cœur, que j'en suis épris et que
j'ai cherché à la connaitre. D'après les informations que j'ai prises chez
Mme [Babin] de Chinon, actuellement à Tours, [mot rayé], je me trouverais
heureux si je pouvais obtenir la main de Mlle Justine. Pour parvenir
[à c]et effet, il faut, je crois, vous donner un état exact de ma situation et de
[mes] idées. Je vais sans rien déguiser, vous en donner connaissance. Si elles
[vous] conviennent, il me reste la tâche difficile de plaire à la charmante Justine.
Je suis compositeur d'imprimerie, ou pour mieux dire imprimeur. Agé
[de] 25 ans, il y en a 8 ou 9 que je professe cette partie. Actuellement
[en] cette ville, chez Mr Mame, je me loue de l'obligation d'être
[???]teur. Ne pouvant espérer de m'établir avec une imprimerie, les
[frais é]tant trop considérables, et ayant, pendant plusieurs

Letter page 1

English translation

Tours, 2 March 1818.

To Mr Nerpin, bailiff at Chinon,

“Knock and it shall be opened to you; ask and you shall receive,” says the Gospel. That, Sir, is why I venture to take the liberty of speaking to you about something that has for some time been dearer to me than life, in the hope that you will hear me out.
Love, I cannot doubt it, guided my steps (oh, delightful memory!). I caught sight of a lovely nymph, with a happy smile on her lips, graceful steps and a light bearing—in short, all the charms of Venus.
What joy, I said to myself, my heart pounding, to live under the sway of so tender a beloved! How sweet it would be to surrender one's soul beside her! How pure such pleasures would be! That would be true happiness. By what enchantment, by what favour, I asked again, is the town of Tours at this moment graced by such a lovely vision? I ran to inquire and learned that this precious treasure, Miss Justine, lives in Chinon.
But carried away by enthusiasm, I stray from the main point I wish to discuss. You can doubtless see that your daughter has, without intending to, captivated my heart; that I have fallen in love with her and sought to get to know her. From inquiries I made through Mme [Babin] of Chinon, now in Tours, [crossed-out word], I should be happy if I could win Miss Justine's hand. To that end, I believe I must give you an exact account of my situation and my intentions. I shall tell you everything without concealment. If they meet with your approval, I shall still face the difficult task of pleasing the charming Justine.
I am a printing compositor, or rather a printer. I am twenty-five and have practised this trade for eight or nine years. At present, here in this town, with Mr Mame, I [occupational wording unclear]. I cannot hope to set up a printing house of my own, the costs being too great; and, having spent several

Letter page 2

Original transcript

années travaillé dans une étude d'huissier, chez Mr Coiffé, décédé, huissier
à Tours (ce qui me donne une forte teinture de cette partie), j'ai
saisi l'occasion qui parait se présenter. Mr Nerpin, m'a-t-on dit,
n'espérant plus, pour lui succéder, ni sur son fils, ni sur le mari
de sa demoiselle aînée (Mr Bastard), il serait assez content de trouver
pour son aimable Justine un gendre qui lui convint et [pour rayé] à qui
il pourrait se faire succéder, si bon lui semblait. En conséquence,
et d'après toutes [mes] réflexions faites, j'ai pensé qu'en demandant
l'on peut réussir, espérant aussi pouvoir convenir.
Mes parens, d'une réputation intacte, sont sans fortune. Si
je possède quelque chose c'est le produit de mes économies.
J'ai eu le plaisir de causer avec Mme Bastard, qui peut
être à même de prendre sur moi les informations nécessaires.
Ayez la bonté de me répondre. D'après je saurai si je
dois espérer ou non.
Daignez aussi, je vous supplie, embrasser pour moi votre belle
Justine, toutefois si elle veut bien me faire ce plaisir.
Je suis en attendant votre dévoué serviteur,
J. M.

Nota. Cette démarche n'étant connue que de Mme [...]
d'adresser votre lettre ainsi :
A Monsieur J. [...]
rue de la [...]
n° 9 [...]

Letter page 2

English translation

years working in a bailiff's office, under the late Mr Coiffé, a bailiff in Tours (which has given me a good grounding in that profession), I have seized the opportunity that seems to present itself. I was told that Mr Nerpin, no longer expecting either his son or the husband of his eldest daughter (Mr Bastard) to succeed him, would be glad to find for his dear Justine a son-in-law who suited him and whom he might make his successor, should he wish. After considering everything, I thought that by asking I might succeed, hoping that I too might be acceptable.
My parents have an unblemished reputation but no fortune. Whatever I possess is the product of my savings.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Mme Bastard, who can obtain whatever information about me is needed.
Please be so kind as to reply; your answer will tell me whether I may hope.
I beg you, too, to embrace your lovely Justine for me, if she is willing to grant me that pleasure.
Meanwhile I remain your devoted servant,
J. M.

Note. Since only Mme [...] knows of this approach, [please] address your letter as follows:
To Monsieur J. [...]
rue de la [...]
no. 9 [...]

Address panel

Original transcript

A Monsieur
Nerpin, huissier,
A Chinon
Indre et Loire

Address panel

English translation

To Monsieur
Nerpin, bailiff,
At Chinon
Indre-et-Loire

Discovery Terms

Marriage proposal
Printing trade
Family correspondence

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