Item 43: Letter from Alfred de Vigny to Marguerite Gardiner, Countess of Blessington [in French], 1840 October 18
Item — Box: 4, Folder: 43
Dates
- Created: 1840 October 18
Creator
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Some of the name and subject authority tags have been assigned by educated guessing and estimation of persons and subjects by region, age, profession, and familial relationships. They have been thoroughly researched by using primary and secondary sources available digitally, and named in each description, or in some cases linked directly to the person tag.
Access:
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Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Letter
Condition Note:
Okay.
Measurements:
10 ½ in. x 8 in.
Description:
A letter is authored on October 18, 1840, by French poet and early French Romanticist, Alfred de Vigny, to Irish novelist, journalist, and literary hostess, Lady Marguerite Gardiner, Countess of Blessington. The letter contains notes of condolence from Alfred de Vigny to Lady Blessington on the passing of friend, Lord Durham, a British Whig statesman, colonial administrator, Governor General and high commissioner of British North America. He notes Durham’s motivating political voice, one that major role in the passage of the Reform Bill of 1832. He concludes with a wish for Lady Blessington to visit him on her travels and an offer to accompany her to France. Lord Durham died July 28, of 1840, a few months prior to De Vigny’s letter. Other transcribed letters by Lady Blessington can be found at the Making of America archive, which includes past correspondence between her and Lord Durham.
Location:
Gore House, Kensington; Paris(?); Italy;
Transcription:
Moi qui me souviens, milady, de vous avoir trouvée, mon soir si profondément affectée de la mort d’une amie, je suis mesurez toute la peine que vous avez éprouvée à la perte de Lord Durham. J’aimais toujours a me figurez que je le retrouverais à Gore-House à côte de vous et je ne suis croire encore qu’en si peu de tems il ais été entere a sen amis – je ne rains(?) pouvir avec vous de parler d’une chose déjà ancienne, comme on dirais à Paris/Garis(?), car je sais quel religieux souvenir vous gardez a ceux qui ne sont plus et qui sous furent(?) vers(?).
Je regrette dans(?) Lord Durham tout l’avenir que je me promettais de sa vie pou–(?) que et le développement des idées saines et larges, que, chez vous, il m’aveint montrées. Si je ne me suis trompé sur lui, l’alliance de la France lui semblais précieuse a plus et me titre et il —(?) profondément les vues de la Russie. S’il touait a cette génération de vos nommes d'état qui prirent part aux plus grandes luttes, il était pour sous jeune d’esprit(?) et de Caens et les nommes de pape et d'avenir a la fois sont bien rares.
Vous pensiez à voyager en Italie, y songez-vous encore, milady, je le voudrais puisque Paris/Garis(?) est sur le chemin et je suis assuré par toute la grâce avec laquelle vous m’avez ouvert Gore-house, que vous ne seriez point affligée de me voir vous porter en France l’assurance des plus sincère et du plus durable dévouement. Alfred de Vigny 18. Aout(?) 1840
Translation Attempt: [I who remember, my lady, having found you, my evening so deeply affected by the death of a friend, I can measure all the pain you felt at the loss of Lord Durham. I always liked to imagine that I would find him at Gore-House next to you and I still don't believe that in such a short time he was buried with his friends - I can't rain(?) be able with you to speak of something already old, as one would say to (?), because I know what religious memory you keep of those who are no longer and who under were(?) towards(?).]
[I regret in(?) Lord Durham all the future that I promised myself of his life for–(?) that and the development of the healthy and broad ideas, which, in your house, he had shown me. If I was not mistaken about him, the alliance of France seemed to him more precious and titles(?) me and he —(?) profoundly the views of Russia. If he killed(?) this generation of your state nominees who took part in the greatest struggles, he was for those who were young in spirit (?) and from Caens and the papal(?) nominees and the future nominees at the same time are very rare.]
[You were thinking to travel in Italy, and [if] you still are thinking [to], my lady, I would like that since Garis is on the way and I assure [you] by all the grace with which you [have] opened Gore House to me, that you would not be distressed to see me [and have] me bring you to France. [Be assured] of the the most sincere and admirable devotion,] [Alfred de Vigny 18 August 1840—Garis]
Je regrette dans(?) Lord Durham tout l’avenir que je me promettais de sa vie pou–(?) que et le développement des idées saines et larges, que, chez vous, il m’aveint montrées. Si je ne me suis trompé sur lui, l’alliance de la France lui semblais précieuse a plus et me titre et il —(?) profondément les vues de la Russie. S’il touait a cette génération de vos nommes d'état qui prirent part aux plus grandes luttes, il était pour sous jeune d’esprit(?) et de Caens et les nommes de pape et d'avenir a la fois sont bien rares.
Vous pensiez à voyager en Italie, y songez-vous encore, milady, je le voudrais puisque Paris/Garis(?) est sur le chemin et je suis assuré par toute la grâce avec laquelle vous m’avez ouvert Gore-house, que vous ne seriez point affligée de me voir vous porter en France l’assurance des plus sincère et du plus durable dévouement. Alfred de Vigny 18. Aout(?) 1840
Translation Attempt: [I who remember, my lady, having found you, my evening so deeply affected by the death of a friend, I can measure all the pain you felt at the loss of Lord Durham. I always liked to imagine that I would find him at Gore-House next to you and I still don't believe that in such a short time he was buried with his friends - I can't rain(?) be able with you to speak of something already old, as one would say to (?), because I know what religious memory you keep of those who are no longer and who under were(?) towards(?).]
[I regret in(?) Lord Durham all the future that I promised myself of his life for–(?) that and the development of the healthy and broad ideas, which, in your house, he had shown me. If I was not mistaken about him, the alliance of France seemed to him more precious and titles(?) me and he —(?) profoundly the views of Russia. If he killed(?) this generation of your state nominees who took part in the greatest struggles, he was for those who were young in spirit (?) and from Caens and the papal(?) nominees and the future nominees at the same time are very rare.]
[You were thinking to travel in Italy, and [if] you still are thinking [to], my lady, I would like that since Garis is on the way and I assure [you] by all the grace with which you [have] opened Gore House to me, that you would not be distressed to see me [and have] me bring you to France. [Be assured] of the the most sincere and admirable devotion,] [Alfred de Vigny 18 August 1840—Garis]
Creator
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
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84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu