NRA-L-000676
Letter from Julie to her mother about Gustave's re-enlistment
Julie tells her mother that Gustave has re-enlisted, describes his distress at receiving no letter from her, and writes about hardship and her own long penance. A postscript says that he re-enlisted out of spite after learning of their respective circumstances.
Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000676
Transcript and English translation
working scholarly aid
Letter page 1
Original transcript
Ma Chère Maman
J'ai [reçue?] il y a quelques jours
une lettre de Gustave, j'ai cru
de mon devoir de vous annoncer
qu'il vient de ce rengager.
Je m'empresse de vous en faire
part, pour vous tranquilliser sur
son compte ainsi que pour le
vôtre, il me dit vous avoir
écrit par l'intermédiaire de Monsieur
[Boubillat?] et qu'il voit bien
Letter page 1
English translation
My dear Mother,
I received a letter from Gustave a few days ago. I thought it my duty to tell you that he has just re-enlisted. I hasten to let you know, to set your mind at ease about him and about yourself. He tells me that he has written to you through Monsieur [Boubillat?], and that he sees clearly
Letter page 2
Original transcript
que les peines et les tourmens
qu'il[s?] vous a fait dans sa
jeunesse ne peuvent être oublié[s?]
par vous ; puisque vous ne
voullez pas lui donner la
satisfaction d'une seule fois
d'une lettre de vous. Je répète
mot pour mot ses propres paroles.
Rien de plus à vous dire
que la misère est grande partout
et que je souhaite du plus
profond de mon âme qu'elle
ne vous atteigne le moins possible
car rien de plus terrible.
Vivez chère Maman heureuse,
vous, vous le méritez ; mais
moi je subis une longue
Letter page 2
English translation
that you cannot forget the sorrows and torments he caused you in his youth, since you will not give him the satisfaction of even a single letter from you. I repeat his own words exactly.
I have nothing more to tell you except that hardship is widespread, and that I wish from the depths of my soul that it affect you as little as possible, for nothing is more dreadful. Live happily, dear Mother; you deserve it. But I am enduring a long
Letter page 3
Original transcript
pénitence. C'est ma faute.
Je tâche de la supporter en
résignation. Je suis tout en
vous aimant plus que vous ne
le croyez et suis votre fille
Soumise et respectueuse
Julie [nom ou ajout illisible]
P. S. C'est par acte de dépit
que Gustave c'est rengagé, on
lui ayant fait apercevoir nos
position[s?] respective[s?].
Péronne Dimanche le 27 février 184[7/8?].
Notes
Editorial notes: The last digit of the writer's year is unresolved. A separate Péronne postal strike on P001 reads 28 February 1847; 27 February fell on a Sunday in 1848, not 1847. The reason for the disagreement is unknown.
Letter page 3
English translation
penance. It is my fault. I try to bear it with resignation. I am, while loving you more than you think, your obedient and respectful daughter,
Julie [surname or addition unreadable].
P.S. It was out of spite that Gustave re-enlisted, after someone made him aware of our respective positions.
Péronne, Sunday, 27 February 184[7/8?].
Notes
Editorial notes: The last digit of the writer's year is unresolved. A separate Péronne postal strike on P001 reads 28 February 1847; 27 February fell on a Sunday in 1848, not 1847. The reason for the disagreement is unknown.
Address panel
Original transcript
A M[adame?] [nom incertain : Soudan/Joudan?]
Avenue de Clichy n° 21 [?]
à Batignolles [?]
Notes
Editorial notes: The recipient's name and parts of the address are faint and crossed by postal marks. The postal year and the writer's year must be assessed separately.
Address panel
English translation
To M[adame?] [name uncertain: Soudan/Joudan?]
21 Avenue de Clichy [?]
at Batignolles [?]
Notes
Editorial notes: The recipient's name and parts of the address are faint and crossed by postal marks. The postal year and the writer's year must be assessed separately.
Discovery Terms
- Family correspondence
- Military service
- Hardship